Addressing a gathering marking the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China, Chinese leader Xi Jinping described the Party's century-long journey as the "most magnificent epic" of the nation. He called on the Party to continue advancing toward its goal of building China into a modern socialist country on schedule. How should we assess the Party's achievements and governing logic over the past 105 years? And as China moves closer to its long-term modernization objectives, what challenges may lie ahead?

Beijing has held a grand gathering to mark the 105th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a key speech reviewing the Party's 105-year journey, from its founding mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the nation, to its current task of advancing Chinese modernization. What are the key messages out of today's speech? How has the CPC continued to adapt through different stages of China's development? And as China enters a new stage of modernization, what are the Party's major opportunities and challenges ahead?

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. From just over 50 members in 1921 to more than 100 million today, the CPC has led one of the most remarkable transformations in modern history, turning China into the world's second-largest economy and a major force in global affairs. What explains the Party's remarkable longevity and governing capacity? How has it continued to adapt through profound changes at home and abroad? And as China enters a new stage of development, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the world's largest ruling party?

A party-wide study campaign has been actively underway in China, researching a correct understanding of governance performance. In other words, how officials should define success and what kind of achievements should count. The campaign comes as the 15th Five-Year Plan gets underway and reflects a broader effort to judge officials not only by economic growth but also by people's livelihoods, ecological protection, long-term development and ability to solve difficult problems. So what does a correct understanding of governance performance mean in China's system of governance? Why is GDP alone no longer enough to measure the work of officials? And how does China's understanding of governance performance differ from political accountability and the election promises in the West?

Europe's economic relationship with China has entered a more complex and contested phase. In recent years, European economies have been grappling with soaring energy costs following the Ukraine crisis, weak productivity growth, and a decline in industrial competitiveness. European policymakers have increasingly raised concerns over what they call Chinese overcapacity, industrial subsidies, and growing competition from Chinese manufacturers. But is China the main driver of Europe's economic challenges — or are deeper structural issues at the heart of the problem? And what will it take for Europe to restore economic dynamism in an increasingly competitive global economy?

Britain has entered another moment of political upheaval. Keir Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide victory less than two years ago, has announced he will step down after losing support inside his own party. His successor could become Britain’s seventh prime minister in just ten years, raising a larger question: is this simply the fall of one leader, or a sign of deeper problems in British politics? What factors led to his resignation? How should his time in office be assessed? And can a new Labour leader restore stability at a time of economic pressure, voter anger and growing political fragmentation?

Peace talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland have been postponed following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. Under the memorandum of understanding reached earlier this week, Washington and Tehran have committed to an "immediate and permanent cessation" of hostilities, including in Lebanon. However, repeated Israeli attacks on Beirut have threatened to derail the diplomatic process, fueling tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv. Will the United States and Iran be able to resume negotiations soon? More importantly, can the two sides reach a lasting and peaceful settlement of their differences? Even if an agreement is achieved, will it be durable enough to withstand the region's deep-seated tensions and recurring crises?

The summit between the Chinese and US presidents in Beijing has sent important signals about the future of bilateral relations. Both sides have expressed a desire to manage competition and reduce the risk of conflict. How should we read these developments? As the global landscape grows more complex, can China and the United States avoid the so-called Thucydides Trap and build a more stable framework for major-power relations? To help us explore these questions, we are joined by Daniel Russell, vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

China says the current international system should be reformed and improved—not replaced—to better reflect the realities of today's world and deliver more effective results. The message comes in a newly released white paper outlining China's vision and proposals for reforming and improving global governance. Why has global governance reform become increasingly urgent? How can the international community build a more just and equitable system, in which the voices of the Global South are better represented? And can new approaches help address the growing deficits in peace, development, security, and governance?

The European Union is reportedly set to join Pax Silica, a US-led initiative aimed at coordinating export controls, investment policies and supply chains in advanced semiconductor technologies. The initiative is widely seen as part of Washington's broad effort to maintain its tech edge and slow China's rise in strategic sectors, particularly artificial intelligence. The US says Pax Silica is designed to build a more secure and resilient tech ecosystem among partner countries. However, critics argue that it represents an attempt to reorganize global tech networks along geopolitical lines, limit China's role in key industries, and consolidate US leadership in the technologies that will shape the future. What exactly is Pax Silica as the EU moves closer to joining the initiative? Will Washington be able to achieve its objective of slowing China's technological advancement? Or will such efforts instead accelerate China's drive for innovation and self-reliance?