Dialogue

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty to all charges in a U.S. federal court in New York, marking his first public appearance since being seized by U.S. forces over the weekend. At the same time, just miles away, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting, where dozens of countries condemned the U.S. military action against Venezuela as a violation of international law and a "crime of aggression." So what is behind the forcible seizure of a sitting head of state? What does this episode tell us about the direction of U.S. power and influence in the Western Hemisphere as we head into 2026? And what impact could it have on the global order and the international community at large?

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is in Beijing this week on his first visit to China since taking office. Beijing and Seoul have described the trip as an opportunity to reset ties and elevate their Strategic Cooperative Partnership at a time of unprecedented global transformation. With geopolitical tensions rising, trade protectionism returning, and Washington watching closely, the stakes of this visit extend beyond bilateral symbolism. Can the two sides rebuild momentum after years of strain? What outcomes should we expect form President Lee's meetings in China? And how far can South Korea pursue strategic autonomy while balancing relations between Beijing and Washington?

As China moves forward with its 15th Five-Year Plan, building a strong domestic market has become a key pillar of its development journey. From expanding domestic demand and upgrading industries to advancing a high-standard opening up, China is shaping a vast and more dynamic market.

Experts share their views on how technology-driven innovation fuels China's high-quality development.

On the last day of 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year's message to the country where he touched on remarkable moments and events of the past 12 months and gave his vision of the year to come. What were the key points of his New Year speech? What were his impressions of China's progress and challenges over the past year? And what shall we look forward to in the coming years?

China's PLA Eastern Theater Command has launched a large-scale joint exercise around Taiwan, code-named "Justice Mission 2025", involving air, sea, ground and missile forces. Beijing says the operation is aimed at deterring "Taiwan independence" forces and warning against external interference as tensions rise following a reported $11.1 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan. What exactly is being rehearsed in this drill? What is the message being sent? And with political temperature rising on all sides, what are the practical guardrails that still keep the Taiwan Strait from sliding into crisis?

Japan's cabinet has approved a record-high military budget for fiscal year 2026, topping nine trillion yen, a 9.4-percent increase from the previous year. The spending plan prioritizes enhanced strike capabilities, expanded coastal deployments with new vessels and drones, and broader military modernization. Are these measures purely defensive adjustments or do they signal the early stages of a deeper strategic transformation? What does Japan's evolving military posture mean for its neighbors?

After nearly four years of conflict, diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine appear to be intensifying. Over the weekend, parallel meetings were held in Miami, bringing together U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials, while Washington also engaged Russia separately. Can diplomacy gain traction while the war continues on the ground? Is a lasting peace still out of reach?

The United States has intensified pressure on Venezuela through a major naval buildup and interception of crude oil shipments. What is Washington's endgame in Venezuela? What lies behind this intensifying pressure?

On December 18, 1978, China set reform and opening-up in motion at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. Forty-seven years later, another major milestone is occurring. Hainan Province begins island-wide special customs operations, the final step in activating China's first free trade port. Experts explain why the move is important for China's opening-up drive and what new opportunities the free trade port will bring for China and the rest of the world.