A slowing economy poses what's perhaps the greatest challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping's power since he became leader and there's an unlikely factor behind it: China's complicated relationship with the Soviet Union.

Making Europe get tough on China has been a hallmark of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s term in office, but what’s behind her hardening line toward Beijing?

Beijing is eyeing a bigger diplomatic role around the unfolding conflict in the Middle East. Al-Jazeera’s Erin Hale joins host Reid Standish to unpack China’s response to the Israel-Hamas war.

What do we really know about the Belt and Road Initiative -- China's global infrastructure program -- after a decade of investments around the world? Reid Standish is joined by Jacob Mardell, the editorial coordinator for China at the German NGO N-Ost, to unpack where the ambitious project stands today, dispel myths over how it works, and take a deeper look at where it's headed.

With an eye on Afghanistan’s resource wealth, Beijing is slowly deepening its ties with the Taliban, but is the relationship built to last? Kabul-based journalist Ali Latifi and the German Marshall Fund’s Andrew Small join host Reid Standish to explore Beijing’s complicated history with the group.

Tamuna Chkareuli, a photojournalist working with RFE/RL’s Georgia Service, joins host Reid Standish for a special episode from their reporting trip across Georgia about how a $1 billion Chinese-built highway is transforming the country and bringing hope and scandal in the process.

Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian discusses her new book on the Talking China In Eurasia podcast and explains how China is leveraging its economy for geopolitical gain and what it means for the world.

RFE/RL’s Andrei Soshnikov joins host Reid Standish to explain their recent investigation based on leaked documents from closed-door meetings between Chinese and Russian officials where they trade tactics and expertise to censor the Internet and monitor dissent.

We’re returning with a new season on September 13, and we’re relaunching with a brand-new format. I’ll be joined by leading experts and RFE/RL journalists to explain hidden trends and unpack investigations that get to the heart of how China is reshaping things from Eastern Europe to Central Asia -- and why it matters. Be sure to subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever else you like to listen, so you don’t miss an episode.

Earlier this month, Pakistan was plunged back into political turmoil after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested, sparking protests and violence across the country. But what does it mean for China, Islamabad’s largest lender and increasingly important ally? Daud Khattak, the managing editor for RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, joins host Reid Standish to discuss.

It took 14 months, but for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. But does it mean that China is prepared to broker peace in Ukraine? Finbarr Bermingham, Europe correspondent for the South China Morning Post, joins host Reid Standish to discuss.

Beijing and Moscow’s deepening ties are no secret, but what do recently leaked Pentagon documents tell us about where their burgeoning military partnership is headed? Dennis Wilder, former Asia adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush, joins host Reid Standish.

Emmanuel Macron arrived in China for a three-day state visit, where he hopes to dissuade Xi Jinping from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while also developing European trade ties with Beijing. But can the French president’s diplomatic push actually succeed? Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RL’s Europe editor, joins Reid Standish to discuss.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has left Moscow after a symbolic three-day visit with Vladimir Putin where they set their sights on shaping a new world order. But what did the trip actually achieve for the two leaders? Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, joins host Reid Standish.

U.S. officials continue to warn that Beijing is prepared to send military aid to Russia to help with its war in Ukraine. What would it look like if it did and is China prepared to deal with the international fallout from arming Moscow? Andrew Small, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund and author of No Limits: The Inside Story Of China's War With The West, joins host Reid Standish to discuss.

After a year of war in Ukraine, its ripple effects continue to go global, showing a stark divide between how the West and the rest of the world see the conflict moving forward. Charles Dunst, author of Defeating The Dictators: How Democracy Can Prevail In The Age Of The Strongman, joins host Reid Standish as they explore how China is looking to use its growing economic power in the future.

China has supported the Kremlin and carefully navigated the Western sanctions slapped on Russia after it invaded Ukraine. But how far is Beijing willing to go in helping Moscow? Agathe Demarais, global forecasting director at the Economist Intelligence Unit, joins host Reid Standish as they explore how China is looking to use its growing economic power in the future.

A series of diplomatic spats in recent years over human rights issues, Taiwan, and Beijing’s close ties with Russia during its invasion of Ukraine have put China's relationship with the European Union on ice. As China now prepares to launch a charm offensive to repair the damage, can it work? Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RL’s Europe editor, joins host Reid Standish as they explore what’s next for Beijing and Brussels.

After a year where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended the status quo in Eurasia and saw Xi Jinping secure a new five-year term as China’s leader, what can we expect from the coming year and how might China adapt to a changing reality on the ground? RFE/RL correspondent Chris Rickleton and the Wilson Center's Bradley Jardine join host Reid Standish for a look at Beijing's plans for the region.

Is China exporting the surveillance state abroad? Through a strategic partnership with the Chinese tech giant Huawei, Serbia purchased thousands of surveillance cameras with facial-recognition capabilities. How will this technology reshape the Balkan country and others who follow its path? Stefan Vladisavljev from Foundation BFPE and Maja Zivanovic, RFE/RL's bureau chief in Belgrade, join host Reid Standish to discuss.