Veridia | Beyond Headlines《新闻背后》

Hong Kong is a very different city from the one American expatriate Tim Gildner encountered when he first arrived 17 years ago. But is it losing its unique identity and importance—or becoming more powerful?

In this episode of Veridia | Beyond Headlines, Tim, an entrepreneur and former Wall Street financial analyst, shares his firsthand observations of Hong Kong's transformation—from the growing influx of mainland Chinese professionals and changes in education to shifting business opportunities and the city's evolving identity.

Tim makes a surprising argument: Hong Kong has become more integrated with mainland China, yet its importance to Beijing may actually be growing rather than diminishing. Why hasn't Shanghai overtaken Hong Kong? And why does Beijing still rely on the city as a gateway to global capital?

We also explore how U.S.-China tensions are reshaping Hong Kong's international standing, what Western media may overlook about everyday life in the city, and what lies ahead.

A candid, thought-provoking conversation that challenges the conventional narrative of Hong Kong's decline.

Eight years after visiting his Southern Indiana farm, I reconnect with farmer and cattle rancher Bill Comer for an honest look at American agriculture. The small family farm owner breaks down the daily pressures facing independent farmers—from surging fuel and fertilizer costs to the ripple effects of U.S.–China trade policy. He shares how his family is fighting to protect their land from suburban sprawl, why local communities are frustrated with Washington, and how these economic headwinds are shaping voters ahead of the midterms. Tune in for a grounded reality check on American voters' frustration with their representatives and the uncertain future of American's family farm.

China is a global manufacturing and technological powerhouse, yet its domestic economy faces mounting challenges. But despite these weaknesses, could Beijing actually hold the upper hand in its economic rivalry with Washington?

In the debut episode of Veridia | Beyond Headlines, journalist Liyuan Lu sits down with Derek Scissors, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and chief economist at China Beige Book, for a wide-ranging conversation about China's economic challenges, its global ambitions, and the future of U.S.–China competition.

Scissors makes a striking argument: China currently has more economic leverage over the United States, partly because Washington has allowed itself to remain dependent on critical Chinese supplies, particularly rare earths and other essential materials.

He also challenges conventional perceptions of China's economic strength, describing the country as experiencing a "domestic recession" despite its impressive export performance.

So how can China be economically vulnerable at home while wielding considerable influence abroad? And are its domestic economic problems failures Beijing has struggled to fix—or costs Xi Jinping is willing to accept in pursuit of industrial and technological dominance?

• Who holds the upper hand? Why Scissors believes China has gained economic leverage over the United States, and how rare earths and critical supply chains have become powerful bargaining tools.

• The Trump–Xi summit: What the recent meeting revealed about the economic relationship between the two countries—and the limits of their trade truce.

• China's domestic economic weakness: Why Scissors argues that China's enormous trade surplus masks a much weaker domestic economy.

• Xi Jinping's economic priorities: Why Beijing may be willing to sacrifice household consumption and faster growth to strengthen China's industrial and technological capabilities.

• What Americans get wrong about China: Why China's globally successful companies don't necessarily reflect the living standards of ordinary Chinese households.

• Has China's economic power peaked? How debt, demographics, and structural economic challenges could affect its future.

• Is America becoming more like China? A discussion of U.S. industrial policy, decoupling, export controls, and the changing rules of economic competition.

Beyond the Headlines

We end on a lighter note, discussing Derek's reading interests and his experiences with Chinese food—including a memorable encounter with spicy Sichuan beef.

About Our Guest

Derek Scissors is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and chief economist at China Beige Book. His research focuses on China's economy, U.S.–China economic relations, and international investment.

This interview was recorded before the release of China's third-quarter 2026 GDP figures.

Veridia | Beyond Headlines
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