Before we get started, I just want to draw your attention to the fact that Chinese Whispers is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025.

The show is in contention for a few categories, but most importantly, every nominee has a chance to win the People's Choice category.

If you enjoy this podcast, do cast a vote for it at the link in the description.

Now, on to the show.

Thank you. a vote for it at the link in the description. Now, on to the show. Hello and welcome to Chinese Whispers with me, Cindy Yu. Every episode, I'll be talking to

journalists, experts and long-time China watchers about the

latest in Chinese politics, society, and more.

There'll be a smattering of history to catch you up on the background knowledge and some

context as well. How did the Chinese see these issues?

Among the casualties of Trump's trade war with China in his first presidency was Telecom's giant Huawei.

Founded by former military engineer Ren Zhenfei, the company is a world-leading manufacturer

of everything from telecom's equipment to smartphones. But it fell foul of Trump as it tried

to become integral to the world's rollout of 5G, leading to a Western backlash and even the

house arrest of Wren's daughter.

At the centre of the row is a suspicion that Huawei is essentially a state-owned company,

working at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party.

So as Trump prepares to go back to the White House, I tried to get to the bottom of the telecoms

giant in this episode.

Is it an arm of the Chinese state?

How has it found such world-dominating

success? And can it survive a second Trump presidency? My guest is Ava Doe, technology reporter

for The Washington Post. Her new book is The House of Huawei, Inside the Secret World of China's

...