The declining birth rate in China has caused concerns as it dips below the death rate for the first time since 1960. While the government is moving to address the issue, such as changing the marriage eligibility age, the long-term solution is to achieve a stable population with a net reproduction rate of one, meaning an average of two children per family. In China, there is no current labor shortage due to surplus labor in rural areas and the potential for older workers to re-enter the labor force.

Lawrence Lau, a prominent economist based in Hong Kong, has provided his prediction for Chinese economic growth for 2023, estimating it to be around 6%, based on various estimates from think tanks, financial institutions, and local governments in China. Lau also believes that China can sustain an average growth rate of around 6% for the next decade and reach parity with U.S. GDP by 2030. He emphasizes that China's per capita GDP will still be significantly lower than the U.S., and that the Chinese government must continue to develop the economy.

While it will take sincere effort from both sides, Craig Allen, President of The U.S.-China Business Council, is hopeful for the China-U.S. relationship as 2023 embarks, even despite the recent balloon incident. In this interview, he emphasizes that conflict avoidance and communication are priorities and would help stabilize the U.S.-China relationship over the short, medium, and long-term.

Joseph Vaughan, Johns Hopkins SAIS, believes that semiconductors will continue to gain more attention from governments thinking about security risks, economic incentives, and more. In this video, he discusses the competing interests and global competition surrounding the semiconductor industry.

Making countries pick sides in the U.S-China contest is in advisable for Southeast Asia. Instead, says Kishore Mahbubani, author of ‘The Asian 21st Century,’ everyone should work for a stable and predictable region.

The world owes a debt of gratitude for gathering the U.S. and China at the G20 in November — bringing down the temperature in current tensions, says Professor Kishore Mahbubani in his interview with our Host James Chau. But he says the main message for the world is that common challenges are more important than any bilateral rivalry.

Kishore Mahbubani is the author of the acclaimed book, 'Has China Won?' But amidst multiple global challenges, he highlights the U.S. as a standout performer for its strength and resourcefulness. Our Host James Chau interviews Professor Mahbubani in Singapore.

Countries including Australia and Indonesia are concerned about the growing geopolitical competition between the United States and China and worried about the potential head-on confrontation between them.