UK in China: Hard choices between rival superpowers episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 30, 2026 · 35 MIN

UK in China: Hard choices between rival superpowers

from Independent Thinking · host Chatham House

Host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Ben Bland, head of our Asia-Pacific Programme, and Dr Yu Jie, senior research fellow on China. They discuss the opportunities and risks of closer engagement between the UK and China, and why the opacity of Chinese elite politics makes them an unpredictable security actor. Read our latest: EU leaders echo de Gaulle, saying Europe must depend on no-one. But where should autonomy begin? UK ratification of the Chagos Archipelago treaty will not violate international law The US and Russia's nuclear weapons treaty is set to expire. Here's what's at stake Myanmar 'election' shows the military regime is here to stay. How should the world respond? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.  Read the Winter issue of The World Today. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧  Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.

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UK in China: Hard choices between rival superpowers

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