Taiwan Opposition Leader meets Xi Jinping in China | Silk and Steel

In this episode of The Silk and Steel Podcast, host Carl Zha sits down with Han Fei-Zi (aka Blue Bear, formerly Doggy) – a prolific writer at Asia Times – for a deep dive into classical economics, the Lucas paradox, China's development model, and why the West fundamentally misunderstands China's economic rise.The key insights: • The Lucas paradox – capital should flow from rich to poor countries, but since the 1970s, it's been flowing from poor to rich • How assets-for-goods trade has de-industrialized the West and enriched Asia (at a cost) • Why China's economy is already 2-3 times larger than the US on a real basis – and why that's dangerous for Americans to ignore • The difference between Western aid (Peace Corps, microcredit, window dressing) and Chinese infrastructure investment (roads, rails, dams, solar panels) • Why manufacturing is the hardest part – and why the US can't replicate China's supply chains • The zero-to-one myth – China isn't just copying; it's scaling and improving faster than anyoneWe break down: • Why the Belt and Road Initiative had a record year in 2025 (double 2024) • How China's solar panel exports to Africa, Pakistan, and South America are transforming the Global South • Why Western aid workers teaching Africans agriculture is absurd (Africans have been farming for thousands of years) • The Dutch disease and Baumol's law – and how they explain US de-industrialization • Why Elon Musk admitted that design is a "rounding error" compared to manufacturing engineering • The birth rate panic – and why China's STEM workforce will triple by 2050Plus: Why the US should become a "theme park" (cowboys, NASCAR, NBA), why a brown guy telling white people to work harder killed his political career, and why Americans think they invented everything (they didn't).Han Fei-Zi writes for Asia Times and can be found on X as Blue Bear Monkey (formerly Doggy – RIP).► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

Explore the deep historical and philosophical roots of Western civilisation, Christianity, and Judaism, and their influence on modern society. Laurent Guyénot discusses the origins of the Torah, the Greco-Roman foundations of the West, and the complex history of religious conflicts.https://radbodslament.substack.com► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

UK Column News — 20th April 2026► Subscribe to the UK Column YouTube channel ► https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialBrian Gerrish and Ben Rubin with today's UK Column News. ► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_newsChapters00:00 Welcome01:01 The Happy Warrior 03:03 Iran: Chaos and Confusion 10:10 The Govtech Summit: A Public-Private Marketplace Event 21:21 Global Cornish: Could Cornwall Become the Fifth UK Nation? 31:31 Support the UK Column – Read Our New Magazine, and Join Us in Plymouth for Our 20th Anniversary 35:35 The Progressive Cabal: The Global Progressive Mobilisation Event 47:47 Palantir Updates 51:51 The Public Child Protection Wales Conference: Education, Not Indoctrination

In this special episode, Carl Zha returns after a long hiatus to discuss the seismic geopolitical shifts following the recent conflict in West Asia. The conversation covers three interconnected themes: the collapse of the US strategic position in the Persian Gulf, Iran's emergence as a new "superpower" controlling 20% of the world's energy supply, and the ripple effects across the Asia-Pacific—particularly in Taiwan, where the opposition KMT is rethinking its relationship with both Washington and Beijing. Carl dissects Donald Trump's empty threats of a counter-blockade, the logistical impossibility of US naval action against Chinese tankers, and why the Yinghe incident of 1993 (a Chinese ship stranded by US GPS jamming) led directly to China's BeiDou navigation system. He also analyzes the recent KMT-CCP leadership meeting, the meaning of "we do not want Taiwan to be a battlefield," and why the depletion of US missile defenses in South Korea to protect Israel sends a chilling message to all US allies in Asia.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

In this engaging conversation, Jerm, Mike, and Charles explore practical solutions for personal and community resilience, from growing vegetables and supporting local farms to maintaining health and resisting corporate control.They emphasise the importance of local action, individual health, and authentic engagement to create meaningful change.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

Mike Robinson, Patrick Henningsen, and Basil Valentine present today's UK Column News.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news00:00 Introduction00:44 Mandelson: Murkier and murkier04:04 Oil & Gas Wars: Analysis of global situation19:04 Protest Legislation: Latest plans for further restrictions26:27 Filton 24: New trial is a ‘stitch-up’29:56 Tucker Carlson: Ignites and expands debate34:00UK Column 20th Anniversary speaker announcement – Jonathan Marshall35:44 Narratives: Starmer’s latest efforts to regain control44:18 Palantir: NHS data campaign gathers pace49:08 Covid Inquiry: Vaccine module finally released – oh dear55:24 Trumps Vs Everyone: And declares himself Jesus1:00:45 Incase You Missed It: Stories spotted by our UKC sleuths

Explore the deep historical and philosophical roots of Western civilisation, Christianity, and Judaism, and their influence on modern society.Laurent Guyénot discusses the origins of the Torah, the Greco-Roman foundations of the West, and the complex history of religious conflicts.https://radbodslament.substack.com► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

(Please be advised, this is an adult conversation describing graphic sexual practices being taught to young children in schools. Discretion is advised).Kim Isherwood is chair of the campaign group, Public Child Protection Wales. She and her team encourage parents to learn exactly what is being taught to their children, the risks sexual education poses in schools and the damage being done to young minds.Damage she says will have an impact throughout their adult and family life.Kim gives a forensic analysis into what is behind the sexualisation of children. She also sets out how she, and other concerned parents, are challenging the system and building an international movement fighting back.The tremendous work of Kim and her entire Public Child Protection Wales team has culminated in the second PCP Wales International Conference on Child Protection.The event, on Saturday 18th April, brings together powerful international speakers prepared to defend children and families, and teach other parents how to do the same.International Conference on Child Protection. 18.4.26. Newport, South Wales.Upcoming Events | Public Child Protection Wales► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

In this episode, host Carl Zha and guest Xiang Yu discuss the significance of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s historic mainland China visit (Nanjing → Shanghai → Beijing), the first KMT-CPC leadership meeting in a decade. They analyse the deeper political, historical, and economic layers of the trip, Taiwan’s internal politics, the role of the US and Japan, and how China’s rise reshapes cross-strait dynamics.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

Jim Lee and Jerm explore the complexities of chemtrails, geoengineering, and aviation pollution. They challenge misconceptions and emphasise scientific evidence.This conversation aims to empower listeners with critical thinking tools to understand and address sky pollution issues.https://climateviewer.com► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficialFollow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news