Topic: Chongqing

The hosts critique an episode of "The Grand Tour" filmed in Chongqing, China, suggesting the show was paid by the Chinese tourism department to promote the city. They contrast the "sickening" promotion of Chongqing's infrastructure with the more authentic travel experiences found in Shanghai or Beijing.

The 2019 Times Square New Year's Eve celebration featured heavy promotion and sponsorship from the Chinese city of Chongqing. Representatives from Chongqing participated in lighting the ball, and the event included a dragon dance and promotional segments for Chinese automotive innovation. Officials, including Wang Jingbo, invited Americans to visit Chongqing to see pandas and experience local culture.

As a hedge against US maritime control, China has established the Yuxinou Railway, a freight line connecting Chongqing to Duisburg, Germany. President Xi Jinping recently celebrated the arrival of a train that completed the journey in 16 days. The rail line passes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland, providing a faster alternative to sea shipping.

The mysterious death of British businessman Neil Heywood in Chongqing, China, has sparked a major political scandal involving the wife of Communist Party official Bo Xilai. Reports suggest Heywood was murdered with cyanide after threatening to expose corruption. The UK government has requested a full investigation, though the hosts remain skeptical of the Chinese leadership's cooperation.