Wang Yi in Munich, Democracy Index Rankings, and Forced Labor Backlash

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the recent announcement from technology giant Canon to close one of its major printer facilities based in mainland China, and assess the impact of a rising demand for domestic manufacturing on foreign companies based in China. Next, Miles covers the news of US naval operations and intercept of a Chinese cargo ship en route to Iran reportedly carrying dual-use goods in a move to prevent Iran’s continued remilitarization efforts. Finally, Miles provides analysis on the CCP’s continued efforts to spread anti-Japanese propaganda, and the political fallout from these campaigns that harms both Chinese domestic and foreign policy. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the new 2025 National Security Strategy document released by the White House, highlighting key elements involving the shifted focus to Indo-Pacific defense initiatives with attention to China and Taiwan. Next, Miles covers China’s latest episode of anti-Japanese sentiment during a cultural festival in Shanghai, and how this rising xenophobic trend has backfired for the Chinese Communist Party. Finally, Miles responds to the Chinese Communist Party’s attempt to discredit his own published statements on Beijing’s goal for the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, and unpacks the larger implications of the CCP’s focus on narrative dominance in cross-strait dialogue. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent call between President Trump and Xi Jinping on the topic of Taiwan, highlighting the importance of narrative dominance in the information warfare domain in cross-strait relations. Next, Miles looks into the catastrophic five alarm fire in Hong Kong last week that resulted in at least 128 casualties, and the latest updates from the official investigation into what caused the apartment complex fire. Finally, Miles reviews Taiwan’s $40-billion supplementary defense spending package, and how effective the investment will be to enhance Taiwan’s security infrastructure and further deter asymmetric threats from China. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu goes solo. First, he examines Tesla’s announcement that it will eliminate all China-sourced components from vehicles manufactured in the United States within the next two years. This marks a monumental shift in the company’s supply chain and signals a broader decoupling of key US industries from longstanding Chinese chokeholds and security vulnerabilities. Second, Miles revisits the 2015 purchase of the US insurance firm Wright USA, which specializes in liability insurance for Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigations personnel, by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group. He explains why the subsequent Committee on Foreign Investment in the US–mandated resale of the company back to Starr Companies, controlled by China’s longtime friend Maurice “Hank” Greenberg and his AIG network, may be the more consequential part of the story. Last, Miles analyzes the China factor in the ongoing US–Venezuela standoff. He discusses how the Maduro regime has advanced Beijing’s strategic interests of manufacturing global strategic distractions for the US by fueling instability and chaos across Latin America—the region long referred to as the United States’ own “backyard.” China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu tracks the backlash over statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Japan's defense policy regarding Taiwan, and what motivates Beijing's unique outrage. Second, Miles follows up on the KMT party elections last month in Taiwan where former KMT lawmaker Cheng Li-wun took over party leadership, and unpacks what this means for the KMT party platform moving forward. Lastly, Miles comments on recent political analysis from the New York Times addressing the duality of the Chinese state - one that appears outwardly strong, but faces internal struggles that may tell us a different story from the perspective of individual Chinese citizens. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's recent trip to Beijing amidst the US government investigation into the company's potentially illicit sales to China in violation of US export regulations. Next, Miles provides detailed analysis on the PLA Navy's CNS Fujian - China's latest aircraft carrier to enter fleet service - and what this means for China's naval warfare operational capacity and blue water capabilities. Finally, Miles reviews Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's recent address at the European Union's Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China's Annual Summit (IPAC) in Brussels. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the Chinese Communist Party’s fourth plenum, including the newly announced five-year development plan and appointment of Zhang Shengmin as the new Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission. Next, Miles covers the latest developments from the ASEAN summit in Malaysia including the US-China trade deal framework, and previews the upcoming APEC summit as President Trump plans to meet with Xi Jinping in South Korea. Finally, Miles circles back on Japan’s elections for Prime Minister, and outlines the potential impact PM-elect Sanae Takaichi will have on China-Japan relations and the current Indo-Pacific landscape. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the recent mass-purge of nine high-level PLA military officials and Politburo members, and the impact of Xi Jinping's continued military centralization on the PLA's warfighting capabilities. Next, Miles details the life and career of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Dr. Chen Ning Yang, and the formative role he played in support of the CCP's United Front strategy. Finally, Miles covers the latest dialogue following China's announced export controls for rare earth minerals, and responds to criticisms related to the important role of hawkish rhetoric in the US-China strategic competition landscape. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses China's recent announcement expanding export controls to further restrict foreign access to rare earth elements, and the larger impetus behind Beijing's enhanced export policy. Next, Miles unpacks the CCP's latest political warfare tactic to coerce the UK government and begin construction on the new Chinese embassy in London. Finally, Miles comments on Taiwan's 114th National Day celebrations, and reviews President Lai's comments on his plans for Taiwan's economic development and national security policies. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the accelerating trend of financial flight, and whether the CCP can stem the flow of China's wealthy elite from leaving the country. Next, Miles reviews Japan's Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, the upcoming election for Prime Minister, and China's response to the current slate of candidates and desired outcomes. Finally, Miles comments on the recent purge of Liu Jianchao from China's International Department, and Xi Jinping's efforts to concentrate the CCP's foreign affairs and diplomatic dialogue under a more centralized authority. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.