Xi's world – Will China control the future?

This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Podmasters

Politics, Society & Culture, News

4.9 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 29 January 2026

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

For years Xi Jinping has mapped out a strategy for the rise of China as a superpower. How will this ambition shape the world’s future? In the latest episode of This Is Not A Drill, Gavin Esler talks to Elizabeth Economy, Hargrove senior fellow the Hoover Institution, about China’s plans in a series of ‘frontier domains’, from the bottom of the sea to outer space. Read Elizabeth Economy’s article ‘How China Wins the Future’ in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs here. Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hi everyone, I'm Connor, head of programming at Intelligence Squared. As we head in to the
0:05.6	festive season, what is for many of us a time of comfort, celebration and gatherings round a table,
0:11.9	most of us won't think twice about the clean water running from our taps that make it all possible.
0:17.8	But for millions of people around the world, this is something they simply don't have.
0:23.1	That's why here at the Intelligence Squared podcast, we're proud to partner with WaterAid,
0:27.8	a charity working to change this and to shine a spotlight on something that connects us all.
0:33.3	In a special episode of our podcast, journalist Cocoa Kan speaks to Amica Godfrey, WaterAids Executive Director of International Programs.
0:42.7	Amica has spent more than 25 years working across the world in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.
0:49.8	She shares powerful stories about how clean water keeps children in school, helps mothers support
0:55.3	their families or run businesses, and unlocks potential for entire communities. To hear the full
1:00.9	conversation, just search Intelligence Squared, wherever you get your podcasts, and listen to the
1:06.3	episode titled Everything Starts with Water, released on the 17th of December.
1:11.5	Sophie Tom and the kids are standing by the luggage carousel waiting for Sophie's bag.
1:15.3	Looks like she's going to be wearing Tom's clothes for a week, but she's not worried.
1:18.9	Their HSBC Premier bank account has comprehensive worldwide travel insurance
1:22.6	that covers them, the kids and grandkids, if they had them.
1:26.2	Everything's Premier when your bank account is.
1:28.3	Search HSBC Premier.
1:30.0	HSBC UK, opening up a world of opportunity.
1:33.4	Apply with £100,000 annual income or £100,000 savings or investments with HSBC UK or Premier status abroad, covered by Aviva Insurance Limited.
1:40.1	Age restrictions and limitations apply.
1:42.3	Poppy's come to the end of her work visa.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

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

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