The Hub with Wang Guan

Japan is launching its biggest intelligence reform since World War II, marking a major shift in how the country coordinates national security. What is driving this overhaul? Could it reshape Japan's security policy and influence the strategic balance in East Asia?

How can refugees become an untapped source of growth? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan sits down with UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou to discuss the global displacement crisis, why peace is the only lasting solution, and how giving refugees access to jobs can benefit host communities as a whole. They also explore how AI is reshaping humanitarian work, China's contributions to global development, and what it takes to close the widening humanitarian funding gap.

The South China Sea remains a focal point of regional security concerns, with rising tensions, competing narratives, and shifting alliances shaping the future of the region. Is the latest confrontation another isolated maritime incident, or part of a wider geopolitical contest? Can diplomacy still help manage differences and preserve regional stability?

As the global balance of power shifts away from the West, where does the rest of the world stand? And how can dialogue still bridge growing geopolitical divides? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan sits down with Hina Rabbani Khar, former foreign minister of Pakistan, to discuss the changing international landscape and Pakistan's place within it. The conversation also explores the 75-year evolution of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, and looks at opportunities for expanded bilateral cooperation.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, societies and the way the world approaches innovation and governance. As AI capabilities advance rapidly, how can we ensure that technology develops responsibly? What role can global cooperation play in building a safer and more inclusive AI future?

The next generation of emerging technologies is reshaping science, industry, and the global economy. Which innovations are most likely to transform our lives over the next five years? How can countries harness AI and innovation at scale while strengthening international cooperation?

Once hailed as a "city upon a hill" and a "beacon of democracy," the United States has long been a nation admired, followed, and questioned. The "kill line," the ICE, and the Epstein scandal are three distinct shadows that have clouded the collective American memory in 2026. As the country marks its 250th anniversary, the world's leading power finds itself at a defining crossroads. From economic anxiety and deep identity rifts at home, to fraying alliances and eroding trust abroad, where is the country headed? And how is the world reassessing a changing America?

China's 15th Five-Year Plan sets the course for the country's next stage of economic development, with a stronger focus on domestic demand, innovation, green transition, and high-quality growth. What are China's top priorities over the next five years? How will the new plan shape China's economy and influence the global economic landscape amid rising geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainty?

The builders of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway endured extreme cold, high altitudes, and immense hardship to complete what is now the world's highest-altitude railway. Two decades later, this engineering landmark has brought communities closer together, expanded access to travel, and reshaped life across Xizang. In this special episode of The Hub, Wang Guan and South African influencer Lara Netherlands travel from Xining to Lhasa aboard the iconic railway as it marks 20 years of operation.

What enables a large organization to remain resilient, adaptable, and effective over the long term? As societies face rapid technological change, economic transformation, and rising governance challenges, what institutional capacities matter most? And can long-term planning and continuous innovation go hand in hand?