The Hub with Wang Guan

How can cities use AI and digital technology to respond more effectively to people's needs? And how can governments move beyond resolving individual complaints to preventing problems before they arise? On The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Vladimir Imamovich Norov, former secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and chairman of the Central Asian Association for AI, at the 2026 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints. They explore how Beijing's 12345 citizen service hotline connects public feedback with government action, enabling faster responses, stronger coordination across departments, and a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive governance. They also examine how AI can improve public services while preserving human judgment, empathy and accountability.

China's extended National Day holiday is highlighting changing patterns of consumption, travel, and cultural exchange, across China and around the world. What does the holiday reveal about China's evolving consumer economy? As Chinese tourists travel overseas and international visitors explore deeper into China, is the holiday economy becoming increasingly global? On this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan examines the latest trends with John Gong, professor at the University of International Business and Economics; Clare Pearson, international development director for Asia at DLA Piper; and Daryl Guppy, CEO of Guppy Traders.

China-Arab relations are entering a new phase, with deeper cooperation in politics, trade, investment, technology, and sustainable development. How can China and the Arab world further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership? What lessons can their cooperation offer to the wider Global South? On The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy Hafez, head of the League of Arab States Mission to China. They explore the evolution of China-Arab relations, examine the significance of strategic trust and mutual support, and discuss how cooperation can contribute to regional and global prosperity.

China's economy is showing resilience as new growth drivers reshape its economic landscape. What is powering growth in 2026, and how are technology, trade and consumption shaping what comes next? On The Hub, Wang Guan is joined by Wang Dan, China Director at Eurasia Group; Liu Zhiqin, senior research fellow at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies; and Andy Mok, author of "The Innovation Machine: How China Creates and Adopts Technology Through Governance." They discuss China's economic performance and new sources of growth.

As geopolitical tensions rise, existing institutions face growing pressure to adapt. On The Hub, Wang Guan brings together Alfred de Zayas, former United Nations independent expert and author of "Building a Just World Order" and "The Human Rights Industry"; Linjie Chou Zanadu, associate professor of International Relations at the European Centre for Peace and Development; and Ben Norton, founder and editor-in-chief of the Geopolitical Economy Report. They dive into the future of global governance, the rise of a multipolar world, and what the competing global visions mean for the future.

The China-US relationship is witnessing a new historic moment as the two heads of state meet in Washington. What signals could emerge from the meeting? How can Beijing and Washington manage differences while expanding areas of cooperation? On The Hub, Wang Guan brings together Li Cheng, founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong; Fred Teng, president of the America China Public Affairs Institute; and Rick Dunham, senior visiting scholar at Tsinghua University's Global Business Journalism program. They explore the significance of the state visit and examine the latest developments in China-US relations.

Where is China-U.S. trade and investment headed as the world's two largest economies navigate competition and cooperation? Can businesses on both sides find new opportunities amid changing global supply chains and market conditions? What could greater dialogue mean for the future of economic ties? On The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, and Zha Daojiong, professor of international political economy at Peking University.

The Long March remains a powerful chapter in China's history, 90 years after the victory of the Chinese Red Army in 1936. What can a journey along the Long March route reveal about its history and spirit? How can shared experiences help young people from different countries better understand one another? In this special episode of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Zhavier Harris, marketing & communications manager at the Springfield Urban League, who followed in the footsteps of the Long March. Together, they explore his journey through places connected to the Long March, and examine the connections he discovered between people and communities.

BRICS enters its third decade with a larger membership, a broader agenda, and a growing role for the Global South. Can its expansion strengthen cooperation without creating fragmentation? How can BRICS help shape the global economic order? On The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Alessandro Golombiewski Teixeira, distinguished visiting professor at Tsinghua University and former senior advisor to the president of the New Development Bank. They explore institutional evolution in the BRICS group, local-currency trade and payments, and the future role of the NDB.

BRICS marks its 20th anniversary as the grouping enters a new phase of cooperation. What can BRICS deliver as global economic and political dynamics continue to shift? And how can the expanded bloc turn closer cooperation into greater opportunities for the wider Global South?