World Today

① China and the US have agreed to work towards a constructive relationship of strategic stability. Are the two sides opening up a new chapter in bilateral ties? (00:53)

② We talk to a senior official at World Trade Centers Association on China-US commercial ties and globalization. (15:24)

③ What’s at stake in a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by India? (24:59)

④ Kevin Warsh has won Senate confirmation as the next Federal Reserve chair. Will he maintain the Fed’s independence? (34:31)

⑤ Why is Nissan failing to make a profit? (44:39)

① Meeting UNESCO’s director-general in Beijing, Xi Jinping says China is ready to work with the UN agency to expand access to the benefits of educational, scientific and cultural development. What has China contributed to UNESCO? (00:56)

② China’s ambassador to the US did an interview with Newsweek ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to China. We explore the key messages sent by Beijing in this interview. (13:53)

③ We speak to a senior China advisor at the Carter Center in the US on Trump’s China visit and China-US relations. (25:11)

④ Before the arrival of conventional summer period, India is already battling with record-breaking heat waves. What concerns is it raising? (35:24)

⑤ Why did China’s exports in services see remarkable growths in this year’s first quarter? (45:22)

① It’s been three years since President Xi Jinping chaired a forum on advancing the development of Xiongan New Area in the northern Chinese province of Hebei. What does China’s vision for Xiongan tell us about its governance approach? (01:01)

② Tajik President Emomali Rahmon is on a state visit to China. How are closer ties with China benefiting the Central Asian country? (14:37)

③ We talk to a former US ambassador to China ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. (25:27)

④ Why are international financial institutions showing growing confidence in China’s economy? (37:03)

⑤ More than 30 heads of state and government are meeting in Kenya for a France-Africa summit. Does the event represent a paradigm shift in the relationship between the two sides? (47:29)

① China has confirmed an upcoming state visit by US President Donald Trump. What could get accomplished during the visit? (00:50)

② Why has China’s foreign trade maintained strong momentum in April despite the economic and energy shocks from the Middle East crisis? (12:12)

③ Iran has rejected the latest US ceasefire proposal as tantamount to surrender, while Donald Trump has described Tehran’s response as unacceptable. Where is the conflict headed? (24:59)

④ Chinese citizens can now travel to Brazil visa-free. How could it strengthen cultural exchange, tourism cooperation and economic engagement between China and Brazil? (34:40)

⑤ Why has Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labor Party suffered huge losses in Britain’s local elections? (44:31)

Japan is witnessing its largest anti-war protests in decades. Since coming into power, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has taken major steps away from Japan’s post-war pacifism, lifting restrictions on lethal weapons exports and actively seeking political support for revising the constitution. As a result, a sentiment against remilitarization is gaining momentum in Japan.

How worrisome is Japan’s deviation from pacifism under Takaichi? How far will Tokyo go in that direction? Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy, Director and Vice President for External Affairs of Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute; Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia; Zoon Ahmed Khan, Research Fellow at Center for China and Globalization.

① Uzbekistan's PM is in Beijing on a two-day visit. What should we expect? (00:44)

② A report says the EU cyber plan barring Chinese suppliers will lead to huge cost for the bloc. Will economic costs outweigh the security gains? (13:44)

③ China’s robotics exports posted strong growth in Q1. What has driven this increase? (25:28)

④ What do we need to know about Hantavirus infections on the cruise ship MV Hondius (35:41)

⑤ Samsung ceases sales of home appliances on the Chinese mainland. Why? (45:40)

① Iran’s top diplomat visits Beijing. What’s behind the timing? (00:48)

② A phone call between the Russian Foreign Minister and the U.S. Secretary of State: what direction could it take U.S.–Russia relations? (12:19)

③ Ukraine eyes Japan as a potential weapons source after export rules ease. What threats could this pose? (24:45)

④ What does China's May Day holiday travel reveal about consumer vitality? (35:13)

⑤ Why are more people in China going to the cinema? (45:07)

①China calls for staying on alert over Japan's nuclear move. Why is Japan's nuclear ambition a greater concern now? (00:46)

②The U.S. moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force. How big is the risk of hostilities resuming? (13:53)

③Germany warns the European Union will retaliate if the U.S. raises auto tariffs to 25%. How will the trade disputes affect transatlantic relations? (24:47)

④China's service sector drives growth with AI unlocking new potential. How is AI creating consumption scenarios? (33:04)

⑤A young Chinese Snooker player wins 2026 World Championship in historic victory. How has Chinese snooker produced world champions? (42:42)

① The Chinese president urges Chinese youth to align personal pursuits with national development. How to interpret his message? (00:47)

② Historic protests are held in Japan against PM Takaichi's constitutional revision. How might this affect Takaichi's ability to advance her revision agenda? (14:24)

③ The U.S. military launches effort to guide ships out of Strait of Hormuz. What is the strategic purpose behind the move? (24:46)

④ Pew survey shows Americans' views of China improving. What's behind the change? (32:06)

⑤ Unitree Robotics' first direct-operated store opens in Beijing. How close are affordable home robots? (41:51)

China has unveiled new guidelines to better protect gig workers, such as deliverymen and ride-hailing drivers, a group that now numbers over 84 million people. What real changes will these measures bring? And what could this mean for China's broader labor market?

Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Soo Hee Lee, Professor in Organisation Studies with the University of Kent; Mike Bastin, China observer and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton; and Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer at Novem Arcae Technologies, to delve into these questions.