meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Rest Is Politics: Leading

181. Ai Weiwei: China, Censorship, and Dissidence Through Art

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

Goalhanger

News, Politics, Government

4.63.2K Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2026

⏱️ 68 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Why was Ai Weiwei kidnapped and held prisoner by the Chinese government? How did the 2008 Sichuan earthquake radicalise him into taking aim at the authorities through art? What’s behind Ai Weiwei’s belief that there is a serious censorship issue in the West?  Rory and Alastair are joined by Artist and Activist, Ai Weiwei, to answer all this and more.  Search IG.com to find out more and/or Look for IG in your app store. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. Social Producer: Celine Charles Video Editor: Josh Smith + Bruno Di Castri Producer: Alice Horrell Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Head of Politics: Tom Whiter Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Advertise with us: Partnerships@goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Thanks for listening to The Restis Politics. Sign up to the Restis Politics Plus.

0:03.6

To enjoy ad-free listening, receive a weekly newsletter, join our members' chat room and gain early access to live show tickets.

0:09.4

Just go to therestispolities.com. That's the restispolics.com.

0:16.8

Welcome to the Restis Politics leading with me, Rory Stewart.

0:23.6

And with me, Alastair Campbell, and we're very pleased to have Iowawayway.

0:28.6

He's an artist, an activist, a prolific writer and filmmaker, and an important voice in some of the most complex and important debates of our time.

0:39.7

The Rise of China, it was rolled in the world, corruption in public life,

0:44.2

attitudes to refugees, a big theme, and also censorship and free speech.

0:50.4

And indeed, whether we even have free speech, including in the West.

0:54.6

He's 68.

0:55.4

He's the son of a poet who was imprisoned, tortured and exiled in 1950s, China, which made

1:01.7

for a pretty extraordinary childhood for him.

1:04.0

And he himself has known what it's like to be on the receiving end of harsh treatment

1:07.9

from the authorities and has therefore spent much of his life in the US and

1:12.5

Europe, but which he's also got considerable criticism. Recently returned to China after around a

1:18.8

decade away to visit his elderly mother with his son, and it would be fascinating to hear his views on

1:24.3

China today as opposed to China when he was growing up there as a child.

1:30.3

So Iwo-way, thank you for being here.

1:32.3

It's so nice to be your studio.

1:35.3

Can we begin a little bit with your childhood and your father?

1:38.3

Who was your father?

1:40.3

And what was your experience when you were a child with your father?

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Goalhanger, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Goalhanger and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.