In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down a seismic week in Beijing. China has effectively blown up the top of its military command, sidelining Xi Jinping’s most trusted lieutenant and raising questions about loyalty, readiness, and how secure Xi really is at the apex of power. They explain what this unprecedented purge inside the PLA means — not just for China’s military, but for regional stability and markets. They also unpack the post-China future of TikTok. After years of bans, lawsuits, and security concerns, a last-minute deal keeps the app alive in the U.S. — but does it truly sever Beijing’s influence, or just repackage it? With 180 million American users and a generation getting its news from TikTok, we explain why this deal matters far beyond social media. And finally, Alice sits down with economist Houze Song to cut through the spin on China’s economy — from headline growth numbers and export dependence to the long shadow of the property collapse and what Beijing may (or may not) do next. 00:42 Markets 01:24 Xi’s purge at the top and the shock to China’s military command 20:34 TikTok After China 35:43 Chat with Song Houze about China’s economic reality 47:48 Predictions Support this channel by subscribing here 👉 @TheProfGPod #china #chinausrelations #chinanews #chinamarket #chinaeconomy #chinastocks #chinagdp #chinainfluence #chinainnovation #chinatechnology #chinatech #xijinping #trump #PLA #beijing #washingtondc #usapolitics #chinapolitics #chinapolicy #TikTok #TikTokBan