cover of episode Beijing and Prigozhin: what does China think of the Wagner uprising?

Beijing and Prigozhin: what does China think of the Wagner uprising?

2023/6/30
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Chinese Whispers

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Shownotes Transcript

It’s now a week since the Wagner Group revolted against the Kremlin.

Though the dramatic uprising was quelled within 24 hours and the group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is now exiled to Belarus, the episode will have lasting impact on President Putin’s authority.

Among those closely watching the events unfold would have been the Chinese leadership, who sent out a statement of support for Putin, but only after it was clear that the revolt had been put down.

What will those in Zhongnanhai make of the Prigozhin uprising? And could something similar happen in China?

On the episode, I’m joined by James Palmer, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and long time China hand, to discuss.