After DeepSeek
For years, the world has dismissed China's tech ambitions with many believing the industry had hit a glass ceiling. Then came the launch of Chinese AI company DeepSeek’s first ultra-efficient reasoning model in January 2025. The debut did more than just rattle Silicon Valley. It exposed the limitations of Western strategies to contain the sector and may have been a catalyst for a new wave of self-sufficient innovation in China.
In this three-part series, Post tech desk journalists take you inside the After DeepSeek era. They discuss why old assumptions about China's technological prowess no longer apply, and what recent changes mean for the nation’s tech talent pool, the global AI race and China's tech-first future.
23 Jan 2026
The first episode of the After DeepSeek podcast series explores how human capital is fuelling China’s rise as a global AI leader. Post senior tech reporter Coco Feng hosts this examination of China’s transition from being viewed as a “copycat” to a leader in original innovation, punctuated by the global impact of DeepSeek’s R-1 model. This episode features discussions with entrepreneur Zheng Zeyu, author Mehran Gul and academic Dr David Zweig.
22:13
23 Jan 2026
The second episode of the After DeepSeek podcast series explores China’s AI landscape following the landmark release of DeepSeek-R1. Post tech editor Zhou Xin hosts this exploration of China’s “Sputnik moment” and its pivot towards indigenous innovation and self-reliance in the face of US chip export controls. Experts Dr Kyle Chan and Professor Hongxia Yang highlight a fundamental strategic divergence between the US and Chinese AI road maps.
27:50
23 Jan 2026
The final episode of the After DeepSeek podcast series examines the shifting landscape of China’s AI industry following the 2025 launch of DeepSeek-R1. Hosted by Post tech reporter Xinmei Shen, the episode features analysts Tilly Zhang and Rui Ma. They discuss how China is innovating around hardware constraints by prioritising cost-effectiveness and efficiency over brute-force power. The episode also explores how the US and China are pursuing fundamentally different goals, leading to a bifurcation of global tech standards and supply chains.
25:47
Episode 2: The DeepSeek shock wave
Your trusted briefings about Hong Kong, China and Asia from the SCMP newsroom. Twice a day, five days a week. News Briefings combines cutting-edge AI audio synthesis with SCMP’s defining newsroom reporting to deliver a fast, curated digest of top Hong Kong, China and Asia headlines anywhere you go.
Want to learn more about China first-hand, from reporters on the ground? In every episode, we take a deep-dive into a specific topic, mixing independent reporting and exclusive interviews to bring you unique insights into an emerging potential superpower. Now, we’re featuring regular updates on the coronavirus pandemic from across the country. Brought to you by the South China Morning Post.
Let’s talk… About Asia by looking deep into the stories unfolding on the world’s most populous continent. Each episode showcases the reportage of SCMP’s journalists across Asia and in-depth interviews with experts, putting context and analysis to current affairs.
Eat Drink Asia is an award-winning podcast by the South China Morning Post that deep dives into the forgotten history of some of Asia's most popular dishes that have gone global. Discover the human story behind some of Asia's most loved foods, drinks and condiments with SCMP journalists, as they speak with chefs, restaurateurs and food experts from across the region.
Stay ahead of the game with the Hong Kong Racing Weekly podcast, brought to you by the South China Morning Post. Whether you're after news, expert views or tips, join the Post's racing team as they take a deep dive into the 2024-25 season.
SCMP presents Charmaine Chan in conversation with authors from around the world, talking about their books, their craft and what inspires them to write. Charmaine is the South China Morning Post’s Literary Editor and an award-winning journalist. Each episode of the Post Books Podcast is accompanied by related articles in SCMP's Post Magazine.
In-depth discussions with SCMP journalists and editors about how they are covering the world’s biggest news, and what’s happening behind the scenes.
Inside China Tech is brought to you by the South China Morning Post's on-the-ground reporters who explore China's ever-evolving tech scene, bringing essential tech background, trends, and analysis from China straight to listeners.
Each month a team of reporters and editors take an in-depth look at a country or region in Asia. Joining them, our correspondents provide on-the-ground context to major developments and ongoing issues.
Whether you run, jump, cycle, swim or climb, listen in each fortnight as your hosts Mark Agnew and Mary Hui chat with key figures in trail running and adventure sports about the big issues they are facing.
Morning Studio podcasts are brought to you by the South China Morning Post's commercial content team. In partnership with global brands, we aim to bring you engaging storytelling, featuring influential voices that are making a mark on the future of Asia.
What better way to amplify the voices of our city's youth than a podcast featuring Hong Kong students? From personal reflections to opinions on the metaverse, this bite-sized podcast will feature a different student every episode, tackling one topic at a time. With Snack for the Soul, give your eyes a break from the screens for a few minutes, and tune in to hear the stories, reflections and opinions of our hosts.