World Today

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made a blatant visit to China's Taiwan region, disregarding China's strong opposition. Is it a reckless gamble or a calculated provocation by Washington? What repercussions will Pelosi’s visit have on the Taiwan Strait, China-US relations and beyond? How will China further respond to the US-made tensions?

Host Ge Anna is joined by Chen Weihua, Chief of China Daily, EU Bureau; Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute; Zhou Bo, Senior Fellow of the Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University.

①China begins live-fire military exercises in six areas around the island of Taiwan hours after Nancy Pelosi’s departure. Is it a rehearsal for "reunification operations"? (01:01) ②China lashes out at a G7-EU joint statement on Taiwan, saying it is reminiscent of the "Eight-Power Allied Forces" which invaded China in 1900. What’s wrong with the statement? (13:19) ③China emphasizes ties with Southeast Asia in a Cambodia meeting between the foreign ministers of the two sides. (22:07) ④OPEC+ agrees minimal oil production increase in limited effort to please western allies. (33:07) ⑤Washington ratifies Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership, but Turkiye still seems to be an obstacle. (42:08)

①Nancy Pelosi says her Taiwan visit honors America's commitment to supporting Taiwan's democracy. Does she really care about the so-called democracy on the island? (00:50) ②Myanmar crisis, Covid and the Ukraine war top the agenda of the ASEAN meetings in Cambodia. (12:35) ③UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warns that the world is one miscalculation away from devastating nuclear war. Are we running out of luck in avoiding nuclear war? (35:58) ④Is the US sliding into recession? (44:05)

①The Chinese Foreign Ministry is strongly condemning US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit. (00:50) ②The EU and the UK slow efforts to curb trade in Russian oil, delaying a plan to cut off Russia from the important Lloyd's of London maritime insurance market. What’s their concern? (12:35) ③US kills al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. (23:13) ④Jump in sales of new energy vehicles in China prompts demand for batteries. (34:27) ⑤Soaring inflation drives more Americans to live paycheck to paycheck despite wage increase. With the US Fed moving to raise borrowing costs, will prices cool down any time soon for average Americans? (43:46)

①The PLA celebrates Army Day with weapon display and combat preparations amid the Taiwan Straits tensions. (00:55) ②Kosovo postpones a policy requiring Serbs in the region’s north to apply for car license plates issued by Pristina after tensions between police and local communities. We dig into the root causes of the tension. (13:03) ③Brazil and Spain report first Monkeypox deaths outside Africa. Is this a worrying sign? (24:19) ④China's factory activity contracted unexpectedly in July. (33:51) ⑤South Korea’s population shrank for the first time last year since the country began compiling population data. What can the country do to reverse this trend? (43:21)

On the surface, nonalignment may seem irrelevant today. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to a seemingly united Western alliance. Even Finland and Sweden have abandoned neutrality to join NATO.

Outside Europe and North America, however, dozens of countries have been unwilling to stand with the West on Ukraine.

Nonalignment is a product of the Cold War. It began to emerge in the 1950s, implying a refusal to join the rival blocs led by Washington and Moscow. After the cold war, the movement’s relevance declined.

But amid growing signs of a new cold war today, are we seeing a comeback of the nonalignment?

Host Ding Heng is joined by Swaran Singh, Professor of Diplomacy and Disarmament at Jawaharlal Nehru University; Reon van der Merwe, Director for Stakeholder Relations at the South African BRICS Youth Association; Professor Shen Dingli from Fudan University.

Also, we take a look at the latest phone conversation between the top leaders of China and the United States.

① Chinese FM to attend SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. How is 'Shanghai Spirit' faring in 2022? (00:52)

② Another big Fed rate hike to battle inflation. What could it mean for the US economy? (13:16)

③ The ‘unfair’ game: US pushes chip bill. (24:12)

④ VP of French Chamber of Commerce calls for more high-tech cooperation at Hainan Expo. (35:20)

⑤ 2022 Digital News Report: Why are people increasingly losing trust in news in the US? (44:37)

① China to respond if U.S. house speaker visits Taiwan. Is China best prepared for the worst? (00:55)

② Uganda will continue trading with Russia. Why Africa's stance on Moscow differs from the West? (15:05)

③ EU agrees to reduce gas demand by 15%. How can the block cope without Russian gas? (23:47)

④ Indonesian Ambassador looks into China-Indonesia diplomacy. (33:48)

⑤ IMF lowers global economy growth forecast to 3.2%. (42:23)

① President Xi holds talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo. (00:52)

② Japan's 2022 Defense White Paper: Is it for defense or military expansion? (09:38)

③ British PM candidates hype the "China threat." Will getting tough on China solve the domestic mess in the UK? (22:36)

④ French Ambassadors: Hainan Expo 2022 will feature nearly 250 French brands. (33:25)

⑤ Ireland’s Ambassador to China on Hainan Expo and Free Trade Port: Beneficial and innovative. (45:41)

① Indonesian President Joko Widodo is in China for a two-day visit. What's on the agenda? (01:01)

② Russia and Ukraine have signed a grain exports deal. Will it ease global food crisis? (15:12)

③ The World Health Organization declares Monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency. What to watch out for? (27:17)

④ The 2nd China International Consumer Products Expo opens in Hainan. What does it say about China’s consumer market? (34:30)

⑤ The European Central Bank raises interest rates for the first time in 11 years. Can the move tame the inflation surge in the block? (45:31)