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MERICS China Podcast

MERICS
China
United States
Eu-China Relations
European Union
Chinese Communist Party
Us-China Relations
Xi Jinping
Artificial Intelligence
Russia
Taiwan
Electric Vehicles
Geopolitics
Climate Change
Trade
Human Rights
Germany
National People's Congress
Quantum Technologies
Local Government Debt
Economy

The MERICS China Podcast, brought to you by the Mercator Institute for China Studies, a show that analyses current affairs in China and the latest developments in EU-China relations.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes271Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernmentPolitics

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Artwork for MERICS China Podcast

Latest Episodes

After several quieter years, 2025 saw a noticeable pickup in Chinese investment activity in the EU and UK, reaching levels last seen in 2018. To take a look at the trends and developments in Chinese investments in Europe, Johannes Heller-John is join... more

In dieser Folge unseres deutschsprachigen Podcasts „China in 26“ sprechen Bernhard Bartsch, Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling über die Ergebnisse der Treffen von Chinas Partei- und Staatschef Xi Jinping mit US-Präsident Donald Trump sowie dem russis... more

Today’s episode investigates the relationship between China and Iran, Russia’s role in this multilateral triangle, and how Teheran’s view of the global order aligns with and differs from Beijing’s. Hamidreza Azizi, Visiting Fellow at Stiftung Wissens... more

China im Jahr 2026 – diskutiert in 26 Minuten: In dieser Folge des deutschsprachigen MERICS-Podcasts sprechen Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling diesmal mit Katja Drinhausen, Leiterin des Bereichs Politik und Gesellschaft bei MERICS. Sie diskutieren ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Gregor Williams
Former Rhodium Group associate director, China Corporate Advisory Team
Rhodium Group
Episode: Chinese FDI in Europe reaches 7-year high, with Gregor Williams and Andreas Mischer
Andreas Mischer
Analyst in the economy and industry team
MERICS
Episode: Chinese FDI in Europe reaches 7-year high, with Gregor Williams and Andreas Mischer
Hamidreza Azizi
Visiting Fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP)
SWP / Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik
Episode: Iran’s relationship with China, with Hamidreza Azizi and David Jalilvand
David Jalilvand
Political Scientist and Managing Director of Orient Matters; Associate Fellow with DGAP
Orient Matters / DGAP
Episode: Iran’s relationship with China, with Hamidreza Azizi and David Jalilvand
Jacob Gunter
Head of the Economy and Industry Program at MERICS
MERICS
Episode: China’s overcapacities, with Jacob Gunter and Esther Goreichy
Esther Goreichy
Visiting fellow at MERICS
MERICS
Episode: China’s overcapacities, with Jacob Gunter and Esther Goreichy
Plamen Tonchev
Head of the Asia Unit at the Athens-based Institute of International Economic Relations and European China Policy Fellow at MERICS
Institute of International Economic Relations; MERICS
Episode: China’s interests in the Persian Gulf and beyond, with Plamen Tonchev
Sarah Kirchberger
Director, Institute for Security Policy, University of Kiel
University of Kiel
Episode: Wie China zivile Forschung für sein Militär nutzt, mit Sarah Kirchberger und Antonia Hmaidi
Minna Ålander
Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies, Swedish Institute of International Affairs
Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies / Swedish Institute of International Affairs
Episode: China and Russia – a deepening relationship? With Minna Ålander, Filip Rudnik and Eva Seiwert

Hosts

Claudia Wessling
Host of the MERICS China Podcast; Director of Communications and Publications at MERICS
Johannes Heller-John
Host of the MERICS China Podcast

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Interesting Topics, difficult discussions

    The topics of the podcast is interesting and the guests definitely habe expertise on the topic. Unfortunately, the English of the host is hard to stomach and ruins the discussion a bit.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Oak1-3
    Switzerland2 years ago
  • Jingle zu lang

    In Folge #78 Minute 11:45 ca. Gibt es einen Einspieler der informieren soll was denn hier eigentlich angehört wird und dem ein rattenschwanz von leeren Tönen folgt der einfach viiiiieeeeelll zu lang dauert! Ich hab mich echt gefragt Wozu?!

    Ansonsten, Gewerkschaften in China sind ein extremst wichtiges Thema und eines mit dem explosiven Potential die Gesellschaft von Innen zu spalten..

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    dschungelcamp für die ohren
    Germany7 years ago
  • Very good Information

    Perfect Information about what‘s going on in present China.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tagesspiegel-App
    Germany7 years ago
  • Great to hear what’s going on in Communist China

    Always good to hear the English podcasts and hope that China can become a better place...

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chineseblister
    United Kingdom8 years ago
  • Top

    Sehr interessant und sehr hilfreich für mein Studium

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oz26Fe
    Germany9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the show is considered a strong source for nuanced geopolitical insights.
Episodes that connect policy with business risk are especially valued by sponsors.
Guests are seen as highly knowledgeable and well-connected in policy circles.
Listeners appreciate the depth and expertise on China policy and data-driven analysis.
Some critique the host's English delivery but still value the content and guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#175
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#32
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#45
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#55
Denmark/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#105
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#183
India/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chinese FDI in Europe reaches 7-year high, with Gregor Williams and Andreas Mischer
Q: Is the current growth a cause for celebration, and will the trend continue in coming years?
While 2025 shows a seven-year high and growth driven by M&A, the guests caution that greenfield investment remains volatile and expect only modest gains or potential stabilization rather than a return to the very high levels seen earlier in the decade; regulatory and geopolitical factors may dampen momentum.
Chinese FDI in Europe reaches 7-year high, with Gregor Williams and Andreas Mischer
Q: Could you give us a general update on the development of Chinese FDI in Europe?
The guests explain a global uptick in outbound Chinese investment, with Europe seeing continued growth into 2025, driven by a rebound in M&A activity and increased greenfield investments, though greenfield announcements have been falling since 2023 and 2024.
Iran’s relationship with China, with Hamidreza Azizi and David Jalilvand
Q: How has the relationship between Iran and China progressed in the recent past, and how does Iran view China?
Iran views China as a reliable economic partner and a key player in a broader Look to the East strategy, with a shift toward closer cooperation in military intelligence and strategic fields, yet it stops short of forming an official alliance. Domestic constraints, notably the IRGC's role in the economy, also shape Tehran's cautious engagement and insist on pragmatic, non-binding collaboration.
China’s interests in the Persian Gulf and beyond, with Plamen Tonchev
Q: Could you give us an overview of why this region, and maybe focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean, is important for China as well?
Tonchev explains that economically the region is a market for goods, technologies, and infrastructure projects, and geopolitically it sits on major connectivity corridors and the Belt and Road Initiative, offering Beijing leverage to position itself among great and middle powers and within alignment with broader Eurasian security dynamics.
China’s interests in the Persian Gulf and beyond, with Plamen Tonchev
Q: What do you think about the chances of Chinese military involvement in any way either supporting Iran or supporting the United States in the region?
The guest notes that while Iran, Russia, and China have historically conducted naval exercises, China's response to the request for involvement was negative and cautious, reflecting a broader strategy of staying out of direct armed conflict while maintaining strategic partnerships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About MERICS China Podcast

What is MERICS China Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently analyzes China's domestic economics, geopolitical posture, and its evolving role in Europe, the US, and global governance. Episodes frequently cover topics like China's industrial policy, energy security, technology and dual-use governance, and Beijing's strategic interactions with the US, EU, and Middle East. Guests are often MERICS researchers or external experts who bring policy analysis, regional context, and data-driven insights, making complex policy shifts—such as overcapacity, supply chain security, and strategic diplomacy—more tangible for listeners. A standout strength is the combination of rigorous research dashboards with accessible discussion, offering listeners practical context for business strategy, ris... more

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Which podcasts are similar to MERICS China Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with MERICS China Podcast:

1. Pekingology
2. Sinica Podcast
3. ChinaPower
4. Asia Geopolitics
5. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

How many episodes of MERICS China Podcast are there?

MERICS China Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 271 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact MERICS China Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on MERICS China Podcast?

Recent guests on MERICS China Podcast include:

1. Gregor Williams
2. Andreas Mischer
3. Hamidreza Azizi
4. David Jalilvand
5. Jacob Gunter
6. Esther Goreichy
7. Plamen Tonchev
8. Sarah Kirchberger

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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