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Hello and welcome to Chinese Whispers with me, Cindy Yu. Every episode, I'll be talking to

journalists, experts and long-time China

watches about the latest in Chinese politics, society and more. There'll be a smattering

of history to catch you up on the background knowledge and some context as well. How do the

Chinese see these issues? It's now a week since the Wagner group revolted against the Kremlin.

Though the dramatic uprising was quelled within 24 hours and the group's leader, Afghani Progogsian, is now exiled to Belarus,

the episode will have lasting impact on President Putin's authority. Among those closely watching

the events unfold would have been the Chinese leadership, which sent out a

statement of support for Putin, but only after it was clear that the revolt had been put down.

So what will those in Zhongnai make of the progulsion uprising? And could something similar

happening in China? To discuss this, I'm joined by James Palmer, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy

and a long-time

China hand. James, thanks so much for joining the podcast. It's great to have you.

Great to be here.

So first of all, what did you make of the Chinese state's reaction to the revolt by Progogsion?

Because they did put out a statement of support to Putin, but it wasn't until after the revolt

had been put down. Yeah, I think it was basically that they were confused about what was happening.

I don't think that there was kind of a decision like, are we going to jump and support this,

you know, sudden rebellion? I think the system was simply processing. And because, you know,

the system is so top heavy, especially at the moment, and this is an issue of such sensitivity,

it would have had to have been signed off on right from the top, and that always just takes longer.

...