How does the Chinese government view American cultural products and what is the role of journalism in China? Zhifan Luo joined us in May 2025 to discuss narratives about America in China and the difference between institutional and independent journalism in China. Learn more about the speaker and watch the video here. This interview is part of our Faultlines series that examines the strategic differences between the United States and China. The two nations differ in how they see economic, military, cultural, and governance issues, but was this always the case? By examining the view from both sides of the faultline we can piece together how we got here and where we’re going next.
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How does the United States Perceive China?
How does the American government view Chinese people and products and how has this view changed as U.S.-China relations have changed? Viola Zhou joined us in April 2025 to discuss how curiosity towards China turned into skepticism. Learn more about the speaker and watch the video here. This interview is part of our Faultlines series that examines the strategic differences between the United States and China. The two nations differ in how they see economic, military, cultural, and governance issues, but was this always the case? By examining the view from both sides of the faultline we can piece together how we got here and where we’re going next.
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How Does Religion Work in China?
How does religion work in China? Officially, the government recognizes five religions, but people and their practices don’t fit neatly into these categories. Spiritual folk traditions are widely practiced and look like religious activity, but the Chinese government labels these actions as “intangible cultural heritage,” sometimes supporting and subsidizing them. However, the government still views some religions with skepticism, especially those with possible foreign ties, such as Christianity or Islam. Nonetheless, underground churches, mosques, and temples persist in the gray zone between what is officially allowed and what actually plays out on the ground. As people in China continue to flock towards religion, the government will need to navigate its role as a referee in religious life and the tension that arises from the intricate dynamic. Ian Johnson joined us in September 2025 to explore how religion is viewed by the government and people in China and how its practice is managed in everyday life. Learn more about the speaker and watch the video here
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China & the Hill: Iran Leverages Covert Financial Entity to Sell Oil to China, Beijing Funds Cyber Campaign in the Philippines
China & the Hill is now on Substack! China & the Hill is a weekly newsletter covering Washington DC’s China-focused debates, actions, and reactions. Readers will receive a curated digest of each week's most pressing U.S.-China news and its impact on businesses and policy, and can listen to the top stories in podcast form on the U.S.-China Podcast.
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Why Labubus Are Changing China's Soft Power Strategy
China’s soft power strategy has been largely unable to resonate with global audiences, but Labubus have taken the world by storm. From Thailand to Texas, Pop Mart stores are popping up to satiate consumers’ desire for these collectable toys. Contrary to state-backed soft power strategies, Labubus tapped into organic market-driven trends, such as blind-box culture, to reach a wide and dedicated audience. Labubus can also serve as a gateway to China, introducing people to Chinese artists and incentivizing them to visit POPLAND in Beijing to collect exclusive toys. Are Labubus the exception to China’s previous soft power pursuits, or a sign of a successful new strategy? Natalia Cote-Muñoz joined us in September 2025 to share how Labubus are resonating across different cultures and changing the way people perceive China. Learn more about the speaker and watch the video
This series features brief discussions with leading China experts on a range of issues in the U.S.-China relationship, including domestic politics, foreign policy, economics, security, culture, the environment, and areas of global concern. For more interviews, videos, and links to events, visit our website: www.ncuscr.org.
The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages understanding of China and the United States among citizens of both countries.
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