World Today

①Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits South Pacific island countries. How are the relations between China and countries in the South Pacific region? ②U.S. President Joe Biden visits Texan city of Uvalde as the DOJ reviews police response to a mass shooting a few days ago in a local school. What are the latest? ③EU nations remain divided on an oil embargo against Russia. How will things move forward?

In a broad articulation of the Biden administration’s China policy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Washington will stay focused on China despite the Ukraine war, describing China as the most serious threat to the international order.

If the US and China, as Blinken says, have to deal with each other for the foreseeable future, is there a way to ease the current tensions between the two countries?

Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Robert Sutter from Elliott School of George Washington University; Dr. Lee Pei May from International Islamic University Malaysia; Zhou Bo from Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy.

Chinese Foreign Minister departs for the Pacific Island countries. What makes China more attractive than the United States and Australia for the region? Premier Li Keqiang requires detailed policies to stabilize the economy. How can China better balance economic development and COVID-19 control? Texas school shooting: Has the U.S. done enough to protect children from gun violence? And ASEAN citizens view China as a paramount future partner: Japan poll.

Another deadly shooting in U.S., killing at least 19 children and two adults. Who is fueling the pain of gun violence? Regional economic cooperation should be open, inclusive: China on IPEF. Turkey holds talks with Sweden, Finland amid NATO membership bid. Can a consensus be reached? WEF Chief Economists warn consequences of global economy fragmentation. And what is on the agenda of the 75th World Health Assembly?

Biden meets with Quad leaders in Tokyo. Can differences be reconciled within the clique? Three months into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. How will it play out? China stresses economic stability. What concrete measures will the country take to bring its economy back to normal? Multi-country monkeypox outbreaks are found in non-endemic countries. How concerned should we be?

Biden starts Japan visit to tout economic plan. Will this be another rubber cheque? Australia's new PM sworn in. Can Canberra regain its rationality toward China? And World Economic Forum returns to Davos after pandemic pause. What to expect?

The 18-year-old white gunman accused of killing 10 people in a mass shooting in a Black community in Buffalo, N.Y., appears to have been motivated by a racist ideology known as the "great replacement theory."

According to an Associated Press poll released last week, one in three Americans now believe that an effort is underway "to replace native-born Americans with immigrants for electoral gains."

Where exactly does the "great replacement theory" come from? And why are extreme views becoming mainstream in the United States?

Host Zhao Ying is joined by Prof. Paul Fabrizio from McMurry University, Prof. Rick Dunham from Tsinghua University, and Prof. Derek Catsam from University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

①Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterates China's resolve to open up at a high standard in a speech marking the 70th anniversary of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. What are the details? ②U.S. President Joe Biden is set to visit South Korea and Japan. What issues will be his top priorities for this trip? ③NATO bids by Sweden and Finland face hurdle as Turkey hints at possible objection. What are the latest?

①Russia withdraws from Council of Baltic Sea States. What are the implications? ②Interview with Jeffrey Sachs, world-renowned economics professor and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network on a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. ③U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tries to rally America's EU allies against China in Brussels. How will EU nations respond? ④Hezbollah loses parliament majority in Lebanon's elections. Will effective measures be taken to improve Lebanon's dire economic situation?

①Putin said Sweden and Finland joining NATO poses no threat but cautioned that Russia would respond if military infrastructure is bolstered in the two Nordic countries by the alliance. What does he mean? ②McDonald's is leaving Russia after decades of presence. What are the implications? ③British Prime Minister Boris Johnson renewed threats to break an agreement with the European Union over post-Brexit trading rules in Northern Ireland. What are the latest?