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This special episode of the ChinaPower podcast is the first of five featuring the audio from the China Power Project’s fifth annual conference, which comprised five live online debates. The first debate took place on November 19 and featured two experts debating the following proposition: The US-China relationship can best be described as a “new Cold War.”Over the last several years, relations between the United States and China have grown increasingly tense. Both the United States and China have expelled journalists and closed consulates amid heightened trade tensions and rancor about responsibility for Covid-19. Some experts believe Beijing is seeking to export its development model and that US-China competition has spread to the ideological realm. Other experts disagree, arguing that the Chinese Communist Party is more focused on defending against threats to its rule at home.Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), argued that the US-China relationship can best be described as a “new Cold War.” Melvyn Leffler, Edward Stettinius Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Virginia, argued that the US-China relationship cannot be described as a “new Cold War.”This event was made possible by generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

In this episode, Mr. Bill Hayton joins us to discuss the genesis of China's thinking about sovereignty and how this shapes Chinese foreign policy today. He discusses the influence of Western notions of sovereignty on China during the Qing Dynasty and argues that the dynastic tributary system is still reflected to some extent in China’s current international relations. He further argues that the Qing tribute system was important because of the domestic legitimacy it conferred on the Qing Dynasty. In addition, Mr. Hayton frames the volatile South China Sea situation in terms of sovereignty, describing control of the islands as a deeply emotional issue that is emblematic of national pride for China. He also explains how views of sovereignty could affect China’s approach to arms control, resulting in reluctance to accept third-party inspection of compliance with international treaties. Lastly, Mr. Hayton sheds light on China’s vision of an international stage characterized by relationships between individual and sovereign states rather than coalitions and blocs.   Bill Hayton is an associate fellow with the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House and a journalist with BBC World News. Throughout his career, Bill has focused on a variety of regions, including the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. He has written three books on Asia: Vietnam: Rising Dragon, South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia, and his latest book, The Invention of China, will be released in early November. 

In this episode, Dr. Mikko Huotari joins us to discuss the evolving relationship between Europe and China. He highlights the multifaceted relationship between China and the European Union, noting that the EU has labeled China as both a strategic partner and a systemic rival. Dr. Huotari argues that while the coronavirus has been a driver of recent tensions in the Europe-China relationship, there has been a longer-term negative trend of worsening ties and a lack of progress on policy agendas between the EU and China. In particular, Dr. Huotari examines China’s human rights record and discusses its impact on relations with European countries. He also evaluates the evolution of European sentiment towards China and security issues regarding China, and assesses the prospect for greater transatlantic cooperation between the United States and Europe on China policy. Lastly, Dr. Huotari analyzes the impact of the US election on Europe-China ties, saying that productive transatlantic collaboration is more likely under a Biden Administration than a second Trump administration.  Dr. Mikko Huotari is the Executive Director of MERICS. His research focuses on China’s foreign policy, China-Europe relations, and global (economic) governance and competition. He has published on China’s rise as a financial power, trade and investment relations with Europe, and geopolitical shifts related to China's emergence as a global security actor.

This episode examines China’s role in the global climate change agenda and Xi Jinping’s commitment at the September 2020 UN General Assembly for China to become carbon-neutral by 2060. Mr. Sandalow argues that this new commitment provides an opportunity for China to present itself as a global leader on climate change policy, in contrast to the United States. Although China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, Mr. Sandalow notes that China has invested heavily in renewable energy infrastructure and technology. He views China’s strength at long-term planning as a benefit in implementing effective strategies to combat climate change. Mr. Sandalow also evaluates the progress China has made since signing the Paris Accords, how technological innovation will help China achieve its climate goals, and the potential impact of a Trump re-election or a Biden presidency on US-China cooperation to address climate change. David Sandalow is the Inaugural Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy and Co-Director of the Energy and Environment Concentration at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He founded and directs the Center’s US-China Program and is author of the Guide to Chinese Climate Policy.

This episode examines the trajectory of Chinese military developments and national strategy, as well as key findings of the 2020 Department of Defense (DoD) annual report to Congress entitled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China. Our guest, Mr. Chad Sbragia, discusses a wide range of topics, including China’s capacity to launch an amphibious assault on Taiwan, China’s nuclear strategy, and the Belt and Road Initiative. Mr. Sbragia also highlights the growing alignment between the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and China’s broader national strategy, and he explores the implication of PLA modernization for stability and crisis prevention in the coming years. Mr. Chad Sbragia currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In this capacity, he is responsible for advising senior leadership within the Department of Defense on all policy matters pertaining to the development and implementation of defense strategies, plans, policies, and bilateral security relations for China. 

This episode examines China’s changing role in supply chains and the factors behind recent shifts in global production. Our guest, Dr. Wang Tao, explains why certain companies and sectors are more inclined to move their production outside of China while others choose to stay. Dr. Wang also assesses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and US-China trade war on supply chain decisions, as well as how the new Hong Kong national security law (and resulting restrictions imposed by the US) might affect reshoring. Dr. Wang Tao is a Managing Director, Chief China Economist, and Head of Asia Economic Research at UBS Investment Bank, where she leads a team that covers macroeconomic and policy issues in Asia and China. Prior to joining UBS, Dr. Wang was Head of Greater China Economics and Strategy at Bank of America and Head of Asian Economics at BP plc. She is a member of the Mainland Opportunities Committee of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council as well as a member of the Chief China Economists Forum.

This episode examines the increasing friction in US-China relations. Our guest, Dr. Lu Xiang, analyzes the primary factors behind the souring ties, and why the signing of the Phase 1 trade deal was not enough to buoy the relationship. Dr. Lu speaks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bilateral relations, and the role he sees US domestic politics playing in exacerbating tensions. He also looks at the future of US-China relations and what circumstances would allow for the relationship to stabilize moving forward.Dr. Lu Xiang is the Director for Research at the Hong Kong-based Chinese Institute of Hong Kong, an affiliate of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Dr. Lu was previously a senior researcher at the Institute of American Studies and the Institute of World Economics and Politics at CASS. From 2012-2013, Dr. Lu was a visiting fellow at CSIS. His research focuses on national strategic communications, world and US politics, Chinese foreign policy, and Hong Kong-related issues.

This episode explores the dynamics behind the June 2020 China-India border clash, and examines what the episode signifies about the changing nature of China’s approach to territorial and maritime disputes. Our guest, Dr. M. Taylor Fravel, compares the recent clash to past incidents along the Sino-Indian border and discusses whether confidence building measures have the potential to prevent further China-India territorial conflict. Dr. Fravel weighs the potential impact of the incident on India’s relationship with the United States. He also assesses Beijing's broader strategic goals in defending Chinese sovereignty, and how we should understand Beijing’s increasingly assertive policies toward border disputes.Dr. M. Taylor Fravel is the Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science and Director of the MIT Security Studies Program at MIT. Dr. Fravel currently serves on the editorial boards of the International Studies Quarterly, Security Studies, Journal of Strategic Studies, and The China Quarterly, and is a member of the board of directors for the National Committee on US-China Relations. He is also the Principal Investigator of the Maritime Awareness Project.

This episode examines China’s efforts to develop smart city infrastructure. Our guest, Dr. Alice Ekman, analyzes how China is supporting domestic technology industries in critical sectors like telecommunications and surveillance to build smart cities. Dr. Ekman explains how Beijing’s ambitions are aimed at boosting economic development and maintaining political control throughout China’s urban environments. She also assesses the risks of China’s smart cities for the international community, and how the US should respond to China’s growing prowess in smart city technology. Dr. Alice Ekman is the Senior Analyst in charge of the Asia portfolio at the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). Dr. Ekman covers foreign policy and security developments in the Asia region, including China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, India, and ASEAN. She was previously Head of China Research at the French Institute of International Relations, and a visiting scholar at Tsinghua University, National Taiwan Normal University, and the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

This episode explores the ups and downs of China’s relationship with the United Kingdom, particularly in the post-Brexit world. Our guest, Mr. Charles Parton, discusses the UK’s changing attitudes toward China and explains how Beijing's approaches to Xinjiang, 5G, Covid-19, and Hong Kong have altered UK strategic thinking. Mr. Parton also assesses the impact that the UK's departure from the European Union will have on its bilateral relationship with China. Finally, he highlights the need for the UK to develop a comprehensive strategy toward China, and offers recommendations for how the government should approach the challenges that China poses to UK interests.Charles Parton is a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, and runs his own advisory company called China Ink. In his 37 year diplomatic career, he spent 22 years working in or on China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Mr. Parton is also trustee of Chinadialogue, a NGO which focuses on China’s environmental issues. His latest report with the Policy Institute at King's College London is titled "Towards a UK strategy and policies for relations with China."

This episode examines China’s ambitions to lead the world in setting technical standards for emerging technologies. Our guest, Emily de La Bruyère, analyzes how China is advocating for its own technical standards to be adopted worldwide, and its concerted efforts to gain leverage in critical international standard-setting institutions. Ms. de La Bruyère explains Beijing’s China Standards 2035 plan and its close links to Made in China 2025. She also details the risks that China’s standard-setting agenda poses, and how the US and other Western democracies have responded.Emily de La Bruyère is co-founder of Horizon Advisory, a strategic consulting firm focused on the implications of China’s competitive approach to geopolitics. She is also a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies with a focus on China policy. Ms. de La Bruyère has led extensive China research programs and developed novel analysis tools and techniques. Her public commentaries have been published in The New York Times, Bloomberg, and the Wall Street Journal.

This episode examines China’s engagement with Nepal and the trajectory of the China-Nepal bilateral relationship. Our guest, Mr. Gaurab Shumsher Thapa analyzes the impact of Xi Jinping’s 2019 visit to Nepal as well as China’s evolving political, security, and strategic interests in Nepal. Mr. Thapa explains the Nepalese government’s support of the “One-China Policy” and the importance of Nepal’s foreign policy of non-alignment. He also discusses China’s growing investment in Nepal and the ways in which China’s Belt and Road Initiative may improve the two countries’ economic relations in the future and promote the development of Nepal.Mr. Gaurab Shumsher Thapa is the president and managing director of the Nepal Forum of International Relations Studies (Nepal FIRST). Mr. Thapa is a member of the Nepal Council of World Affairs and a regular opinion writer for Asia Times.

This episode examines the key challenges in, and future direction of, China-Sweden relations. Our guest, The Honorable Carl Bildt, analyzes the role of the Gui Minhai case and other diplomatic rows as catalysts in the deterioration of the bilateral relationship. Mr. Bildt explains the changing views of China from within the Swedish government and other constituencies, as well as the key takeaways from Sweden's China strategy paper published in late 2019. He also discusses Chinese-Swedish economic relations and outlines what future developments could have the biggest impact on the relationship.The Honorable Carl Bildt was Sweden’s Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2014 and Prime Minister from 1991 to 1994, when he negotiated Sweden’s accession to the European Union (EU). He served as EU Special Envoy to the Former Yugoslavia, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, UN Special Envoy to the Balkans, and Co-Chairman of the Dayton Peace Conference. He is currently Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

This episode unpacks China’s push to develop a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Our guest, Dr. Kevin Desouza, explains Beijing's motives and compares China’s plans for creating its own national digital currency with those of other countries that have undertaken similar initiatives. Dr. Desouza explores how a national digital currency can be used to bolster China’s finance and technology sectors, as well as its economy as a whole. He also offers his views on what China’s timeline might be for rolling out its own CBDC, particularly in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kevin Desouza is a professor of Business, Technology and Strategy in the School of Management at the Queensland University of Technology Business School. Dr. Desouza is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Governance Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, and a Distinguished Research Fellow at the China Institute for Urban Governance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He has held tenured faculty appointments at the University of Washington, Virginia Tech, and Arizona State University.

This episode explores China’s efforts to integrate its military and civilian sectors to support its military development and broader national security agenda. Our guest, Mr. Greg Levesque, discusses how Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) fits into China’s grand strategy and evaluates how effectively it has implemented the program to date. Mr. Levesque also weighs the risks and rewards of MCF in Beijing’s strategic calculus, and offers a path for how the US and its allies can respond to the growing nexus between military and civil development in China.Greg Levesque is co-founder and CEO of Strider, a technology company enabling organizations to combat intellectual property theft and supply chain vulnerabilities outside of the cyber domain. Greg has advised and supported Fortune 500 companies as well as US and European government agencies on matters of economic statecraft, particularly around China.

This episode examines China’s role in the World Health Organization (WHO), and how its relationship with the organization has changed over time. Our guest, Dr. Jeremy Youde, discusses how China has influenced how the WHO responds to global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Youde also explores the challenges WHO leadership faces when balancing public health concerns with sensitive geopolitical issues, best illustrated by China’s opposition to Taiwan’s inclusion in the organization. Dr. Jeremy Youde is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is a member of the editorial board of Global Health Governance and is the current chair of the Global Health Section of the International Studies Association. Previously, Dr. Youde was an associate professor in the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University.

This episode explores the potential for China to join a strategic nuclear dialogue with the United States and Russia. Our guest, Dr. David Santoro, details China’s perspective on arms control issues, and underscores the difficulties in forging a trilateral nuclear agreement in today’s strategic environment. Dr. Santoro also discusses how the US can engage China bilaterally to enhance the prospects for a trilateral agreement in the long run.Dr. David Santoro is Vice President and Director for Nuclear Policy Programs at Pacific Forum. He specializes in strategic and deterrence issues, as well as nonproliferation and nuclear security, with a regional focus on the Asia Pacific and Europe. He recently co-authored a report for the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg titled, Trilateral Arms Control? Perspectives from Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.

This episode explores China’s efforts to establish itself as a major player in the Arctic region. Our guest, Dr. Anne-Marie Brady, details China’s key interests in the region as they relate to its broader strategic, economic, and political objectives. Dr. Brady also discusses how China has engaged with Arctic countries and Arctic governance, and offers several important insights into how the international community should respond to China’s growing presence in the region. Dr. Anne-Marie Brady is a professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and a global fellow with the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States’ Polar Initiative at the Wilson Center. Dr. Brady is also founding and executive editor of The Polar Journal (Taylor and Francis Publishers). Her research focuses on Chinese domestic and foreign politics as well as polar politics.

This episode explores the evolution of the e-commerce market in China, the challenges it presents, and its impact on the Chinese economy. Our guest, Mr. Jacob Cooke, examines fundamental differences between the e-commerce markets in China and the United States, and discusses the shifting consumer landscape toward digital trends. He also analyzes the outlook for e-commerce in China, including the potential impact of outside events like the COVID-19 epidemic and the US-China phase one trade deal.Jacob Cooke is co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, a digital marketing and consulting firm based in Beijing. Mr. Cooke started WPIC in 2004 as an alternative for the many Western organizations frustrated by China’s obstacles to brick and mortar sales. He graduated from Beijing Jiaotong University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and participated in MIT Sloan School of Management’s executive education program focusing on artificial intelligence.

This episode explores China’s key interests and investments in Africa, as well as how China-Africa relations are likely to evolve in the future. Our guest, Dr. Joshua Eisenman, breaks down the political and economic toolkit China is using to achieve its core interests in Africa. Dr. Eisenman offers his insights on the impact of U.S. engagement on China-Africa ties, as well as analyzes the feasibility of African countries following China’s development model.Dr. Joshua Eisenman is an Associate Professor in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, and Senior Fellow for China Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. Dr. Eisenman’s research focuses on the political economy of China’s development and its foreign relations with the U.S. and the developing world—particularly Africa. He is working with Ambassador David Shinn on their second co-authored book on China-Africa relations, examining the political and security aspects of China's engagement on the continent.