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China
United States
Taiwan
U.s.-China Relations
National Security
Xi Jinping
Chinese Communist Party
Human Rights
Australia
Covid-19
Us-China Relations
Communist Party Of China
Trade Coercion
U.s.–china Relations
Tiananmen Square
Belt and Road Initiative
Medical Technology
Australian Economy
Chinese Espionage Operations
Apple

China Desk is a nonpartisan podcast exploring the critical issues shaping the U.S.–China relationship. Hosted by Steve Yates, former White House national security advisor and president of Radio Free Asia, the show features leading experts, authors, and officials discussing the challenges and opportunities posed by China’s rise. Contact us or recommend a guest at: chinadesk@thefederalnewswire.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes104Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for China Desk

Latest Episodes

What should the United States realistically expect from high-level diplomacy with China — and where are the real risks in the relationship?

In this episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates is joined by Andrew Harding, Policy Analyst for National ... more

What happens when someone raised inside China’s education system begins questioning everything they were taught?

In this episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates sits down with independent China analyst and journalist Terence Shen for a wide-rang... more

After 100 episodes, what has the China Desk revealed about the Chinese Communist Party, U.S. strategy, and the future of global competition?

In this special milestone edition of The China Desk, the roles are reversed. Host Steve Yates becomes the gu... more

Is “China” as we understand it today really a continuous civilization — or a modern political construction?

In this episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates sits down with Bill Hayton, journalist and author of The Invention of China, to unpack on... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Andrew Harding
Policy Analyst for National Security and Indo-Pacific Affairs at Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
Episode: Ep. 102 - Trump-Xi Summit, AI Competition & U.S.-China Strategy w/Andrew Harding
Terence Shen
Independent China analyst, journalist, host of Mandarin-language YouTube channel
Independent
Episode: Ep. 101 - CCP Propaganda, China’s Future & the Taiwan Question w/Terence Shen
Steve Yates
Host of The China Desk; Senior Research Fellow for China and National Security Policy at the Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
Episode: Ep. 100 - 100 Episodes In: Steve Yates on China, Strategy & What Comes Next w/Andrew Langer
Bill Hayton
Former BBC journalist and author of The Invention of China
Yale University Press / Chatham House (associate fellow)
Episode: Ep. 99 - Is China a Modern Invention? History, Myth & Power w/Bill Hayton
Cleo Paskal
Non-resident senior fellow focusing on the Indo-Pacific, Pacific Islands and India
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Episode: Ep. 98 - Guam, Taiwan & China’s Pacific Strategy: What the U.S. Is Missing w/Cleo Paskal
Eyck Freymann
Hoover Fellow at Stanford University; writer and policy expert on China and deterrence
Stanford University, Hoover Institution; Center on Global Energy Policy; Institute of Geoeconomics; US Naval War College
Episode: Ep. 97 - Deterring War with China: Taiwan Strategy & U.S. Power w/Eyck Freymann
Grace Jin Drexel
Advocate for religious freedom in China; daughter of Pastor Ezra Jin
Luke Alliance (Advocacy Director); former CECC staff
Episode: Ep. 95 - China’s Crackdown on Faith, House Churches, and Human Rights w/Grace Jin Drexel
David Schild
Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America
Printed Circuit Board Association of America (Pcbaa)
Episode: Ep. 94 - China’s Grip on PCB's & the Hidden Risk to U.S. Supply Chains w/David Schild
Jan Jekielek
Senior Editor with The Epoch Times and host of American Thought Leaders
Epoch Times
Episode: Inside China’s Forced Organ Harvesting Industry w/Jan Jekielek

Host

Steve Yates
Senior Research Fellow for China and National Security; Host of the China Desk Podcast; affiliated with Federal Newswire

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 13 ratings
  • China Hawk

    Typical national security establishment anti China scaremongering drivel. If you enjoy hearing how big and bad China is even though it has no relation to reality, this is the pod for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mleung33
    Canada6 months ago
  • Informative

    Highly recommend

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lltravelmel
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great in depth info

    Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    seminoleike
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Others praise the depth and diversity of expert guests and timely topics.
A few comments note the content is rigorous and valuable for decision-makers, though some listeners disagree with the perspectives presented.
Some listeners feel the host's framing is strongly security-focused and may reflect a certain geopolitical stance.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#42
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#241
Taiwan/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 101 - CCP Propaganda, China’s Future & the Taiwan Question w/Terence Shen
Q: What are the topics that seem to trigger the strongest reactions or pushback from pro-CCP audiences, and why do you think that happens?
He observes that discussions on China's economy and US-China competition provoke the most intense responses, as some viewers fear challenges to their worldview or perceive the host as betraying their identity.
Ep. 101 - CCP Propaganda, China’s Future & the Taiwan Question w/Terence Shen
Q: So a lot of the content that you are working with is pretty direct stuff, some of it pretty critical, and it's edgier than you'd hear in most of the Washington policy circles. How do you decide about how far to push different narratives?
Shen explains that he calibrates critique to how the CCP governs; if the regime tightens control, his criticism sharpens, but he aims to ground every position in factual analysis rather than emotion.
Ep. 98 - Guam, Taiwan & China’s Pacific Strategy: What the U.S. Is Missing w/Cleo Paskal
Q: How can the U.S. counter corruption as a gateway for CCP influence?
Implement a rapid-response, intelligence-led deterrence and governance-support framework that helps local authorities strengthen rule of law, bolster investigations, and disincentivize corrupt practices that enable coercive influence.
China’s Influence in the Pacific Islands: Cleo Paskal on Indo-Pacific Strategy & Taiwan
Q: What can be learned about Oceania and the Pacific Islands?
Paskal explains that Oceania is a vast region, and understanding its significance is crucial for U.S. security interests, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges from China.
Ep. 74 - Nick Eftimiades
Q: What are the most important steps the US should be taking now?
Eftimiades emphasizes the need for a unified strategy to deal with China, legislative backing for this strategy, and a comprehensive review and reform of current laws.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About China Desk

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

This program concentrates on the U.S.–China relationship, with a mix of policy analysis, geopolitical context, and expert guest perspectives. Episodes routinely explore tech supply chains, national security, media influence, foreign policy, and regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, often tying current events to long-running strategic narratives. A standout feature is the cadence of high-profile guests—journalists, policy researchers, and former government officials—who bring first-hand reporting, data-driven insights, and policy implications to readers and listeners seeking deeper understanding of China's global role. The format is disciplined, with a focus on actionable implications for policymakers, business leaders, and journalists navi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to China Desk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with China Desk:

1. ChinaPower
2. ChinaTalk
3. Pekingology
4. The Asia Chessboard
5. The Foreign Affairs Interview

How many episodes of China Desk are there?

China Desk launched 3 years ago and published 104 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 China Desk?

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What guests have appeared on China Desk?

Recent guests on China Desk include:

1. Andrew Harding
2. Terence Shen
3. Steve Yates
4. Bill Hayton
5. Cleo Paskal
6. Eyck Freymann
7. Grace Jin Drexel
8. David Schild

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