logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
47m 33s

PLA Invasion: Is Taiwan's Military Ready...

JORDAN SCHNEIDER
About this episode
Paul Huang, Taiwan military expert and research fellow at the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation, returns to ChinaTalk! Today he gives us an update on Taiwan’s military readiness, the PLA’s expansion, and whether Xi Jinping would really send it. If you missed his episode back in 2020, give it a listen, too. And check out his recent thoughts posted on NBR, as w ... Show More
Up next
Nov 21
Second Breakfast: Witkoff and Putin's Peace Deal
Eric Robinson, Justin Mc, Tony Stark and I talk China's sushi ban, Witkoff's peace plan, Jake Sullivan, William Manchester's absurd memoir Here's the full text of the peace plan: https://www.axios.com/2025/11/20/trump-ukraine-peace-plan-28-points-russia Chapters 00:00 China ... Show More
59m 8s
Nov 21
The Z.ai Playbook
Zixuan Li is Director of Product and genAI Strategy at Z.ai (also known as Zhipu 智谱 AI). The release of their benchmark-topping flagship model, GLM 4.5, was akin to “another DeepSeek moment,” in the words of Nathan Lambert. Our conversation today covers… What sets Z.ai apar ... Show More
1h 16m
Nov 18
Jake Sullivan on Playing the Long Game
After five long years since ⁠his last ChinaTalk appearance⁠, Jake Sullivan returns to the show! We discuss… Sullivan’s experience managing crises, implementing grand strategy, and cultivating leadership skills during the Biden administration, The art of crafting aggressiv ... Show More
1h 10m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Why China Can’t Blockade Taiwan
<p>Dmitri Alperovitch talks with Ivan Kanapathy, a former US military attache to Taiwan, about the looming threat of Chinese invasion and why a Chinese blockade or quarantine of Taiwan is unlikely to succeed. They discuss the implications of the recent Taiwan elections on the isl ... Show More
53m 50s
Sep 2023
How Taiwan Is Learning From Ukraine
Taiwan has long lived under the shadow of China’s desire to take over its territory. And as China’s economy and military have grown, so too has the threat of a potential invasion. What is Taipei’s strategy for defense and security, and how is it marshaling support from other coun ... Show More
45m 26s
Jan 2023
Debating the Defense of Taiwan
<p>Chris, Melanie, and Zack discuss whether it is possible, and wise, to try to stave off a conflict with China over Taiwan — possibly for a very long time. A recent article by Jude Blanchette and Ryan Hass urges policymakers to find ways to forestall conflict. But is it a mistak ... Show More
1h 1m
Jan 2024
Taiwan après les élections : la guerre ? Avec Valérie Niquet | Entretiens géopo
<p>Les élections présidentielles - et législatives - taiwanaises se sont tenues le 13 janvier 2024 dernier. Elles ont été marquées par la victoire de Lai Ching-te (également connu sous le nom de William Lai), ancien vice-président de la République de Chine et candidat du parti dé ... Show More
25m 27s
Apr 2024
High stakes in the strait: US -China competition and Taiwan’s future
<p>Taiwan has come to represent a strategic flashpoint in US-China relations. As Beijing ramps up its political and military pressure on Taipei, any escalation could trigger a major conflict between the two powers. Unlike Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China may have to reckon wit ... Show More
35m 28s
Apr 2023
China and Taiwan: A Torrid Backstory
<p>The posturing between the United States and China has been intensifying in recent weeks — China responded with condemnations and military drills after Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, met the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.</p><p>Today, Edward Wo ... Show More
25m 4s
Oct 2023
Drum Tower: What does it mean to be Taiwanese?
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many have worried: is Taiwan next? China is giving Taiwan a terrifying choice: unify with China, or face war. People in Taiwan want neither of these.For this special four-part series, David Rennie, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief, and Alic ... Show More
46m 31s
Aug 2022
Will the US and China go to war over Taiwan?
A recent visit to Taiwan by Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has heightened tensions between the US and China. Their relationship is the worst it’s been in decades. America has accused China of dangerous military provocations in the region. China has warn ... Show More
22m 58s
Jan 2024
Drum Tower: Taiwan goes to the polls
China is watching Taiwan’s next presidential race closely. The results will influence Xi Jinping’s next steps when it comes to resolving the “Taiwan question”.  Ahead of the vote on January 13th, Alice Su, our senior China correspondent, goes to campaign rallies of the 3 parties ... Show More
43m 39s
Aug 2022
Inside Taiwan, in the eye of a geopolitical storm
It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Taiwan. After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to the self-governed island last week, China followed up with several military drills over the Taiwan strait. While those drills have now stopped, tensions remain high b ... Show More
28 m