The Hub with Wang Guan

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.

Japan's recent policy moves are drawing global concern and raising complex questions about security, history, and regional stability. Is Japan reshaping its strategic identity? What do these developments mean for the balance of power in East Asia and beyond? In this episode of The Hub, host Wang Guan and guests explore Japan's decision to allow the export of lethal weapons for the first time in decades. The discussion examines Japan's logic behind this shift and how it aligns with Tokyo's expanding security objectives. They also explores the political and historical symbolism of Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's offering to Yasukuni Shrine, and how these parallel moves may signal deeper ideological drift toward neo-militarism.

Global security is undergoing profound change as new risks and shifting power dynamics reshape the international order. As China's Global Security Initiative marks its fourth anniversary, what role has it played so far? Can cooperation replace confrontation in today's world, and can new ideas deliver real stability on the ground? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Xia Lu, research fellow at the National Academy of Development and Strategies at Renmin University of China, and Einar Tangen, senior fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation. Together, they explore how the global security landscape is evolving and assess whether the current international system is weakening. They discuss China's approach to mediation and its role in easing regional tensions, including recent efforts in the Middle East. The panel also looks at what middle power countries can do to chart a principled and pragmatic path to address global and regional security concerns.

As global uncertainty rises, how is China sustaining growth and shaping new opportunities? What does deeper international cooperation with China mean for the world economy? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan talks to guests to explore IMF's latest outlook for the world economy, China's recent economic data and the drivers behind its strong trade performance, expanding domestic demand, and the rise of high-tech industries. Their conversation examines how new growth engines such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and digital services are shaping China's next phase of development. The discussion also delves into China's green transition and its implications for global energy security, and looks at why more countries are deepening cooperation with China amid global uncertainty.

China–Spain relations are entering a new phase of high-frequency engagement and strategic depth. What does this consistent diplomatic rhythm reveal about the future of global partnerships? How could Spain serve as a potential bridge between China and the wider European market? In this edition of the Hub, CGTN host Wang Guan is joined by Humberto Alvarez, vice president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in South China; Song Xin, founder of Sinnvoll Consulting and former European Parliament policy advisor; and Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. Together, they explore Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's fourth visit to China in four years and examine what this pattern reveals about the stability and maturity of bilateral ties. The conversation also looks into Spain's role as a bridge in China–Europe relations, assessing whether its approach can serve as a model for broader regional cooperation.

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has raised urgent questions about diplomacy and the US-Israel alliance. As the truce appears to be unraveling, is this the start of real de-escalation, or simply a pause before renewed confrontation? And how might this moment reshape the global order? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks to Anton Fedyashin, associate professor at the American University, and John Gong, professor of Economics at the University of International Business and Economics, to explore what drove the sudden shift from escalation to ceasefire and whether upcoming talks in Islamabad can produce lasting results, as Israel just launched its largest coordinated strikes on Lebanon since the war began.

Escalating conflicts across the Middle East are driving mass displacement and straining already fragile humanitarian systems. What happens when millions are forced from their homes faster than aid can reach them? And how can global institutions respond when crises spread across borders and resources fall short? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Karolina Lindholm Billing, representative of the UN Refugee Agency in Lebanon, and Salvador Gutierrez, representative of the International Organization for Migration in Iran, to explore the growing scale of displacement across Iran, Lebanon, and the wider region, and examine how humanitarian agencies are adapting to meet urgent needs amid ongoing conflict.