Closer To China Episodes

Why is the China Model being given so much attention? What are the main characteristics of the China Model and how does it differ from Western models?

Why is the China Model being given so much attention? What are the main characteristics of the China Model and how does it differ from Western models?

The five BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, account for almost half the world’s population and nearly a quarter of global economic output They demand a greater say in the world order But why another international bloc? Is BRICS an organization or just an association? What does BRICS do other than to hold meetings? Why does China value BRICS so highly?

Why is Africa so important to China’s diplomatic philosophy and how is this expressed practically?

Ever since President Xi Jinping announced the Chinese Dream as “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” I have been paying attention  That’s why this inaugural episode of Closer To China focuses on The Chinese Dream – which stirs hopes and builds expectations It also provokes questions and, to some foreigners, it elicits concerns What do Chinese experts think?

Some experts are calling China’s rejection of the recent South China Sea ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration “China’s first international test” as an emerging power Some wonder whether military tensions, escalations, even confrontations, are inevitable We explore China’s position and stance on issues of sovereignty

The report of the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping at the opening session of the 19th CPC National Congress is an in-depth analysis of what China has remarkably achieved, what it will achieve and what it envisages to be a great nation Xi sees China as standing at a new historic starting point and that socialism with Chinese characteristics is entering a new development stage The influence of the Congress and the impact of Xi’s new vision, thinking and strategies will be for decades to come

The Communist Party of China (CPC) added “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” to its Constitution at the 19th CPC National Congress Members of the newly elected Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee also met the press The 19th CPC National Congress has played a significant role in Party building and strengthening the rule of law

The Communist Party’s theory on how to rejuvenate the Chinese nation and realize the Chinese Dream from now to 2050 centers on a new principal “contradiction” in Chinese society: “between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life” It’s a turning point from high-speed to high-quality economic development, and according to the CPC, from now on it will “drive policy”

What is it about the Communist Party of China (CPC) that makes Xi Jinping so committed to enhancing its governing power? What are the Party’s positions and policies, organization and governance, visions and challenges? Under Xi’s leadership, how might the Party’s role in governing China develop in the future?

Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump both lauded the “State Visit Plus” as a major success But was it? How did they handle the mega-issues of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and trade and market imbalances? We analyze what happened: relative to expectations; relative to what is really needed; in context of the long-term relationship; and with respect to the two countries’ Asia-Indo-Pacific strategies

Why has President Xi Jinping elevated “Strict Discipline of the Party” to the highest level? Why the unprecedented anti-corruption campaign? Answers relate to more basic questions: How has the Party kept up with the times? What is it about that the Party’s past must now be rejuvenated? But can a system with a longtime ruling party itself establish credible checks-and-balances? What challenges does the Party face?

Shenzhen was the cradle of China’s reform and continues to pioneer reform Whar has Shenzhen been doing recently?

What is the relationship in China among art and literature on the one hand, and politics on the other? How vibrant is Chinese art today?

China cannot become a “moderately prosperous society” by 2020 if any of its citizens live in extreme poverty Although China has already lifted over 750 million people out of poverty, unprecedented in world history, about 40 million people still remain in poverty, and these are the most difficult What are the challenges, obstacles, strategies and policies? How to make China’s poverty alleviation campaign sustainable?

What are China’s beliefs and values, and how have they been changing We speak with Minister Ye Xiaowen, the former head of the State Administration of Religious Affairs and the executive vice president of the Central Institute of Socialism,

China has over 280 million migrant workers, almost one-third of its urban population But those who enabled China’s economic miracle are enjoying little of its fruits How does the country pay for allowing migrant workers to become city residents, with all social services? What happens to their rural lands? What about their changing demographics?

What does it mean for Xi Jinping to be “core” of the Communist Party of China? He’s already held the top Party, State and military positions, so how does “core” augment his perceived stature or actual power? Why was Xi’s designation as “core” deemed necessary? How did he qualify? As for decision making, how does a “core” affect the Party’s collective leadership? Party insiders explain four factors regarding Xi as “core”

What is the significance of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to build infrastructure throughout the developing world?  How does it work? What does it mean? I am pleased to participate

Since taking office in 2012, President Xi Jinping put forth several political frameworks, including the Four Comprehensives, guiding China’s overall governance, and the Five Major Development Concepts, directing China’s economic growth in the new era What do these frameworks mean, and how do they work together? What are the new concepts, thoughts and strategies that underlie, motivate and drive Xi’s political thought?

What is the significance of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to build infrastructure throughout the developing world?  How does it work? What does it mean?

The 2015 Two Sessions political meeting of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

China’s annual political meetings, the Two Sessions, are confronting complex and structural problems But no one here is talking about ‘China’s collapse,’ not even privately Why then is ‘China’s collapse’ an idea of interest in the foreign media? What are its arguments? More importantly, how are China’s problems being addressed? What does it mean for the world?

The 2015 Two Sessions political meeting of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference