China Insider

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers President Xi Jinping’s high-profile state visit to North Korea last week, detailing the bilateral conversations held between Xi and Kim and stated outcomes, and compares this visit to Xi’s previous meetings with Presidents Trump and Putin. Next, Miles circles back on KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun’s two-week visit to the US, and highlights key m...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu observes the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, and discusses how families of the victims plan to honor their loved ones both in mainland China and abroad despite CCP censorship. Next, Miles reports on China’s continued economic woes as growth rates have declined over the past few months, and assess renewed calls for CCP intervention t...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers remarks given by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, and what his statements reveal about the current objectives of US defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Next, Miles reviews China’s decision to impose significant penalties on several brokerage firms over alleged trading infractions, and how this...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the moratorium of US weapon sales to Taiwan as part of a $14 billion package approved by Congress, and how the decision impacts cross-strait relations. Next, Miles covers the bilateral dialogue held between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping and assesses the outcomes and joint statement issued by both leaders following the summit. Finally, Miles di...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the two-day summit held in Beijing between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping. The discussion covers the strategic objectives and red lines negotiated by both leaders during the summit, and breaks down the various outcomes on key issues covered in the bilateral meetings related to the US-China trade relationship, the Iran War and conflict in the Strait of...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the sentencing of former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, and how the rulings fit into the larger pattern of Xi Jinping’s ongoing purge campaign. Next, Miles unpacks what is at stake in the upcoming Trump-Xi summit, including key strategic priorities and points of contention for both sides. Finally, Miles reviews the current view...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the state of press freedom and media rights in China in the wake of the 2026 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, where China ranked 178th out of 180 countries. Next, Miles covers the CCP’s latest attempt to address the issue of youth disenfranchisement, claiming foreign intelligence operations are behind the popular Lying-Flat movement. Finally...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the latest sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Controls targeting Chinese shadow fleet vessels involved in illicit Iranian oil transports, and the role these measures play in the larger scope of Economic Fury. Next, Miles examines Japan's participation in the Balikatan joint training military exercise, along with the U...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses Xi Jinping’s campaign for the sinicization of religion by the CCP and the increased repression of religious freedom in China, ten years later. Next, Miles reviews the latest updates from the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and how this maritime operation impacts PLA strategic calculus and potential future engagements involving Taiwan....

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews China’s planned peace offensive toward Taiwan ahead of the Trump-Xi Summit, and how this strategy may impact talks between the two countries’ leaders. Next, Miles dives into the latest developments from the US-Iran war and discusses how nearly six weeks of conflict have affected China’s approach to international affairs. Finally, we obs...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews new policies enacted by China’s Education Ministry aimed at reducing excess stress and pressure among primary and secondary school students. Next, Miles looks into China’s campaign of transnational repression and coercion against human rights advocates and legal experts with familial ties to members of ethnic minority groups living in China. ...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews Xi Jinping’s fourth visit to the Xiong’an New Area development project and details his plans for the “city of the future” including its domestic reception. Next, Miles explores the impact of US military operations in the Middle East on cross-strait relations, and addresses concerns over how a potential prolonged engagement will in...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the widespread scale of Xi Jinping’s purges in recent weeks that extends to include China's leading weapons experts and defense science officials, and the impact these removals have on PLA military operations. Next, Miles covers the CCP’s ongoing global influence campaign against western nations on the individual level, and explores how indep...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews China’s western hemisphere influence in the context of Cuba, and the importance of Cuba to China’s global strategy. Next, Miles discusses China’s potential role in the ongoing Strait of Hormuz standoff and the impact of shipping restrictions on the Chinese economy. Finally, Miles covers the Paris summit between US Treasury Secretary Sco...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews China’s Two Sessions, and what to look forward to over the coming days of China’s largest annual political meetings. Next, Miles takes a closer look at China’s security and weapons exports to Iran and provides a quality assessment of Chinese weapon systems. Lastly, Miles examines China’s response to joint military action from the ...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu analyzes the wider impact of Operation Epic Fury in the context of US-China relations, and how the joint operation changes China’s calculated approach to extending their influence in the Middle East. Second, Miles covers the Trump Administration’s efforts to counter PRC influence via multilateral forums and hemispheric diplomacy in the upcoming Shiel...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the 2026 winter Olympic games in the context of the ongoing US-China diplomatic rivalry and larger geopolitical implications of the games. Next, Miles unpacks the recent US Supreme Court ruling on US trade tariff policy, and how this might shift the landscape in bilateral trade negotiations between the US and China. Finally, we observe the Chinese lunar n...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent video call held between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to strengthen Beijing-Moscow ties and examines the current state of bilateral relations. Next, Miles provides analysis of China’s evolving clean energy sector and the importance of the EV market and other clean technologies to China’s GDP growth and economic trajectory. Finally, ...

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the increase of PLA naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal in response to US-Philippine joint military exercises, and what this development indicates about China’s evolving maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Second, Miles unpacks the decision by the Chinese Football Association to issue 73 lifetime bans to coaches and players for match f...