What is Xi Jinping up to? | Cindy Yu episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 9, 2026 · 21 MIN

What is Xi Jinping up to? | Cindy Yu

from The spiked podcast · host The spiked podcast

Xi Jinping has just carried out the most significant purge of China’s military in decades. Top general Zhang Youxia, alongside other leading figures and formerly close allies, have been arrested, accused of treason and corruption. Is this a sign of Xi’s strength and his iron grip on power and his party? Or is it a sign of weakness, paranoia and growing internal dissent? Here, Cindy Yu – columnist and contributing editor at The Times and The Sunday Times – talks to spiked’s Fraser Myers about what Xi might be thinking. Plus, they discuss the threat to Taiwan, the trade war with Trump, and how Britain should navigate China’s rise.  Read spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/     Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Xi Jinping has just carried out the most significant purge of China’s military in decades. Top general Zhang Youxia, alongside other leading figures and formerly close allies, have been arrested, accused of treason and corruption. Is this a sign of Xi’s strength and his iron grip on power and his party? Or is it a sign of weakness, paranoia and growing internal dissent? Here, Cindy Yu – columnist and contributing editor at The Times and The Sunday Times – talks to spiked’s Fraser Myers about what Xi might be thinking. Plus, they discuss the threat to Taiwan, the trade war with Trump, and how Britain should navigate China’s rise.  Read spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/     Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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What is Xi Jinping up to? | Cindy Yu

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Xi Jinping has just carried out the most significant purge of China’s military in decades. Top general Zhang Youxia, alongside other leading figures and formerly close allies, have been arrested, accused of treason and corruption. Is this a sign of...

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