
Hosted by UK Column · EN

In this episode of Bridge to China, Jason Smith sits down with political commentator and Silk & Steel Podcast host Carl Zha to explore the extraordinary story of China's transformation—from the Japanese occupation and Chinese Civil War to Mao-era nation building, Deng Xiaoping's reforms, and the modern economic miracle.Carl explains how the Communist Party established control in the countryside, why land reform was so important, how China eliminated widespread opium addiction, the role of Soviet assistance in early industrialization, and how market reforms after 1978 unleashed decades of growth.The conversation also examines poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, education, industrial policy, China's relationship with Africa, and what developing—and developed—countries might learn from China's experience.Whether you're interested in Chinese history, geopolitics, economics, or development, this episode offers a comprehensive look at one of the most significant national transformations in human history.Topics CoveredHow the Communist Party expanded during the Japanese occupationThe Chinese Civil War and the fall of the KMTSoviet support and the industrialization of ChinaLand reform and peasant mobilizationThe eradication of opium addictionLiteracy campaigns and educational reformBarefoot doctors and rising life expectancyChina's first industrial revolutionDeng Xiaoping and Reform & Opening UpShenzhen and Special Economic ZonesChina's manufacturing boomPoverty alleviation and modernizationChina-Africa cooperation and the TAZARA RailwayLessons from China's development model► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook► Instagram

PD Lawton explains the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network — a 2013 project to electrify and connect all of Africa by rail. Ethiopia and Tanzania are already building; China partners genuinely on a win-win basis, whilst the West pushes a "debt trap" propaganda narrative to block development and keep Africa extracting minerals rather than industrialising. Western media ignores it almost entirely, and the main missing ingredient is political will.https://africanagenda.net► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook► Instagram

Mike Robinson, Charles Malet, and Vanessa Beeley present today's UK Column News.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook► Instagram00:00 Introduction00:36 Defence Spending: War policy investment09:52 Black Cube: Israeli intelligence in full flow20:43 State Threats: Rushed Bill could see journalists jailed28:26 UK Column 20th Anniversary30:22 Debanked: Independent media under threat33:48 Data Centres: Devon countryside destroyed39:50 DSTL: Secretive security service celebrates 25 years49:08 Lebanon: Update54:04 Whose Money: Customs duties confusion57:23 Fertility: Collapsing conception rates

Jerm and Todd Hayen chat about gay marriage. They distinguish between state vs religious marriage—Todd says he does not care for any state institution and Jerm questions the purpose of marriage.They then pivot to AI. They debate whether it is just algorithms or if it is something more worrisome. Todd warns about soul-starved dehumanisation if we lose human connection.They also touch on COVID compliance, mass formation theory, and why some people see through the narratives while others do not.https://www.shrewviews.com► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook► Instagram

The English Democrats point out that while Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland have their own national parliaments and First Minsters, England has no parliament and No First Minister; England has no representation and no voice. Leader of the English Democrats Robin Tilbrook is very well informed on the history, legal and constitutional law, and political manoeuvring which has ultimately alienated and suppressed the political voice of the English people. As ever more people comment on "Broken Britain" and the breakdown of society, especially in England, Robin explains how England has been emasculated and why this has been done; it is a key step in an agenda to break apart the United Kingdom. He exposes the dangerous policies of regionalisation and devolution, and the rise of the 'Super City'. Tilbrook particularly warns of the rise of Andy Burnham and his undeclared agenda to destroy England. Robin's solution is to educate the public as to the powers and protections of English Common Law and the English Constitution, and to restore the identity and power of England as a powerful nation state in its own right. In doing so, the English Democrats highlight that a revitalised and empowered English state will provide essential protections to all that now live in England — not least the protection of trial by jury.Details of the English Democrats can be found here: https://www.englishdemocrats.party/► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dj_69XOmMs&list=PLCobN2DevAuUX4reUDER9YL_wgcHrNiau► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://www.youtube.com/@ukcolumnofficial?sub_confirmation=1Follow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

Mike Robinson is joined once again by journalist Vanessa Beeley for a wide-ranging conversation covering the latest developments in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, and Britain's role across the region.They begin with the latest US–Iran developments, including a reported agreement and Trump's renewed strikes on Iran. Attention turns to the upcoming funeral of former supreme leader Khamenei and the potential danger that Israel or the United States might exploit it, despite the presence of journalists and activists and the existing memorandum of understanding.Mike and Vanessa discuss the role of al-Jolani as an instrument of British intelligence, with Vanessa detailing MI6 activity in Syria, arguing this is fundamentally a British story: British taxpayer money fuelling devastation abroad that in turn feeds migration and unrest at home. Drawing on Northern Ireland, they warn that sectarianism remains a tool of elite control — and that what unfolds in the region will increasingly be mirrored here in Britain.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dj_69XOmMs&list=PLCobN2DevAuUX4reUDER9YL_wgcHrNiau► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://www.youtube.com/@ukcolumnofficial?sub_confirmation=1Follow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

In this episode of the Silk and Steel Chinese History Series, host Carl Zha and perpetual guest JJ continue their deep dive into the collapse of the Qin Dynasty and the chaotic rebellion period that gave birth to the Han Dynasty.🔍 What you'll learn: • Liu Bang's background – a 48-year-old local tough who finally saw his chance • The White Snake legend – how Liu Bang claimed divine mandate (Red Emperor's son) • Liu Bang's first victories against Qin garrisons (and his first betrayal) • Yongchi's defection – why a local elite betrayed Liu Bang to the restored Wei state • Zhang Liang's story – the failed assassin who became Liu Bang's greatest strategist • The "old man on the bridge" – how Zhang Liang received the Art of War • Xiang Liang's rise – the Chu general who almost became emperor (but got too cocky) • The Battle of Dingtao – Xiang Liang's hubris and death • The 13-year-old King Huai of Chu – the puppet who became a real king • The promise that changed history: "Whoever enters Qin first becomes King of Qin" • The Battle of Julu – setting up Xiang Yu's greatest victory (next episode)► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dj_69XOmMs&list=PLCobN2DevAuUX4reUDER9YL_wgcHrNiau► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://www.youtube.com/@ukcolumnofficial?sub_confirmation=1Follow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news

Jerm, Mike, and Charles explore holistic health and diet, the psychology behind exhaustion, and the need for empathy in health discussions.They then shift to how media frames conflicts like Ukraine, vaccine controversies, Big Pharma's economic role in Africa, and cultural attitudes toward authority, before they touch on Africa's tech growth and the future of digital currency.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here ► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook► Instagram

Brian Gerrish and Ben Rubin present today's UK Column News.► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dj_69XOmMs&list=PLCobN2DevAuUX4reUDER9YL_wgcHrNiau► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://www.youtube.com/@ukcolumnofficial?sub_confirmation=1Follow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news00:00 Introduction01:27 Burnham: Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the law07:54 Burnham: And God created Manchester20:31 Brexit: Chaos and disorder24:25 UK Column 20th Anniversary28:32 Climate Action Week: A man made crisis33:38 Two Poles of Power: The money or the people43:05 Migration: DEI insanity creating new society01:00:34 Anti-Christ: King breaks Coronation Oath01:05:54 And Finally… A very beautiful boat

Is the Iran-Israel conflict entering a new phase—or is the real battle only beginning?In this episode, Carl Zha analyzes the fragile ceasefire framework between the United States and Iran, Israel's continued military operations in southern Lebanon, and why the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the world's most important geopolitical pressure points.The conversation explores whether Washington can enforce agreements with its closest allies, why Iran views control of the Strait of Hormuz as its strongest source of leverage, and how the conflict could reshape power across the Middle East and beyond.Carl also discusses Trump's political calculations, the future of U.S. influence, the strategic objectives of Israel, sanctions, diplomacy, and the role ongoing negotiations could play in preventing a broader regional war.Topics Discussed • Why Israel continues military operations despite ceasefire announcements • Trump's diplomatic strategy and domestic political pressures • Iran's leverage through the Strait of Hormuz • Can diplomacy succeed while fighting continues? • The future of U.S.-Iran negotiations • Israel's long-term regional objectives • Why the global economy depends on Hormuz • The role of Western media in covering the conflict • Reconstruction, sanctions, and economic negotiations • Has American global dominance entered a new phase? ► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dj_69XOmMs&list=PLCobN2DevAuUX4reUDER9YL_wgcHrNiau► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://www.youtube.com/@ukcolumnofficial?sub_confirmation=1Follow #UKColumn on:► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news