logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
24m 9s

The Peking order: Can China’s army surpa...

The Economist
About this episode

China is enacting a rapid project of military modernisation. Though in some areas its forces are already stronger than America, that does not mean China is ready for war. Why luxury shoppers are no longer buying so much online (10:16). And remembering Balthazar Uscha, Ecuador’s last ice-miner (16:45). 


Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+


For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
A Keir-death experience: Britain's PM clings on
Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls for his resignation from a senior party member. He has survived – but Britain’s prime minister is now fighting for his political survival. Assisted dying legislation is catching up with public opinion in America. And what happens when skiing meets ... Show More
20m 53s
Feb 9
Snap judgement: Japan PM’s electoral landslide
Takaichi Sanae’s gamble to call a general election has paid off. How will the prime minister’s thumping victory change Japan? New legislation in Republican states could imperil academic freedom. And why “Taxi Driver” resonates 50 years after the film’s release.Guests and host:Ros ... Show More
23m 9s
Feb 6
Elon shot: will Musk’s mega-merger work?
This week Elon Musk announced the merger of two of his companies: SpaceX and xAI, which makes chatbots. Is the new firm viable? As migrant workers return home for lunar new year, the Chinese Communist Party tells migrant workers not to stay for too long. And our culture editor’s ... Show More
22m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
The Peking order: Can China’s army surpass the US?
China is enacting a rapid project of military modernisation. Though in some areas its forces are already stronger than America, that does not mean China is ready for war. Why luxury shoppers are no longer buying so much online (10:16). And remembering Balthazar Uscha, Ecuador’s l ... Show More
24m 9s
Oct 2025
The great brawl: China is winning the trade war
This weekend American and Chinese officials are meeting to try and ease tensions over trade after China’s recent decision to restrict rare-earth exports. How has China gained the upper hand? Anxiety about screen time is focused on young people, but the elderly are addicted to dev ... Show More
23m 20s
Sep 2025
Sino-the-times: China gathers global allies
World leaders flocked to China this week for an international summit followed by a giant military parade commemorating the end of the second world war. Xi Jinping is capitalising on the chaos of Donald Trump’s second term. AI is helping fraudsters and hackers become more producti ... Show More
21m 17s
Sep 2025
China Is Scaling Up its Military. Is It Preparing for War?
The Chinese government held a major military parade in Beijing on September 3, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The parade followed an international strategic and economic conference in China bringing together leaders from across Eurasia, i ... Show More
46m 57s
Nov 12
The little green look: China’s energy revolution
America has boycotted this week’s COP climate talks, but China has sent a giant delegation. The world’s biggest polluter is increasingly pivotal to tackling global warming. Why young protesters around the world brandish a pirate flag. And since sports leagues cannot stamp out pir ... Show More
22m 27s
Jun 2025
China's dominance in critical minerals
Decades ago, China foresaw what the U.S. didn't - a future dependent on critical minerals. Now, the U.S. is playing catch up as China’s export controls threaten global supply chains. Join Laurie Chen, Ernest Scheyder and Jarrett Renshaw to hear the latest on critical minerals, pa ... Show More
18m 48s
Apr 2025
China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal
In the early days of President Trump’s second term, China was ready to negotiate on trade. Then came Liberation Day. Now China is ready with a trade war arsenal taking aim at U.S. companies. WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains how China is gearing up for an extraordinary conflict with ... Show More
20m 19s