Rob Schmitz / 史明智

Thanks for listening, Peter!

@bopanc I don't know. Do you? You used the word "probably" so I pushed back b/c I don't think you know either. Why write an X post like that if you don't know for sure?

How can you know what's in there? From software to optics to metal alloys. For example, until 2017 Germany filed the majority of patents related to autonomous driving, now it's dropped to less than 1/4, but still in top 4-5. One of the leading quantum firms is German-founded (tho operates overseas bc of regulation) etc etc. China took a whole quantum physics department from Germany. Of course China innovates on its own, and has achieved a miraculous feat unprecedented in history. But part of the German selfharming policy that has greatly accelerated its decline was to accept being ripped off by China

"Probably"? I doubt there is any stolen German IP in these particular machines. 20 years ago this might have been closer to accurate, but China's been innovating from its own tech for years. Your larger take about regs and bureaucracy, though, is spot-on.

The annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala has, in so many past years, been part propaganda, part wholesome humor skits. This year's marquee performance of these robots performing Kung Fu is about as good a soft power display as China has ever pulled off. Incredible.

In his speech that aimed to reunify US and Europe at the MSC, Marco Rubio praised German farmers, French fur traders, and Italian explorers for building America. He did not mention the Native Americans they encountered nor did he mention the contribution of slaves from Africa.

Listen to @npratc today to catch my interview with former National Security Advisor @AmbJohnBolton about President Trump's possible next moves in Iran and where he thinks these historic protests on the streets of Iran's biggest cities are headed: npr.org

My latest w/NPR's Anas Baba on Gaza's unexploded ordnance and the plans to remove what is believed to be tens of thousands of unexploded bombs from the strip. instagram.com/reel/DQputzCEf…

Your assignment: 153 books. 7 months. And you thought your book club was intense. This is what awaits the judges for the Booker Prize, which will be awarded on Nov 10. On @hereandnow I spoke to a judge about how he does it: wbur.org/hereandnow/202…

My latest, from the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland, on @npr: instagram.com/reel/DOjM6h-CE…

Where were these when I lived in China?

Thanks to @alisaschllnbrg for a fun interview about Chancellor Merz’s visit to Washington. Honored to appear in @DIEZEIT among such great journalists.

Friedrich Merz went to Washington and I got a beautiful Kollegengespräch with @rob_schmitz out of it: zeit.de/kultur/2025-06…

NPR memo: Pope Leo offers thoughts for journalists. The times are “both difficult to navigate and to recount,” and demand that “each one of us” should “never give in to mediocrity.”

Stacking the judiciary w/loyalists. Targeting universities & News orgs. Purging the gov't. Eliminating a "woke" agenda. Our story on Viktor Orban's track record in Hungary & who it's inspired. "Trump went further in two months than Orban could in 15 years" npr.org/2025/04/20/nx-…

When NPR's Sylvia Poggioli came face-to-face with Pope Francis : Live updates: Pope Francis, a towering figure on the world stage, dies at 88 npr.org/2025/04/21/g-s…

Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting as part of the Russian army. This happened on Ukrainian territory—in the Donetsk region. Identification documents, bank cards, and personal data were found in their possession. We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just these two. We are currently verifying all the facts—intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working on it. I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to immediately contact Beijing and clarify how China intends to respond to this. Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting. This definitely requires a response. A response from the United States, Europe, and all those around the world who want peace. The captured Chinese citizens are now in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine. Relevant investigative and operational actions are ongoing.

The European Commissioner for crisis management, treating preparedness like it's a big joke - cracking herself up, using her emergency water to water plants, etc. It all seems a bit tone deaf, given the times.

My book is out today! The culmination of six years of reporting in China and Taiwan. It’s a narrative nonfiction telling of identity and politics from on the ground in China. I’ll be doing events in NYC and DC and Durham this month. penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724947/l…

A year ago, NPR Gaza Producer Anas Baba and I profiled Nimer, an 11-year old boy shot five times by the Israeli military, suffering greatly from his wounds. A year later, Anas set out to find Nimer to see if he survived. He did. And here’s our update: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/con…