Chat Lounge

By China PlusNews News Commentary

Chat Lounge episodes

December 29, 2023 A review of the most memorable chapters in 2023
Time for a year-end review. Check out the most critical events from 2023 that could reshape the future of China and the rest of the world. Also, how has China’s role changed on the global stage? Is it one step closer or further away from reaching the goal of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in face of reinforced Western containment?
To find out, host Tu Yun joins Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Dr. Qu Qiang, Research Fellow of Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Mike Bastin, China observer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton on this episode of Chat Lounge.
55 min
December 22, 2023 Discover the top Chinese buzzwords of 2023
“New productive forces,” “far, far ahead,” “Special Forces style tourism"...
As the end of the year draws near, several media outlets unveil compilations of China's top "buzzwords" for the year 2023. Throughout this year, a myriad of Chinese buzzwords have surged through diverse facets of society, leaving an indelible mark on trends and behavior and reflecting the dynamic cultural shifts in modern China. How can these buzzwords serve as a distinct lens into the evolving Chinese zeitgeist? How have they reshaped perceptions of China's global economic and cultural influence?
Host Ge Anna is joined by Mike Bastin, Senior Lecturer with University of Southampton UK; Mario Cavolo, Founder and CEO of M Communications Group; Dr Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of World Economy, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
53 min
December 15, 2023 Beginning of the end for fossil fuels?
Almost 200 countries have adopted the first ever UN climate deal that calls for the world to transition away from fossil fuels.
The deal comes after two weeks of hard-fought negotiations at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
What implications does this hold for the future of humanity, and how can the international community ensure that commitments translate into tangible, real-world actions?
Host Zhao Ying is joined by Wu Changhua, Acting Chair of the Governing Council of Asia Pacific Water Forum; Ma Jun, Director of the Institute of Public & Environment Affairs, a Beijing-based NGO; and Mike Bastin, Senior Lecturer with the University of Southampton in the UK.
53 min
December 08, 2023 Why are global powers courting South Pacific nations?
France hosted the South Pacific Defense Ministers Meeting this week. As the SPDMM marks its tenth anniversary this year, its main functions have evolved from a military dialogue to include more communications in emergency response, combating climate change, etc.
What has also evolved is the presence of global powers in the South Pacific. Western powers like the United States, France, New Zealand and Australia have all been upping their games in the region. China increased its interactions with the region, too.
So how should we understand the increasing geo-strategic significance of the South Pacific? What do local people want? Host Liu Kun is joined by Joseph Siracusa, inaugural Dean of Global Futures at Curtin University; Dr. Iati Iati, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington; Josef Mahoney, Professor at East China Normal University; Chen Hong, Executive Director of Asia-Pacific Studies Center, East China Normal University.
55 min
December 01, 2023 How effective will China’s new visa-free entry policy be?
Starting Friday, citizens of Malaysia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain will no longer need visas to enter China for visits of no more than 15 days. Why didn’t Beijing introduce the policy sooner? What benefits can it generate apart from attracting more tourists? And what’s the other side of the coin?
To find out, host Tu Yun joins Dr. Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science from the International Islamic University Malaysia, Dr. Qu Qiang of Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Senior Fellow Harvey Dzodin from the Center for China and Globalization on this episode of Chat Lounge.
55 min
November 24, 2023 My expat life in rural China-ep 5: How to help revitalize a 1000-year-old Chinese village with pizza
A pizzeria in a small village in rural China? Yep and it serves pizza with stinky mandarin fish, something even some Chinese can’t take. Why would its American owner, Adrien Brill, launch the business in a village? How has it become a must-go restaurant, attracting many food lovers flying thousands of miles just for a bite? And after being appointed as a rural ambassador, what’s his plan for promoting local development? Check out Adrien’s unique experience of integrating his personal interests into China’s rural revitalization in the last episode of our special series My Expat Life in Rural China.
55 min
November 17, 2023 Media Chats: APEC creates more than economic opportunities
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC meetings took place in San Francisco this week. Leaders from the 21-member economies, including major players such as China, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada, gathered to discuss ways to enhance trade and economic growth across the Pacific region.
APEC was established in 1989 with an initial focus on trade and the economy. Official data shows that APEC’s member economies account for approximately 40% of the world’s population and half of the world’s trade.
How has APEC achieved this remarkable result? What new opportunities does it offer the region and the world? In this episode, our host Xu Yawen is joined by American host of The Bridge Podcast Jason Smith, Thai journalist Bo Siwattra, and Chilean journalist Maria Sanhueza.
54 min
November 10, 2023 China's first homegrown large cruise ship delivered
China has delivered its first homegrown large cruise ship. This makes China the only country in the world to have mastered the building of aircraft carriers, large liquefied natural gas tankers and large cruise ships, known as the three “crown jewels” of the shipbuilding industry. What’s the significance of this capability? The cruise ship Adora Magic City has attracted not only ardent tourists, but also Western skeptics. The latter are touting the idea that the cruise ship poses an “overlooked amphibious assault challenge” and can be used by China for military purposes. How true are such assertions?
Host Tu Yun cruises through these questions and more with Dr. Chen Gang, Chief Designer of Adora Magic City and General Manager of the shipbuilder CSSC Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization and Dr. Qu Qiang, Research Fellow of Global Issues, Beijing Foreign Studies University on this episode of Chat Lounge.
55 min
November 03, 2023 My expat life in rural China-ep 4: Creating China’s first “sea of tulips” for rural revitalization
In this episode of our special series My Expat Life in Rural China, Dutch tulip grower Nicolaas Kaaijk shares his story of participating in the country’s rural ecological revitalization by helping to transform a small village in the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu into the country’s first “sea of tulips" over the past decade. Kaaijk also explains why he believes China will become a leader in developing green economy.
55 min
October 27, 2023 What's at stake regarding Gavin Newsom's China trip?
For his climate-centered one week trip in China, Californian Governor Gavin Newsom tested out a new electric vehicle by Chinese automaker BYD in Shenzhen, participated in climate talks near the Great Wall in Beijing, met with Chinese officials, and more. The trip has been watched closely in America and China.
Why is making this trip important for Gavin Newsom? How are California and China working with each other on climate? What's the significance of sub-national exchanges between the U.S. and China?
For these questions and more, Host Liu Kun is joined by Hu Min, Executive Director, iGDP, the Institute of Global Decarbonization Progress; Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Former Vice President of ABC TV network; and Chen Weihua, China Daily EU Bureau Chief, and former Washington Bureau Chief.
55 min