China Human Rights: Dissidents and diplomacy (part 2)

They call him the blind lawyer, and Chen Guangcheng certainly blindsided the Chinese government this week. After years of harassment at the hands of local officials, the dissident managed to give his guards the slip. He is now thought to be at the US embassy in Beijing - all this just days before Hilary Clinton arrives in China for a summit on trade and foreign policy. Laura Baines and her panel discuss how this issue could affect US-China relations.

DEBATE

Jean-François DI MEGLIO, Founder of the Asia Centre in Paris;
Emmanuel LINCOT, Editor-in-chief of "Monde Chinois" and Chair of Contemporary China Studies;
Martin JACQUES, Author of "When China rules the world";
Bob FU, Founder and President of ChinaAid.
Watch the first part

Programme prepared and produced by Christopher Davies, Molly Hall and Joseph Tandy

Presenter

François Picard

23/04/2013 - THE DEBATE

French embassy in Libya attacked: Mali backlash?

Was it revenge for the offensive in Mali or retaliation for the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi? Perhaps it was a message to stay out of Libya as the country struggles towards becoming a democracy. Laura Baines and her guests discuss the many theories following the attack on the French embassy in Tripoli.

22/04/2013 - THE DEBATE

Mali conflict: Once the French have gone... (part 2)

French lawmakers have given the green light to keeping troops in Mali. Operation Serval began in January, and since then, al Qaeda-linked jihadists have been chased out of Mali's towns and cities. French troops have already begun to leave and the government says that just 1,000 soldiers will remain until the end of the year for training purposes. Laura Baines and her guests discuss whether Mali is really on the path to peace.

22/04/2013 - THE DEBATE

Mali conflict: Once the French have gone...

18/04/2013 - THE DEBATE

Obama's worst week: terror, tragedy and a stinging political defeat (part 2)

From bombs in Boston to a massive blast in Texas, and now a stinging defeat on a hard-fought gun control bill, has this has been the worst week so far for Barack Obama's presidency? Can the US president regain the political upper hand and heal a polarized nation?