logo
episode-header-image
Today
27 m

Has Xi Jinping outsmarted his rivals?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

How will China respond to a new era of US assertiveness? Could the spectacular events of Trump’s second term change President Xi Jinping’s calculations about whether to flex China’s muscles in Taiwan?

All this week, we are teaming up with our sister podcasts to explore how power and influence around the world is shifting. We’re exploring who has a sphere of influence and who finds themselves in one.

Today we’re joined by Mariko Oi, host of Asia Specific from the BBC World Service, and the BBC’s China correspondent, Laura Bicker.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Valerio Esposito

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: China’s President Xi Jinping. Maxim Shemetov/Pool/Reuters

Up next
Yesterday
American influence from Monroe to Donroe
How are Donald Trump’s ambitions in Venezuela and Greenland changing America’s place in the world? President Trump’s key adviser Stephen Miller has said that we are living in a world “that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power” - so where h ... Show More
30m 37s
Jan 9
Will Gen Z protests around the world continue in 2026?
Throughout 2025, a massive youth protest movement took shape across the world. From Bangladesh, to Nepal, to Morocco, to Kenya, to the Maldives, young people were taking to the streets to demand, among other things, job security, improved standards of living, and the toppling of ... Show More
27m 17s
Jan 8
Will Trump take control of Greenland?
After his major military operation in Venezuela, President Trump has escalated his rhetoric about taking control of Greenland. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the Arctic island – which is a semi-autonomous Danish territory - should be part of the US. "We need Greenland from a ... Show More
26m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
Newsroom edition: the mushroom trial media frenzy
This week the jury in Erin Patterson’s months-long triple-murder trial returned a verdict of guilty on all charges. But rather than draw a line under a case that has fascinated the public, the verdict seems to have only fuelled interest and spawned more and more coverage and conj ... Show More
21m 46s
Jun 2025
Death cap mushrooms, foraging and a dehydrator: Erin Patterson takes the stand
After nearly a month of hearing experts, witnesses and police officers testify, this week Erin Patterson herself took to the stand. Patterson is facing three charges of murder and one of attempted murder – after she served a beef wellington lunch laced with death cap mushrooms – ... Show More
30m 43s
Sep 2025
The Trial: The sentence and the statement
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has learnt her fate, with Justice Christopher Beale sentencing the triple murderer to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years. His words were live-streamed to the public, but from the steps of the courthouse, sole survivor Ian Wilkinson ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 2024
The Riots and The Courtroom
Today, we look at more suspects appearing in court across the country after a week of violence. Around 100 people have now been charged and more than 400 people have been arrested. The director of public prosecutions in England and Wales says he is “willing” to consider charging ... Show More
40m 29s
Jun 2025
Australia’s mushroom murder trial
Justice and courts reporter Nino Bucci talks through the trial that has gripped Australia – of the woman accused of murdering three of her relatives with poisoned mushrooms over a family meal. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 
28m 52s
Jun 2025
Why Erin Patterson’s lies ‘point to innocence’
Erin Patterson told lies - but that doesn’t make her a murderer. That’s the core of her defence barrister’s argument in the Victorian Supreme Court, where Patterson, a 50-year-old mother of two, has pleaded not guilty to murdering three elderly relatives and attempting to murder ... Show More
9m 45s
Aug 2024
Wieambilla inquest: what motivated the Trains?
A Queensland coroner is investigating the motivations of Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train, who killed constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow and a neighbour, Alan Dare, at their remote property in Wieambilla. So far, the testimonies have included a forensic psychiatrist an ... Show More
16m 52s
Feb 2025
2.14.25 CRU with Nancy Grace: Mystery DNA in the Kohberger Case - What That Could Mean For The Defense
Today Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum open CRU with a heartfelt tribute to their friend and colleague, Dave Mack, following the loss of his wife, LaDonna. Despite his grief, Mack’s dedication to his work shines through. Nancy and Sheryl then dive into the latest developments in t ... Show More
29m 26s
Oct 2024
Meet Diddy's New Judge, Arun Subramanian
In this gripping episode, we explore the complex and high-profile trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, set to begin in May 2025. At the center of the courtroom is Judge Arun Subramanian, a meticulous and highly respected legal mind with a deep commitment to fairness. We dive into Subrama ... Show More
11m 1s