Cindy Yu is a Times columnist, and formerly both an assistant editor of The Spectator and presenter of our Chinese Whispers podcast.
While Britain is the first country in the world to approve a vaccine, it is not the first to start vaccinating people. A million people in China have already been inoculated with Sinopharm and Sinovac jabs. The vaccines, however, have not completed phase three trials, which assess potential side effects. In other words, they have
29 min listen
When thinking about Chinese student protests, you’ll inevitably think about Hong Kong or Tiananmen. But there’s one that kicked it all off in modern Chinese history, and its reverberations are still felt throughout the century, not least because of its role in the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. It’s the May Fourth Movement of
26 min listen
On this week’s episode, the Spectator’s Scotland editor Alex Massie asks why Nicola Sturgeon’s popularity keeps growing, despite her government’s underperformance. (00:55) Next, Paul Wood argues that the next six weeks are crucial for the future of the Middle East. (12:00) Finally, Melissa Kite wonders what the new Covid rules mean. (21:00)
15 min listen
In the last days of the negotiations, the pressure is ramping up as reports began to surface on Thursday evening that the talks were not going as well as hoped. This morning, allies of Emmanuel Macron have warned that France could unilaterally veto a Brexit deal. What will the next days bring and could Macron
24 min listen
On this week’s episode, Rod Liddle reflects on the public sector pay freeze, and wonders why teachers won’t teach. (00:50) Next, Paul Embery argues that the Labour Party has become disassociated with the working class. (07:03) Finally, Rachel Johnson explains why she wishes Christmas was cancelled. (17:40)
60 min listen
As the UK and much of the West continues to struggle against Covid, in China, things largely seem back to normal. Pictures from the ‘Golden Week’, a week of state holidays to celebrate the People’s Republic’s founding, showed mountains and seas of people. On this longer episode than usual, I take a deep dive into
20 min listen
On this week’s episode, Douglas Murray is first, reflecting on the US election, and wondering why people who see the same thing can come to different conclusions. (00:51) Lara Prendergast is next, with her profile of the Prime Minister’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds. (09:07) Finally, Andrew Wilson, who makes the case for an independent Scotland. (14:37)
18 min listen
Boris Johnson has today announced a raft of new environmental policies, following the departure of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain last week. Will it reset the direction of Number 10, or are more comprehensive changes needed? Cindy Yu speaks to Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
32 min listen
Ant Group is the business magnate Jack Ma’s fintech subsidiary, the company behind the ubiquitous ‘Alipay’ app, which has one billion users. Last week, it was due to begin trading on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. Set to raise US$37 billion, it would have been the biggest IPO ever. But at the eleventh
13 min listen
Dominic Raab refused to comment on Donald Trump’s claims of election ‘fraud’ this morning, after the President said he planned to contest the result in the Supreme Court. Boris Johnson also refrained from being drawn into a conversation about the race, saying at PMQs that the UK would not comment ‘on the democratic processes of
15 min listen
Though there are grumblings from the left of the Labour party over Corbyn’s suspension, Keir Starmer has taken today to set the narrative in his favour. The polls, showing Labour in the lead, also help. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about how Starmer may have nipped a civil war in the
12 min listen
SAGE warned that the second wave of Covid-19 could be worse than the first, and that the whole of England could be in Tier-3 by Christmas, reports today claim. With Emmanuel Macron also expected to announce another national lockdown in France tonight, can Boris Johnson continue to resist doing the same? Cindy Yu speaks to
10 min listen
More than 50 Tory MPs have signed a letter organised by Jake Berry’s Northern Research Group, urging the government to not forget its pledge to level up the North. But does Boris Johnson need to recalibrate his ambitions in the age of Covid? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and John Connolly. Tell us your
28 min listen
A recent poll showed that a fifth of Chinese-Americans are thinking about voting for Trump come November. But given Trump’s hawkish position on China, what is it about him that appeals to these voters? As I find out, it’s not all about the politics – much of it comes down to shared values of social
13 min listen
Boris Johnson said the government would ‘do everything in our power’ to ensure children wouldn’t go hungry over Christmas, after backlash over their refusal to extend free school meals over the holiday. Tory MPs have criticised the position following a campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, with Sir Bernard Jenkin saying the government had
19 min listen
Many on this side of the pond and on the stateside believe that there is a natural affinity between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. So what will Anglo-American relations be like under a President Biden? Cindy Yu talks to James Forsyth and Sir Christopher Meyer, former Ambassador to Washington, about the opportunities and the pitfalls.
32 min listen
China has come out on top from this pandemic year – what does this mean for the world? (00:50) Was Test and Trace doomed from the start? (12:35) And what’s with all these Covid excuses? (22:35) With historian Rana Mitter; security expert Nigel Inkster; analyst Richard Dobbs; virologist Elisabetta Groppelli; editor of the Oldie Harry
14 min listen
The government is today expected to announce whether Greater Manchester will be placed into a tier three lockdown after negotiations with Andy Burnham continued over the weekend. Why have the talks been so protracted? Does the Mayor disagree with lockdown, or simply want more financial support? Cindy Yu speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.
Despite being barely two months old, Spectator TV — The Spectator‘s latest broadcast venture — is already making headlines from New York to New Zealand. Andrew Neil‘s interview with Dr David Nabarro of the World Health Organization was raised in the House of Commons and even tweeted by Donald Trump. In this week’s episode, Andrew Neil is joined
38 min listen
Americans look like they’re going to put Joe Biden in the White House – so what would his premiership look like? (00:45) Plus, Boris Johnson’s impossible bind on coronavirus (13:55) and how should you sign off an email? (28:35) With editor of the Spectator’s American edition Freddy Gray; Biden biographer Evan Osnos; political editor James
