In this episode of ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Economy joins us to discuss President Xi Jinping’s vision for China. Dr. Economy emphasizes the transformative aspect of Xi’s vision and his goal of not only changing the international system at the margins but also transforming China’s role on the global stage. She discusses the importance Xi places on sovereignty and power, explaining the influence this has on China’s actions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. Furthermore, she argues that China’s behavior today and ambitions for the future are a direct result of Xi’s leadership. She points out that while his initiatives echo the ideas of past leaders, Xi has transformed them into policies. His willingness to embrace risk has largely allowed him to achieve his objectives, she says, but in some instances it has instead created international backlash and resistance. Lastly, Dr. Economy explores the integration of public and private sectors that needs to take place to manage competition with China. 

Dr. Elizabeth Economy is Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce (for China). She is on leave from Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, where she is a senior fellow. She was previously the C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director, Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations for more than a decade.