Podcast
The Hub with Wang Guan
Hosted by China Plus · EN
The Hub covers hot-button geopolitical and economic issues, as well as interesting stories and trends in culture, education, technology and lifestyle. It aims to connect people, cultures and societies across the East and the West.
16episodes
Episodes
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Is Japan on a path toward remilitarization?
6d ago00:26:00Tap to summarizePhilippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday as the two sides look to increase defense cooperation during Marcos' four-day state visit. How will this trip impact Japan-Philippines relations? Is Japan on a path toward remilitarization? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan asks whether Tokyo is abandoning its post-war commitments and how a remilitarized Japan could impact the region's stability. To unpack this and more, Wang Guan is joined by Jeff Kingston, professor of Asian Studies at Temple University, Tai Wei Lim, professor of Economics at Soka University, and Yang Chan, tenured associate professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Transcribe →What China and Russia's new stage of ties means for Global South and world
2w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeChinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hail a new stage in bilateral ties as they agree to further extend a China-Russia friendship treaty and pledge to work together for a more just and equitable world order. In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan unpacks the biggest developments from President Putin's two-day state visit to China. What does this "new stage" of relations mean for China-Russia ties? What could it mean for the Global South? How will these developments impact the broader international landscape?
Transcribe →Putin in Beijing: What's next for China-Russia ties?
2w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeRussian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China comes as the two countries mark major milestones in bilateral relations: 30 years since the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, and 25 years since the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. As the 10th China-Russia Expo gets underway in Harbin, the visit highlights not only expanding trade and economic ties, but also deeper cooperation in education, culture, global governance, and regional stability. In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with experts from China, Russia and the United States on the priorities of Putin's visit, the resilience of China-Russia relations, and what this partnership means for a rapidly changing world order.
Transcribe →A constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability
3w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeChinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump to Beijing on Thursday as the American leader began his state visit to China. Meeting his counterpart at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi said he expects 2026 to be a "historic, landmark year" that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations. Meanwhile, President Trump said the relationship between China and the United States will be "better than ever before." Both leaders have agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability. What can we expect from Trump's visit? How can the heads-of-state meeting help steer China-US relations steadily forward?
Transcribe →China-US cooperation beyond the headlines
3w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeWhen China-US relations make headlines, the focus is often on rivalry, confrontation, and strategic differences. But beyond that, cooperation is still taking place in more practical ways. In this segment of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Zhao Xiuye, a PhD candidate at Tsinghua University's School of Public Policy and Management and a participant of a youth program between China and the US, about the role of people-to-people exchanges, and the growing importance of sub-national cooperation between Chinese provinces and US states. From AI, climate change and clean energy to education and local-level dialogue, the discussion explores where cooperation remains possible, even when national politics get complicated.
Transcribe →Japan's recent security shift puts Asia-Pacific stability at risk
4w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeJapan is expanding its security role across the Asia-Pacific, raising new questions about regional stability and strategic balance. Is this a natural response to changing conditions, or a deliberate effort to reshape the regional order? What risks could this shift bring for neighboring countries? In this edition of The Hub, experts explore Japan's recent diplomatic and defense outreach, discuss changes to arms export policies, and examine how regional partners are responding. They delve into the historical context behind today's security dynamics, look into domestic political drivers in Japan, and assess the broader implications for China-Japan relations and the future of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Transcribe →China-Africa ties at 70: A new zero-tariff era starts on May 1
Apr 3000:26:00Tap to summarizeChina and Africa mark 70 years of diplomatic ties with a major step toward deeper trade integration. Starting May 1, China will grant tariff-free access to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, alongside faster "green lanes" for exports. What does this new policy mean for African exporters? With protectionism on the rise, can the China-Africa partnership help shape a more open and balanced global trading system? On The Hub, Wang Guan brings together He Wenping, professor and senior research fellow at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Lara Netherlands from South Africa, founder and CEO of Tilapia Solutions, a company based in Hainan, China. They explore the shift from scale to quality in China-Africa bilateral trade, discuss the impact of expanded market access, and examine the practical challenges facing exporters on the ground.
Transcribe →Why should we be alarmed at Japan's decision to export lethal weapons？
Apr 2400:26:00Tap to summarizeJapan's recent policy moves are drawing global concern and raising complex questions about security, history, and regional stability. Is Japan reshaping its strategic identity? What do these developments mean for the balance of power in East Asia and beyond? In this episode of The Hub, host Wang Guan and guests explore Japan's decision to allow the export of lethal weapons for the first time in decades. The discussion examines Japan's logic behind this shift and how it aligns with Tokyo's expanding security objectives. They also explores the political and historical symbolism of Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's offering to Yasukuni Shrine, and how these parallel moves may signal deeper ideological drift toward neo-militarism.
Transcribe →Global security at a crossroads: How China's Global Security Initiative delivers stability
Apr 2100:26:00Tap to summarizeGlobal security is undergoing profound change as new risks and shifting power dynamics reshape the international order. As China's Global Security Initiative marks its fourth anniversary, what role has it played so far? Can cooperation replace confrontation in today's world, and can new ideas deliver real stability on the ground? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Xia Lu, research fellow at the National Academy of Development and Strategies at Renmin University of China, and Einar Tangen, senior fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation. Together, they explore how the global security landscape is evolving and assess whether the current international system is weakening. They discuss China's approach to mediation and its role in easing regional tensions, including recent efforts in the Middle East. The panel also looks at what middle power countries can do to chart a principled and pragmatic path to address global and regional security concerns.
Transcribe →China's economy under the lens: Resilience in a shifting global landscape
Apr 1600:26:00Tap to summarizeAs global uncertainty rises, how is China sustaining growth and shaping new opportunities? What does deeper international cooperation with China mean for the world economy? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan talks to guests to explore IMF's latest outlook for the world economy, China's recent economic data and the drivers behind its strong trade performance, expanding domestic demand, and the rise of high-tech industries. Their conversation examines how new growth engines such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and digital services are shaping China's next phase of development. The discussion also delves into China's green transition and its implications for global energy security, and looks at why more countries are deepening cooperation with China amid global uncertainty.
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