In this episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates speaks with Weifeng Zhong — senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute and co-creator of the Policy Change Index — about his journey from Communist China to the U.S., how AI and information control shape authoritarian regimes, and why America must reclaim its fight for free expression.

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In this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates sits down with veteran intelligence officer and author Nick Eftimiades to explore the tactics behind Chinese espionage. Drawing on decades of experience at the CIA, DIA, and State Department, Eftimiades explains how Beijing uses a “whole-of-society” approach—spanning the Ministry of State Security, PLA, United Front, state-owned enterprises, and academia—to gather intelligence and influence U.S. policy. He discusses the evolution of Chinese spy craft from the Cold War to Xi Jinping’s era, the Thousand Talents Program, elite capture, and the massive transfer of American intellectual property. The conversation closes with urgent steps the U.S. must take to counter China’s operations at the federal, state, and local levels.

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Former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Cella returns to The China Desk Podcast to expose the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party at home and abroad. From Michigan universities tied to Beijing and smuggling attempts involving dangerous biological materials, to the risks of agro-terrorism against America’s food supply, Cella details how local and federal leaders are responding. The discussion also turns to the Pacific Islands, where China’s aggressive expansion challenges U.S. allies and global stability. This episode dives deep into national security, foreign influence, and the bipartisan fight to counter CCP malign activities.

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On this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Andrew Phelan—Australian entrepreneur and writer—about the rise and transformation of China from Deng Xiaoping’s reforms to Xi Jinping’s wolf warrior diplomacy. Phelan shares his personal experiences living and working in China, explains how offshoring hollowed out Western industry, and warns of Beijing’s strategy to “Delete America” while reshaping global rules. The discussion covers U.S.-China decoupling, Australia’s pushback over COVID origins, transnational repression, and the urgent need for democracies to defend sovereignty.

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Stay ahead of the shifting balance between the United States and China with China Desk Weekly. In this episode, host Steve Yates unpacks a striking New York Times story hinting at a covert U.S. special operation on North Korea’s coast. From secret missions in Iran to bomber flyovers during high-stakes summits, America continues to flex its reach. What do these signals mean for Beijing’s leaders as they weigh aggression in Asia against U.S. resolve? Join us for clear, no-nonsense analysis of China’s perception of U.S. power—and why it matters for global security.

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Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW