East Asia Pulse

Canada’s China Reset: Middle Powers in a Fractured World Order with Prof Paul Evans, University of British Columbia

Canada has been in the headlines during US President Donald Trump’s second administration—not only because of Trump’s talk of Canada as a prospective “51st state”, but also due to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s effort to reset Canada–China ties and rally cooperation among middle powers as the rules-based international order erodes, including through his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In this episode of East Asia Pulse, Prof Paul Evans (Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia and EAI Senior Fellow) speaks with Prof Frank Pieke (EAI Visiting Research Professor) about Carney’s vision for a new international trading system, Canada’s push to diversify trade beyond the US, and the legacy of China historian John King Fairbank—highlighting the continuing importance of empathy and scholarly rigour in interpreting China and US–China relations. Key Highlights: 00:00 Canada, China, and middle-power strategy in the Trump 2.0 era 01:58 Carney’s China reopening and Davos agenda amid a weakening global trading order 03:51 Canada’s domestic divide: Diversify beyond the US vs deepen integration with the US 06:04 Issue-based plurilateral partnerships: flexible, interest-driven groupings 10:03 Can China fit into a new trade/order framework? Carney’s “China must be part of the future” argument 16:42 John King Fairbank in McCarthy-era politics 28:02 Today’s lesson: Managing the “friend of China” label while keeping analytical doors open East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia. Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/ YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS

Can China and India Truly Be Friends? With Dr Pradeep Taneja, University of Melbourne

After nearly five years of tension, China-India relations have thawed significantly in 2025, with increased interactions between the two sides over the past year.  Amid the backdrop of Trump’s tariffs, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Shanghai in August, where he highlighted the importance of closer ties between the two giants Looking ahead, what are the prospects for China and India’s ability to deepen their ties across realms like trade and technology, while managing longstanding border tensions? In this episode of East Asia Pulse, EAI Deputy Director Dr Chen Gang speaks with Dr Pradeep Taneja, Senior Lecturer in Asian Politics, Political Economy, and International Relations at the University of Melbourne. They explore the current state of India-China relations and how the evolution of economic reforms in both countries has shaped their growth models, strategic choices, and prospects for cooperation and competition. Key Highlights: 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBciYe2puE] China-India relations in the last five years and the drivers shaping them 06:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBciYe2puE&t=400s] Similarities and differences in the reform paths of China and India 14:09 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBciYe2puE&t=849s] How a realistic economic relationship between China and India can be forged in areas of trade, investment and technology amid “de-risking” 19:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBciYe2puE&t=1194s]: What China and India can learn from each other to build strong domestic industries while reducing external reliance 22:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBciYe2puE&t=1358s] Practical steps that can help to stabilise China-India ties East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia. Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/ YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS

India's Payments Revolution: What Comes Next? With Mr P Vasudevan, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India

India is racing ahead in modernising its payment systems, from the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)’s instant rails to the e‑rupee pilot. Can it set the benchmark for regional standards? What lies ahead for cross‑border digital currencies, cryptocurrencies, and stablecoins under evolving regulation and governance structures? EAI Director Prof Alfred Schipke speaks with Mr P. Vasudevan, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, on the technology, governance, and policy choices shaping the next chapter of regional payments system development. Highlights: 00:00 The development of India’s payment systems, including Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s leading fast payment system 04:55 Progress of India’s pilot of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the e-rupee 10:53 The potential of CBDCs for cross-border transactions, and the role played by governance structures in such transactions 15:08 Challenges faced in harmonizing standards and regulations for cross-border CBDCs 24:10 India’s stance on new financial instruments like cryptocurrencies and stablecoins East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia. Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/ YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS

China’s Response to Trump 2.0 with Dr Su Qingyi, CASS

How is China responding to trade policies under Trump 2.0? EAI Senior Research Fellow Dr Sarah Tong speaks with Dr Su Qingyi, Head of the International Trade Department from the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). They discuss China’s response to US trade policies, China’s role in global trade governance and prospects for China-ASEAN collaboration. Key Highlights: 00:00 Differences in trade policies under Trump 2.0, compared to Trump 1.0 07:56 The impact of Trump 2.0 trade policies on the world economy 11:25 Assessment of other countries’ responses to US trade tariffs 20:09 China’s position and response to Trump’s trade policies 25:55  China's efforts to enhance its role in global trade institutions and rule-making 27:46 Prospects for China-ASEAN collaboration East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia. Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/ YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS

How do SEA countries hedge against US-China rivalry? With Prof Cheng-Chwee Kuik

Southeast Asia isn’t choosing sides—it’s hedging. EAI Deputy Director Dr Chen Gang speaks with Prof Cheng-Chwee Kuik of the National University of Malaysia about how Southeast Asian countries are navigating intensifying U.S.-China tensions. Prof Kuik unpacks the logic of hedging—why it’s a deliberate, adaptive strategy—and reflects on how the region’s deepening ties with China bring both opportunities and risks. Key Highlights:   00:00 How Southeast Asia-China relations have evolved in recent years     03:59 How pragmatic considerations drive Southeast Asian states’ hedging policies       09:40 The evolution of “dual hierarchies” in the Asian order, with the US traditionally leading the security hierarchy and China leading the economic hierarchy.    13:46 Potential risks and challenges amid growing economic ties between Southeast Asia and China    16:44 Future trends in Southeast Asia-China relations   This podcast episode was recorded on 29 May, 2025. East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia. Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/ YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS