Dialogue

Leaders from 21 Pacific Rim economies have gathered in South Korea for this year's APEC meetings under the theme "Shared Growth Through Openness and Innovation." In his keynote speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for safeguarding the multilateral trading system, deepening regional integration, and ensuring that development benefits all. What key signals are coming out of this year's APEC? How is China positioning itself as a stabilizing force for openness, cooperation, and shared growth? And can APEC still serve as a driving engine for regional integration and global recovery amid a world increasingly marked by fragmentation?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump have met to discuss the world’s most important relationship as well as the easing of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The two sides agree to extend a one-year pause in several contentious areas. How might this temporary truce shape China-U.S interactions going forward—in trade, technology, and security? Could it evolve into a longer-term framework for managing rivalry?

As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, it faces a defining test. Can it reform fast enough to stay relevant in the era of shifting power dynamics and mounting global crisis? From climate change to inequality and digital disruption, today's challenges demand a stronger, fairer and more inclusive multilateral system. How can the UN evolve to meet these expectations? What role can major players like China play in shaping a greener, more cooperative future? And how can countries better practice true multilateralism, safeguard the central role of the United Nations, and promote global governance?

China and ASEAN have upgraded their free trade agreement at a gathering in Malaysia. The new pact expands cooperation into key emerging areas such as the digital economy, green trade, and supply chain connectivity. Alongside the ASEAN Summit was the first Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Leaders' Summit since the signing of the RCEP agreement. What do we know about the key outcomes of this year's ASEAN Summit? How important are they amid today's turbulent global trade environment? What new opportunities could this upgraded FTA bring for China, ASEAN, and the wider region?

Delegations from China and the United States have reached the basic consensus on arrangements to address key trade concerns after economic and trade talks in Malaysia. The discussions touched on issues including tariffs and export controls. How do we make sense of this latest round of discussions? What calculations are driving each side? Could this signal a genuine step toward stabilizing the world’s most consequential economic relationship?

China's leadership has just wrapped up a meeting on the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, a blueprint that will guide the nation's economic and social development from 2026 to 2030. A brief communique highlighting key resolutions has already been released, with more detailed documents set to follow in the coming days. What are the key takeaways from the meeting? What are the key objectives for China's development in the next five years?

As the United Nations turns 80, it faces unprecedented pressure, geopolitical rifts, widening divides and shrinking budgets. Can it still deliver on its mission with fewer resources? How can the world safeguard a UN-centered multilateral system? With the U.S. pulling back from global commitments, what's next for sustainable development? Peter Thomson, President of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, shares his insights.

The Chinese leadership is meeting this week to draft the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide the development from 2026 through 2030. What will this next phase look like? How different might it be from earlier plans? What does China’s sustained development mean for the world navigating growing geopolitical uncertainty?

China's recorded steady GDP growth through the first three quarters — with exports rebounding, industrial output improving, and consumer demand gradually strengthening. What do these numbers reveal about China's economic performance so far this year? What deeper shifts lie beneath the headline data? And as policymakers chart the next stage of growth, what will be the key priorities for China's economic agenda in the years ahead?

Japan has entered a rare moment of political limbo. The decades-old LDP–Komeito coalition that long ruled Japanese politics has abruptly collapsed, leaving newly-elected LDP leader Sanae Takaichi struggling to form a new government coalition. Meanwhile, opposition parties are in talks to weigh the possibility of uniting behind a joint candidate. Why did the ruling coalition fall apart? What political concessions might Takaichi make to secure support from smaller parties? And could Japan now be on the brink of its first major power shift in more than a decade?