Amy returns from a trip to Eastern Europe to discuss the apparent collapse of Chinese tourism abroad and signs of some kind of food crisis in China. Jonty holds the Western Nations to task for failing to create meaningful development agreements with the developing world, leaving an opening for the Belt and Road initiative to exploit, while Billy describes the shockingly drastic measures China's Disneyland took after a single Coronavirus case was detected and the news that Yahoo is leaving China. The team also delves into the growing arms race, the (stupid) idea of war in space and ways to counter the CCP's use of economic coercion.

How fast can you say CPTPP? If you don't know that it stands for "Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership" and why it may be one of the geopolitical flash points for the next decade, maybe you should listen to this show. In a high impact information download, Billy and Jonty dive deep into topics ranging from the the ways the CCP may or may not successfully navigate the Evergrande housing collapse to the European Unions strong message on Taiwanese independence, while keeping a careful eye on China's internal politics and Xi Jinping's struggle to remain in power.

Will Xi Jinping survive the next National Congress? With winder on the way, will Australia provide China the coal it needs to survive it's dire shortage? Will the development of Hypersonic Missiles unbalance the +70 year nuclear arms détente? Is the fentanyl scourge in the US China's retribution for the Opium Wars? Delve into all these questions and more on this episode of China Watch Radio.

Olson points to the continuing collapse of Evergrande and the apparent contagion in the Chinese housing market, making an intriguing connection to the "one child policy". Jonty suggests that our perceptions of the likelihood of a military conflict become warped by special interests when we find ourselves in an arms race. He discusses the possible deterrent effect of recent Taiwanese investments in missiles capable of hitting main land China and points out some of the inherent difficulties of invading Taiwan.

Is the Evergrande crisis a minor event or the domino that could fell pieces across the broad global economy? Michael Olson makes the case for the exposure of US investments, from municipal, to pensions, to institutional with regards to the ponzi scheme of Chinese real estate. He explains the cultural reasons for China's ghost cities, while focusing our attention on the role US investment played on China's economic rise. Jonty was a guest on the show, bringing his incite into emerging technologies and demographic trends, while making the case for the resurgence of our enlightenment values as a far more profound vehicle for effecting positive change in our own country, as well as in the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.

Amy explains that she visited China regularly and has many friends there she was in regular contact with. She was interested in the changes happening there and what her friends really think.  Amy recalls he elementary school school teacher.  She was a middle age teacher who had dedicated her life to the children.  She chose her vocation because of the help she could be teaching children to be decent human beings. Amy had said goodbye to her in 1965 just before the Cultural Revolution. Looking for the school, Amy met another teacher and inquired about her elementary school teacher.  He was surprised Amy hadn't heard.  He explained that the elementary schools had the "Little Red Guard", who acted much like the big Red Guard. They had found her apartment and found a magazine with a pictures of Mao.  When she was put on trial, she said that she had just taken to pictures to protect her children.  She was accused of being "anti-Mao", badly beaten and later ended up in a forced labor detail.  She soon became ill and died. Nan introduces Zhou Fengshuo Tienanmen Square protest student leader and explains the significance of China's National Day celebrations. Zhou describes the National Day as a day of shame, mentioning the many political dissidents and shattered hopes for democratic reform.  Zhou describes the CCP as a violent occupying force.  Nan and Zhou discuss the recent imprisonment of the Hong Kong Alliance leaders. Zhou explains that "these people are my friends" and describes it as the "last light going out".  Zhou solemnly explains that there were hopes that Hong Kong would eventually democratize China, but now the CCP has clamped down severely.  Amy mentions that since the Tienanmen Square protests some 30+ years ago, freedom of speech has declined and asks why things have gone the wrong way.  Zhou explains that the CCP is more like Nazi Germany and that there is "little reason to be optimistic". He suggests that the human rights situation is worsening and says that "it is time to wake up and confront the CCP".  He suggests that the United States has chosen the wrong policies and will likely pay a high price in the form of a military conflict in the future. Michael Olson recalls a general hope when he was young, that China could be reformed and asks "why we lost the war?". Nan suggests that the reason the Soviet Union had "a Gorbachev" was that they were under extreme economic pressure. He questions why we would adopt a policy of financial investment and massive support with China and expect reform. Nan suggests that the massive propaganda in China credits the CCP for their success. Michael Olson asks why the United States turned its back on the pro-democracy movement in China.  Zhou suggests that the United States suffered from unrealistic optimism.  He suggests that regardless of the leadership style of the CCP, they still have an intention to exert control over their people and the entire world.  Michael Olson describes a deal between the Pope and the CCP to allow the Pope to name bishops in China. The CCP reneged and named their own bishops.  Nan says that after 20 years of trade negotiations, we are still negotiating for things we have never gotten. Bill Graff asks "Is there anything we can do to help."  Zhou asks that we remember the names of political prisoners and directs the audience to his website and newsletter.  He suggests it is a "very dark moment".  Michael Olson asks if the CCP deliberately released the COVID virus.  Zhou suggests that it's hard to know, but it would be possible. Amy recalls watching the Tienanmen Square protests and explaining to people in the US that it would be "premature" to think that the CCP would democratize. Michael Olson describes the spontaneous nature of the pro-democracy movement.  He asks why "those of us who want freedom" are losing. Michael Olson introduces Tereza Coraggio author of the book How To Dismantle An Empire.  She points to the question of "why the US empi

Michael Olsen begins telling "the story of the letter", explaining that it was "the letter that destroyed science". Recalling January 2020, "when the COVID bleep hit the fan", Olsen points out that it was described as a "novel virus" that came from bat soup. He points out that some people, himself included, were not quite convinced. He recalls a guest on his Food Chain Radio show who tracked down the original photo of bat soup, discovering that the photo originated from the CCP and was originally taken in an Indonesian restaurant. Going back to the Obama administration, Olsen points out a petition in 2014 of 300 scientists to stop doing gain of function research, regarding the research activities of Professor Ralph Baric. The program was consequently terminated, but then taken up by the so called "bat lady", who took the research back to Wuhan. Olsen returns us to February 2020, when Peter Daszak arranged to have 27 scientists to sign the letter published in the Lancet. Olsen reads the letter, which suggests that the scientists in China were transparent in sharing their data. It then goes on to say that that transparency is threatened by the "conspiracy theory" that the virus may have originated in a Wuhan lab and strongly pressures the scientific community in condemning any such theory. The letter declared that there were "no competing interests". Olsen explains that Peter Daszak, through the Eco Health Alliance was taking money from various US organizations and using it for gain of function research in multiple places including Wuhan. Olsen suggests that the effect of the letter was to shut down any scientific research. Olsen points out that the recent Freedom Of Information disclosures acquired by The Intercept have proven that Dr. Fauci absolutely funded gain of function research in Wuhan. The Lancet recently published another letter, from a different set of scientists, who suggest that the possibility of a lab leak should be investigated. The article "The Death Of Science" suggests that the enemies of science are "politics, superstition and deduction". Nan introduces the guest Elmer Yuen, president of the Hong Kong Freedom Beacon, explaining that the Hong Kong Alliance has been holding a Tienanmen Square memorial for decades and its leadership has just been sentenced to prison. Elmer Yuen explains that he has been attending the candle light vigil for almost 25 years, pointing out that the vigil attracts "tens of thousands" annually. He explains that, after last years "National Security Law", arrests have been commonplace and intended to intimidate. He points out that some arbitrary arrests can last a year. Nan asks what the reason for the arrest of the 12 activists. Elmer Yuen says that the arrests are completely arbitrary, mentioning that a young girl was arrested for having a package of M&M's, under the pretext that she intended to have an illegal gathering. Elmer Yuen mentions that Xi Jinping was part of the Red Guard, describing the organization as "street gangsters". He describes Xi's moves to make China more authoritarian under his rule. Nan asks about Elmer Yuen's family still in Hong Kong. He explains his remaining family plan to leave. He describes how he communicates with them using extreme privacy measures and in code. Elmer Yuen describes how his mother was put in a labor camp for 20 years for her religious beliefs. Billy asks how this "hard line CCP situation" will effect business. Elmer Yuen suggests that China was heading towards melting "into the global system" prior to Xi's rise to power. He asserts that Xi intends to return private capitol to the control of the CCP. He describes a variety of Chinese industry that are being destroyed by Xi's policies, suggesting that he is returning to communism and preparing for war with the west. Olsen asks if the authoritarian push by Xi is a part of his strategy to win a third term in office. Elmer Yuen suggests that Xi does no

Amy introduces Steve from New York, explaining that they both went to the same High School and also the same re-education camp.  After moving to the US, he returned several times to China to observe the situation regarding human rights. Amy mentions a movie about the re-education camps called "We will see you again in A Dream".  Amy recounts that a 17 year old girl killed 50 years ago's murder case has never been solved. Amy explains that she was well liked for her good looks and dancing.  Amy recalls that the girls would often go to the bathroom together, but one night this young girl went to the bathroom alone and never came back. Two suspects were arrested. One was a young man thought to have been her boyfriend. He was put in a horrible improvised prison for several months until he confessed. Though he confessed, he did not know where the body was.  A communist officer was also arrested. People had said that he was in the area of the bathroom that night.  Witnesses said that the girl had left his office screaming.  He confessed as well, saying the body was under a building foundation. When the location was investigated, there was no body. Amy explains that the mother is still looking for the killer 50 years later. Amy explains that the movies debut party was awkward in that every speech started with praise for Chairman Xi. Amy thinks Xi wants a return to the power and abuse of Mao. Nan suggests "it is moving in that direction right now". Steven joins the show. Steven explains that he was born in a Christian family in Shanghai. However, the communist brainwashing was pervasive. In the 80's he studied in Canada and later moved to the United States. He explains that his "journey in faith" went from communism, to atheism and eventually to becoming an elder in his church. Steven explains that the CCP constitution protects religious freedom, however the constitution "does not hold water".  He explains that, since he became a Christian he has had a special concern for Christians in China. However, he is aware of the abuse of Uyghurs as well.  He explains that early on every church in China was closed and every priest or minister was send to prison or re-education.  He continues to describe how persecution continues, but focused on "house churches" in a more targeted manner.  He recalls being deeply touched by a service he attended at a large "house church", knowing that the church was soon to be closed and many parishioners were likely to loose their jobs.  Shortly after Stevens return to the US, the church was raided and the senior pastor was imprisoned. Steven explains how being able to freely assemble to practice is an "unimaginable luxury" by his fellow Christians in China. Michael Olsen describes the special deal between the Chinese Catholic Church and the CCP, wherein the CCP would choose the church leadership. Steven explains that all religions in China have leadership that are under party control. He describes how CCP symbols would accompany religious symbology in a church "if they want to survive".  Michael remarks that the concept of a "Home Church" hearkens back to the beginnings of Christianity and asks if that has a positive effect on people faith. Steven remarks on underground churches in Turkey built to escape Roman persecution.  He describes two prominent churches in China, explaining that they have gatherings "in the open". Those churches are targets for persecution.  There are, however, many smaller house churches. He describes how your neighbor could be a "house church" and you might not know. Steven describes how Marxism and Leninism consider religion "opiates". Olsen asks why the CCP is more frightened of religions, speculating that it is because of growth in religious followers. Steven suggests that some leaders are more lenient or open minded, saying that the current regime wants to return to more ideology. Steven says that Jesus will win in the long run. Michael Olsen asks if General Mark Mil

Amy recalls her experience in China with the redistribution of wealth. She was born in 1952. Her brothers were born in 1948 and 1949. There was baby formula available from the US for her brothers, but for her there were less desirable options. She recalls coupons and rationing for food that would get "worse and worse". She recalls that there were rich and poor before the CCP took over, but after the CCP took over, they began redistributing the wealth. There was a brief period when the poor benefited, but the supplies very quickly ran out. When Amy was on the train to the re-education camp, traveling through the 10,000 mountains area, the train stopped at a station, but didn't let anyone out. Then thousands of kids ran up to the train and started banging on the windows begging for food. Amy recalls that their poverty was so severe that there were grown up girls without clothes. Amy recalls being surprised to see such severe poverty when the propaganda had always said that those sorts of problems only happened in other countries. A few moments later, the Liberation Army showed up to chase the children away from the train. The experience was a real shock to Amy, just to realize that people in their country could be that poor. At the re-education camp, the most loyal to the party poor farmers would talk to the camp internees. The camp buildings and land had been confiscated from a Thai chief and the former villagers. Amy was assigned to speak to a Thai woman who spoke a little bit of Mandarin. Amy asked her how her life had changed before and after communism. She said that the reason she was classified as a poor farmer was that her village had been burned down and she had fled to a Thai village. The Thai village had accepted them, but they had no land. They worked for the local chief and eventually they were able to earn enough to rent some land to farm. The land in their area was very bountiful. After the land was turned over to the CCP and the government commune took over all the land, the misery began. The rich peoples property was taken to give to the poor, but was actually given to the state. The communist officers called a daily roll call. You had to work even if you were sick. Two thirds of the produce was taken by the government. The farmers were left with only a 5 month supply of rice for the year. Formerly, there was enough to live on and life was good. Families took care of each other and had their own private gardens. After communism, you were not allowed to tend your own garden. Some of the locals made a Buddhist temple were they would place some extra rice for the poor. They were hung for stealing food. Amy asks why the same land was bountiful and the people lived well, then they were poor. She suggests it was the redistribution of wealth. In 1985, Amy's family visited Hong Kong and she recalls being shocked by the amazing food at a market. She had never seen so much food and with no long lines. She remembers being amazed by the idea of a choice of different ice cream flavors. She says in China they "only had ice, no cream". Nan describes how some of the largest Chinese corporations are donating billions of dollars to help the poor. He suggests that the donations will actually be going to the government. The team discusses Jack Ma's resignation from Alibaba, suggesting that it was a life or death decision. Nan describes how Chinese business tycoons were forced to buy shares in government companies at fixed share prices. Nan mentions that the same slogan "Common Prosperity" was used for major wealth distribution in 1956. Dick mentions that John Kerry participated in a recent climate change meeting with Chinese officials. He suggests the meeting could not proceed until the US concluded that the virus did not originate in a Chinese lab. Dick and Billy discuss the money trail to gain of function research in China. Nan asks how much longer the CCP will wait before all the international co

Nan describes the upcoming Communist party assembly, explaining that they may declare the next stage in socialist development. It may mark the end of the free market in China. Michael Olsen describes being close to the border of China while he was in the Navy and having a strong sense that something major was going on during the cultural revolution. When he arrived at UCSC, he decided to learn Chinese language, culture, art, history and literature. He describes how he wanted to be "a part of whatever China was going to be". He recalls eating at "The New Riverside Restaurant", which was one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world. In the foyer, there were magnificent Chinese portraits by one of the last classical painters in China. He had escaped the CCP. Michael Olsen found out that one of his classmates was a granddaughter of the painter. The class was invited to visit the master painter in Carmel. They met in a spectacular banzai garden. The large art studio lined the garden. The master painter came out of the house wearing a "cobalt blue robe". His granddaughter was translating, but Michael Olsen began speaking to him in Chinese. Michael suddenly felt that "he had all the words", as he asked about the origin of the paints. Learning what had happened to the artist in China, Michael realized he could not be a part of what was happening there. Bill Graff explains that 90 former generals have signed a document calling for the resignation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley Michael Olsen describes how devastating the withdrawal has been for US service people, mentioning that his son in law spent a year in hospital after being injured in Afghanistan. Billy and Michael describe how we originally came up with the name for the show and discuss changing the name. Billy introduces General Vallely, describing his many qualifications and accomplishments. Billy asks how the general feels about the Afghanistan withdrawal. General Vallely states by saying how embarrassed he is by the State Department and the Biden administration. The general describes how we could have moved the military equipment out of Afghanistan. Nan asks the general if the Chinese have an interest in the military technology now in the hands of the Taliban. General Vallely suggests that the PLA will be taking over Bagram air base. Olsen "feels like we are being dismantled". The General suggest that the US is being dramatically degraded in many ways. General Vallely suggests that Obama, through Susan Rice, is actually in control of the White House. The General mentions how compromised Hunter Biden is by the CCP. Nan suggests that China's influence will grow from Central Asia through the South Pacific. The General describes Belt and Road development in Pakistan. The General describes how disappointed he is that the US State Department has not developed better ties with India. The General suggests that ISIS is consolidating power in the region, suggesting that they're establishing a new caliphate. Michael Olsen asks whether China or the Jihads will prevail in the region. The General suggests that that remains to be seen. General Vallely says that the open southern boarder results in many US deaths at the hands of cartels. The General talks about how sever Taiwan's predicament is, suggesting that the alliance the US once lead is greatly diminished. Billy mentions the the strength of US forces in the Pacific. The General suggests that the issue isn't the military capability, it's the lack of leadership. Dick also wonders whether China or the Taliban would prevail. He thinks Biden is owned by the CCP. Nan describes the Sing Tao Daily newspaper, explaining that it has become more and more an outlet for CCP propaganda, which is now required to register as a foreign agent by the State Department. Newsom recently praised their "journalistic integrity". Joe speculates a