China is one of the 21st century’s most consequential nations, and it has never been more important to understand how the country is governed. Pekingology is the podcast that unpacks Chinese politics, the inner workings of the Communist Party, and how China's domestic and foreign policy will impact the world. Pekingology is hosted by Henrietta Levin, Senior Fellow with the Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS. It is produced by Gina Kim.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Ambassador Dan Kritenbrink on US-China Summits and Strategy
#18 trending · Government
In this episode of Pekingology, Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific A
Sep 17 55 min
Kurt Campbell on China Strategy and Diplomacy
In this episode of Pekingology, Henrietta Levin, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies, is joined by Kurt Campbell, former Deputy Secretary of State
Sep 3 45 min
China’s Struggle for Influence in Central Asia
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and key Central Asian states, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) marks its 25th anniversary this year. With Chinese President X
Aug 20 48 min
Inside China's Dual Economy
China is generating groundbreaking advances in electric vehicles, battery technology, applied artificial intelligence, and industrial robotics. Yet Chinese households are
Aug 6 41 min
Embodied AI and the Transformation of China’s Robotics Industry
China is rapidly emerging as a global leader in robotics and embodied artificial intelligence, leveraging its manufacturing scale and deep supply chains to shape the futu
Jul 23 34 min
Avoiding War in the South China Sea
Ten years after an international tribunal found the vast majority of China’s claims in the South China Sea to be unlawful, the risk of conflict in this vital global throu
Jul 9 49 min
China Was Ready for the Age of Anarchy
As a global power, China faces a growing tension between its ambitions to reshape the international order and its disinterest in bearing the costs of upholding that new s
Jun 25 43 min
Inside the China-Russia Partnership
China and Russia have transformed a historically fraught relationship into one of the most consequential strategic partnerships in the world. This week on Pekingology, CS
Jun 11 42 min
Can China Control North Korea?
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Adam Farrar, who previously served as Special Advisor to the Vice President for the Indo-P
May 28 38 min
BONUS POD: Trump and Xi Meet in China
In this bonus episode of Pekingology, host Henrietta Levin is joined by Jon Czin to discuss the May 14-15 summit between President Trump and President Xi in Beijing. Henr
May 15 43 min
How to Win a Summit: China’s Economic and Commercial Leverage
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Philip Luck, Director of the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Busi
May 14 44 min
China and the Iran War: Beijing's Ambitions in the Middle East
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Aaron Glasserman, an expert on China's Middle East strategy and postdoctoral fellow at the
Apr 30 39 min
Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Eyck Freymann, a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of the new book, Defendin
Apr 16 46 min
How the Chinese Communist Party Stays in Power
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Ben Hillman, Director of the Australian Centre on China in the World at Australian Nationa
Apr 2 41 min
Decoding China's Two Sessions: Politics, Purges, and a New Five Year Plan
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Neil Thomas, Fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for
Mar 19 48 min
Understanding Chinese Power
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Zoe Liu, Fellow in China Studies with the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss Zoe’s
Mar 5 51 min
Can China Sway Australia?
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Charlie Edel, Senior Adviser and Australia Chair at CSIS. Charlie unpacks China’s strategy
Feb 19 50 min
China’s Growing Influence in Latin America
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Francisco Urdinez, Associate Professor at the Political Science Institute of the Pontifica
Feb 5 43 min
How Experts Shape Chinese Foreign Policy
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Sabine Mokry, Postdoctoral Researcher with the Institute for Peace Research and Security P
Jan 22 31 min
China's Church Divided
In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Paul Mariani, Professor at Santa Clara University and author of the new book, China’s Chur
Jan 8 40 min
Chart trend
Position in the Government chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#25#49JunJulAugSep
#11
all-time peak
662
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Pekingology ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 20, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I thought that the recent episode with Sarah Beren was really excellent. Her explanation of the behind-the-scenes maneuverings to organize these summits was really well informed and illuminating.
sueju · Nov 2025
I got interested in China watching when I began working for a company based in Hong Kong with factories in China. Before my first trip there I read a few books, watched some videos, but stumbling on this podcast was the best help. For someone doing business there, listening to the back catalogue really helped me understand how China works and the “feel” of the place, as well as better assess trade and geopolitical risks in the region. Always high quality, interesting content.
TRMurphey · May 2024
If you’re looking for depth, breadth, and the finest minds in the field: you’ve found your China podcast.
Callicles' stepdad · May 2024
As an Americans who lived in China for 5 years, I’ve enjoyed listening to the insights from various guests on the podcast. They’ve given people like me who follow China affairs some food for thought.
Although the content has been excellent, I would agree with the previous comment and strongly suggest to not continuously ask compound questions. I feel that if I was also a guest on the show like many previous others, I would feel the compound questions to be a bit long-winded.
Whenever listening to a podcast, I want to feel that the guest(s) and the host are having a conversation around a theme that allows us to hear stories or perspectives we haven’t been exposed to. At the same time, many listeners want the conversation to keep progressing.
Lastly, as a guest I would prefer the host to ask concise questions. It’s perfectly acceptable to have conversations in between questions for a few seconds, but it shouldn’t become too sidetracked. A guest should walk away feeling good about the conversation, feel their insights were valued, and want recommend them podcast to others.
Overall, I wish this podcast nothing but success and hope that it becomes one of the best China-focused podcasts.
Music Critic8390 · May 2023
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