The Hub with Wang Guan

The journey of President of the General Assembly of Pest County of Hungary Szabó István's recent delegation to various places across China underscores the growing importance of provincial exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations. What's the outcome of this visit? How will provincial-level cooperation enhance the overall bilateral relationship?

This year's China Development Forum saw Chinese Premier Li Qiang addressing the opening ceremony and has participants from around the world, including policymakers and CEOs from multinational companies. Once again, the Chinese economy is in focus. Is China's economy losing momentum? Is China still a top choice for investors from around the world? On the sidelines of the meetings, we caught up with some participants from the forum.

On March 24, 1999, without the authorization of the United Nations Security Council, the U.S.-led NATO initiated a bombing campaign against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The bombing campaign lasted for 78 days, resulting in significant casualties among innocent lives and causing extensive property and other damages. Now, 25 years on, what do people still remember about those days? What are the views of the ordinary people in that region on NATO?

In an interview with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan last year, the president described bilateral relations between China and Azerbaijan as "excellent", adding that it was the beginning of a very long journey. What does that statement imply? What does Mr. Hikmat Hajiyev, assistant to President Ilham Aliyev on foreign affairs, see as the promises of China-Azerbaijan relations going forward? What is the potential of the Middle Corridor linking China, central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe?

The Two Sessions, China's annual key political event, has sent a positive and reassuring message to the doomsayers and the wider world that China is on track to achieve high-quality development and release new quality productive forces to spur its growth. How can China and the EU find a middle course and veer toward a more balanced and mutually beneficial approach? Adam Dunnett, secretary general of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, shares his view.

In China's southernmost tip lies Hainan province, a sun-kissed paradise, and a pioneer in China's reform and opening-up. In recent years, President Xi Jinping has guided Hainan's development beyond its role as a trade hub to transform it into an economic powerhouse with its island-wide Free Trade Port. Embracing the concept of new quality productive forces, how is Hainan advancing the development of its free trade port? And how has Hainan been incorporating technological innovation in the development of its industries?

In 2023, China's automobile export volume skyrocketed to the top globally for the first time, with a significant increase in sales of new energy vehicles or NEVs. Not only has the domestic NEV industry chain continuously improved in recent years, but they now account for a very large share of the global market. What's behind the impressive growth of China's NEV sector? How does it fare in the bigger picture of China's high-quality development? And is China trying to "outdo the West by dominating this market", as some foreign media have suggested?

This year marks the 70th anniversary of China's National People's Congress and the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Throughout the years, this unique Chinese system has evolved and been refined, adapting to the changing times and practical needs. As China has just published its agenda for 2024, what are the most significant priorities on the agenda? What outcomes will be reached? How will China meet its domestic and international challenges? Dr. Li Cheng, Director of Center on Contemporary China and the World at Hong Kong University, shares his view.