Whether you want to learn more about China’s economy, its opaque policy-making apparatus or what the country’s Gen Z youth are talking about, there’s a podcast for it. Here are our pick of the top shows to get into now
Staying informed on China can seem like a full-time job. Luckily, a series of excellent podcasts are doing the hard work of China-watching for us, compiling the best information and analysis into digestible chunks. Below is a selection 10 of the best (although there are many more out there).
Current events
Drum Tower: Every week, two of The Economist’s China correspondents, Alice Su and David Rennie, analyse the stories at the heart of this vast country and examine its influence beyond its borders. Some of the episodes include Economist articles read aloud.
China in Context: China in Context offers expert analysis on politics, culture and international relations. Hosted by Duncan Bartlett (a journalist and researcher at the SOAS China Institute), it features interviews with leading academics, as well as guests from the worlds of business, politics and media.
ChinaTalk: A weekly show exploring China’s economy and tech scene, hosted by Jordan Schneider (who also publishes a newsletter of the same name). Guests include a wide range of policy analysts, business professionals, journalists and academics, and discussions often focus on US-China relations and the tech world.
Politics
Pekingology: As China’s influence has grown, it has become more important than ever to understand how it is governed. Part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ stable of podcasts, Pekingology and its host Jude Blanchette aim to unpack the behaviour of the Chinese Communist Party and the implications these actions have within China and on US-China relations.
Beijing to Britain: This podcast from the people behind the popular briefing of the same name focuses on the complexities of the bilateral relationship between the UK and China. Each week, hosts Sam Hogg and Steve Lynch speak to a range of experts, policymakers and politicians.
Culture
NüVoices: Hosted by members of the NüVoices editorial collective, this podcast explores the work of women in media, the arts and beyond in China, as well as addressing issues of abuse of power and international and domestic politics. Recent episodes include an interview with Fuchsia Dunlop about her book Invitation to a Banquet.
The China History Podcast: Presented by veteran China-hand Laszlo Montgomery, The China History Podcast presents stories and information from China’s 5,000 years of history, delivered in Laszlo’s easy-to-understand style. Laszlo recently did a five-part series on traditional Chinese medicine.
Stochastic Volatility (随机波动): A weekly Chinese podcast with three female media professionals talking about life in China, highlighting the contemporary issues being discussed among the younger generations. (Note: This article from defunct The China Project has some other suggestions for good Chinese-language podcasts).
Eat Drink Asia: Not 100% China focused, but this SCMP podcast is still well worth a listen for its fascinating deep dives into ingredients and traditions from China, Hong Kong and beyond. A recent episode explores how sweet and sour pork became one of the world’s most popular Cantonese dishes.
Environment
Environment China: This is a bilingual (English and Chinese) podcast produced by the Beijing Energy Network. The show features interviews and conversations with advocates, entrepreneurs and experts working in the environmental field in China.
