European Guanxi Podcast

The Nickel Paradox: China, Indonesia, and the Green Transition

Indonesia is now the world's largest nickel producer, supplying 64% of global output in 2024 — yet the mineral powering the EV revolution remains one of the most carbon-intensive to produce. Most of Indonesia's fast-growing nickel processing industry relies on captive coal, locking in one of the world's most carbon-intensive industrial pathways — and China, which controls about three-quarters of Indonesia's smelting capacity, sits at the centre of both the problem and its potential resolution. Audrey Berder speaks with Dr. Muyi Yang, Senior Energy Analyst at Ember, on whether the green transition can reconcile its own contradictions. An insightful conversation for anyone interested in critical minerals, EU-China relations, or the geopolitics of the energy transition.

Ireland and China: Business in a Changing World – with Tadhg O’Callaghan

What does it take for European businesses to succeed in China today? How are Ireland–China economic relations evolving in a shifting geopolitical landscape? And where do opportunities still exist amid growing competition and changing supply chains? In this episode, Xaver Haack speaks with Tadhg O’Callaghan, Director of Enterprise Ireland in China. Together they discuss Tadhg’s professional journey across East Asia, the role of Enterprise Ireland in supporting Irish companies abroad, and what makes a business “China-ready”. The conversation also explores the current state of Sino-Irish relations following recent high-level visits, Ireland’s positioning within wider EU–China dynamics, and the sectors offering the greatest promise for future cooperation — from green technology and offshore wind to education and innovation.

China and Russia: A Complex Partnership — with Sören Urbansky and Martin Wagner

"Limitless partnership"- that's how Xi and Putin proclaim their countries' relations in 2022. However, are the ties between China and Russia actually without limits? How do China and Russia interact on different levels and what impact does this alliance have on the EU and the global order? In this episode, Kiara Link Link hosts Sören Urbansky and Martin Wagner, authors of the book "Entangled Empires: Four Centuries of China-Russia Relations" (2026). Together they unpack the historical roots of China-Russia relations, discuss the concept of asymmetric interdependency and key events shaping both countries until today. In the second part the guests share their analysis on contemporary developments of the Sino-Russia alliance, by delving into its impact on current geopolitics and the role of the EU. If you want to know more about the historical dynamics between China and Russia, check out Urbansky and Wagner’s new book “𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀” (2026), available at https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=entangled-empires-four-centuries-of-china--russia-relations--9781509572595

China’s Foreign Policy in 2026: Signals to Watch — with Mathieu Duchâtel

What does Europe actually want from China, and does it even know? In this episode, we sit down with Mathieu Duchâtel, Director of International Studies at Institut Montaigne, to untangle one of the most consequential and misread Duchâtelships in global politics. From Taiwan’s semiconductor strategy to Brussels’ electric vehicle tariffs, from Macron’s failed diplomatic charm offensive to Beijing’s quiet support for Russia’s war machine, Duchâtel reveals a Europe that has silently buried its optimism about China without a clear strategy to replace it. Drawing on his years in Taiwan, Duchâtel shows just how far behind Europe has been in grasping the reality of economic dependency, and what that lag has cost. Meanwhile, China has quietly accumulated structural advantages: deep access to the European single market, a persistent trade surplus, and zero meaningful cost for enabling Russia’s war effort. Then there’s Taiwan, where Duchâtel resists simple military scenarios and points to something more unsettling: a long game of political warfare and influence operations designed to reshape the island’s political landscape from within. Finally, this episode reflects on China’s Vice Premier taking the Davos stage in early January to position Beijing as the last defender of globalization, in which Duchâtel offers a sharp analysis of what that performance was really about.

Why Textbook Chinese Won’t Help You Understand China — with Alla Garside

What are the real-world challenges of learning Chinese as a foreigner in China? What does it take to integrate into Chinese society and move beyond the typical textbook approach? Is there a deeper connection between language, culture, and society? In today’s episode, host Francesca Pala sits down with Alla Garside, creator of Sino.sphere, a fully media-based Chinese school offering an innovative, interactive approach to language learning. Together, they dive into key social concepts and terms, such as 关系 (guanxi) — relationship-building — and 内卷 (neijuan) — “involution” — to explore some important aspects of Chinese society today. From tackling stereotypes to understanding the deeper cultural nuances of the language, we discuss how curiosity, adaptability, and a fresh perspective are essential in language learning and integration.