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China's economy is facing pressure at home and abroad. Growth has slowed, while property, local government debt and weak demand remain challenges. Yet exports and manufacturing continue to show resilience. So, is China's economy really in serious trouble? And with Washington eyeing new tariffs and Brussels tightening scrutiny of Chinese companies, where does Beijing go from here?

Host TU Yun joins Dr. Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University, the United States, Dr. Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, and Dr. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation to look at the fiscal policy options, the room for further stimulus, and the bigger question: what will drive China's next phase of growth?

The Arctic is opening a new frontier for global shipping. China has launched a seasonal weekly container service linking its eastern port city Ningbo with Europe through the Northeast Passage, cutting shipment times between Asia and Europe by nearly half. But can the Arctic route move beyond a seasonal shortcut to become a major global shipping corridor? And what will it take to overcome the challenges of ice, infrastructure, geopolitics and environmental protection?

Host TU Yun joins LIU Dan, a professor at the Law School, Tong Ji University, Halldór Jóhannsson, the Director of Arctic Portal, an Iceland-based non-profit organization supporting sustainable development in the Arctic, and LIANG Linlin, a Brussels-based commentator on China-EU economic and trade relations to explore the opportunities and challenges of the emerging Ice Silk Road.

Typhoon Dolphin has brought record-breaking rainfall to parts of eastern and central China, triggering mass evacuations, transport disruptions, and flooding risks. But its impact raises bigger questions about the future of urban resilience.

As China advances efforts to build a global framework for smart city data use, the future of urban resilience is increasingly tied to how cities harness data and technology. Can artificial intelligence and drones transform disaster response from reaction to prediction? How can fast-growing coastal cities adapt to rising climate risks? And what can Typhoon Dolphin reveal about building stronger, more resilient cities?

Host Xu Yawen joins Wu Changhua, President of the Global Climate Academy and Chair of the Governing Council at the Asia Pacific Water Forum, Dr. Yao Shujie, Cheung Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University, and Yasiru Ranaraja, Founding Director of Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka, to explore the future of city resilience.

OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are all cutting prices. Coincidence? Or a sign that Chinese AI is changing the game? As Washington weighs tougher restrictions on Chinese AI models, Silicon Valley is sending a very different message, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and others embracing open-weight AI. So can the U.S. still contain China's AI rise? Or has the race already shifted from stopping China to competing with it?

Host TU Yun joins Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also the author of the newly released title The Innovation Machine: How China Creates and Adopts Technology Through Governance, Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies to unpack the next chapter in the global AI battle.

French luxury brand Louis Vuitton won in court, but is it losing China? A trademark lawsuit against the Chinese tea brand Molly Tea has sparked a nationwide debate over trademark rights, cultural heritage, and brand perception. Was this simply a legal battle, or a costly strategic misstep? As Chinese consumers become more confident and culturally conscious, is the playbook for international luxury brands changing? And could this case reshape the French luxury brand's future in China?

Host Tu Yun joins Jia Yuxuan, a research assistant at the Center for China and Globalization, John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International Business and Economics, and Subramania Bhatt, the Founder and CEO of the Singapore-based marketing technology company China Trading Desk for a close look at the dispute.

A Chinese company stepped in to save British Steel when few others would. Six years later, the UK government has stripped it of control. Was this a commercial decision, or another sign that geopolitics is rewriting the rules of global investment? What comes next? Who ultimately stands to pay the biggest price? And what lessons does this case hold for Chinese companies investing overseas? More importantly, could it reshape how China and the rest of the world view cross-border investment amid rising geopolitical tensions?

Host Tu Yun joins John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, Mike Bastin, a China observer and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton, and Bai Xianyue, Partner, Grandall Law Firm Tianjin Office for an in-depth discussion of the British Steel nationalization saga.

China's southern island province of Hainan is racing toward a bold milestone: ending the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2030. Why is Hainan leading the way? How close is it to reaching its goal? And could its experience become a blueprint for the rest of the country?

Host TU Yun joins Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also the author of the newly released title The Innovation Machine: How China Creates and Adopts Technology Through Governance, Mike Bastin, a China observer and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies to examine the opportunities and challenges behind China's most ambitious clean mobility experiment and to ask whether it marks not just a shift in transportation but a broader transformation in energy, industry, and city planning.

Beijing has unveiled a sweeping new package of measures to strengthen Hong Kong's role as the world's leading offshore renminbi hub and an international financial center. But why now? From expanding Bond Connect and offshore RMB liquidity to developing gold trading and new risk-management tools, are these measures simply deepening Hong Kong's financial markets or redefining its role in the global financial system?

Host TU Yun joins Dr. Sean Chang, Academic Assessor, HKU SPACE, the University of Hong Kong, Dr. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology to unpack what's new, why it matters, and whether Hong Kong is on track to become a global pricing center for RMB-denominated assets.

Retirement, is it really the end of the road? China doesn't seem to think so. The country has unveiled its first nationwide rules to protect over-age workers, including eligible foreign employees. Why now? Will the new protections encourage people to work longer, or make employers think twice? And how does China's approach compare with other aging societies?

Host TU Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, AustChina Institute (Melbourne), Mr. Bai Xianyue, Partner, Grandall Law Firm Tianjin Office, and Dr. Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics, Peking University to explore what these landmark rules could mean for the future of work in China and beyond.

China has unveiled a new action plan to stabilize and upgrade foreign investment. Is this just another policy update, or does it signal a deeper shift in China's approach to opening up? Why is the focus moving from market access to helping foreign companies thrive after they enter? Which sectors stand to benefit most? And amid global uncertainty and fierce competition for capital, can China remain one of the world's top investment destinations?

Host TU Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director, Institute of American and Oceania Studies, Chinese Academy of International Trade & Economic Cooperation, and Dr. Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University to unpack China's latest foreign investment playbook.