Drum Tower

Under Xi Jinping, China’s media environment has become steadily more restrictive. Journalists face surveillance and intimidation and some foreign media have been expelled from the country. Recorded live at the Asia Society, this episode examines the challenges faced by those reporting on China today, and how journalists inside and outside the country are responding.  Guests and hosts:Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower”Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Li Yuan, New York Times columnist and host of the Bumingbai podcast  Topics:Reporting on ChinaChinese censorship Chinese politics Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

Chinese tech firm Xpeng is known for its high-tech EVs. Now its CEO He Xiaopeng is betting it all on “physical AI”—from humanoid robots to robotaxis and flying cars. Will his gamble pay off?Guests and hosts:He Xiaopeng, CEO of XpengSarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower”Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower”  Topics:He XiaopengPhysical AI China’s tech industry  Join us for a live recording of Drum Tower at The Asia Society in New York City on 8th May 2026. Ticket information here.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

Tens of millions of ethnic Chinese live outside China’s borders. As the country’s international image changes, and the Chinese Communist Party tries to assert influence over these communities, it’s raising some very personal questions.Guests and hosts:Wang Gungwu, sinologist and historian of the overseas ChineseJiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower”Sue-Lin Wong, The Economist’s Asia correspondentTopics: Chinese diaspora  South East Asia  The Chinese Communist Party  Join us for a live recording of Drum Tower at The Asia Society in New York City on 8th May 2026. Ticket information here.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

On April 10th Taiwan’s opposition leader met Xi Jinping in Beijing. The Communist Party offered Cheng Li-wun’s Kuomintang a number of concessions, providing the party continues to oppose Taiwanese independence. Our hosts head to a Taipei night market to find out how the visit, and the offer, are dividing opinion back home. Hosts:Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower”Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower”Topics: Taiwan independence Kuomintang (KMT) Cheng Li-wunTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

China’s health-care system has long faced criticism at home. Yet a growing number of foreigners are heading to its big cities to access everything from cheap check-ups to cancer care. Is China on track to become a medical tourism hotspot? Hosts:Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower”Gabriel Crossley The Economist’s China correspondent Topics: Chinese medical systemMedical tourismTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

China dominates the international drone industry. But as drones become increasingly important in warfare, Western countries are looking to separate their supply chains. Can Taiwan provide a cost-effective alternative?Hosts:Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower”Shashank Joshi, The Economist’s defence editor Topics: China’s drone dominanceTaiwan’s drone industryDrone warfareTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

The Chinese internet is a world of its own. Despite being effectively cut off from the rest of the web by a vast system of internet censorship, it has spawned its own language, culture and companies. How have Chinese netizens learnt to “dance” with the censors? Hosts:Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower”Yi-Ling Liu, journalist and author of “The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet”Topics: Chinese internet Chinese censorshipThe great firewall Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

China’s response to the war in Iran has been surprisingly muted. The Chinese government has condemned American aggression but failed to come to the aid of its long-time ally. What does China’s approach reveal about its priorities in the region? Hosts:Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower”Corbin Duncan, The Economist’s global correspondent Topics: Chinese foreign policy Chinese investment in the Middle East Chinese nationals in DubaiTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.

China’s first generation of entrepreneurs are getting old. Just as the economy is slowing, a lucky few are set to inherit their vast fortunes. What does this mean for a Communist Party determined to achieve ‘common prosperity’? Hosts:Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower”Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics: Chinese economy Inheritance tax Chinese entrepreneursTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.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.