In our latest episode, author @bethanyallen.bsky.social joined us to discuss China's authoritarian economic statecraft and the China-Australia trade war. Allen reflects on changes to China's geopolitical strategy post-pandemic amidst Australia's push to investigate the origins of COVID-19. (1/2)

In our new series—China Rules—we look at how China is a global exporter, not just of goods, but also of standards, ideas, technologies and mechanisms of control. We’re starting with politics, and whether China is exporting its brand of “smart authoritarianism”. (1/4)

What does foreign interference actually look like? In our most recent episode, guests Dennis Molinaro and Sam Guthrie discuss how foreign interference targets are identified and approached and the intended effects of these efforts. (1/2)

Congratulations to former LRP guest Lau Yeewa on winning the Chommanard International Women's Literary Award for her book Tongueless. Catch up on the must-listen episode here: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In recent years, numerous smaller cases of Chinese influence have been making headlines across Britain and Australia. Guests Lyndon Lee and Sam Guthrie examine the consequences of this influence across spheres of public life in both countries. For the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In our latest episode, guest Lyndon Lee ponders the consequences of continued Chinese interference in the UK. For the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

Britain is the latest country to be plunged into yet another espionage scandal after an MP’s husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Beijing’s long been known for its ‘thousand grains of sand’ strategy relying on amateur intelligence collectors, but it’s now increasingly … (1/3)

China and Apple have both benefited from their decades long relationship. But with shifting geopolitical priorities and technological advancements in the industry, the tide is turning. Guests Jianggan Li and @patrickmcgee.bsky.social ponder the legacy and future of this complex relationship. (1/2)

Happy Year of the Fire Horse from the Little Red Podcast team 🎇🐴🔥🧧新年快乐！

With news of the Chinese government launching an investigation into misuse of psychiatric services this week, last year’s episode on the psy-boom in the China is a timely listen. For the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

What does the future of Apple look like? How will they fare against fast technological developments of Chinese and other tech companies? Guests Jianggan Li and @patrickmcgee.bsky.social weigh in with opposing views. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

How has Apple become dependent on China to manufacture its products? To what extent has Apple shaped supply chains in China? In our latest episode @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and Jianggan Li answer questions of how interdependent China and Apple have become. Listen here: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In 2013, to mark International Consumers Day, China’s state-run TV network labelled Apple a ‘bad company’. More than a decade later, despite claiming to rely on multinationals from 50 countries, Apple still has nearly 100% of its supply chain in China. In this episode, we look at how… (1/3)

In a recent episode, the pod investigated the question of where will China take AI? Guests @alexcolville.bsky.social and @dariimpio.bsky.social ponder this question, considering the potentials and limitations posed by the rapid development of AI. (1/2)

With Jimmy Lai convicted of national security charges in Hong Kong this week, we revisit this episode from 2020. Lai joined the pod to discuss legislative changes in Hong Kong and Apple Daily’s response. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

At ATAR results time here’s a timely podcast from @littleredpodcast.bsky.social on China’s intense gaokao exam. Includes a mock exam question with an illuminating ‘correct’ answer podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

China’s college exam, the gaokao, is fetishized as the ultimate test, yet a lesser-known story is how it entrenches regional education discrimination. Its role at social engineering is also clear, with AI suddenly becoming the sixth most popular major in China, on command from above. (1/3)

How does AI in China compare to the West? Guests Daria Impiombato and Alex Colville discuss how Chinese and Western AI borrow from each other and potential implications of this. For the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

Six years ago, China was engulfed by a controversy that struck at the heart of the nation—forget the South China Sea, human rights abuses, a looming economic crash. Food critic Chua Lam, otherwise known as the Food God, called for the end to the PRC’s beloved dining craze: hot pot. (1/2)

How far will AI and technology go in China? @dariimpio.bsky.social gives us a sneak peak. Find out in our latest episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_iv...

In our latest episode, we explore China’s rapid adoption of AI. Alex Colville @colvap.bsky.social and Daria Impiombato @dariimpio.bsky.social delve into China’s motivations in developing AI and international skepticism of China’s capability. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

With news breaking of Shi Yongxin’s recent arrest, find out the background to this story in our recent episode on the revival of Buddhism in China. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In the latest episode in our series on belief, we’re looking at the CCP’s faith in Artificial Intelligence. China has embraced AI like no other nation, laying out a plan for AI that would see 70 percent adoption across six sectors - including governance – within the next two years. (1/3)

The resurgence of shamanism in China has taken many different forms, but none quite as surprising as a shaman-inspired theme park. In this excerpt from our latest episode, Feng Qu tells the story of Chang Chun’s Shamanistic Joy Park and its untimely ending following government disapproval. (1/2)

Our latest episode in our series on belief in China examined the revitalisation of shamanism. Guests Feng Qu and Mayfair Yang detail what Shamanistic practices look like today, how it is considered in comparison to other beliefs in China, and what the future holds for shamanism. (1/2)

In our episode on shamanism in China, we explore regional differences in shamanistic practices. Feng Qu reflects upon practices in Northeastern China, while Mayfair Yang compares northern shamanism with practices in Wenzhou in southeastern China. Listen to the full ep: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In our most recent episode, we looked into the resurgence of shamanism across China, bringing ancient practices into the contemporary era. Guests Feng Qu and Mayfair Yang contemplate what shamanism looks like today, from its geographic spread to current associations with the practice (1/2).

In the latest episode in our series on belief, we’re exploring the surprising revival of shamanism in China, which has made a comeback despite Mao's best efforts at eradication. Ritual healers and spirit mediums are tapping into online believers and a public thirst for authentic spirituality. (1/3)

Our episode on China’s incel community explored discourse on gender expectations in Chinese society. @qianhuang.bsky.social from the University of Groningen weighs in on how state and incel perspectives differ on articulating women’s roles. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In our most recent episode, we examine the history and development of incel culture on China’s internet. Guests Ling Tang, @qianhuang.bsky.social and Yihuan Zhang provide insights into where online misogyny takes place and give us an introduction to terminology from China’s manosphere.

In our episode on the Chinese manosphere, guests @qianhuang.bsky.social and Ling Tang answer the question, is there a Chinese Andrew Tate? How does Chinese online misogyny compare to Tate’s arguments? Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

How does the Chinese manosphere compare to the Western one? In our latest episode, guests @qianhuang.bsky.social and Ling Tang weigh up on similarities and differences between incel discourse across cultures. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

In the latest in our series on belief, we’re examining the emergence of incels in the world’s largest manosphere. China’s growing incel community is fuelled by state-approved nationalism and simple demographics—by one estimate, 30 million Chinese men won’t find a life partner. (1/3)

In our most recent episode, guests Gareth Fisher and Chien-Peng Chung contemplate the intersection of Buddhism and power in both China today and in the past. (1/2)

What does President Xi Jinping think about Buddhism? With the rise of Buddhism in China, this question looms large. Back in 2014, Xi gave a speech at UNESCO speaking to the impact of Buddhism on China, the first time a PRC leader had given a pro-religious speech. (1/2)

Looking for a new way to catch up on the Little Red Podcast? We are now on YouTube, where you can stream our episodes for free. youtube.com/@littleredpo...

China watchers: here’s a must-listen episode for you from @littleredpodcast.bsky.social, it’s incredibly fascinating. You will be shocked. podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

A great, and quietly shocking, episode of @littleredpodcast.bsky.social. @louisalim.bsky.social, @graemeksmith.bsky.social @wingkuang.bsky.social

Continuing our series on belief in China, we look at the revival of Buddhism, which is being embraced by citizens and the Chinese state. While temple visits increase, the state is funding temples and martial arts academies from Nepal to Tanzania. (1/3)

From our latest episode, a different opinion on the status of ideology, specifically Marxism, in today’s China. Alison Sile Chen Zhao questions how prominent Marxism ever was to the PRC to start with. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

What does Marxism mean in today’s China? How can the Chinese Communist Party’s ideology be described in 2025? Professor @chenggang-xu.bsky.social of Standford University attempts to answer this question in this excerpt from our latest episode. For the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

With China's rare earth strategy proving significant to ongoing trade wars, we reflect on a 2023 episode exploring the topic. Beijing's 2023 ban on the export of two rare metals represented the latest front in the global battle to control chipmaking technology. (1/3)

In the latest in our series on belief, we’re looking at China’s official belief system—Marxism. In recent years, netizens have argued China has entered the ‘garbage time’ of history, a phrase borrowed from the dying minutes of a basketball game, which now references a crisis of trust ... (1/3)

With news of Boys’ Love authors being arrested this month, we rewind to an episode from 2021. Angie Baecker and BL author Huangxiang Zhenghuanzhe reflect on the downsides to the growing popularity of the genre, including its politicisation. Listen to the full episode: omny.fm/shows/the-li...

Back in 2021, we delved into boys’ love or BL fiction. From niche online novels to TV shows such as the Netflix fantasy epic The Untamed, their storylines revolve around male relationships with a tinge of sexual tension. But there’s a quirk. It’s not gay fiction. (1/4)

On the theme of Boys' Love this week, read host Graeme Smith’s 2021 article on The Interpreter for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social about the growth in popularity of BL and the censorship backlash: www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

With recent crackdowns on Boys' Love (BL) in China, we reflect on an episode from back in 2021 exploring the genre. We hear from guests Angie Baecker and Huangxiang Zhenghuanzhe about the appeal of consuming and writing BL and how it explores masculinity and taboos in Chinese society. (1/2)

June 4 marks the anniversary of the deadly crackdown ordered by Deng Xiaoping, which killed hundreds – maybe thousands – of people in Beijing and Chengdu. While the campaign to erase all memory of the event continues, explosive new information emerged in the lead up to the anniversary in 2019. (1/3)

In our 2019 episode “Tiananmen’s Final Secret”, @josephtorigian.bsky.social and @zhoufengsuo.bsky.social discuss what newly discovered materials about June 4 revealed about party allegiances at the time and the extent of popular support for the protestors. (1/3)