Kaiser Kuo is the host and co-founder of the Sinica Podcast, the leading English-language podcast on current affairs in China and the flagship show of the Sinica Network on The China Project. He also hosts the Caixin-Sinica Business Brief and edits or produces several other shows in the Sinica Network. Kaiser also serves as editor-at-large of The China Project. Sinica has been running continuously since April 2010 and has published over 500 episodes featuring prominent diplomats, political leaders, academics, journalists, activists, technologists, and businesspeople with expertise on China. Prior to Sinica’s acquisition by SupChina (which later became The China Project), Kaiser served as director of international communications for Baidu, China’s leading search engine. Before that, he worked for several years as a technology reporter in Beijing for Red Herring magazine and as a freelance tech correspondent in Beijing. Kaiser was editor-in-chief of bilingual internet site ChinaNow.com from 1999 to 2002. Kaiser graduated in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1988, and received a master’s degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Arizona in 1992. Kaiser was the co-founder and lead guitarist of the seminal Chinese heavy metal band Tang Dynasty, founded in 1989; he returned to the U.S. for graduate school in that year, but returned to Beijing and to the band in 1996, playing with Tang Dynasty until 1999. From 2001 to 2016, he also played guitar in the Beijing-based heavy metal band Chunqiu (Spring; Autumn). He now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Kaiser speaks frequently on topics related to Chinese politics, technology, society, and international relations.
Kaiser Kuo is the host and co-founder of the Sinica Podcast, the leading English-language podcast on current affairs in China and the flagship show of the Sinica Network on The China Project. He also hosts the Caixin-Sinica Business Brief and edits or produces several other shows in the Sinica Network. Kaiser also serves as editor-at-large of The China Project. Sinica has been running continuously since April 2010 and has published over 500 episodes featuring prominent diplomats, political leaders, academics, journalists, activists, technologists, and businesspeople with expertise on China. Prior to Sinica’s acquisition by SupChina (which later became The China Project), Kaiser served as director of international communications for Baidu, China’s leading search engine. Before that, he worked for several years as a technology reporter in Beijing for Red Herring magazine and as a freelance tech correspondent in Beijing. Kaiser was editor-in-chief of bilingual internet site ChinaNow.com from 1999 to 2002. Kaiser graduated in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1988, and received a master’s degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Arizona in 1992. Kaiser was the co-founder and lead guitarist of the seminal Chinese heavy metal band Tang Dynasty, founded in 1989; he returned to the U.S. for graduate school in that year, but returned to Beijing and to the band in 1996, playing with Tang Dynasty until 1999. From 2001 to 2016, he also played guitar in the Beijing-based heavy metal band Chunqiu (Spring; Autumn). He now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Kaiser speaks frequently on topics related to Chinese politics, technology, society, and international relations.
In Episode 279 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Kaiser Kuo. Kaiser is the host and co-founder of the Sinica Podcast, the editor-at-large of The China Project, and the former director of international communications for Baidu, China’s leading search engine.
How does China see the world? What do we get wrong when talking about China? What are the central diving forces in Chinese politics? And what “does China want?”
While concrete answers to such complex social and political questions are illusive, grappling with them is essential if we want to find a peaceful way through what is becoming an increasingly dangerous period in US-China relations.
The goal of this conversation is to provide you with a more circumspect and culturally informed perspective on China. You will learn about the country’s history, the lived experience of its people, their assumptions, values, and beliefs about the world and their place in it, and to learn to see ourselves and the world from China’s eyes.
You can access the full episode, transcript, and intelligence report to this week’s conversation by going directly to the episode page at HiddenForces.io and clicking on “premium extras.” All subscribers gain access to our premium feed, which can be easily added to your favorite podcast application.
If you want access to our Hidden Forces genius community, which includes Q&A calls with guests, access to special research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners, you can learn more at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. feel free to send an email to info@hiddenforces.io and I or someone from our team will right back to you. If you have further questions, feel free to send an email to info@hiddenforces.io, and Demetri or someone else from our team will get right back to you.
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Kaiser Kuo is the host and co-founder of the Sinica Podcast, the leading English-language podcast on current affairs in China and the flagship show of the Sinica Network on The China Project. He also hosts the Caixin-Sinica Business Brief and edits or produces several other shows in the Sinica Network. Kaiser also serves as editor-at-large of The China Project. Sinica has been running continuously since April 2010 and has published over 500 episodes featuring prominent diplomats, political leaders, academics, journalists, activists, technologists, and businesspeople with expertise on China. Prior to Sinica’s acquisition by SupChina (which later became The China Project), Kaiser served as director of international communications for Baidu, China’s leading search engine. Before that, he worked for several years as a technology reporter in Beijing for Red Herring magazine and as a freelance tech correspondent in Beijing. Kaiser was editor-in-chief of bilingual internet site ChinaNow.com from 1999 to 2002. Kaiser graduated in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1988, and received a master’s degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Arizona in 1992. Kaiser was the co-founder and lead guitarist of the seminal Chinese heavy metal band Tang Dynasty, founded in 1989; he returned to the U.S. for graduate school in that year, but returned to Beijing and to the band in 1996, playing with Tang Dynasty until 1999. From 2001 to 2016, he also played guitar in the Beijing-based heavy metal band Chunqiu (Spring; Autumn). He now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Kaiser speaks frequently on topics related to Chinese politics, technology, society, and international relations.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.