World Today

① Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is on a five-day trip to China, his first to a non-ASEAN country since assuming office. Is China-Singapore relationship more important than before in times of global turbulence? (00:50)

② China says it is closely following developments in the Middle East and doesn’t hope to see escalations of tensions. We explore the uncertainties shrouding possible ceasefire between Iran and Israel. (14:40)

③ We speak to James Zhan, Chairman of the World Investment Conference’s Executive Board, on whether China will remain a key destination for foreign direct investment. (24:26)

④ Morgan Stanley predicts that China’s robotics market will double in four years. What’s driving the surge? (34:54)

⑤ On the eve of a NATO summit, the European Union and Canada signed a wide-ranging defense pact. Is US President Donald Trump the biggest factor prompting the two sides to do so? (46:25)

① Israel and Iran have continued to trade strikes after the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear sites. Have the US attacks added coal to the fire? (00:51)

② NATO allies have reached a deal on setting a new defense spending target of 5% of GDP, but Spain will be exempted from the commitment to meeting the new target. Has Spain set a precedent that might prompt other countries to follow suit in the future? (25:01)

③ We explore why, according to official data, China's appeal to global investors remained strong in this year’s first five months. (35:52)

④ The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong have launched a new cross-border payment system. How will the system benefit residents on both sides? (45:03)

The 2nd China–Central Asia Summit marked a milestone in regional diplomacy, with President Xi Jinping introducing the “China–Central Asia Spirit” of mutual respect, trust, benefit, and assistance. Other key outcomes include the signing of the Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation; the delivery of over 110 initiatives. Cooperation will focus on six priority areas: trade, connectivity, green minerals, agriculture, investment, and people-to-people ties — with expansion into AI and satellite navigation. What do these developments mean for the region and beyond?

Host Ge Anna is joined by Zoon Ahmed Khan, Research Fellow at Center for China and Globalization; Dr. Wang Jin, Associate Professor at Northwest University in Xi'an, China; Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

①Israel and Iran have intensified attacks as Trump says he "may or may not" strike Iran. How close is the US in entering the war? (00:39)

②New Zealand's prime minister is on a visit to China. What's on his agenda? (12:25)

③The Federal Reserve cuts outlook for US economy but holds interest rates steady. What's behind this decision? (24:31)

④US states are sending delegates to EU for advice on green policy. (32:05)

⑤An interview with Renat Bekturov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (42:17)

① At the second China-Central Asia Summit, President Xi Jinping called on the two sides to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. How can China and Central Asian nations make their cooperation more results-oriented and efficient? (00:56)

② At the 2025 Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai, China’s central bank has unveiled eight measures to further open the country’s financial market. How will they advance the construction of a modern financial system in China? (14:49)

③ We take a look at new research by the International Council on Clean Transportation that shows Chinese automakers have built significant leads in the zero-emission vehicle market. (24:43)

④ What is prompting the European Union and Australia to begin negotiations on a new security and defense partnership? (34:46)

⑤ The premier of Canada’s Manitoba Province is urging Ottawa to spell out a clear strategy for repairing ties with China. Why is Manitoba eager to see tensions between China and Canada resolved? (45:07)

①President Xi says China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to contribute to regional and world peace and development. (00:45)

②21 Arab and Muslim countries have issued a joint statement calling for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict. Does diplomacy still have a chance? (13:43)

③The US and UK have agreed to move ahead with the AUKUS pact despite a Pentagon review. Does this fully settle the uncertainty around Washington's commitment to the deal? (24:36)

④Gold has surpassed the euro to become the world's second-most important reserve asset held by central banks. (33:13)

⑤US chip giant Nvidia will attend a major supply-chain expo in China for the first time. (44:03)

①President Xi has arrived in Kazakhstan to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit. What to expect? (00:41)

②Israel vows Iran will "pay the price" as both countries intensify cross-border strikes. How might the situation further escalate? (14:56)

③As G7 leaders gather in Canada, is the divide within the alliance deepening with a more unilateral United States? (24:34)

④China's economy registered steady growth in May. (33:31)

⑤China showcases some of its top aviation products at the Paris Air Show. (43:42)

In the United States, the conflict between California and the Trump administration over immigration appears to be further intensifying. Federal immigration officials are carrying out enforcement activities in California, especially the Los Angeles area, as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy. The raids have been sharply criticized by local officials who say everything in their daily life is being affected by the activities targeting immigrant families. At the center of the clash is the federal government’s decision to order the deployment of National Guard members and Marines to LA after days of protests driven by anger over the raids.

What does the clash tell us about the social and political divisions in the United States? Host Ding Heng is joined by Joseph Siracusa, Professor of Global Futures at Curtin University, and Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization.

① China to offer zero-tariff access to 53 African countries. (00:46)

② China unveils guidelines to deepen reforms in Shenzhen. (24:38)

③ Pentagon launches review of US-UK-Australia Aukus security alliance. (34:17)

④ From China to the world – how Pop Mart turned Labubu into a $150,000USD sensation. (44:04)

① China and U.S. agree on a framework to implement leaders' consensus, says China's trade representative. (00:46)

② Chinese Vice President: China is ready to work with the UN to practice genuine multilateralism. (13:33)

③ Los Angeles Mayor announces curfew in downtown amid protests. (24:39)

④ China's NEV exports continue to surge, with an 80.9% increase in May. (34:39)

⑤ China marks Population Day with a focus on elderly care and healthy aging. (44:02)