China Insider

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Shanghai as China seeks to solidify its role in the Global South and promote domestic AI innovation and development. Next, we revisit trade tensions between the United States and China and assess the potential for bilateral trade negotiations to resolve the ongoing trade war. Lastly, we examine China’s current trade policy and economic growth in the face of continued United States tariffs, and the consequences of a sustained economic conflict for China.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the recall campaign movement in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and what this means for the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) coalition, as well as implications for the future of U.S.-Taiwan relations. Second, Miles looks to answer whether China over-extended in its response to United States tariffs, and how China’s response may not reflect the economic reality. Lastly, we look into Apple’s announcement to transition iPhone production from China to India by the end of 2026, and assess China’s economic capacity to absorb such a...

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu investigates the recent fatal crash involving the Xiaomi SU7 EV that left three university students dead while the autonomous navigation system was activated. Next, we discuss China’s Ministry of Foreign Affair’s response to increased U.S. tariffs and what the invocation of Maoist rhetoric means as trade tensions escalate between the two countries. Lastly, Miles analyzes the Volt Typhoon cyberattack efforts against critical U.S. infrastructure, and what this series of widespread attacks means for a potential future conflict involving Taiwan.

China Insider is a weekly p...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu analyzes the latest round of global reciprocal tariffs and the role China plays in the current global economy. Next, we look into the latest round of purges including top People's Liberation Army General He Weidong and what this means for Xi Jinping’s political cadre and the Central Military Commission going forward. Finally, Miles unpacks the PLA’s two-day military exercise around Taiwan and the impact on Cross-Strait relations.

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior F...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu details Taiwan’s decision to revoke visas for several pro-Beijing social media influencers and the island’s continued efforts to counter Chinese coercion. Next, we take a look at the latest development in sales negotiations for port operations near the Panama Canal owned by Hong Kong based CK Hutchinson Holdings. Finally, Miles unpacks Secretary Hegseth’s recent visit to the Indo-Pacific—what was said, where it was said, and the importance of enhanced strategic deterrence as the United States pivots to the Pacific.

China Insider is a weekly podca...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu details the recent termination of United States federal grants for US Agency for Global Media outlets including Voice of America, and what this means for information access in China. Next, he explores Niger’s decision to expel three Chinese oil executives over wage disputes between local and expatriate workers from China. Finally, Miles digs into the recent unclassified report on corruption within the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership by the Office of the Director for National Intelligence, and discusses the implications of these findings on Xi Jinping’s ongoing Anti-Corr...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu details Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s (TSMC) $100bn investment and reaffirmed commitment to supporting US-based semiconductor production. Next, we explore the latest initiative from the House of Representatives that takes aim at Chinese student visas and the current imbalance in US-China international education exchange. Lastly, Miles examines the latest rhetorical exchange between Taipei and Beijing, and the significance of Taiwan’s resilience against the CCP’s United Front.

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu examines the latest round of reciprocal U.S. tariffs on imported goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, and why China remains the focus of U.S. trade policy. Next, Miles responds to comments from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding China’s readiness for any conflict, trade or otherwise. Lastly, Miles peels back the curtain on the Two Sessions congress held last week in Beijing, and the impact of China’s current economic challenges on the CCP’s domestic legitimacy.

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu unpacks the Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting and what the development in US-Ukraine relations could mean for China. Next, Miles examines Thailand’s recent deportation of 40 Uyghur men to China and explains how this disturbing exchange is a strategic outcome of China’s expanding coercive campaign in the Indo-Pacific region. Lastly, Miles takes a look at Trump’s recent announcement of a U.S. immigration visa Gold Card and what impact this may have on Chinese investors.

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu unpacks the name changes made across the US State Department’s website and why these designations carrying significant implications for US foreign policy toward China. Next, Miles peels back the curtain on Xi Jinping’s latest meeting with high-profile leaders in China’s technology sector, and whether this will truly infuse confidence in the Chinese economy. Lastly, Miles analyzes China’s evolving legal warfare campaign against Taiwan across the Global South, and how this impacts the status quo in cross-strait relations. 

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from ...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, expert Miles Yu unpacks the latest announcements from the Department of Defense regarding United States involvement in the Ukraine War and NATO, and the implications of the shift in strategic focus toward the evolving China threat. Next, Miles analyzes the latest universal and reciprocal tariff announcements, and what we can expect from Beijing in response. Lastly, Miles explores China’s model of self-enrichment, the threat it poses to the current global economic order, and potential countermeasures available to the US and allies. 

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hud...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, expert Miles Yu breaks down the first month of Trump 2.0, and where China fits into the new administration’s foreign policy strategy and strategic response from Beijing. Next, Miles takes a detailed look at the developing United States tariff strategy toward China, and why this has been such a focus of headlines the past few weeks. Lastly, Miles explores China’s reckless lab practices and the impact they have on the capacity of global health organizations to respond to future crises.

China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Ins...

Miles sits down with Damon Wilson, president and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the primary American foundation supporting democracy worldwide. They discuss a wide range of issues vital to global freedom and democracy, including NED’s origins, mission and current projects, America's role in the world, and the importance of preserving and expanding the existing democratic world order.

In this episode of China Insider, China Center Director Miles Yu analyzes the landmark ruling by the DC Appeals Court against TikTok that upholds legal protection of free speech against foreign adversaries’ malign influence. He also discusses a new opinion survey revealing the pulse of the nation on U.S. leadership in world affairs, the dramatic uptick of positive sentiment against China and America’s commitment to the defense and sovereignty of Taiwan.

In this week's China Insider, expert Miles Yu discusses the peculiar purge of Admiral Miao Hua and why this should not come as a surprise to anyone. Next he does a deep dive into the contentious issue of tariffs on Chinese imports, and finishes by analyzing China's draconian restrictions of free capital flows by foreign companies.

In their meeting in Peru, Xi Jinping laid out 4 "red lines" to President Joe Biden, detailing the issues where he expects the US to avoid interference in the affairs of the Chinese Communist Party. Expert Miles Yu unpacks these red lines and what they mean for Donald Trump's incoming administration. Next, Miles covers a brutal killing in mainland China and how it feeds into the larger surge of violent killings across China. Finally, we provide an update on the conflict in Ukraine, and why we might see a lot more North Korean troops on the front lines in the...

Former President Donald Trump has been reelected, so we open this week with Miles Yu’s take on the how and why of Trump’s reelection and what it says about the state of the American people and American democracy. Next, Miles previews what Trump’s reelection means for United States–China relations, how the Chinese Communist Party might react, and where Trump and Xi Jinping might butt heads first. We close by highlighting a viral cultural phenomenon unfolding inside China, which saw tens of thousands of young people harmlessly riding bicycles overnight to go get dumplings. The CCP has sinc...

It’s election day! If you haven’t already, go do your civic duty and vote. With that settled, we open this week with Miles on just what makes American democracy so unique and influential around the globe. Everyone worldwide has a vested interest in the outcomes of our elections, and China is no exception. Miles reviews the Chinese Communist Party’s outlook on our elections and highlights their past (and current) attempts to interfere in our democratic system. We then close with a quick glance again at the North Korean troops in Ukraine, but use this topic as a cata...

Hudson expert Miles Yu opens with his assessment of the BRICS summit held last week in Kazan, Russia, and whether it accomplished anything other than a moral victory for Vladimir Putin’s legitimatization campaign. Second, he analyzes the conveniently timed agreement between China and India over their longstanding border dispute in the Himalayas and argues that the solution is more a circumstantial strategy shift than a true settlement. Finally, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited the Island of Quemoy to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou, which Miles likens to both the Battle of Saratoga and the Ba...

South Korean intelligence services have revealed credible evidence that North Korea has deployed upwards of 12,000 troops for training and ultimately combat alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine. Miles Yu analyzes the significance of this escalation what this signals for the anti-western axis of Russia, China and North Korea.  Second, with the US presidential election reaching its apex, the economy, and tariffs, are in the spotlight. Miles retraces what lead to the tariffs on Chinese imports started during Trump's first term, and why they  have had such strong bipartisan support. Finally, Miles details why China has so few Nobel lau...

We start with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s “Double Ten” speech last week, which commemorated Taiwan’s National Day on October 10. President Lai laid out his government’s agenda and called for cooperation to bring political unity to Taiwan. Next, we detail the dramatic rise and fall of China’s stock market in the last two weeks and why the Chinese Communist Party’s planned economy is losing trust both domestically and internationally. And last, we cover the detention of four Taiwanese business executives working at Foxconn in mainland China.

On October 1st the Chinese Communist Party commemorated 75 years of CCP rule over mainland China. Meanwhile October 10th serves as Taiwan's national day. For two countries, so geographically close, and so historically tied, to share national days so close and historically tied, creates an obvious political rivalry. Miles Yu lays out for us how this national day rivalry manifests itself. Next, we analyze President Lai's recent refusal of a "peace agreement" with China, deciding instead to publicly push a desire for "peace through strength and self-defense." And last, with the 1-year anniversary of the October 7th terror attacks in...

Human rights sat decidedly at the core of the bi-lateral relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States during the cold war. International awareness, dissident support and tangible accountability measures made human rights a powerful tool in the US arsenal to combat communist influence. Yet, today we don't see the same clarity in policy and action applied to the actions of the Chinese Communist Party. Whether it's the Uyghurs, or any other group from the laundry list of oppressed minorities, the CCP has made it a policy to subjugate, kill, silence or "re-educate" anyone who does not center...

For the first time ever a Japanese destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait, and on the same day naval vessels from Australia and New Zealand also sailed together through the disputed waterway. Miles Yu gives us the background behind the strait's importance for setting the tone with regard to international partnership against Chinese aggression. Second, in light of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's trip to the U.S., we ask Miles what the state of the Ukraine war is, but specifically through the lens of how China see's and fuel's the conflict. Lastly, we profile the newly elected Prime Minister of Ja...

With President Joe Biden's final Quad meeting taking place last weekend, Miles Yu gives us some background on the multilateral group of nations, and it's importance in defining, and bringing order to, the Indo-Pacific. Next, we cover the continued rise of violent xenophobia inside China in light of another stabbing and death of a 10-year old Japanese schoolboy. This time the Japanese government, along with Japanese companies in China, is making it clear that they're fed up with the Chines Communist Party's culture of fear.  Finally, the U.S. Commerce Department officially proposed a new ban on Chinese-made car p...

The Chinese Communist Party announced that it will no longer allow international adoptions of Chinese children. Hudson expert Miles Yu analyzes whether the cause is demographics, politics, or something else. Then we move to the recent detention of Chinese investment bankers to evaluate why the CCP is going after them now, and how the move could spook the larger economy. Finally, Miles describes why nationalist Chinese sports fans are furious after the Chinese men's soccer team lost to Japan 7-0, and demonstrates why centralized and grandiose political ambitions can't force you to be good at soccer. 

Linda Sun, a New York public official and senior advisor for New York governors Cuomo and Hochol, has been charged with being a Chinese agent while in office. Miles Yu addresses what she is accused of, and takes a wider look at the history of Chinese espionage.  Next, we analyze why a seemingly local fender-bender turned into a microcosm demonstrating the Chinese Communist Party's mistreatment of its veterans. And finally, Taiwanese President Lai Ching Te used a recent interview to turn the tables on Chinese land annexation policies by citing Chinese claims over Russian land. The double standard has led to...

IBM announced they'll be ending their research and development operations in China, impacting over 1,000 jobs. But they're not cutting these jobs, just relocating them outside of China. Miles explains why. Next, Miles details the CCP's new "housing pension system" and closes with the latest collision in the South China Sea when a Chinese Coast Guard ship rammed a Philippine counterpart.

Senior Fellow, Miles Yu, reacts to our very own Hudson colleague, Nikki Haley, who delivered a speech in Taiwan last week urging the US to do more to elevate Taiwan on the international stage. But how? Next he details the dangerous trend of economic nationalism under the Chines Communist Party in light of an Olympic medalist buying an iPhone instead of a Chinese-made phone. Lastly, he addresses the 120th birthday of Deng Deng Xiaoping, and what his legacy means for Xi Jinping's leadership today. 

Miles Yu examines the large exodus of wealthy Chinese who are working to get their money out of China, revealing why this is happening, where the money is going, and how they are pulling it off. Next, he focuses on the Chinese Communist Party’s flood of money into American colleges and why US universities are still so attractive to Chinese academics. Finally, he closes by explaining how the shadow of past and current doping scandals looms over the Olympic medals earned by China in Paris. 

How much engagement is too much engagement with the Chinese Communist Party? How do we hold the CCP accountable? What kind of policy has ever worked to change CCP behavior? Authors of the new book Embracing Communist China: America's Greatest Strategic Failure James Fennell and Bradley Thayer join host Miles Yu to answer these questions by looking back at the history of failed American policy toward China to ensure we learn lessons for effective engagement with China in the future.

The Chinese Communist Party is looking at a new big-brother-esque tech policy that would assign Chinese citizens a cyber-ID for their online activity. Miles Yu details why this is another totalitarian move meant to monitor speech, control dissidents, and limit online freedom. Second, amidst Kamala Harris’s selection of Tim Walz as her running mate, Miles talks about the Minnesota governor’s past ties to China. Finally, there’s unrest in China’s Belt and Road Initiative with mass protests occurring in countries like Bangladesh and Venezuela. Miles gives his thoughts on whether it’s a coincidence or not.

With the Paris Olympics in full swing, Miles Yu analyzes how the Chinese Communist Party approaches international sports and plays politics with one of the greatest venues for displaying soft power. Miles then talks about China hosting Palestinian leaders in Beijing in a failed attempt to form a Palestinian unity government. He ends by explaining the CCP’s controversial plan to raise the retirement age in China.

Miles analyzes another round of joint exercises involving Japan, but this time with Germany, France and Spain to conduct air drills with its Air Self Defense Force. Miles details why Japan has become such a coveted global partner, and why European countries are taking increased notice of the China threat. Next we explore China’s activity in the arctic and what they’re interests in the polar frontier could be, as well as what the global Crowdstrike outage tells us about China’s online authoritarianism. 

Last week Japan and Taiwan coordinated coast guards in a joint maritime exercise, the first of it's kind in over 50 years. Expert Miles Yu explains what the Chinese Communist Party's reaction was and what it could mean for regional alliances. Next, Miles details the unique regional importance of Vietnam in light of the death of Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. And finally, Miles reveals what's behind the viral and failing robotaxis popping up around Chinese cities. 

Deterring the aggressive ambitions of Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party will require more than just setting red lines. Hudson Senior Fellow, John Lee, joins host Miles Yu to explain why it will require an international coalition with both the capability and resolve to effectively counter the CCP with strategies that both deny and impose cost.  

Read John Lee's new report titled, "Deterring China: Imposing Nonmilitary Costs to Preserve Peace in the Taiwan Strait." 

After yet another stabbing attack hit headlines, which saw a Chinese man attack a Japanese woman and her son, Miles Yu explains why the Chinese Communist Party and its state-fueled propaganda machine are at fault for rising xenophobia in China. The episode goes on to explain what to expect from the CCP's Third Plenum, and finishes covering an investigative story that exposed wide spread toxic contamination of cooking oils in China. 

With the NATO Summit happening in Washington D.C. this week, Miles details why multilateral engagement in Asia through NATO expansion, or the establishment of a NATO-like alliance, would be such an effective bulwark against the Chinese Communist Party. Secondly, we cover some of China's latest acts of maritime aggression against Taiwan and the Philippines, and Miles hosts the second installment of Hudson's conference on the 2005 Anti-cessation law. 

Miles Yu reacts to Xi Jinping's latest purging of a plethora of military leaders including China's defense minister, and Xi's speech commemorating 70 years of the Chinese Communist Party's “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State released its annual report on International Religious Freedom and detailed the CCP's repressive practices against religious minorities in China.