①Responding to reports that China has rejected a US proposal for a defense chiefs’ meeting, China urges the US to create conditions for military dialogue. Why, from China’s perspective, does the responsibility for the current communication difficulties lie with the US? (00:51) 
②NATO foreign ministers meet in Norway to debate Ukraine’s status and Sweden's accession. (13:25) 
③IAEA team in Japan for final review before the country dumps 1.3 million tons of treated radioactive water into the sea. (26:44) 
④China’s foreign ministry criticizes India for giving unfair treatment to Chinese journalists based in India. Does this episode mark further worsening of the bilateral relations? (37:31) 
⑤In the US, the House of Representatives has passed a bill to raise the US debt ceiling. (46:58)

Why does China urge the US to create conditions for military dialogue?

With in-depth panel discussions on domestic and global news and current affairs, World Today gives you the story behind the headlines.

News

① What’s at stake in German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s China visit? We are joined by Professor Hans-peter Burghof with University of Hohenheim in Germany and Professor Cui Hongjian from Beijing Foreign Studies University. (00:49) 
② UN chief calls for restraint after Iran's attacks on Israel. To what extent has the attack intensified concerns that the Middle East is being pushed into a full-blown conflict? (25:19)
③ China issues new national-level guidelines aimed at addressing stock-market volatility. (36:07)
④ We look at a France-UK dispute over fishing rights in the post-Brexit era. (45:48)

Olaf Scholz’s highly-watched China visit

U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. held a joint meeting at the White House on Thursday. Pointing fingers at China, a joint statement by the three leaders said they aim to advance the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded by saying U.S. accusations on China's position in the South China Sea are baseless, calling them attacks that merely malign China.
How will the summit impact security in Asia? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Zhao Hai, Director of International Political Studies at the National Institute for Global Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Dr. Clifford Kiracofe, Washington-based author and former Senior Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Dr.Alan Chong, Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Panel: What are the implications of the U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit?

①General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Communist Party of China Central Committee meets with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing. (00:42)
②US and Japan announce new military agreements. Is Japan shifting away from its pacifist stance? (14:39)
③South Korean prime minister offers to resign after election defeat. What factors have contributed to the ruling party’s defeat? (24:28)
④China’s March CPI up 0.1%, PPI down 2.8% (34:05)
⑤JD.com bolsters video content creation with 1 billion yuan investment. (42:30)

How does the "biggest upgrade" in US-Japan alliance affect peace in Asia-Pacific?

①Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for more cooperation with the Federated States of Micronesia. How will the collaboration benefit both sides? (00:43)
②China says it's regrettable to see Fitch Rates downgrade the country's sovereign credit rating outlook. (13:26)
③EU launches probe into Chinese wind turbine companies. (24:35)
④US adds 303,000 jobs in March as unemployment rate dips. (34:18)
⑤UK employees now have the right to request flexible work from day 1. What changes will it bring to the workplace? (44:12)

How will China-Micronesia cooperation benefit both countries?

①Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (00:43)
②The US, UK and Australia are considering working with Japan through the AUKUS security pact. Does the AUKUS have the potential to become a NATO-like alliance? (11:44)
③The leaders of Japan and the Philippines will go to Washington this week for a trilateral summit to boost defense ties. What brings them together? (24:36)
④Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country has set a date for an assault on Rafah. (33:37)
⑤China rejects accusations of "overcapacity" in EV industry. (41:20)

Why does China urge the US to create conditions for military dialogue?

Download our free app to listen on your phone