China In Context

Many sociologists have noticed parallels between Chinese Communism and religion. Both offer sacred texts, prophets and moral guidance. Furthermore, many aspects of China’s ideology seem to be drawn from old myths, ancient seers and even superstition. Clyde Prestowitz has been exploring the intriguing connections between politics and religion in his new book The World Turned Upside Down: America, China and the Struggle for Global Leadership (Yale, 2021). In this podcast, he discusses his ideas with the Editor of Asian Affairs, Duncan Bartlett.

China In Context: Episode 13 
Broadcast date: May 4th, 2021 

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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China displays an intense form of nationalism. People are expected to regard their nation as strong and united and to view outside criticism as a threat to progress. The Chinese Communist Party insists on loyalty from its members and encourages people who work or study abroad to remain patriotic. In this podcast, Professor Christopher Hughes from the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics looks at the domestic and international implications of China’s stringent nationalism. Hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.
 
China In Context: Episode 12 
Broadcast Date:  April 27th, 2021

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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Taiwan’s status as a self-governing island, with its own government and diplomacy, is facing unprecedented challenges. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China often presents Taiwan as a secessionist province, which has no legitimacy as a country. Yet Taiwan is rich and successful. It is home to a huge semiconductor manufacturing industry, producing chips which are used all over the world, including China. In this podcast, Professor Christopher Hughes from the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics appraises the risks of conflict between the neighbours. Hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.
 
China In Context: Episode 11 
Broadcast date: April 20th, 2021 

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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SOAS China Institute (SCI)

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China has a growing number of people who live alone. As a result, many people’s way of life has become more personalized, geared towards their own careers and individual interests. There’s also a booming industry in online dating services, as well as events like “Singles Day” an online retail extravaganza in which people are urged to splurge on a present for themselves. Jieyu Liu, Deputy Director of the SOAS China Institute, University of London, discusses the changing social attitudes towards dating, marriage and living alone in China with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. 

China In Context: Episode 10 
First broadcast 13th April, 2021

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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SOAS China Institute (SCI)

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Because of the one child policy which ran from 1979 to 2016, millions of people in China have grown up without brothers or sisters, especially in urban settings. The media sometimes describes them as “little emperors” or “little empresses” and this suggests they may be spoiled or indulged by their parents. But they also face unique pressures and responsibilities as Jieyu Liu, Deputy Director of the SOAS China Institute, University of London explains to Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.
 
China In Context: Episode 9  
First broadcast 6th April, 2021

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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SOAS China Institute (SCI)

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China’s global influence has increased enormously since it started opening up to the world in the early 1980s. On occasions, General Secretary Xi Jinping has suggested that his country’s system is “superior” to that of other nations. China is also proud of its dominant position in sectors such as manufacturing. So how does China plan to use its power and influence? Is it trying to change the world in its own image? George Magnus, Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute, discusses China’s aims with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. 

China In Context: Episode 8 
First broadcast March 30th, 2021 

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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SOAS China Institute (SCI)

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The Chinese state places great importance on national security. It believes its duty is to protect the people from foreign attack and invasion and as China’s economy has grown, so has spending on the military. George Magnus, Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute, believes that as well as protecting itself from outside threats, the Chinese Communist Party also uses a national security agenda to safeguard its own power. He discusses his ideas with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.

China In Context: Episode 7 
First broadcast 23rd March, 2021 

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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China often boasts that it is on target to become the world’s biggest economy and that in the process it’s lifting millions of people permanently out of poverty. Yet the government also acknowledges that as the population gets older, caring for the elderly creates a huge responsibility, which could have a profound effect on the economy. In this podcast, George Magnus, Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute, discusses demographics with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. 

China In Context: Episode 6 
First broadcast 16th March, 2021

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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Should Communists care about being beautiful? In Maoist China, western ideas of beauty were derided as bourgeois. It was said to be far better to judge a woman’s worth by her intelligence, patriotism, and adherence to socialist values. Yet, as China opened up to the world, femininity flowed back into fashion and now Chinese women spend a fortune on their appearance. In this podcast, Dr Jieyu Liu, Deputy Director of the SOAS China Institute, considers whether contemporary ideas around beauty empower women, or trap them into consumerism. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. 

China In Context: Episode 5 
First broadcast 9th March, 2021 

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
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SOAS China Institute (SCI)

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It is an expensive choice to have children in China, especially in big cities. Most parents struggle to afford child care and only a few employers do much to support the careers of working mothers. A new term has been coined to describe women’s challenges: the “motherhood penalty” (生育惩罚 shēngyùchéngfá). In this podcast, Dr Jieyu Liu, Deputy Director of the SOAS China Institute, explains why anxiety over the cost of parenting is having a huge impact on the birthrate and on China’s demographics. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.

China In Context: Episode 4 
First broadcast 2nd March, 2021 

For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: [email protected]

________________________________________

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.
________________________________________

SOAS China Institute (SCI)

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Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0