The Hub with Wang Guan

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call touching on the Taiwan question on Monday. That was followed by President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holding their first phone call since the Japanese PM sparked a major diplomatic fallout with China over her remarks on Taiwan. Beijing has issued a series of strong and coordinated diplomatic responses over Takaichi's refusal to retract her Taiwan remarks, with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning that Japan has "crossed a red line." How seriously has Japan miscalculated China's red lines? And what do these developments mean for regional stability and world order?

Japan under Sanae Takaichi is flagrantly crossing diplomatic red lines. By claiming that "a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," she is signaling potential intervention in China's internal affairs — a blatant violation of the One-China principle and the foundation of China-Japan relations. Beijing has responded firmly, while Takaichi remains unwilling to retract her irresponsible remarks. What is Japan really up to? How badly has it misread China's resolve — and what happens next?

This is a turbulent time, with people around the world asking the same question: How should we pursue the better lives we all dream of? How can we solve the problems that are too big for one generation to face? We are joined today by a distinguished panel of leaders and experts—with deep insights into China's development and its global impact—to shed light on these critical issues.

In the field of education, China and New Zealand have established a long-standing partnership — from university exchanges and joint research programs to platforms like the China Education Expo. In this special edition of The Hub, Dr. Shane Reti, New Zealand's Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, shares his insights on how education, science, and climate actions are shaping our shared future.

The China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. As one of the world's largest trade fairs, it has become a flagship platform for showcasing China's commitment to high-standard and institutional opening-up — a central theme of the country's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. Amid global economic headwinds, China is doubling down on openness — turning its vast market into a shared space for cooperation, innovation, and growth.

The recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan marked a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. Held on the sidelines of APEC South Korea 2025, the meeting carried a clear, forward-looking message: the world's two largest economies, after years of frictions, are positioning themselves as partners rather than perpetual rivals. What deeper political and economic signal does this meeting send? Can we realistically expect a turning point in China–U.S. relations?

In this special roundtable, we are joined by a group of young foreign students who bring a fresh perspective on China and the world. Many of them have studied, worked, and traveled across China, experiencing firsthand the changes shaping daily life and the nation's growth. What is their take on China's next chapter? With the guiding recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan already on the table, how do they see China's priorities for the next five years?

As China's 14th Five-Year Plan draws to a successful close, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is underway in Beijing from October 20 to 23, a landmark meeting that will set the course for China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and the nation's next phase of modernization. What new signals will this plenary send out about China's policy direction in the years ahead? And how will the 15th Five-Year Plan balance long-term strategy with short-term realities?

China has just concluded an important chapter, the "14th Five-Year Plan," marked by historic strides in technological innovation, a green transition, and high-quality development. As the nation unveils its "15th Five-Year Plan," former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland, Professor Grzegorz W. Kołodko shares his assessment of China's economic resilience through the decades. What's his view on the prospects of China-Poland relations and China-EU dynamics amid a complex global landscape and Trump 2.0? What role can China's development model play in shaping inclusive globalization and the future of global governance?

The eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday has just wrapped up after an extended break that energized the nation with hundreds of millions of trips, bustling scenic spots, and booming consumption across China. As people head back to work on this first workday after the long break, we take a closer look at what this holiday reveals about China's economic vitality. From record tourism revenue to surging spending in retail, dining, and entertainment, what do the numbers tell us about China's current growth momentum and consumer confidence? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the world's second-largest economy as it enters the final quarter of the year?