In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US special operations forces, and details China’s response to the operation including the impact this will have on China-Venezuela oil deals. Next, Miles breaks down the PLA’s the recent Justice Mission 2025 military exercise, and what this means for the continued multilateral defense of Taiwan against mainland incursion. Finally, Miles unpacks Japan’s cabinet approval for a record spending increase in the 2026 defense budget, and examines the impact this move will have on Japan’s evolving security strategy toward China. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the recent announcement from technology giant Canon to close one of its major printer facilities based in mainland China, and assess the impact of a rising demand for domestic manufacturing on foreign companies based in China. Next, Miles covers the news of US naval operations and intercept of a Chinese cargo ship en route to Iran reportedly carrying dual-use goods in a move to prevent Iran’s continued remilitarization efforts. Finally, Miles provides analysis on the CCP’s continued efforts to spread anti-Japanese propaganda, and the political fallout from these campaigns that harms both Chinese domestic and foreign policy. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the new 2025 National Security Strategy document released by the White House, highlighting key elements involving the shifted focus to Indo-Pacific defense initiatives with attention to China and Taiwan. Next, Miles covers China’s latest episode of anti-Japanese sentiment during a cultural festival in Shanghai, and how this rising xenophobic trend has backfired for the Chinese Communist Party. Finally, Miles responds to the Chinese Communist Party’s attempt to discredit his own published statements on Beijing’s goal for the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, and unpacks the larger implications of the CCP’s focus on narrative dominance in cross-strait dialogue. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent call between President Trump and Xi Jinping on the topic of Taiwan, highlighting the importance of narrative dominance in the information warfare domain in cross-strait relations. Next, Miles looks into the catastrophic five alarm fire in Hong Kong last week that resulted in at least 128 casualties, and the latest updates from the official investigation into what caused the apartment complex fire. Finally, Miles reviews Taiwan’s $40-billion supplementary defense spending package, and how effective the investment will be to enhance Taiwan’s security infrastructure and further deter asymmetric threats from China. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu goes solo. First, he examines Tesla’s announcement that it will eliminate all China-sourced components from vehicles manufactured in the United States within the next two years. This marks a monumental shift in the company’s supply chain and signals a broader decoupling of key US industries from longstanding Chinese chokeholds and security vulnerabilities. Second, Miles revisits the 2015 purchase of the US insurance firm Wright USA, which specializes in liability insurance for Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigations personnel, by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group. He explains why the subsequent Committee on Foreign Investment in the US–mandated resale of the company back to Starr Companies, controlled by China’s longtime friend Maurice “Hank” Greenberg and his AIG network, may be the more consequential part of the story. Last, Miles analyzes the China factor in the ongoing US–Venezuela standoff. He discusses how the Maduro regime has advanced Beijing’s strategic interests of manufacturing global strategic distractions for the US by fueling instability and chaos across Latin America—the region long referred to as the United States’ own “backyard.” 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu tracks the backlash over statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Japan's defense policy regarding Taiwan, and what motivates Beijing's unique outrage. Second, Miles follows up on the KMT party elections last month in Taiwan where former KMT lawmaker Cheng Li-wun took over party leadership, and unpacks what this means for the KMT party platform moving forward. Lastly, Miles comments on recent political analysis from the New York Times addressing the duality of the Chinese state - one that appears outwardly strong, but faces internal struggles that may tell us a different story from the perspective of individual Chinese citizens. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's recent trip to Beijing amidst the US government investigation into the company's potentially illicit sales to China in violation of US export regulations. Next, Miles provides detailed analysis on the PLA Navy's CNS Fujian - China's latest aircraft carrier to enter fleet service - and what this means for China's naval warfare operational capacity and blue water capabilities. Finally, Miles reviews Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's recent address at the European Union's Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China's Annual Summit (IPAC) in Brussels. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the Chinese Communist Party’s fourth plenum, including the newly announced five-year development plan and appointment of Zhang Shengmin as the new Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission. Next, Miles covers the latest developments from the ASEAN summit in Malaysia including the US-China trade deal framework, and previews the upcoming APEC summit as President Trump plans to meet with Xi Jinping in South Korea. Finally, Miles circles back on Japan’s elections for Prime Minister, and outlines the potential impact PM-elect Sanae Takaichi will have on China-Japan relations and the current Indo-Pacific landscape. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the recent mass-purge of nine high-level PLA military officials and Politburo members, and the impact of Xi Jinping's continued military centralization on the PLA's warfighting capabilities. Next, Miles details the life and career of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Dr. Chen Ning Yang, and the formative role he played in support of the CCP's United Front strategy. Finally, Miles covers the latest dialogue following China's announced export controls for rare earth minerals, and responds to criticisms related to the important role of hawkish rhetoric in the US-China strategic competition landscape. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses China's recent announcement expanding export controls to further restrict foreign access to rare earth elements, and the larger impetus behind Beijing's enhanced export policy. Next, Miles unpacks the CCP's latest political warfare tactic to coerce the UK government and begin construction on the new Chinese embassy in London. Finally, Miles comments on Taiwan's 114th National Day celebrations, and reviews President Lai's comments on his plans for Taiwan's economic development and national security policies. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the accelerating trend of financial flight, and whether the CCP can stem the flow of China's wealthy elite from leaving the country. Next, Miles reviews Japan's Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, the upcoming election for Prime Minister, and China's response to the current slate of candidates and desired outcomes. Finally, Miles comments on the recent purge of Liu Jianchao from China's International Department, and Xi Jinping's efforts to concentrate the CCP's foreign affairs and diplomatic dialogue under a more centralized authority. 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.

Miles sits down with Dr. Steven Quay, Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute as well as the Founder and CEO of Atossa Therapeutics, Inc., to discuss the evolving landscape of emerging technology and AI-enabled biological warfare operations. With the increased potential for integrated dual-use technology in hybridized warfare tactics, the international community must develop counterstrategies to prevent the proliferation of biothreats and biological weapons, and adequately prepare for future military and public health crises. The conversation pulls from the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides an assessment of the current capabilities of dual-use biothreats within China’s military doctrine, and critiques the current lack of global governance infrastructure to regulate AI-enabled biotechnologies. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the latest developments surrounding the US-China TikTok deal that reached a proposed framework for the US to secure protections for American user data in the hands of Oracle Corp. including algorithm management, application development, and source code review. Next, Miles reviews President Trump's move to impose a fee for US companies on all new H1-B visa petitions, and what this move means for Beijing's planned rollout for their new K visa program. Lastly, Miles unpacks the recent bid by the Trump administration to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, and how this move relates to larger US strategic interests to secure a regional foothold to counter increased Chinese influence and military mobilization. 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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent anti-corruption movement and Gen Z protests that ousted former Prime Minister Oli and government officials, and examine China's role in the transition to the new interim government. Next, Miles breaks down the latest from US-China trade talks in Madrid, as the US seeks to advance the TikTok divestiture and framework for a bilateral trade deal, while China seeks to avoid further tariffs related to purchases of Russian oil. Lastly, Miles unpacks the historical data breach from China's Great Firewall that compromised highly confidential and protected information regarding the CCP's extensive exports of censorship and surveillance technology to foreign countries.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu breaks down last week’s eightieth anniversary celebrations for victory in WWII and the PLA military parade held in Beijing. The first part of the discussion focuses on the politics, dialogue between foreign leaders in attendance, and international community response to the parade; the second focuses on the content of the parade, including the advanced weapons showcase, and the PLA's modernization efforts; and finally, Miles comments on the anti-CCP demonstration in Chongqing, and the significance of this protest within the context of the anniversary celebrations.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu unpacks President Trump's recent announcement that the US would receive 600,000 Chinese students to attend American universities and colleges, and the impact this will have on established US national security policy to counter CCP influence in US academia. Next, Miles comments on Xi Jinping's recent message to President Zelensky for celebration of Ukraine's independence day, and details the context behind the exchange following last week's summit of European leaders in DC and Zelensky's comments regarding China's potential participation in conflict resolution procedures. Lastly, Miles revisits the latest report from the China Center, China After Communism: Preparing for a Post-CCP China, highlighting the public response and widespread reception now a month out from the initial release.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu tracks Xi Jinping's recent visit to Tibet to mark the sixtieth anniversary of CCP rule in Tibet, and the significance behind this trip and planned celebrations in particular. Next, Miles unpacks President Zelensky's statement excluding China from participating as an international security guarantor in any potential negotiated agreement that would bring an end to the current conflict, and details China's record of financial and material support for the Russian invasion since 2022. Lastly, Miles revisits the eightieth anniversary celebrations and military parade planned for September 3rd in Beijing, which include a featured showcase and display of the PLA's modernization efforts.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the Supreme People’s Court ruling on mandatory social security payments for employees, and what this might reveal about the current state of China’s social welfare infrastructure. Next, Miles covers the recent collision of two Chinese naval vessels following aggressive maneuvers near the Scarborough Shoal, and how this fits into China’s evolving grey-zone operations and Indo-Pacific maritime strategy. Lastly, Miles revisits the CCP’s planned celebrations for the upcoming 80th anniversary of victory in WWII, and weighs the potential impact of rising anti-Japanese sentiment against the current popular protest movements across China.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu breaks down the latest round of trade talks between the US and China as both sides agree to a 90-day extension for continued negotiations toward a potential trade deal. Next, Miles covers the rising public outrage in Sichuan province over local law enforcement’s alleged mishandling of a violent school bullying incident in Jiangyou City. Lastly, Miles comments on the rising anti-Japanese sentiment across China that coincides with the 80th anniversary of Japanese surrender ending WWII in the Pacific.