The Hub with Wang Guan

Rising global tensions and ideological divides are making the echoes of the 20th century louder. Odd Arne Westad, a leading historian from Yale University, studies these dynamics. In addition to his Bancroft Prize-winning book, The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times, he also specializes in China with works like Restless Empire: China and the World and The Great Transformation: China's Road from Revolution to Reform. His work helps us understand the complex world order by connecting the past and present. As we face these familiar challenges, are we truly learning from history, or are we destined to repeat it?

The 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro has reshaped the tech cooperation landscape with its groundbreaking focus on “AI governance” and “digital sovereignty” for the Global South. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced at the Summit that China will pioneer the “Digital South” brand under the Global Development Initiative, or the GDI – a commitment to enhance capacity building across developing nations. How can the Global South co-build a more inclusive “Digital South” under the GDI, one that bridges the AI divide and transforms technological potential into shared prosperity?

High-level European leaders are arriving in China this week for a significant round of talks with their Chinese counterparts. The visit comes at a time when both sides are navigating through a complex web of global challenges. With all eyes on Beijing and Brussels, how will the two sides work through their differences? Can they find common ground for the next phase of bilateral engagement?

One Voice Children's Choir from Utah have returned to China for the “Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival,” once again spreading joy and harmony through the universal language of music. From Xi'an to Fuzhou to Beijing, their journey is filled with vibrant energy, heartfelt melodies, and unforgettable moments, lighting up this summer with the spirit of people-to-people exchange. What's new on this visit? What surprised them, touched their hearts, and left a lasting impression?

With the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs expiring on July 9th, President Trump's trade negotiations with key partners remain at an impasse. On July 7th, he signed an order allowing the pause to lapse on August 1st and sent formal notices to 14 countries, announcing that new tariff rates would take effect that same day. Tariffs have become both a bargaining chip and a blunt instrument in his push to revive U.S. manufacturing. But beyond the slogans, global supply chains are under strain, and American manufacturers are feeling the pressure.

The 2025 BRICS Summit has just concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance." What does this summit mean for the world today? Why are more countries choosing to join or align with the BRICS platform? What fresh momentum can BRICS generate at a time when protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise?

American chip giant NVIDIA is reportedly set to launch its B30 GPU in China this July. The chip is believed to be specifically designed to bypass Washington's increasingly stringent AI export controls. Tailored for a market under growing strain, the B30 release could significantly reshape the global semiconductor landscape. But it also raises critical questions, especially in terms of implications for AI innovation. How will this impact the escalating U.S.-China tech rivalry? What does it signal about the evolving balance of geopolitical power in this digital age?

This year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin convenes about 1,700 representatives from over 90 countries and regions. They're here to seek answers to some of the most pressing issues of our times. Given today's geopolitical uncertainties, rivalries and increasing tension in the Middle East, what is the latest forecast and outlook on the global economy? What is the future of multilateralism? How do they assess the performance of the Chinese economy as of late?

June 20th marks World Refugee Day. The number of refugees worldwide has doubled from the year 2015 through 2025. Doaa Al Zamel is a Syrian refugee who fled her home country over a decade ago. Her incredible journey of ordeal was written into a book by the current Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Melissa Fleming. In this special edition of The Hub, Wang Guan discusses with them the issue of refugees.

Leaders from China and the five Central Asian nations have come together in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the second China–Central Asia Summit. This high-level gathering is far more than a routine diplomatic event: it represents a defining moment for regional cooperation. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, expectations are soaring. What tangible progress has been achieved since the Xi'an Declaration? What does this evolving partnership mean for regional stability and economic integration? Can this summit help forge a closer China–Central Asia community with a shared future?