logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
25m 52s

China’s soft (and fluffy) power

Vox
About this episode

Panda diplomacy couldn’t fix the US and China’s tense relationship. Perhaps a meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi can bring back that fuzzy feeling. Ian Johnson of the Council on Foreign Relations and Panda Nation author E. Elena Songster explain.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Serena Solin, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Plastic rain
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about how we were mostly able to get the acid rain problem under control...only to find ourselves with a plastic rain problem. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin ... Show More
27m 33s
Jul 10
From Alligator Alcatraz to South Sudan
The Trump administration is not happy with their deportation numbers. They're turning to more extreme strategies to hit 1 million by year's end. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and ... Show More
28m 49s
Jul 9
I was told there would be deals
After pressing pause on the steepest tariffs, the Trump Administration promised 90 tariff deals in 90 days. That deadline is nearly here but the deals are not. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kri ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
From “What Next”: Wait, China’s Taking Our Pandas Back?
FT News Briefing presents a special episode from Slate’s “What Next” podcast, hosted by Mary Harris. Everybody loves pandas—and China knows it. As we say goodbye to the National Zoo’s pandas, this Slate podcast looks back at 50 years of “panda diplomacy” and consider its uncertai ... Show More
28m 35s
Jan 2024
Taiwan defies China in election
Taiwan’s presidential election shows that voters are willing to defy China, the 2024 US presidential election kicks off today, and American banks say that American consumers are in good shape.  Mentioned in this podcast:What Taiwanese voters’ defiance means for ChinaBanks say US ... Show More
11m 3s
Apr 2024
The Relationship
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met on a basketball court in China in 2011 when they were vice presidents. They later toasted each other in Washington. They’ve spent many hours together. Much has changed. Can they hold the center together?  Guest: Minxin Pei, Chinese born professor of g ... Show More
32m 43s
Aug 2022
China’s Taiwan Warning
Beijing is planning military drills near Taipei after reacting with fury to a controversial visit by US Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonnell examines the possible outcomes.And Adam speaks to Chris Kamara and Ben Shephard about the launch of their ... Show More
27m 3s
Nov 2022
China's Lockdown Protests
Thousands take to the streets in China to protest against Xi Jinping’s Covid lockdown restrictions. Adam is joined by John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editor and Kerry Allen, the BBC’s China media analyst to discuss what’s happening, what it’s like to be arrested as a journa ... Show More
31m 35s
May 2023
China’s next generation
Gideon talks to economist Keyu Jin about China’s goal of becoming the world’s biggest economy despite a falling population, the impact of the deterioration in US-China relations, and the way in which the aspirations of its younger generation are shaping policy in Beijing. The pod ... Show More
29m 54s
Jan 2021
Biden's civic challenge
Today, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take the oath of office and begin their terms as President and Vice President of the United States. It's a historic inauguration without crowds or celebrations but one that Axios' managing editor Margaret Talev says fits the tenor of the mo ... Show More
10m 53s
Sep 2021
Biden’s diplomacy on the world stage
President Biden struck an optimistic note when addressing the UN this week, emphasizing that the America First doctrines of the Trump administration are in the past. But whether it's the Afghanistan withdrawal or a new nuclear deal with Australia and the UK, many Western allies a ... Show More
11m 16s
Apr 2023
He Said Xi Said
As French leader Emmanuel Macron meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and diplomatic correspondent James Landale join Adam to talk about China’s growing presence as a mediator in world conflicts.Sainsbury's has defende ... Show More
31m 48s