World Insight with Tian Wei

When the world talks about science and technology, competition tends to dominate the conversation sometimes. But spend some time with the scientists, and you will hear something very different. For most of them, the work has always been about collaboration, pushing forward humanity's understanding of the universe and beyond. I've had the privilege of sitting down with some of the brightest minds in science.

Not long ago, the tech world was shocked with what is now widely known as the DeepSeek moment and open source turning point that shattered the myth of tech titan monopoly toward a democratization of global Al. Since that milestone, rapid Al development has been on two distinct, powerful tracks. The US is quite keen on speeding up the AGI breakthroughs while China has shifted to the Al+ wave with massive applications across diverse industries. This has sparked new frontier applications. A prime example is Nvidia's recent partnership with China's Unitree Robotics to co-develop cutting edge embodied robot, proving the rising fusion of hardware with software.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the international community to rally support for the United Nations Charter amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Wang made the remarks while presiding over a Top UN Security Council meeting on strengthening the UN-centered international system. Participants agree that the trend of multi-polarization is unstoppable. Wang also spelled out China's key role in upholding multilateralism as a steady defender of the UN unfair global governance.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has met with Germany's economy and energy minister and German business delegates. At the same time, the EU plans to broaden import quotas and tariffs targeting Chinese goods. China's potential is reflected in both industrial competition and cooperation.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry has announced outcomes from China-US economic and trade consultations. These include the establishment of a trade council and an investment council, as well as tariff reductions on certain products. The president of the US-China Business Council shares his perspective on interactions between the two heads of state, the future of tariffs and export controls, and why business communities remain one of the strongest bridges between the two countries.

Since Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire on April 8, diplomatic efforts have focused on easing tensions in the Middle East. In recent phone calls with Egyptian, Turkish, Qatari, and Omani leaders, the Iranian president said Iran is ready to work toward an "honorable framework" to end the conflict with the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said China is willing to play a constructive role in achieving a political and diplomatic settlement. The developments raise questions about how the evolving situation in the Middle East could affect geopolitics and the global economy.

In 1999, Ronald Sakolsky, an American middle school exchange teacher in the city of Luoyang, saw a TV report about Yin Yuzhen's fight against desertification in the Mu Us Desert in Inner Mongolia, China. Moved by her story, Sakolsky raised 5,000 US dollars to help Yin and her husband. Today, that support has grown into more than 50,000 trees across the desert. Filled with gratitude and pride over what had been achieved, Yin spent years searching for her American friend. In May, Yin and Sakolsky finally reunited over the phone, reminiscing about their friendship from two decades earlier.

Kevin Warsh has been sworn in as the new chair of the US Federal Reserve, succeeding Jerome Powell. The US president selected Warsh with an eye on lowering key interest rates to support economic growth. However, that goal may prove challenging amid rising fuel prices, inflation pressures, and ongoing tensions with Iran. The key question is how US monetary policy will be managed to maintain stability not only for the domestic economy but also for global markets. What changes could now be expected at the Federal Reserve?

China's emphasis on developing new quality productive forces has deepened its cooperation with the rest of the world. Driven by innovation and China's continued opening‑up policy, trade between China and global economies is undergoing rapid transformation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has concluded his state visit to China, with bilateral ties producing a host of achievements. Beyond high-level politics, deep cultural and people-to-people exchanges have always been the bedrock of China-Russia relations.