The Hub with Wang Guan

The world is once again at a crossroad regarding its future.

Re-globalization versus de-globalization, more cooperation going forward or more confrontation? The first Tongzhou Global Development Forum attracted a whole range of senior policymakers, diplomats, and scholars. In this special edition of The Hub, CGTN host Wang Guan caught up with some of the attendees of the forum to hear their opinions on global development challenges.

The sixth China International Import Expo is taking place in Shanghai, with more Fortune Global 500 companies, industry leaders and overseas group exhibitors from the chambers of commerce and associations attending than previous years. An important part of the CIIE is the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which is an international public good whose central theme this year is “global openness.” Christopher Pissarides, a Nobel Memorial Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences, shares his expectation on the forum.

There is a wide consensus in the international science community that since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driving force behind climate change. The Earth is a system in which everything is connected, and alterations in one area can impact changes in all others. What are the urgent and powerful measures that could help save the planet? How to achieve sustainable development? How to balance environmental protection with economic development?

China and the U.S. are actively working to prevent further deterioration in their relations. Notably, this month has witnessed an increase in high-level official interactions, including Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom as well as China's top diplomat Wang Yi's recent visit to the United States, where he met with President Joe Biden. Is a Xi-Biden meeting on the horizon? What about the future of China-U.S. relations?

Madam Catherine Pollard is the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. What are her views on the financial and human resource challenges the United Nations faces and how can they be overcome? What is her view on the future of multilateralism and China's role in it? What is the latest position of the United Nations on the recent round of escalation in conflict between Palestine and Israel?

The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation has concluded in Beijing. As the most important diplomatic event hosted by China this year, what specific significance does it carry for international cooperation and global synergy? As the Belt and Road Initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary, what kind of new blueprint can it provide?

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping turns 10 this year. After a decade, greater connectivity has been achieved through logistic channels and infrastructure projects, enabling people and cultures along the BRI to come much closer than before. With greater connectivity comes ever more exchanges and opportunities for mutual learning and understanding. In what ways has the BRI been playing a crucial role in bringing people together? And how can such a role be further leveraged to bolster mutual learning?

What does the future of global trade hold for China and the world? Will ongoing reforms improve the functioning of the World Trade Organization and strengthen trust in the multilateral trading system? On this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan sits down with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, to find answers to these questions and more.

In this special edition of The Hub, Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia, talks about the organization, the pomp and pageantry of the opening ceremony. He also shares his view on the athletes and the unifying power of sport.

Will the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games rival the Guangzhou Asian Games 10 years ago, or even the Beijing Olympics in 2008? Who will light the torch of the Hangzhou Asian Games? In this edition of The Hub, CGTN reporter Wang Naiqian had an exclusive interview with Scott Givens, the executive producer of the Hangzhou Asian Games opening ceremony.