World Today

① China’s military has launched combined drills around Taiwan in a warning to separatist forces on the island. Why are the drills a legitimate and necessary action? (00:54)

② China’s foreign minister is on a three-day visit to Russia for strategic talks. Why is “friends forever, never enemies” a solid basis for ties between Beijing and Moscow? (14:34)

③ Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic ties. We explore why bilateral ties are at a critical stage. (24:49)

④ US President Donald Trump is expected to announce new tariffs later this week. How has this expectation alone affected market sentiment? (35:17)

⑤ French far-right leader Marine Le Pen may be facing the end of her presidential ambitions, at least for now. We take a look at a court ruling convicting Le Pen of embezzlement and what impact it might have on French politics. (45:23)

① In March, China’s manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest pace in one year. We explore the factors that contributed to this expansion. (00:47)

② China, Japan and South Korea have held their first ministerial economic dialogue in five years, agreeing to boost trade cooperation. Will the three sides ever reach a trilateral free trade agreement? (14:06)

③ The 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima between the US and Japan was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific theater of the Second World War, but US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has praised the Japanese who fought in the battle. How dangerous is his behavior? (25:00)

④ China has issued its first operation certificates for autonomous passenger drones. What does this move say about China's development of the low-altitude economy? (32:54)

⑤ We take a look at the annual Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing and the opportunities for global science and tech cooperation available at the event. (43:56)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met representatives from the international business community in Beijing. Over the past week, heads of some 80 multinationals including Siemens, Apple, Samsung and Pfizer have flocked to China to seek new cooperation opportunities, with nearly 30 U.S. companies—more than any other foreign country—represented at the China Development Forum. Why are these firms still betting big on the Chinese market?

Host Ge Anna joins Ann Lee, Expert of China US economic relations and the author of the book "What the U.S. Can Learn from China"; Haolan Wang, Research Assistant at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis; Dr. John Gong, Professor with University of International Business and Economics.

①US President Donald Trump has announced 25% tariffs on car imports. What does it mean for US car makers and consumers? (00:48)

②The EU has rejected Russia's ceasefire demand for sanctions relief. Does this add more uncertainty to the fragile Black Sea truce? (13:35)

③Participants discuss AI ethics at Boao Forum. (24:31)

④Zhongguancun Forum opens in Beijing to explore tech innovations. (32:40)

⑤Jamaica has rebuffed a push by US Secretary of State Macro Rubio against a program that brings in Cuban doctors. We take a closer at the Cuban medical missions and their role in Caribbean healthcare. (42:22)

①Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held strategic dialogue with his Portuguese counterpart. What issues have they discussed? (00:40)

②Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a Black Sea ceasefire, but uncertainties remain. Can it pave the way for a broader peace deal? (12:28)

③Chinese mainland spokesperson has responds to TSMC's US investment push, slamming the DPP of "ruining Taiwan." (25:00)

④Indonesia will join the BRICS' New Development Bank. What's behind the decision? (33:11)

⑤BYD outpaces Tesla with annual sales of more than $100 billion. (43:10)

①A Boao Forum report projects Asian economic growth at 4.5 percent in 2025. What's driving this steady growth amid global uncertainties? (00:44)

②China unveils regulation on implementing anti-foreign sanctions law. (14:19)

③Opposition grows as USTR holds hearing on levies on Chinese ships. (25:00)

④The US Federal Reserve has cut its growth forecast for the US economy. (34:31)

⑤Greenland's leaders have called US officials' visit "highly aggressive". What are the Trump administration's real motives behind such a controversial move? (44:07)

①Premier Li Qiang pledged expanded market access for foreign investors at the China Development Forum 2025. (00:42)

②China and Japan have reached 20 consensus points in high-level economic dialogue. How significant are they for bilateral ties? (12:17)

③Ukraine and Russia are holding talks separately with the United States in Saudi Arabia. What to expect? (24:34)

④China's ambassador to the US has described weaponizing tariffs as a boomerang that would only backfire. (33:36)

⑤South Korea's constitutional court has reinstated Han Duck-soo as the country's acting president. What will come next? (43:00)

China is intensively sending a message that it remains committed to opening up no matter how the external environment may evolve. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, three wholly foreign-owned hospitals have been approved as part of a pilot program launched last year to expand access in health care, telecommunications, and biotechnology sectors. In the same program, 13 foreign companies have gained approval to provide telecom services, and more than 40 foreign-funded biotech projects have been launched.

Why are China and foreign investors staying committed to each other? Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics at University of International Business and Economics; Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow of the Center for China and Globalization; Zhou Sili, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at University of Macau.

① Chinese president inspects Lijiang in Yunnan Province, stresses sustainable, healthy growth of cultural, tourism industry. (00:48)

② Trump, Zelensky agree to "partial ceasefire" in Ukraine. (14:57)

③ EU has launched a new initiative to reduce security dependence on the United States. (24:34)

④ US Fed Chair says Trump tariffs could delay progress on the inflation fight. (34:29)

⑤ New data reveals 17 EU member states still rely on Huawei and ZTE for 5G equipment. (43:06)

① Chinese President Xi Jinping's inspection in Guizhou highlights China's commitment to high-quality development. (00:48)

② Trump, Putin agree on a ceasefire for energy infrastructure in Ukraine. (14:32)

③ OECD raises 2025 forecast for China's economic growth to 4.8 percent. (25:03)

④ Canada PM Carney announces a deal with Australia to boost the Arctic radar. (36:09)

⑤ NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months stuck in space. (47:24)