China will cease to function as a viable economic power in less than ten years due to its severe demographic collapse.

“And there is not an economic model that humans have yet to dream up that will work with where they will be demographically in less than 10 years' time. So, we are living in the equivalent of like 2006 subprime, where everyone's like, "Oh, ooh and ah." And it's all about to go tits up.”

He believes the current economic and structural challenges facing China, such as debt and demographic decline, may lead the country to adopt aggressive nationalistic moves against Taiwan.

“I'd argue that as we saw with Putin when economic problems hit hard in Russia what he did was respond by distracting people through invasions crime and Ukraine I think it's perfectly possible that as the economic problems deepen in China s jingping will be more encouraged to make aggressive national”

China faces severe, hidden economic risks from its real estate bubble and banking system, and it is likely heading toward a prolonged period of stagnation similar to Japan's experience.

“It feels to me that we're more close to going to a Japanese model will take 10 to 15 years”

The Belt and Road Initiative is a highly ambitious, long-term project that rivals the American Marshall Plan in its geopolitical and economic scope.

“And my god did they exploit it. And get this, Rory. The project, which is now touching 140 countries, representing 75% of the world's population and half of the world's GDP, is set for completion in 2049 to coincide with the centennial of the founding of the People's Republic of China. That is long-”

China has achieved a superior industrial position by prioritizing the development of cheap energy and robust supply chains over short-term asset price inflation.

“China today stands like by far the world's industrial powerhouse. And I just mentioned, you know, it's Chinese New Year for the those of you interested. Last year, China did this already. Did a sort of TV show with robots and they did it again this year. And it's mind-blowing”

China is successfully capitalizing on the perception of the United States as an unreliable actor to expand its own global influence.

“where China um is actually in so many ways taking advantage of the United States being seen as unreliable.”