Dialogue

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned that the "law of the jungle" will rule the world again if every country stresses "my country first" and is obsessed with a position of strength. He also answered questions on a wide range of topics on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual session. What were the takeaways from the event? What is China's stance on pressing global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Gaza conflict? What role is China playing in a world full of uncertainty?

In this edition, we spoke to Roberta Lipson, founder of United Family Healthcare, and Gilbert van Kerckhove, rotating chair of UWEE Group, who have witnessed the transformation of China over the past few decades.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has set the country's economic growth target for 2025 at around five percent. He announced the number while delivering the government work report at the opening meeting of the national legislature's annual session. The report outlines an array of key development goals for the year. What does the growth target mean for the world's second largest economy? How will China promote continuous economic expansion? What are the key challenges China faces to achieve its goals?

Delegates from across China are gathering in Beijing for the annual political sessions. The event will unveil economic and social development plans for the year and demonstrate how the Chinese system works and serves the country's 1.4 billion people. What are the main focal points of this year's sessions? How will China set its economic target for 2025? How will the country address internal and external challenges?

Australia has claimed that the Chinese navy ships conducting live-fire exercise in international waters near Australia last week failed to provide adequate prior warning of the exercise, which Australia says forced them to divert dozens of commercial flights over the area. The Chinese Defense Ministry and the Chinese Embassy to Australia say the exercise complied with international law and did not affect aviation safety. What more do we know about the Chinese navy drills? Were any international laws violated? What does the incident reveal concerning the relationship between China and Australia?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that his country and the United States have reached a consensus on a deal to jointly set up an investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Zelenskyy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to sign the agreement, which Trump claims could be around a trillion U.S. dollars. What does the deal entail? How do all key players, including the European Union and Russia, regard the deal? Could the deal be one step closer to finally ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

The U.S. has voted against a U.N. resolution drafted by Ukraine and other European countries condemning Russia and calling for peace. President Donald Trump has also suggested that a deal will soon be reached, granting his country access to Ukraine’s rare mineral resources. How does the U.N. vote reflect the growing trans-Atlantic rift between the U.S. and Europe? Will a mineral deal help or hurt Ukraine in the long run? What do recent elections in Germany tell about the country’s direction? How will the direction fit into the European security outlook?

Analysts share their perspectives on issues related to the Ukraine crisis, including root causes of the conflict, Moscow's concerns over NATO expansion, reasons behind the Trump administration's policy reversal, and the conflict’s impact on transatlantic relations.

China has rolled out a 20-point action plan to attract and retain foreign investment by expanding industries available for foreign companies and further facilitating their financing. It comes days after the Chinese president met with top private entrepreneurs, vowing stronger support for the private sector. How significant are these moves in advancing China’s reform and opening up given the current geopolitical tensions and challenges within the global economy? How effective are these measures? What more needs to be done to sustain stable economic growth?

The first high-level direct peace talks between U.S. and Russian officials aiming to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict has taken place in Saudi Arabia without the involvement of Ukraine and its European allies. The talks came two days after the Munich Security Conference where the U.S. openly signaled a potential shift in its policy on the conflict. What exactly is the new U.S. policy on Ukraine? Can a peace deal be struck between the U.S. and Russia without the involvement of Ukraine and the European Union? What does it mean for the U.S. strategy to abandon Ukraine and its European allies while seeking cooperation with Russia?