What is Xi Jinping up to? | Cindy Yu

The spiked podcast

spiked

Politics, News, Society & Culture, Government

4.5 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 February 2026

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Xi Jinping has just carried out the most significant purge of China’s military in decades. Top general Zhang Youxia, alongside other leading figures and formerly close allies, have been arrested, accused of treason and corruption. Is this a sign of Xi’s strength and his iron grip on power and his party? Or is it a sign of weakness, paranoia and growing internal dissent? Here, Cindy Yu – columnist and contributing editor at The Times and The Sunday Times – talks to spiked’s Fraser Myers about what Xi might be thinking. Plus, they discuss the threat to Taiwan, the trade war with Trump, and how Britain should navigate China’s rise. Read spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/ Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:28.6	The latest round of purges, as it were, started in January.
0:34.6	Zhang Yiu Xia just didn't appear in the meetings that he was meant to.
0:39.3	The PLA itself announced that actually he is under investigation for corruption.
0:44.3	They are the most senior military men in China.
0:47.3	The PLA has not had any fighting experience in almost half a century.
0:51.3	There is a ticking time bomb in the sense of his own legacy.
0:55.0	You know, he probably does want to be the leader who sort something out with Taiwan.
1:00.0	Who is there now to advise him on important issues?
1:05.0	American intelligence thinks he is becoming quite paranoid.
1:13.6	Hello, I'm Fraser Myers, Deputy Editor of Spiked, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be joined by Cindy,
1:18.6	you columnist and contributing editor at the Times and Sunday Times. Welcome, Cindy.
1:23.6	Hi, Susan.
	...

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