As the world confronts inequality, conflict, technological disruption and sustainable development challenges, the relationship between development and human rights is drawing renewed global attention. What does the right to development mean 40 years after the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development? Can development provide a stronger foundation for advancing human rights in an increasingly complex world?

The latest Shangri-La Dialogue has reignited debate over the future of Asia-Pacific security. Is the region moving toward greater cooperation, or are competing security visions driving deeper divisions? How should countries balance stability, strategic autonomy, and growing geopolitical competition? And what's China's vision for a security framework based on common security rather than alliance blocs?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hailed the ironclad friendship between the two countries during the Serbian president's first state visit to China, pledging to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors, transportation, and people-to-people exchanges. How will this visit inject new vitality into the China-Serbia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday as the two sides look to increase defense cooperation during Marcos' four-day state visit. How will this trip impact Japan-Philippines relations? Is Japan on a path toward remilitarization? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan asks whether Tokyo is abandoning its post-war commitments and how a remilitarized Japan could impact the region's stability. To unpack this and more, Wang Guan is joined by Jeff Kingston, professor of Asian Studies at Temple University, Tai Wei Lim, professor of Economics at Soka University, and Yang Chan, tenured associate professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hail a new stage in bilateral ties as they agree to further extend a China-Russia friendship treaty and pledge to work together for a more just and equitable world order. In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan unpacks the biggest developments from President Putin's two-day state visit to China. What does this "new stage" of relations mean for China-Russia ties? What could it mean for the Global South? How will these developments impact the broader international landscape?

Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China comes as the two countries mark major milestones in bilateral relations: 30 years since the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, and 25 years since the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. As the 10th China-Russia Expo gets underway in Harbin, the visit highlights not only expanding trade and economic ties, but also deeper cooperation in education, culture, global governance, and regional stability. In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with experts from China, Russia and the United States on the priorities of Putin's visit, the resilience of China-Russia relations, and what this partnership means for a rapidly changing world order.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump to Beijing on Thursday as the American leader began his state visit to China. Meeting his counterpart at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi said he expects 2026 to be a "historic, landmark year" that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations. Meanwhile, President Trump said the relationship between China and the United States will be "better than ever before." Both leaders have agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability. What can we expect from Trump's visit? How can the heads-of-state meeting help steer China-US relations steadily forward?

When China-US relations make headlines, the focus is often on rivalry, confrontation, and strategic differences. But beyond that, cooperation is still taking place in more practical ways. In this segment of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Zhao Xiuye, a PhD candidate at Tsinghua University's School of Public Policy and Management and a participant of a youth program between China and the US, about the role of people-to-people exchanges, and the growing importance of sub-national cooperation between Chinese provinces and US states. From AI, climate change and clean energy to education and local-level dialogue, the discussion explores where cooperation remains possible, even when national politics get complicated.

Japan is expanding its security role across the Asia-Pacific, raising new questions about regional stability and strategic balance. Is this a natural response to changing conditions, or a deliberate effort to reshape the regional order? What risks could this shift bring for neighboring countries? In this edition of The Hub, experts explore Japan's recent diplomatic and defense outreach, discuss changes to arms export policies, and examine how regional partners are responding. They delve into the historical context behind today's security dynamics, look into domestic political drivers in Japan, and assess the broader implications for China-Japan relations and the future of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

China and Africa mark 70 years of diplomatic ties with a major step toward deeper trade integration. Starting May 1, China will grant tariff-free access to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, alongside faster "green lanes" for exports. What does this new policy mean for African exporters? With protectionism on the rise, can the China-Africa partnership help shape a more open and balanced global trading system? On The Hub, Wang Guan brings together He Wenping, professor and senior research fellow at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Lara Netherlands from South Africa, founder and CEO of Tilapia Solutions, a company based in Hainan, China. They explore the shift from scale to quality in China-Africa bilateral trade, discuss the impact of expanded market access, and examine the practical challenges facing exporters on the ground.