Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang

Hosted by Jiang Jiang

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Jan 2026

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Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang offers in-depth conversations with Chinese experts from across the country’s most dynamic sectors – from foreign policy and tech to grassroots culture and economic reform. Hosted from China, the show brings on-the-ground insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a policymaker, business strategist, researcher, or curious global citizen, Inside the China Room is your front-row seat to real conversations with people shaping China’s present – and its global future. New episodes every few weeks. Subscribe for timely, topical, and thoughtful China insights. www.gingerriver.com

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January 30, 202645 min

Jinghan Zeng on the controversy and reality of Confucius Institutes and China–UK relations

This episode of Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang, I’m joined by Professor Michael Jinghan Zeng from the Department of Public and International Affairs at City University of Hong Kong explore the controversies — and realities — surrounding Confucius Institutes and China–UK relations.Before relocating to Hong Kong, Professor Zeng spent 13 years in the UK, where he built his academic career. At 31, he was appointed Professor of China and International Studies at Lancaster University, becoming one of the youngest full professors in Britain.Simultaneously, he served as Director of Lancaster University Confucius Institute. Under his leadership, the Institute grew into an award-winning institution while successfully navigating unprecedented challenges — from the global pandemic and the abrupt dissolution of the Confucius Institute Headquarters to a political campaign by the UK’s then-ruling government to shut down Confucius Institutes. These experiences are chronicled in his three-volume memoir, Memoirs of a Confucius Institute Director, with the first volume released in August 2025. Before embarking on his academic career, he worked at the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York City.Highlights:03:41 - What does a Confucius Institute director actually do — and why Zeng took on the role at a politically sensitive moment13:34 - The biggest misconceptions about Confucius Institutes in British society17:34 - Cultural engagement vs. propaganda: where the line really lies19:19 - Confucius Institutes and the British Council: similar missions, different politics22:43 - Inside the “Confucius Institute of the Year” award25:13 - Leading a Confucius Institute through crisis: pandemic, politics, and pressure33:10 - How Zeng reads the current China–UK reset — and why Starmer’s China visit matters42:22 - What’s next: a preview of Volume Two of Memoirs of a Confucius Institute DirectorRecommendations:Jinghan Zeng: Black Myth: Wukong (a video game inspired by the ancient Chinese tale “Journey to the West”)JJ: Memoirs of a Confucius Institute Director, Volume 1: Challenges, Controversies, and Realities (available on Amazon), by Jinghan ZengEnjoyed the episode?Follow Inside the China Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Share & rate us to help more listeners discover expert perspectives from inside China.This episode was recorded on Jan. 29. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

October 12, 202554 min

How far has China come on gender equality? - with Yueping Song

This week on Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang, I’m joined by Professor Yueping Song from the School of Population and Health at Renmin University of China to explore the current landscape of gender equality in China.In 1995, Beijing hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women, where the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action became a global milestone for advancing women’s rights. Thirty years on, as China prepares to host the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women this October, how far has the country come in promoting gender equality and women’s well-rounded development?In this episode, Professor Song shares her insights on:* how women’s growing participation in higher education in China has impacted women’s career paths and social mobility,* the persistent challenge of balancing career pursuit and family responsibility,* evolving attitudes toward marriage, social roles, and self-fulfillment,* policy efforts to support working women and build a family-friendly society,* and the role of social media in shaping gender discourse.We also touch on how China’s approach compares with some Western and East Asian countries, and what priorities lie ahead in the face of demographic shifts like population aging and declining birthrates.Highlights04:02 - Current legal, educational, workplace, and healthcare landscape for women in China09:47 - The rise in female higher education enrollment and its role in facilitating social mobility in China16:28 - Policies supporting family-friendly environments and women’s careers24:34 - Paternal leave in China: status quo and future outlook27:33 - Shifting views on personal fulfillment and social roles among Chinese women, with social media as a key factor34:12 - Song’s take on the differences between Chinese and Western feminism39:04 - Progress and remaining challenges compared to other Eastern Asian countries45:01 - Key priorities for advancing women’s development in China over the next decade50:41 - Song’s recommendation on a TV series exploring the modern Chinese woman’s lifeRecommendationYueping Song: Ode to Joy (TV series)Like the episode?Follow Inside the China Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes drop every two weeks. Share & rate us to help more listeners discover expert perspectives from inside China.Also available on 小宇宙 Xiaoyuzhou FM for listeners in China.This episode is edited by Yifei Shi. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

September 10, 202534 min

A Japanese student’s “social experiment” across China

Welcome to the Reading Room section of Inside the China Room podcast. I’m your host, Jiang Jiang. This is a new segment I’ve added to the show, where I read aloud some of the most popular stories I’ve published on Substack. Ideally, this section will alternate with my guest interview episodes here on the podcast.Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite stories of the year so far. Out of the roughly 300 newsletters I’ve published to date, this one has received the most likes. It tells the story of a Japanese student studying in China who spent 21 days hitchhiking from Nanjing—the capital of Jiangsu Province in eastern China, and also my hometown—all the way to Xinjiang, more than 3,000 kilometers away. Along the journey, he was picked up by 16 different drivers.The student’s name is Tanikawa Hibiki. At the start of his journey, he set up what he called a “social experiment”: he would ask passing drivers if they were willing to give him a ride. If they said yes, he would then tell them he was Japanese—and observe whether they would still agree to take him. As he put it, the results of this “experiment” aren’t polling data or an official survey, but a reflection of the real, everyday human reactions he encountered across China.After completing his journey earlier this year, his story was published on the WeChat blog of Bindian Weekly, run by China Youth Daily, and he was also interviewed by The Paper. What I love about this story is its authenticity. Although the number of drivers he encountered is a small sample size, and the randomness of the road plays a big role, it still reveals a side of China that even I, as a native, may not always be fully aware of.Besides, I’ve always felt that compared to cities like Beijing and Shanghai, China’s grassroots society remains far more unfamiliar—and complex—for overseas readers. In fact, even for someone like me, who lives and works mainly in urban areas, these stories are endlessly fascinating. I often find myself learning a great deal from them—not because they offer a clear-cut picture of something “positive” or “negative,” but because they convey a certain raw, textured sense of reality. The complexity of grassroots China is also one of its most compelling qualities. As Tanikawa himself put it: “What I experienced wasn't just a hitchhiking trip, but a journey through the very fabric of a nation.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

August 13, 202541 min

What Silicon Valley Learned in Shanghai: China’s AI boom - with Rui Ma

This week on Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang, I’m joined by Rui Ma — founder of Tech Buzz China and longtime tech analyst— to unpack what’s really happening inside China’s fast-moving AI ecosystem.Rui just wrapped up a packed trip to China in late July, leading a delegation of AI founders and investors from Silicon Valley, Europe, and India. They visited the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, held private meetings with leading VCs, and met with a wide spectrum of companies — from tech giants like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent (BAT), to unicorns and startups less than a year old.Since China's “DeepSeek moment” earlier this year, global curiosity about its AI scene has only grown. In this episode, Rui shares what she saw on the ground: how China is approaching embodied intelligence, what international investors found surprising, where China’s AI strengths and weaknesses lie, and why the “energy problem” in China's AI sector may already be solved.We also discuss Rui’s upcoming deep tech trip to China this September, her thoughts on China’s AI talent pool, fundraising environment, education system, and which cities are emerging as the next big AI hubs in China.Highlights06:21 - Robotics, embodied intelligence, and cost-effectiveness11:56 - Energy is considered a solved problem in China's AI sector13:35 - Comparing the U.S. and Chinese AI ecosystems14:55 - Labor models in China’s AI firms18:25 – Fundraising situation for AI industry in China20:46 – AI education in China24:34 – Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou ... competition for AI hub heating in China27:51 – The real headache for Chinese AI companies30:35 – Rui’s next China trip: four cities, deeper tech35:08 – Who’s more likely to lead the AI future: China or Silicon Valley?Recommendation:Rui: The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley RobinsonJJ: “硅谷AI妈妈” account running by Rui on XiaohongshuLike the episode?Follow Inside the China Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes drop every two weeks. Share & rate us to help more listeners discover expert perspectives from inside China.Also available on 小宇宙 Xiaoyuzhou FM for listeners in China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

August 6, 202540 min

Wuchang, Wukong, and China’s AAA Game Boom: Gameplay, culture & China’s soft power – with Jianlin Zhong

This week on Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang, I’m joined by Jianlin Zhong — a Shanghai-based investor and lifelong AAA gamer — to unpack the rise of Chinese AAA games and how titles like Black Myth: Wukong and WuChang: Fallen Feathers are reshaping global perceptions of China’s game industry.Set in a dark fantasy world at the end of the Ming Dynasty, WuChang: Fallen Feathers is China’s latest Souls-like title. It topped Steam’s China preorder chart earlier this year and officially launched worldwide on July 24. But beyond gameplay, it’s part of a growing wave of single-player Chinese blockbusters aiming for global reach — a trend that began with the buzz around Black Myth: Wukong.In this episode, Jianlin and I share our first impressions of Wuchang, explore its cultural depth, and discuss how Chinese studios are making their mark — not just at home, but globally. We also dive into the business side: how Jianlin evaluates studios and what the future might hold for China's AAA game scene.Games we touch onDoom · Dark Souls: Remastered · Cyberpunk 2077 · Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice · Elden Ring · Phantom Blade Zero · God of War · Death Stranding · It Takes Two · Outer Wilds · Kingdom RushHighlights04:35 - Why China’s recent AAA surge matters to gamers like Jianlin06:02 - First impressions of the new release Wuchang: Fallen Feathers11:59 - Black Myth: Wukong — trailblazer for Chinese AAA titles16:18 - Have Chinese AAA games caught up with classics like Sekiro and Elden Ring?21:12 - How Chinese-themed AAA games engage players and even boost local tourism26:13 - Jianlin’s philosophy for investing in game studios31:40 - The next frontier for Chinese AAA titles going global36:44 - RecommendationsAbout Jianlin ZhongJianlin has been in the banking and investment industry for over 10 years. He began his career at J.P. Morgan as an investment banking analyst, then moved to a major APAC-focused private equity firm. In 2024, he founded his own investment management business, making large stake private investment, including buyouts, in fast growing niche industry leaders. He focuses on new materials, data, and software segments that align with his investment thesis.RecommendationsJianlin: Outer Wilds, a 2019 action-adventure game developed by Mobius Digital and published by Annapurna Interactive.JJ: Kingdom Rush, a 2011 tower defense game developed by Ironhide Game Studio and published by Armor Games.Like the episode?Follow Inside the China Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes drop every two weeks. Share & rate us to help more listeners discover expert perspectives from inside China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

July 18, 202544 min

Grassroots Football in China: How a 13-city league sparked a summer craze – with FIFA’s Chen Jun

This week on Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang, I’m joined by Chen Jun—better known as CJ—FIFA’s Football Development Manager for East Asia, to discuss a grassroots phenomenon that’s been capturing hearts across China this summer: the Su Super League. The 2025 Jiangsu Football City League, dubbed with "Su Super League," -- made up of 13 city teams competing in the east China's Jiangsu province -- has become the most igniting sporting phenomenon in the country this summer. With no big name players and coaches, the amateur soccer league has captured the nation's imagination largely through the fierce passion from local participants and fans.The Su Super League - like its Guizhou cousin, the Village Super League - are catching fire at a time when the national team continues to struggle. Just a month ago, China’s hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia. It’s now been 25 years since the country last qualified for the tournament — back in 2002.In this episode, CJ and I discussed what these grassroots leagues can tell us about the future of Chinese sports. We explored the differences on football culture in China and Europe, the challenges and opportunities China face in developing major team sports and the sustainability of amateur soccer leagues in China.Before joining FIFA six years ago, CJ worked at the Chinese Football Association as an international relations officer — where we were colleagues. He’s also worked with the East Asian Football Federation and Manchester City Football Club.Highlights:03:58 - CJ’s journey: from Manchester City FC to the Chinese Football Association, and now FIFA09:16 - Why an amateur football league captured headlines in China this summer？13:44 - Football culture face-off: China vs. Europe16:18 - The key to making football popular in China21:12 - How FIFA supports football growth in China and East Asia24:53 - Could the "Su Super League" rival China’s professional leagues?32:06 - Team vs. individual sports: China's preference and future direction34:15 - Prospects and challenges for amateur football leagues in China38:28 - CJ’s recommended read: Mastery by Robert GreeneRecommendation:CJ: Mastery, by Robert GreeneJJ: The Day of the Jackal (TV series)You can also listen to Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.This episode is edited by Yifei Shi.Note: All views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speakers and do not represent the views of any organizations they are currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

July 7, 202543 min

Confucianism in China Today: Tradition meets geopolitics – with Daniel A. Bell

This week on Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang, I'm joined by Daniel A. Bell, vice president of the International Confucian Association and chair of Political Theory with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong.On July 9 and 10, the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will be held in Qufu city in east China's Shandong Province. Qufu is renowned as the birthplace of Confucius and the historical heartland of Confucian culture. This year's forum explores the relationship among diverse civilizations and global modernization. Daniel will deliver a speech during the forum.In this episode, Daniel and I explored the unique characteristics of Shandong that reflect the deep influence of Confucianism. We discussed how Confucian values continue to shape contemporary Chinese politics and society -- from expectations around the moral integrity of government officials to the emphasis on family values. We also delved into how different civilizations engage with one another, and how Confucianism influences the broader process of modernization. Daniel also shared with me his expectations for this year's Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, as well as the main themes of the speech he plans to deliver at the event.Daniel's research area includes comparative political theory, Confucianism, and Legalism. From 2017 to 2022, Daniel served as Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University -- the first foreigner in the Chinese mainland's history to hold such a position. His book, The Dean of Shandong, published in 2023, chronicles his experiences as what he calls a "minor bureaucrat." Daniel has also taught at Beijing’s Tsinghua University for 13 years.In 2018, Daniel was awarded the Huilin Prize and honored as a "Cultural Leader" by the World Economic Forum. In 2021, he was selected as the People’s Friendship Envoy of Shandong Province.Highlights:03:56 – Confucian traits of Shandong and Daniel’s teaching experience there13:44 – How Confucian values shape politics and society in today’s China16:00 – Comparing family values in China and the West20:03 – Moral standards in China’s selection and evaluation of officials25:52 – Xunzi and the creative dialogue between Confucianism and Islam31:53 – How Confucianism contributed to modernization in East Asia35:06 – Civilizational dialogues at the Nishan Forum37:46 – Ritualized ice hockey in Daniel’s hometown — and its Confucian echoes41:14 – How Daniel’s next book brings ancient Chinese thinkers into dialogue on today’s biggest questionsRecommendation:Daniel: The ritualized ice hockey games in CanadaJJ: Why Ancient Chinese Political Thought Matters: Four Dialogues on China’s Past, Present, and Future, by Daniel A. BellYou can also listen to Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.This episode is edited by Yifei Shi. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

May 29, 202541 min

Ep15. After the tariff shock: Bert Hofman on China-U.S. trade, global fallout, and the future of economic governance

This week on Inside the China Room, Jiang Jiang (JJ) is joined by Bert Hofman, professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School at the National University of Singapore and the former World Bank's Chief Economist of East Asia and the Pacific Region, and Country Director for China.The United States and China agreed on May 12 to drastically roll back tariffs on each other’s goods for an initial 90-day period, in a significant breakthrough that has de-escalated a punishing trade war and buoyed global markets.In this episode, I invite Bert to share his views on China-U.S. trade relations, the impact of the tariff rollbacks, and what it all means for the future of global supply chain and multilateral institutions.Bert is also the former director of the East Asian Institute of the National University Singapore (NUS). He is a Senior Fellow at MERICS in Germany, nonresident senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Member of the World Association for China Studies. Before joining NUS, he worked with the World Bank for 27 years, 22 of which in Asia, and 12 of which on China.Bert's current interests include China’s future growth trajectory, technology, aging, and geopolitics and China-U.S. relations. He also runs a Substack newsletter called Bert's newsletter.Highlights:03:21 - What surprised — and didn’t — in the China-U.S. trade deal06:13 - Tariff "pause" and transit trade12:53 - How the trade war reshapes global supply chain strategy17:14 - Trade talks and how countries strategize19:51 - The uncertain path ahead for China-U.S. trade relations27:33 - National security is becoming a growing global priority29:40 - The future of multilateral institutions amid U.S. retreat39:17 - RecommendationRecommendation:Zbig: The Life and Times of Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet, by Edward LuceYou can also listen to Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

December 31, 202436 min

Peer into 2025 through the eyes of a Chinese data CEO: A conversation with Robert Wu

This week on Inside the China Room, Jiang Jiang (JJ) is joined by Robert Wu, CEO of BigOne Lab, a leading alternative data and research firm in China. Robert is also the creator of two acclaimed China-focused newsletters, Baiguan and China Translated. Long-time listeners might remember Robert as the guest on our very first episode.During this holiday season, I couldn't think of a better time to invite Robert back to the show. In this episode, we'll get his outlook on 2025 from the perspective of a CEO in China and a leading figure in the data industry. While we won't be able to cover everything, I hope what we discussed will resonate with you.In this conversation, we dive into the market outlook for 2025, emerging trends in China's consumer market, the "all-in" mindset of CEOs, China's first centrally administered state-owned enterprise dedicated to data technology, the evolution of data as a strategic asset, the influence of China-U.S. relations on business strategies, and even a discussion about the TV series 我的阿勒泰 To the Wonder.Highlights:01:45 - Renewed interest in Chinese equities amid global market uncertainties07:59 - How interest-based and value-based consumption will shape China's consumer market in 202512:16 - Lululemon's growth in China driven by shifting consumer priorities toward premium sportswear15:57 - How "Founder Mode" shapes the way Chinese entrepreneurs lead their businesses20:17 - China's new state-owned data enterprise to break down "data silos" and boost efficiency27:20 - How China-U.S. relations in 2025 will influence business strategies33:15 - RecommendationRecommendation:TV Series: 我的阿勒泰 To the Wonder, released this May on Chinese video platform iQIYI.COMYou can also listen to Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com

November 19, 202446 min

Exploring new trends in China's film industry with independent producer Annie Song – opportunities for young filmmakers

This week on Inside the China Room, Jiang Jiang (JJ) welcomes Annie Song, a young Chinese film producer and art director of 林象文化 Jungle Vision, a Beijing-based start-up dedicated to curating independent film festivals in China.In this episode, we explore how young independent Chinese filmmakers are seizing opportunities at film festivals and contributing to the rise of new genres in China, with a particular focus on the increasing popularity of socially themed films. We also delve into the evolving dynamics between the Chinese and American film industries, as well as the successes and challenges Chinese films face in reaching international audiences. Additionally, we discuss how innovative promotional strategies, such as short video platforms, are revolutionizing the way films connect with viewers.Annie Song holds a BA in Film Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and brings over eight years of experience to the film industry. She was recently honored with the Most Promising Filmmaker award at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, cementing her reputation as a rising star in the field.Highlights:06:22 - The unique traits of China’s emerging filmmakers08:10 - Film festivals as a launchpad for young Chinese filmmakers11:40 - Challenges shared by the Chinese and U.S. film industries19:20 - Increasing popularity of socially themed films in China24:04 - The re-release trend of classic films26:22 - Chinese films going global34:11 - Short video platforms transforming film promotion39:00 - Annie’s plan and her insights on low-budget films42:36 - RecommendationRecommendation:Movies: 好东西 Her Story by director 邵艺辉 Shao Yihui, set to release on November 22, 2024You can also listen to Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Other Chinese films Annie Song and Jiang Jiang discussed in this episode:宇宙探索编辑部 Journey to the West (2023)流浪地球 The Wandering Earth (2020)逆行人生 Upstream (2024)我不是药神 Dying to Survive (2018)爱情神话 B for Busy (2021)英雄 Hero (2002）卧虎藏龙 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)影 Shadow (2019)满江红 River Red (2023) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com