Advertise on podcast: The Hub with Wang Guan

China's economy is showing resilience as new growth drivers reshape its economic landscape. What is powering growth in 2026, and how are technology, trade and consumption shaping what comes next? On The Hub, Wang Guan is joined by Wang Dan, China Director at Eurasia Group; Liu Zhiqin, senior research fellow at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies; and Andy Mok, author of "The Innovation Machine: How China Creates and Adopts Technology Through Governance." They discuss China's economic performance and new sources of growth.

As geopolitical tensions rise, existing institutions face growing pressure to adapt. On The Hub, Wang Guan brings together Alfred de Zayas, former United Nations independent expert and author of "Building a Just World Order" and "The Human Rights Industry"; Linjie Chou Zanadu, associate professor of International Relations at the European Centre for Peace and Development; and Ben Norton, founder and editor-in-chief of the Geopolitical Economy Report. They dive into the future of global governance, the rise of a multipolar world, and what the competing global visions mean for the future.

The China-US relationship is witnessing a new historic moment as the two heads of state meet in Washington. What signals could emerge from the meeting? How can Beijing and Washington manage differences while expanding areas of cooperation? On The Hub, Wang Guan brings together Li Cheng, founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong; Fred Teng, president of the America China Public Affairs Institute; and Rick Dunham, senior visiting scholar at Tsinghua University's Global Business Journalism program. They explore the significance of the state visit and examine the latest developments in China-US relations.

Where is China-U.S. trade and investment headed as the world's two largest economies navigate competition and cooperation? Can businesses on both sides find new opportunities amid changing global supply chains and market conditions? What could greater dialogue mean for the future of economic ties? On The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, and Zha Daojiong, professor of international political economy at Peking University.

The Long March remains a powerful chapter in China's history, 90 years after the victory of the Chinese Red Army in 1936. What can a journey along the Long March route reveal about its history and spirit? How can shared experiences help young people from different countries better understand one another? In this special episode of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Zhavier Harris, marketing & communications manager at the Springfield Urban League, who followed in the footsteps of the Long March. Together, they explore his journey through places connected to the Long March, and examine the connections he discovered between people and communities.

BRICS enters its third decade with a larger membership, a broader agenda, and a growing role for the Global South. Can its expansion strengthen cooperation without creating fragmentation? How can BRICS help shape the global economic order? On The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Alessandro Golombiewski Teixeira, distinguished visiting professor at Tsinghua University and former senior advisor to the president of the New Development Bank. They explore institutional evolution in the BRICS group, local-currency trade and payments, and the future role of the NDB.

BRICS marks its 20th anniversary as the grouping enters a new phase of cooperation. What can BRICS deliver as global economic and political dynamics continue to shift? And how can the expanded bloc turn closer cooperation into greater opportunities for the wider Global South?

As the 16th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting takes place in Beijing, how can economies across the Asia-Pacific keep energy affordable, reliable and sustainable? Can renewables and AI help build a cleaner and more resilient energy future? On The Hub, Wang Guan discusses these questions with John Pang, senior fellow at the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific; Steivan Defilla, assistant president of the APEC Sustainable Energy Center; and John Grimes, CEO of the Renewable Energy Council Asia-Pacific. They examine the challenges of ensuring energy for all, the pace of the green transition, and China's rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.

The 2026 Bishkek SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan put the future of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the role of Central Asia in the spotlight. What will shape the SCO's next phase?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is marking its 25th anniversary as leaders gather for the 2026 SCO Bishkek Summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the summit and paying a state visit to Kyrgyzstan. In this special edition of The Hub from Bishkek, Wang Guan sits down with Sohail Khan, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to discuss the SCO's achievements, its future development strategy and its evolving role in global governance. They explore how SCO members have built trust and understanding, and look into its vision for deeper cooperation among its members and partners.

As the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation marks its 25th anniversary, young people are helping shape its next chapter. What does the SCO mean to a new generation? And how can youth exchanges, entrepreneurship and cultural cooperation strengthen ties across member states?

Global governance and development are evolving as countries across the Global South seek greater representation, cooperation and shared progress. As China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) turns one and China's Global Development Initiative (GDI) turns five, what have been their achievements so far? How are they contributing to a more inclusive and effective approach to international cooperation?

Six years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a landmark symposium in Hefei, the capital city of China's Anhui Province, setting out a bold blueprint for the Yangtze River Delta centered on integration and high-quality development. How has this strategy transformed the region into one of China's most dynamic economic engines? And as China enters its 15th Five-Year Plan, can the Yangtze River Delta turn its technological and industrial strengths into a new phase of high-quality growth?

This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. How has China-Africa cooperation evolved over the past seven decades, and what role can the partnership play in advancing Africa's development priorities? Looking ahead, how can China and Africa deepen cooperation in technology, renewable energy, climate change and debt management?

China's economy is showing resilience as innovation and consumption reshape its next stage of growth. What's driving China's economy in 2026, and what could it mean for the rest of the world?