Mapping Global China Conversation with Ching Kwan Lee

As we often mention “Global China”, what does it exactly mean?

In this episode, Ching Kwan Lee, a sociologist with a keen interest in global and comparative issues, joins us to unpack the concept of "global China."
As a leading voice in China Studies, Prof. Lee explores how China’s expanding influence impacts global dynamics, from economic strategies and infrastructure projects to ideological and cultural exports. This thought-provoking conversation sheds light on China’s complex role in shaping international relations, economics, and local cultures.

🔍 Discussion Highlights:

• Defining Global China (0:23): Prof. Lee describes “global China” as China’s broad international flows of investment, migration, and media, establishing it as a major player on the global stage.
• Historical Context (1:55): While recent decades have marked unprecedented engagement, she notes that the Mao era also saw global influence through ideological exports.
• Economic and Governance Drivers (4:05): Key motivations, such as sustaining economic growth and governance stability, drive China's global initiatives, including the export of its domestic overcapacity.
• Power and Influence (13:11): China’s interactions abroad often reveal complex power dynamics, leading to negotiations, resistance, and local concessions.
• Media and Perception (16:18): Western and Chinese media often create narratives that mutually demonize, affecting public perceptions and understanding of China.
• Comparative Power Dynamics (26:02): Prof. Lee compares China’s use of tools like concessional loans with similar strategies historically used by other major powers, offering a broader perspective on its influence.

Join us for this in-depth dialogue as Prof. Ching Kwan Lee breaks down the nuances of China’s global rise, exploring the opportunities and challenges it presents to the world.