World Insight with Tian Wei

China and the United States have held a fresh round of talks on economic and trade issues in Paris. What's on the agenda? How are these discussions bringing stability to relations?

The annual political season in China has drawn to a close, with a focus on the nation's commitment to innovation and advanced technology. China's national legislature and top political advisory body have doubled down on boosting domestic demand and building a robust market, while stressing homegrown tech innovation. How can the Chinese economy fully benefit from these measures? How can they drive new growth across various industries?

China will promote integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, according to a draft government work report submitted last Thursday to China’s top legislature for deliberation. It's critical to the achievement of substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength in China for the next five years. What does it mean for a country with such large population? How to innovate and reform to bring out the potential of talents?

As China aims for a good start to its new five-year plan with an economic growth target of 4.5 to 5 percent for 2026, it will pursue high-quality development, a strengthened domestic economy, and further development of a unified national market. So how to bring out the potential of China's domestic economy?

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as Iran's new supreme leader, a move that comes amidst ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on the country that have already triggered regional escalations. With this leadership change in Tehran and no end to hostilities in sight, many analysts warn that the Middle East could spiral into deeper instability and chaos. What's the scope of the likely spillover, with damage to regional economies and world trade?

China's 15th Five-Year Plan embraces innovation, nurturing ecosystems that lead to further innovation. For example, China believes that the key to "AI Plus" is its strategic integration into existing industries, services or platforms to boost efficiency and capabilities.

The 15th Five-Year Plan period represents a critical stage in which China will consolidate the substantial achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan, step up efforts across the board, and largely realize socialist modernization. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region are going to align with the national plan to seize more new opportunities. Pansy Ho, a Standing Committee member of the CPPCC, who’s the Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings, shared her views on the nature of the 15th Five-Year Plan as well as Macao’s role in the plan.

Up for priority discussion in China’s upcoming Two Sessions is the nation’s detailed course guide for the next five years. China's national legislature and top political advisory body are doubling down on crucial policies to boost domestic demand and to build a robust market, at this year’s sessions. They’re eyeing homegrown advanced tech innovation, deepening reforms and expanding high-standard opening up. So, how can the Chinese economy fully benefit from these measures? How can they drive new growth across various industries? How can a more consumer-driven economy raise growth despite global uncertainties?

As the U.S. and Israel continue offensive on Iran, Tehran faces a future without Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. After announcing Khamenei's death on Sunday, Iran went into 40 days of national mourning. Grieving Iranians took their anger over the Supreme Leader's killing to the streets on Sunday, calling for retribution. With no end to hostilities in sight, many warn the Middle East could spiral into deeper instability and chaos. The conflict did bear a disturbing warfare pattern of missile and drone strikes — rapid deployment with deadly efficiency. So, how far and wide could the raging conflict go? What's the scope of the likely spillover, with damage to regional and global economies, as feared by many?

The German chancellor has concluded his visit to China. How crucial is the visit in building trust and stability between both sides? How has China-Germany cooperation helped enterprises and businesses from both sides?