Advertise on podcast: Drum Tower from The Economist

Life in China is competitive and stressful. A recent study found some 191m people have a mental-health disorder. While still a taboo subject for many older Chinese, a growing number of their children are seeking therapy. How do China’s changing attitudes towards mental health sit with the Communist Party's efforts to promote a happier, stable society? Guests and hosts: Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Barclay Bram, staff writer for 1843 at The Economist Topics covered: Mental health in China Online therapy in China Healthy China 2030 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 The Economist.

The honour guard has rehearsed and the flyover has been scheduled. Beyond the pageantry and pomp, a lot is at stake as Xi Jinping heads to America for his first state visit since 2015. What will be on the agenda when the Chinese and American presidents sit down for their second meeting this year––and is the relationship between the two superpower rivals about to see a lasting change? Guests and hosts: Simon Rabinovitch, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief and Chaguan columnist Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Jing Qian, co-founder and managing director of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Centre for China Analysis Topics covered: 2026 state visit by Xi Jinping to America Chinese investment in America AI safety 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 The Economist.

China’s internet used to be a rambunctious place. But over the past 10 years the country’s leaders have sought to tame it. A recent natural disaster and a comedy mishap reveal an online world where the flow of information is narrowing and the list of “safe topics” changes constantly. How did China’s censors gain such decisive control—and what might it cost the Communist Party? Guests and hosts: Simon Rabinovitch, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief and Chaguan columnist Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Xiao Qiang, founder of China Digital Times Topics covered: Censorship in China Speech under Xi Jinping AI and censorship 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 The Economist.

Call it Jensanity. When Jensen Huang, boss of the chip giant Nvidia, visits his native Taiwan he is greeted like a rock star. Our correspondent spent a week with the man at the centre of the geopolitical battle for AI dominance. We examine how Mr Huang cultivated his nice-guy image, and ask how much longer he can keep China, America and Taiwan on side. Guests and hosts: Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia Shailesh Chitnis, The Economist’s global business writer Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics covered: Jensen Huang Nvidia AI race 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 The Economist.

China’s Cultural Revolution was hard on Xi Jinping. His father was purged, and at age 15, he was sent down to the countryside, where he spent years living and working as a peasant. Yet Mr Xi particularly dislikes public-handwringing about the decade-long period of violence and upheaval when more than a million people died. Fifty years after the Cultural Revolution ended, why do China’s leaders want to play down its horrors? Guests and hosts: Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower” James Miles, The Economist’s China writer-at-large Topics: China’s Cultural Revolution Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong Chinese Communist Party history 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 The Economist.

China is rushing ahead on AI integration. The Communist Party wants every industry to adopt the technology in the hope it will boost growth. But behind the enthusiasm, the country’s leaders worry about workers being displaced by the tech they are promoting. Guests and hosts: Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics: Chinese AI China’s economy China’s jobs market 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 The Economist.

China has strict laws protecting its cultural artefacts. Even so, they pop up all over the world. Hong Kong serves as a major gateway for the illicit trade of smuggled Chinese antiquities. Why does the territory still have an ancient English legal principle that gives dodgy goods a clean bill of health? Guests and hosts: Emma Irving, news editor at The Economist Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics: Chinese antiquities Hong Kong’s black market Repatriation of cultural relics 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 The Economist.

China is becoming more cautious about AI. Since the start of the year the government has tightened controls on domestic labs, intervening in cross-border deals and restricting the movement of its best talent. Now it is limiting how Chinese citizens interact with some chatbots. Is this the beginning of a new era for China’s AI industry? Guests and hosts: Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” David Rennie, The Economist’s geopolitics editor and Telegram columnist Joshua Spencer, The Economist’s Asia news editor Topics: Chinese AI Open-weight AI models AI companions 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 The Economist.

Hong Kong was once a shopper’s paradise. Today the city’s residents are more likely to head to mainland China to spend. As Hong Kong’s economy recovers from the double-punch of the pandemic and protests, officials are taking a novel approach to get customers spending again. Guests and hosts: Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Simon Cox, The Economist’s China economics editor Topics: Hong Kong economy Stanley, Hong Kong Shenzhen effect 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 The Economist.

Like its Western counterparts, China’s manosphere has its ugly, hostile corners. But China is also home to a large number of traditionally-minded men whose views on gender are supported by the Chinese government. Add to that a generation of women who are better-educated and more assertive than their forebears and the stage is set for a battle of the sexes. How worried are China’s leaders? Guests and hosts: Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics: Manosphere Chinese gender politics Bride prices 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 The Economist.

Study hard, score well, and you’ll get a good job. For decades that was the promise of the gaokao, China’s university-entrance exam. But as China’s job market stagnates and youth unemployment soars, that social contract is beginning to fray. In the second of two episodes, Drum Tower explores whether taking the gaokao is still the best way for China’s young people to get ahead. Guests and hosts: Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower” Mark Johnson, senior editor at The Economist Topics: Gaokao Chinese education system China’s economy 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 The Economist.

China’s university-entrance exam is notoriously difficult. Admired for its meritocratic ideals, the gaokao is also criticised for its pressures and inequalities. But for millions of teens, it is still their gateway to better education, career opportunities and social mobility. In the first of two episodes, Drum Tower speaks to students about what it’s like to prepare for and take the gaokao. Guests and hosts: Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower” Mark Johnson, senior editor at The Economist Topics: Gaokao Chinese education system School exams 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 The Economist.

Selfies are in, bikinis are out and swimming is optional. For centuries, the Chinese turned their backs to the sea, but now millions are embracing it. In this episode from the Drum Tower archive, our correspondent hits the sand in Shenzhen and meets a microcosm of Chinese society. Host: - Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics: - Dameisha Beach in Shenzhen, China - Domestic tourism in China - Chinese beach culture 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.

A record 48 teams qualified for this year’s World Cup, but not China. In fact, the country's most prominent representative is Ma Ning, a referee. So why, despite lavish spending and a leader who's reportedly a fan of the sport, is China so bad at football? Guests and hosts: Jiehao Chen, co-host of “Drum Tower” Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics: The World Cup Chinese football Xi Jinping 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.

As China's middle class gets richer, it's also getting choosier. Alongside pork and noodles the urban elite are now tucking into salmon, avocados and blueberries. The Chinese Communist Party, which is keen to promote healthier lifestyles and food security, sees an opportunity. But first, it must reckon with a food system that millions of its own citizens don't trust. Guests and hosts: Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics: Chinese diets Food security China’s middle-class 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.