World Today

① PLA holds drills around Taiwan: how is China drawing a clear line against external interference? (00:45)

② Chinese FM says China will continue to make efforts to rebuild peace between Thailand and Cambodia. Why does regional stability matter so much for Asia’s future? (14:09)

③ Year-end special: How should we read the signals from Beijing and Washington — and where are China–U.S. relations really heading? (26:48)

From feeling no regret for wartime atrocities to nuclear rhetoric and military expansion, how far will Japan’s prime minister push a bellicist mindset—and who will bear the consequences? 

Host Ge Anna is joined by Sultan Hali, a retired Air Force officer and author in Pakistan; Liu Kuangyu, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and Josef Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University.

① China is urging the US to immediately stop arming Taiwan after Washington approved the sale of $11 billion of weapons to the island. What does the weapons package reveal about Washington’s mindset on Taiwan-related issues? (00:55)

② The US has imposed a visa ban on five European individuals who have been at the heart of a campaign to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. What does it tell us about the cultural and political clash between the US and Europe? (14:48)

③ Ukraine has unveiled the key points of a draft US-backed proposal aimed at resolving its war with Russia. Is the proposal likely to be accepted by Moscow? (24:50)

④ A conversation with Grzegorz Kołodko, a former deputy prime minister of Poland. (35:04)

⑤ A report shows that China’s Gen Zs are pursuing a free, sincere and interesting life in their own way. We take a look at some of its interesting findings. (43:07)

① China has condemned the US action to add all foreign-made drones and key components to a list of untrusted suppliers. Can protectionism help the US boost its own drone technologies’ competitiveness? (00:56)

② Japan is preparing to restart a major nuclear power plant that has been closed since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. We take a look at the safety concerns raised by this move. (13:56)

③ Israel’s defense minister is engulfed in controversy after saying Israel will never fully withdraw from Gaza. What could be the consequences of a scenario like that? (24:34)

④ European countries are voicing strong support for Denmark and Greenland in the wake of renewed threat from Donald Trump to take over the autonomous territory. Why is Europe firmly rejecting any suggestion of selling the island? (33:04)

⑤ Humanoid robots have begun working at scale on CATL’s factory floors. We explore how China’s EV battery giants are taking automation to the next level. (42:21)

① The yearly transaction volume in China’s A-share market has exceeded 400 trillion yuan ($56.9 trillion) for the first time in 2025. We explore the factors that have contributed to this milestone. (00:52)

② What has prompted China to impose temporary anti-subsidy measures on certain dairy products imported from the European Union? (12:35)

③ Donald Trump has issued a new warning to his Venezuelan counterpart, saying it would be smart for Nicolas Maduro to leave power. What could be the ultimate goal of Washington’s pressure campaign against Caracas? (25:07)

④ We take a look at the perceived divergences between the recently unveiled U.S. National Defense Authorization Act and the U.S. National Security Strategy. (34:44)

⑤ China has begun reviewing a draft law on Antarctic activities and environmental protection. How would the proposed legislation regulate Antarctic activities that China is involved in? (45:39)

① Southeast Asian foreign ministers have gathered in Malaysia for a special meeting to discuss the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. What steps can be taken to de-escalate tensions and end the fighting? (00:58)

② China has issued a serious warning to Japan over a senior Japanese official’s remarks that Japan should have nuclear weapons. We explore why Japan should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. (13:13)

③ EU leaders have struck a deal to loan 90 billion euros to Ukraine, but failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets. What’s the calculation of the bloc? (25:07)

④ China has released a new batch of public data application models to accelerate the use of government data in key sectors. How will this initiative improve digital governance in the country? (33:14)

⑤ A new generation of Chinese beverage brands is tapping into the US market. Do they stand a chance to succeed? (43:46)

① Hainan Free Trade Port begins special customs operations. What does this signal for China’s further opening-up? (00:48)

② Russia vows peaceful solutions while asserting military initiative in Ukraine—what does this mean for the prospects of peace talks? (24:40)

③ The unemployment rate in the U.S. rose in November to a four-year high—what does this reveal about the economic struggles behind everyday Americans’ livelihoods? (36:27)

④ CATL discusses Chinese battery innovation—how will it reshape the future of energy and mobility? (45:08)

① Jimmy Lai convicted—would Western states tolerate similar crimes to their own political systems? (00:45)

② From cold resources to hot growth—how did China build a booming ice-and-snow economy? (14:55)

③ Ghana’s president: China is a true friend of Africa. (24:33)

④ Washington orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela—what is it aiming for? (34:16)

⑤ Arctic sees warmest year on record since 1900: report. (42:57)

① Saudi Arabia strongly reaffirms the one-China principle during Wang Yi’s Middle East visit. What message does it send? (00:45)

② China denounces Japan for hyping up its regular military training. What’s behind Tokyo’s provocation? (11:55)

③ IMF official on China’s economic outlook: what forces will shape the country’s future? (27:05)

④ Far-right candidate Kast wins Chile’s presidential election. What does it mean for the country and the region? (36:41)

⑤ China grants the first Level 3 autonomous driving vehicle permits. What's next? (45:08)

① Chinese economy keeps steady growth momentum in November — What does this indicate about the trajectory set out by the Central Economic Work Conference? (00:44)

② Newly declassified archives add evidence to Japan's wartime crimes against China — How do these records, showing Unit 731’s systematic, state-organized crimes, reshape Japan’s historical accountability? (12:12)

③ Australian PM flags stricter gun laws after Bondi Beach shooting — Will proposed reforms close existing loopholes? (30:27)

④ Zelenskyy offers to drop NATO bid for security guarantees but rejects US push to cede territory — What does this mean for the prospects of a negotiated settlement? (42:59)

⑤ Climate pressure on food: a growing global emergency — How urgent is the threat to global food security, and what strategies can governments and international bodies realistically implement to mitigate it? (51:04)