The U.S.-China Conversation podcast brings Chinese and American experts and practitioners together in conversation on issues around a relationship that is vital to global security and economic prosperity. 

In this third episode, HD’s Asia Director Michael Vatikiotis, a veteran former journalist, discusses the ongoing battle between China and the United States over media representation and coverage with two young journalists from leading Chinese and American media outlets.

Listen to the third episode here.

At a time of growing tensions and uncertainties between the countries they cover, Zhang Qi, Chief US Correspondent with Caixin, a private news magazine, and Gerry Shih, former China-based Reporter with The Washington Post, engage in a vivid conversation about the challenges they face covering the events in the United States and China, and how geopolitics and journalism influence each other on both sides of the Pacific.

The idea for this series stemmed from a virtual dialogue between experts from China and the United States, convened by HD in April 2020. Over the course of the discussion, participants expressed frustration over the risks posed by escalating rhetoric and the lack of official channels for discussing and resolving differences.  

With effective dialogue to mitigate the risks being challenging for many reasons, including because of the pandemic, a constructive suggestion to highlight issues of common concern, participants agreed, would be to say more together in public. 

By jointly tackling critical U.S.-China bilateral issues such as security and economic cooperation on a public platform, HD hopes that direct exchange of views between experts can be encouraged, and constructive ideas and common ground can be identified for all to consider for the future.