North Korea's Economic Boom? What I Saw on the China Border Shocked Me | Silk and Steel

<p>North Korea is changing, China&#39;s influence is expanding, and the global balance of power is shifting. After returning from an extensive trip through China and the Korean Peninsula, Carl Zha joins Ali TM to discuss what he witnessed firsthand — including surprising developments along the China–North Korea border.</p><p><br></p><p>From newly opened bridges and growing cross-border trade to China&#39;s electric vehicle revolution, the AI race, and escalating geopolitical tensions, this conversation explores developments that often receive little attention in Western media.</p><p><br></p><p>IN THIS EPISODE:</p><p><br></p><p>🇰🇵 NORTH KOREA&#39;S SURPRISING TRANSFORMATION</p><p><br></p><p> • Carl Zha&#39;s firsthand journey along the Yalu River and China–North Korea border.</p><p><br></p><p> • New high-rise buildings and signs of economic development in North Korea.</p><p><br></p><p> • The newly operational bridge connecting China and North Korea.</p><p><br></p><p> • How closer economic ties with Russia and China are changing North Korea.</p><p><br></p><p> • Growing trade between China, Russia and North Korea.</p><p><br></p><p>🚗 CHINA&#39;S EV INDUSTRY IS CHALLENGING TESLA</p><p><br></p><p> • Why Chinese EV manufacturers offer more value than Tesla.</p><p><br></p><p> • BYD, Xiaomi and XPeng are changing the global automotive industry.</p><p><br></p><p> • Why traditional Japanese automakers are under pressure.</p><p><br></p><p> • Tesla&#39;s dependence on its Shanghai Gigafactory.</p><p><br></p><p> • How electric vehicles and home charging provide an advantage during energy crises.</p><p><br></p><p> • Are flying cars and Tesla&#39;s futuristic Roadster just marketing gimmicks?</p><p><br></p><p>✈️ PAKISTAN, TAIWAN AND RUSSIAN AIRSPACE</p><p><br></p><p> • The controversy over Pakistan&#39;s airspace restrictions on Taiwanese airlines.</p><p><br></p><p> • Why Taiwanese airlines have started flying through Russian airspace.</p><p><br></p><p> • How Western sanctions are affecting international aviation.</p><p><br></p><p> • The complications surrounding US-China aviation relations.</p><p><br></p><p>🇨🇳 XI JINPING AND TRUMP: WHAT DID THE SUMMIT ACHIEVE?</p><p><br></p><p> • Why the summit may have been more about political optics than concrete results.</p><p><br></p><p> • China&#39;s rare-earth export controls and America&#39;s military-industrial complex.</p><p><br></p><p> • The strategic consequences of US arms sales to Taiwan.</p><p><br></p><p> • America&#3