World Today

①A key policy meeting has set the tone for China’s economy in 2023, calling for expanding domestic demand and accelerating the modernization of industry. We look at the meeting’s messages. (00:54)

②Cop15 negotiators are close to agreeing a biodiversity protection deal as talks draw to an end. We speak to Zhao Zhonghua, Chief Representative of China Office with World Animal Protection. (14:21)

③Elon Musk says he will step down as Twitter CEO if voted out by a poll he tweeted. We look at the controversies he has journeyed since buying Twitter and taking over as CEO. (25:04)

①Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global solidarity on biodiversity protection addressing the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the COP15 conference in Montreal, Canada. What are his key messages? (00:30)

②U.S. President Joe Biden hosted dozens of African leaders this week in Washington for a three-day summit, only the second since former U.S. President Barack Obama hosted the first one in 2014. Biden said, “the United States is all-in on Africa’s future.” Will there be substantial changes in America’s African policy following the summit? Host Liu Kun is speaking with David Shinn, former US ambassador to Ethiopia and Burkina Faso and Adjunct Professor with the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University; Abdullahi Boru Halakhe, an African policy and security analyst; Dr. He Wenping, Africa expert and Senior Research Fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.(15:06)

①China will offer a second Covid-19 booster dose to high-risk groups, as the government takes steps to ease Covid restrictions. We discuss China’s policy shift as well as its social and economic impact. (00:42)

②China's industrial output growth slows in November, retail sales down further due to COVID-19. (12:28)

③Joe Biden welcomes African leaders to a summit in Washington. Why is United States suddenly showing interest in the African continent? (25:00)

①It's been a week since China had announced 10 new measures to further optimize Covid responses. What’s the impact on the country’s health system? (00:41)

②Half way into the COP15 biodiversity conference, how are negotiations on the new biodiversity framework going? (11:48)

③Tensions rise in Northern Kosovo between local authorities and Kosovo’s Serb minority. (25:00)

①The Chinese government has rolled out a slew of measures protecting the elderly, children and pregnant women from possibly new COVID infections. What are the details? (00:51)

②China is taking formal action to challenge new U.S. restrictions on semiconductor exports to Chinese companies. What ramifications will recent U.S. chip policies bring to the global supply chain? (13:50)

③And we have an exclusive interview with Manasa Tagicakibau, Fijian Ambassador to China on bilateral relations. (26:00)

①As China further loosens COVID-19 measures, what’s the impact on the society and people’s lives? (00:42)

②The COP15 biodiversity conference is underway in Montreal. We take a look at China’s role in biodiversity conservation. (11:33)

③A high-level US delegation is traveling to China this week. What can we expect? (24:35)

① Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Riyadh earlier this week for a state visit to Saudi Arabia and to attend the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit. What should we understand about relations between China and the Arab world?

② European officials have lodged complaints over the record green subsidies package in America’s Inflation Reduction Act, either saying it is enormously protectionist or it's super aggressive against European competitors. Are U.S. and the EU heading toward a trade war? Host Liu Kun is joined by Mike Bastin, Senior Lecturer, University of Southampton; Kamal Makili-Aliyev, Affiliated Researcher at Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Sweden; Professor Liu Baocheng with University of International Business and Economics.

① Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Saudi Arabia. What will be on the top of his agenda? (00:50)

② Chinese Premier holds roundtable with heads of major international economic organizations.

③ How will China continue to contribute to an open world economy. (13:16)

④ China rolls out 10 new measures to optimize COVID19 response. What does it say about China’s COVID policy? (25:00)

⑤ Survey suggests most Japanese firms lose confidence in Kishida’s government. (44:37)

① Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the first China-Arab States Summit. What are the cooperation potentials?

② China further optimizes Covid-19 policies, allows home isolation for mild and asymptomatic cases. What’s next?

③ U.S. plans to deploy more offensive military assets to Australia. How will it further destabilize the region?

④ UK is facing a “lost decade.” What are the challenges facing the UK’s economy?

⑤ Shared by Nature: Looking forward to China sharing its experience during COP15.

① Beijing scraps tests for COVID19 when entering public places. What to brace for in the next weeks and months to come?

② EU, Western Balkans summit: will EU enlargement go further?

③ Think tank report shows U.S. dominates global arms sales.

④ China EV sales boom in Nov. What does it say about China’s EV market?

⑤ Why Netherlands wrestles for an official apology for its role in slavery?