Trailer: Drum Tower

**Sarah Wu** (0:01)
China is more influential today than at any point in modern history.

**Jeremy Page** (0:05)
Its economy drives global growth, its technology shapes industries everywhere, and under Xi Jinping, an increasingly confident China is challenging the established world order.

**Sarah Wu** (0:16)
But behind that rise lies a country in the throes of social change, with a slowing economy, an aging population, and widening inequality.

**Jeremy Page** (0:26)
Understanding the rhythms of life in China has never been as important. So join us as we follow every beat of this story on Drum Tower from The Economist.

**Sarah Wu** (0:38)
I am currently sitting in Yihang's flying taxi, which is about to take off. I am slightly nervous. I'm Sarah Wu, the Economist China correspondent, based in the capital of Beijing after years in Taipei and Hong Kong.

**Jeremy Page** (0:52)
We are now approaching the Dalai Lama's temple and a very narrow street. And I'm Jeremy Page, a chief China correspondent, previously based in Beijing for 15 years, but now in Taipei. And together with Jiehao Chen in London and our colleagues across the globe, we'll take you beyond the headlines to explore how China is reshaping itself and the world.

**Sarah Wu** (1:14)
From the party's agenda to advances in AI.

**Jiehao Chen** (1:18)
I've seen what's happened over the past 20 years, and I think China still has the ability to surprise us on this front.

**Jeremy Page** (1:24)
And from great power rivalries to popular culture.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:27)
Well, you know what the Chinese say, People are iron, rice is steel, A meal without hunger is a hunger. So what meal is to man is what iron is to steel?

**Sarah Wu** (1:38)
Whether you follow China for work, study or simply curiosity, Drum Tower is your guide to its culture, complexities and contradictions.

**Jeremy Page** (1:46)
Subscribe to join us every Tuesday.