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 independent proxies can unknowingly further party messaging in key decision-making forums. Finally, Miles discusses the challenges faced by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung since he took office, and the his attempt to delicately balance South Korea’s participation in global alliances with domestic disagreements among government officials over policy toward North Korea.

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.