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.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
G7 after the Evian Summit
4d ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeAs global power becomes more diffuse and economic growth shifts toward emerging economies, the G7 faces growing questions about its role and relevance. Does this year's summit highlight the resilience of the G7, or expose the limits of its influence? Can the G7 still shape the global agenda in an increasingly multipolar world? Are its members united by a common vision, or simply managing their differences?
Transcribe →Unit 731 and the fight for historical truth
6d ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeMore than 80 years after World War II, why did the crimes of Unit 731 remain largely absent from global public awareness for so long? What does preserving historical truth mean for future generations and the international order? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Emanuel Pastreich, president of The Asia Institute; Alexis Dudden, professor of History at the University of Connecticut, who was interviewed in the documentary; and Liu Baocheng, dean of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics. Together, they examine the renewed attention generated by the documentary "Inside Unit 731" and explore why this history continues to resonate today.
Transcribe →2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance
2w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeAs the world confronts inequality, conflict, technological disruption and sustainable development challenges, the relationship between development and human rights is drawing renewed global attention. What does the right to development mean 40 years after the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development? Can development provide a stronger foundation for advancing human rights in an increasingly complex world?
Transcribe →Asia-Pacific security at a crossroads?
3w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizeThe latest Shangri-La Dialogue has reignited debate over the future of Asia-Pacific security. Is the region moving toward greater cooperation, or are competing security visions driving deeper divisions? How should countries balance stability, strategic autonomy, and growing geopolitical competition? And what's China's vision for a security framework based on common security rather than alliance blocs?
Transcribe →Ironclad friendship: President Vucic's state visit boosts China-Serbia ties
4w ago00:25:59Tap to summarizeChinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hailed the ironclad friendship between the two countries during the Serbian president's first state visit to China, pledging to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors, transportation, and people-to-people exchanges. How will this visit inject new vitality into the China-Serbia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
Transcribe →Is Japan on a path toward remilitarization?
4w 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
May 2100:26:00Tap 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?
May 1900:26:00Tap 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
May 1400:26:00Tap 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
May 1200:26:00Tap 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.
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