At first glance, Chinese President Xi Jinping's life story seems simple. His father was a high-ranking Chinese government official, and opened doors for his son, who rose even higher.

But his rise to become the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao Zedong seems far more unlikely when you find out what Mao's policies did to Xi's family during his childhood.

In this episode we tell the story of Xi's — from its terrifying beginning to mysterious end — and ask if he is the catalyst for the deterioration of relations between China and Australia.

Guest:

Dr Joseph Torigian, expert on Chinese elite politics, American University

Dr Feng Chongyi — Associate Professor in China Studies — University of Technology, Sydney

Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister

Louisa Lim, author of The People's Republic of Amnesia and co-host of The Little Red Podcast

Dr Helen Sham-ho OAM, first Chinese-born MP in an Australian Parliament

A podcast about how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse.

Not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping was regularly having warm, friendly chats with Australia's Prime Ministers.

Now, he won't even take our phone calls, trade is being blocked, and Australian politicians are talking about preparations for war.

Episode 1 coming on the 1st of June.

When the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, killing hundreds of thousands in its wake, President Donald Trump's new way of running the country suddenly left America exposed.

For a decade Donald Trump railed against China.

But once he was elected, Chinese President Xi Jinping quickly broke down Trump's defences.

In today's episode, how President Xi turned Trump's disdain for China into a beautiful friendship.

And created the perfect distraction from what China was really doing.

Just this month, the public finally got access to Donald Trump's tax returns.

They revealed that he pays little to no tax, because he makes very little money.

So what does a businessman do when he needs to revamp his image and make a little cash? Become the most famous person in the world.

How Donald Trump tried to make money off the Presidency.

Donald Trump ran for election on some promises - building a wall between the US and Mexico, and stopping the immigration of Muslims.

But instead of living up to his promise to stem the tide of immigrants, he resorted to truly shocking measures.

How did Donald Trump push America's immigration system to the limits of what is legal, and what is morally justifiable?

When George Floyd was killed by police, protestors took to the streets in worldwide support of the Black Lives Matter protests.

Donald Trump has a long history with speaking out on issues to do with race.

So how far did his law and order response go toward soothing America's centuries old racial divide.

When Donald Trump was elected, he promised to Make America Proud Again but did he just end up making it worse?

As a businessman and presidential candidate, Donald Trump was extremely harsh on Saudi Arabia.

So when Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside a Saudi consulate, why did Donald Trump come to the Kingdom's defence?

Within months of taking office, Donald Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury".

Soon afterwards, he would tear up a nuclear deal with Iran and bring the US to the brink of war.

And yet that war never came.

This is the story of how Donald Trump resisted temptation and kept the peace.

The most powerful gun lobby group in the United States was brought to the edge of collapse.

And right at that moment, Donald Trump vowed to do something about mass shootings.

Could Donald Trump finally defeat the NRA, or when the moment came, did he flinch?