17 July 2025
An American Scholar in China
Neysun Mahboubi joins Connor Echols to discuss his experience bringing American students and scholars to China—including one meeting in which his student pressed a Chinese official on human rights.
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In this video:
- Why Neysun brings American students and scholars to China
- Visiting China after Covid
- Balancing US and Chinese red lines
- When Neysun’s students pushed Chinese officials on human rights
- Do US students fear career risks for going to China?
- Cultivating cognitive empathy
- China’s obsession with US politics
- Trump’s surprisingly consistent approach to Beijing
- Are Chinese students really spies?
- Is China studies becoming the next Kremlinology?
- How Neysun navigates US fears about exchange with China
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