The Bridge to China

The Bridge interviews geopolitical economist Ben Norton. We ask him about the Belt and Road Initiative. He explains the state of the global economy and the accelerating de-dollarization process. Is the US on the edge of a financial crash? Listen to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Western brands are rapidly growing in China. Popeyes is eyeing the growing Chinese middle class with the announcement of 1,700 new stores in the works over the coming years. We discuss how the world’s biggest middle class, and growing, is catching the attention of big business in a big way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belt and Road Initiative expert Zoon Ahmed Khan is with the Center for China and Globalization and a research fellow at the Belt and Road Institute in China’s prestigious Tsinghua University. We ask her to explain the goals of the Belt and Road. She explains how it works and how its 150 member countries are modernizing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason argues that in a world that is proud of its badge of productivity, taking time for fun offers a route to our well-being. Beibei outlines her theory of happiness based around mindfulness, family and love. We debate the theories of happiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tickets to most games were sold out by August. 12,417 athletes from 45 countries and regions are taking part. So, what are the Hangzhou Asian Games and why is everyone talking about them? We tell you the firsthand answers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China’s Golden Week means more spending. Eight days off means that trains, flights and hotels are all booked across the country. Venues will be slammed with crowds. China’s tourist economy rises like the phoenix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For every Mid-Autumn festival, families and friends gather to savor moon cakes and re-tell the story of Lady Chang’e and why she lives on the moon. Being the time for bountiful harvests and relishing in the season, the legends and the celebrations have also traveled abroad to nations all over the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you find bizarre or maybe even off-putting about food from another culture? Alex and Jason explore the shocks from tasting foreign food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Mario Cavolo just visited the US after living in China for 24 years. He offers some side-by-side comparisons between his experiences in the US and in China. From tipping to homelessness and the cost of living, we discuss how America has changed and what our nations can learn from one another. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arnaud Bertrand is an entrepreneur and CEO of Me and Qi, and former CEO of HouseTrip. A well-known commentator on economics and geopolitics with more than 100,000 followers on Twitter. He discusses how China has provided freedom from fear on the streets of its cities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the age of Amazon, JD, and Taobao, why do people still go out to mammoth shopping centers? New research suggests that the business is evolving. The view from China is much the same, despite more and more malls being built at incredible speeds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Microplastics are now being found in the remotest parts of our earth. The half-life of microplastics is hundreds of years long, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. This may come at a high cost to all living beings on the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jerry Grey, long time British-Australian resident of China, takes on some bad takes on China from the west. From doubts of safety to cries of collapse, let's hear the facts from Jerry instead. What is China's Social Credit Score? Where is the Greater Bay Area in China? Tune in and listen up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Electronic vehicles seem too good to be true. But, what do we do with the batteries when they reach the end of their lives? Solar panels harness the power of the sun so we can take high-speed rail or watch lots of TV, but what happens when the panels reach the end of their life cycle? Solar, EV, wind, and hydropower are saving the planet from climate change, but what will save us from them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Generational divides may suggest that younger men are taking presentation to a new level. According to CNN and Statista, “the global male grooming market is expected to be worth $115 billion by 2028.” What's driving the new game of grooming? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Wood has a background in information technology. Before moving to China's mainland, he lived in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan. Now living in Fuzhou, he describes himself as an amateur earth scientist, linguist and photographer. We ask him about what he really thinks of life in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some are calling the Maui fires the worst natural disaster in US history. With Canadian fires polluting New York city, recent flooding in Northern China and in Slovenia and Georgia, evidence of extreme weather abounds. Are people around the world really waking up to climate change? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will using paper straws save our oceans? Does caving to single-use plastics make you feel dispirited? If you spend hours reading the headlines, you might become so paralyzed by climate change that you simply want to give up. New mental health research suggests that Eco-anxiety and doomscrolling are making us too depressed to go green. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artists in the US are suing companies responsible for AI. Has AI been stealing from our artists? Can Hollywood writing be replaced by robots? What will happen to our most creative storytellers, painters, and musicians if their ideas can just be sucked up by massive databases and reproduced in part by anyone at will? Even comedians are saying the robots are coming for their jobs… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fire, the aftermath and a community in calamity, we invite a resident of Maui, Polina Marian onto the show. She discusses the fire, and how the community has come together. She describes the heroes, the losses, the plight of survivors, and how we can help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the world sweltering under the summer sun, it's time for a more creative take on what it means to stay cool and how. Did the ancient Chinese get it right? The Indians? How severely are air-conditioners being used in China compare to that in the US? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inflation tops the chart of issues plaguing America, with 77% of Republicans and 52% of Democrats saying it is a ‘very big problem’ according to recent research. While the economy is roaring for the rich, the least well-off are worse off than any other time in recent history. Will this be the new norm of inequality in America? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, journalist, and key opinion leader Nury Vittachi joins us on the show. He discusses how children's literature can incubate the next generation of scientists with cross cultural insights that transcend contemporary disputes. We talk about Taoism, literature, physics and the distorted lens through which China is sometimes seen. Listen in as Nury explains his key tip for understanding the media: skepticism.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to a new 2023 publication by Deloitte, amid glimpses of progress, problems regarding working women’s mental health are still waiting to be addressed. And the BBC reports “a precarious economy and employment instability may be making the problem worse.” Would you put yourself in jeopardy to report a rotten boss? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While there are 9.5 million jobs with no qualified applicants in the US, there are 5.6 million working age Americans who have given up on getting a job. We ask, with so many workers and so many jobs, is the real problem being not paying workers enough? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While a new survey shows an increase in anti-Asian hate and discrimination, we also see some small victories in the battle against anti-Asian hate in the US. We have the latest in America's struggle with anti-Asian hate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee Barrett is an engineer and social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers. A citizen of the UK living in China, he makes videos that deal with technology and industry as they impact people and the society. We ask him about the future of China, the UK, the US, and that of global manufacturing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the state of Earth's old growth forests? While countries like China and Vietnam are both reforesting at impressive rates, it is not enough to make up for the deforestation happening elsewhere. A new study by Global Forest Review shows that deforestation in the past three years is raging at full speed ahead. Let's take a look. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK’s Express calls tipping in the US a tourist’s ‘nightmare.’ Why has it spiraled out of control? And how do people show appreciation for good services in other countries? We discuss how to fix this growing phenomenon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Michael Dunford is a Visiting Professor at Chinese Academy of Sciences. We discuss China’s economic history. He explains China’s fight to end poverty. We ask him about the BRI and whether China’s tactics will work in the underdeveloped world. He also gives us some insights into the next steps for China’s Common Prosperity initiative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With prices climbing and homelessness on the rise in the US, the economy feels increasingly unfair for poor Americans. What can those less well-off do to protect themselves in one of the worst economies?While the upper classes are living the highlife the rest of us are footing the bills. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new article on the BBC by David Robson, author of The Expectation Effect, explains how people’s perception of your innate talent might be more important than putting in the extra hours. We give you the insights into how to work in today’s evolving workplace to get ahead in ways that might surprise you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans joins our show. We ask her about their “China is not our Enemy” campaign. She explains how we can all work to help support the AAPI community, and the role of the media in creating hype around conflicts in America. Her insights might just give you the energy you need to strive for peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Studies show that 1 in 5 elderly Americans are going without their proper medication due to costs. While some use the wrong medicine or simply go without, others are leaving America to buy more affordable drugs elsewhere. New legislation allows Medicare to negotiate the price of selected drugs with drug companies, starting in 2026. Will this be a game changer and improve access to lifesaving medicine?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two massive surveys of Asians in America point to trouble for Asians in melting into the pot of Americana. Only 22% of Asian Americans surveyed felt a sense of safety and belonging in America. We discuss the findings and what needs to be done to change the landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Pauken II, author of “US vs CHINA: From Trade War to Reciprocal Deal” joins us on the show. A geopolitical consultant, we ask him about Sino-US relations in the context of American politics. He explains why China’s crackdown on corruption is exactly what the US needs. We discuss his journey into the heart of American culture and his hopes for the normalization of relations with China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hunger is on the rise in the USA. Two new surveys by Propel and Greater Foster Food Bank show that hunger has reached historic heights in America this year. A CBC article published in May also reported that the U.S. is facing an unprecedented rise in food insecurity. It said one in three households interviewed reported that their children were hungry. Let’s take a look at hunger in the US and around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are dreaming of building a house in Arizona, it may just stay a dream. Arizona has decided to put a halt to building new homes due to a lack of water to service them. Las Vegas may follow. With climate change causing unprecedented droughts, people may only be able to create new human settlements in wetter areas of the country. What’s going on? How bad is it? And will it be permanent? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We interviewed former private researcher to Australian Prime Minister Rudd and economic analyst, Warwick Powell. Powell is an adjunct professor at the Queensland University of Technology and chairman of a non-profit investment bank. We ask him about the state of block-chain technology, US-Australian-Chinese relations, the future of Africa, the Belt and Road, and Dedollarization. This show has everything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Studies show that our attention spans are shrinking. Dr. Gloria Mark tells CNN that in 2004, they measured the average attention on a screen to be 2½ minutes. She says years later they have found that people can only pay attention to one screen for an average of 47 seconds. Gen Z will only give a video 1.3 seconds before judging if they will continue to watch. What can we do to address these changes, and can we get our attention spans back? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new set of articles by the UK's The Times explain why it is now time to take a trip to China. COVID tests are gone and travel visas are easier than ever to obtain. It's time to skip to the other side of the planet for an out-of-this world adventure. Insider travel tips abound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Podcaster Carl Zha joins The Bridge. We ask him about China’s Belt & Road Initiative, poverty alleviation, and how to improve Sino-US relations. Carl explains the many purposes of the Silk Road, how people-to-people exchanges can help diffuse global tensions, and China’s new role in facilitating peace talks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The global race to carbon neutrality has begun. One new idea, according to the BBC on May 23rd, is using car parks for mandatory solar energy farms. China is set to reach peak emissions early and Germany is restarting PV manufacturing. What’s new in new energy? Let’s take a look at what’s hot in solar.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Surgeon General outlined steps to tackle an epidemic of loneliness in the US. Just days later China Youth Daily also released a study indicating that many Chinese youths are feeling ‘shekong’ or social phobia. Why are folks in both the US and China suffering from loneliness and anxiety? We look at modern issues that are causing our human disconnection. What we can do to mend the social fabric? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our friend Fernando of Fermube joins the show to discuss his three-month journey into Xinjiang. Host Jason, who recently got back from Xinjiang, discusses the culture, food and landscape of the region. What is it like to travel in Xinjiang? How can you go? Where are the top destinations? And more importantly, how is the food?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China held its annual Science Fiction Convention in Beijing’s Shougang Park. Chinese sci-fi story telling is stratospheric with new movies like The Wandering Earth II, Moon Man, and the TV series based on the book The Three-Body Problem. What is the past, present, and the future of science fiction in China? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which careers are safer from the obsolescence created by AI? A new research by Goldman Sachs shows that three skill sets are most likely to keep you relevant in the age of robots and generative art and text. We look expert opinions on how you can hedge your career in today's rapidly changing job market. Jason and Beibei debate the merits of the newest disruptive tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.