Chat Lounge

Three countries, one tour, and a clear message from Beijing- President Xi Jinping touched down in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia this week, marking one of his most strategic Southeast Asian tours in years. What's behind the charm offensive? While the U.S. is fueling global confusion and frustration with its tariff war, China and its Southeast Asian partners are trying to inject cooperation and...

History doesn't just echo, it warns. As Washington ramps up tariffs and the world braces for economic whiplash, are we watching a 21st-century rerun of Hoover's Great Depression playbook? From China's counterstrikes to cracks in America's economy, we unpack whether this trade war is strategy or self-sabotage and how it may accelerate the formation of a "post-American" global trade order. Host Tu...

Shanghai has become a pioneering city in China to introduce standards regulating smoking in outdoor public spaces. Could this be the start of a nationwide shift? China aims to cut adult smoking from 24% to 20% by 2030, but with cigarette sales still climbing, how challenging is that goal? Can this policy truly make an impact, or will deep-rooted smoking culture stand in the way?Host Tu Yun joins...

The U.S. is attempting to revive its shipyards—not with innovation, but with tariffs. A hefty 1.5-million-US-dollar fee on China-made bulk ships could shake global shipping. Will it backfire on the U.S.? Can America rebuild its industry? Will business pressure sink the plan before it sets sail?Host Tu Yun joins Dr Jane Haider, a Reader in Transport, Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff...

China's economic growth is outperforming expectations. But questions remain: when will the property slump end? Can consumer confidence keep rising? And how much will US tariffs bite?Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economist with the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr Li Wei, a Senior Lecturer at the Business School of University of Sydney, and Dr. Li Lun, an Assistant Professor of Economics...

Once upon a time, fat people were believed to be more blessed. Now, they are urged to watch their weight. On this week's Chat Lounge, host Tu Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, an associate professor of the China Studies Centre, University of Sydney, Australia, Dr. Julie Ju Shi, an associate professor of health economics at the School of Economics and the School of Global Health Development, Peking...

Private firms drive China's economy. They represent 90% of all enterprises, 60% of GDP, and over 80% of urban jobs. But with global supply chains in turmoil, how can they keep growing and thriving? Host Tu Yun and co-host Professor Qu Qiang from Minzu University of China join Michael Woo Kim-kong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference,...

China's Two Sessions, the country's major political event, is underway in Beijing and drawing global attention. During the meetings, Chinese lawmakers set economic, trade, and diplomatic policies and goals for key strategic areas in the year ahead. What key economic goals are highlighted in this year's Government Work Report? How can China achieve its growth targets of "around 5%" amid external...

Gold prices are soaring, hitting new highs more than 10 times this year! How unusual is this? What's driving the surge in addition to US President Donald Trump's tariff plan? How long might this trend last? What ripple effects will it have on the global economy and on our daily lives?Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Hans-peter Burghof, a professor and Chair of the Banking and Finance Department, University...

China has conducted another major asset reshuffle to overhaul its financial sector. The Ministry of Finance has transferred all of its controlling stakes in a group of financial companies to Central Huijin Investment, a sovereign fund under the State Council. What prompted the reshuffle? Is it just an asset transfer between different pockets of the central government? To what extent will it help...