A new survey conducted by South Africa’s Ichikowitz Family Foundation has found that China has overtaken the US as the foreign power regarded by young Africans as having the biggest positive influence on the continent. What’s behind this change?  Why is China’s influence rising despite some Western narratives to discredit Chinese investments on the continent? What extra efforts do Chinese companies and individuals need to make so to further solidify their relations with Africa?

To find answers to these and others, host Tu Yun is joined by Mubarak Mugabo, a Beijing-based Ugandan journalist and fellow of the China Africa Press Center; Li Lianxing, former Africa correspondent of a leading English newspaper in China and author and commentator Thomas Pauken II in this episode of Chat Lounge.

China sees a record number of students sitting the annual college entrance exams, also known as the gaokao, this year. The once life-changing event for millions of Chinese and even the nation has its significance both domestically and internationally.

To find out, host Tu Yun is joined by two gaokao “survivors,” Han Hua, Board Member of the China Forum at Tsinghua University and Dr. Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics at University of International Business and Economics, as well as David Moser, associate professor at Beijing Capital Normal University on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Mass shootings in public places have become an almost daily occurrence in the United States. Despite the fact that the majority of the population support stricter gun control, it seems unlikely for such measures to be adopted. A powerful force stands in the way. Is the nation held hostage by gun lobbyist groups such as the NRA? The huge retail gun trade bolstered by America’s culture of violence is said to be one side of the armament coin, while on the other side lies the military-industrial complex.

Former US President Dwight Eisenhower once warned against the unwarranted influence of the military-industrial complex, saying it would become a threat to a democratic gov't. Has this prophecy unfortunately come true?

To find out, host Tu Yun is joined by Harvey Dzodin, former vice president of ABC TV network, Dr. Zhao Hai, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and David Moser, associate professor at Beijing Capital Normal University on this episode of Chat Lounge.

The Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative launched last year in the U.S. has found at least 500 children died in the country’s Native American boarding schools over the course of 150 years. Many of them were physically, emotionally or even sexually abused. What did the indigenous peoples do to deserve such a treatment? How likely is it to see a substantial improvement in the social status, living conditions and every other aspect of life for Native Americans in the near future?

To find out, host Tu Yun is joined by Harvey Dzodin, senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization & former vice president of ABC TV network in New York, Josef Mahoney, professor of politics, East China Normal University in Shanghai, and John Gong, professor of economics, China’s University of International Business and Economics on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Data shows that anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States more than quadrupled in 2021 compared to the year before despite the passing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act last year. How dangerous is it for Asians to be in the US these days? How is hate crime against Asian-Americans different from the violence targeting other ethnic groups? And will it ever be eradicated from US society?

Host Tu Yun is joined by Professor Josef Mahoney of East China Normal University in Shanghai, Mario Cavolo, senior fellow with the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, and Dr Zhao Hai of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to have a chat on the issue.

Authorities in China have issued a new guideline restricting the use of live streaming and tipping for Chinese youth. Under the guideline, online gaming platforms are also required to put in place a 10 pm viewing curfew for teenagers. What would that mean for online users under the age of 18, parents and the livestreaming service providers?

For answers to this and other questions, host Tu Yun is joined by Han Hua, Board Member of the China Forum, Tsinghua University, Wu Changchang, associate professor with the Journalism Department of Communication College, East China Normal University and author and commentator Thomas Pauken II in this episode of Chat Lounge.

Beijing’s Chaoyang District, the capital city’s most populous district, has drawn wide attention recently as it recruited over 200 university graduates, 95 percent of whom have either a Phd or a master’s degree, mainly for lowly government jobs. Why would a college graduate with a doctorate or a master’s degree want to become a chengguan, or urban management officer? Is it a waste of talent for them to do so?

To find out, host Tu Yun is joined by Chen Xi, PhD candidate at East China Normal University in Shanghai, Dr. Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics at University of International Business and Economics, and David Moser, associate professor at Beijing Capital Normal University.

An increasing number of states in the United States are banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools. The move has sparked nationwide debates, with critics arguing this could result in whitewashing US history ignoring more than 400 years of African slavery and redacting the Chinese Exclusion Act and widening the existing divisions in U.S. society.

Host Tu Yun is joined by Dr. Zhao Hai, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, associate professor David Moser from Beijing Capital Normal University, and author and commentator Thomas Pauken II for a discussion of the issue.

China’s economy grew by 4.8 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. This growth rate is lower than the annual target of 5.5 percent set by the central government, but it is still higher than the predictions made by a slew of international institutes. Can the growth momentum last? Will the annual target be reached? Or does the growth rate really matter?

To find out, host Tu Yun is joined by Dr. John Gong, Professor of Economics at the University of International Business and Economics, Rodrigo Zeidan, Associate Professor of Practice of Business and Finance, New York University Shanghai, and author and commentator Thomas Pauken II.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases have surpassed 500 million worldwide with the omicron variant accounting for over 99 percent of the total. A World Health Organization panel of experts in February found that Traditional Chinese Medicine has potential benefits in treating some COVID-19 patients. What role can TCM play in the management of the pandemic?

For answers to this and other questions, host Tu Yun is joined by Dr. Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics at University of International Business and Economics, Wang Lepeng, Associate Professor at the Chinese Medicine Culture Center of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and author and commentator Thomas Pauken II.