World Today

①China's finance ministry has announced a more proactive fiscal policy for 2025. What are the key goals behind this approach, and how will it impact the Chinese economy? (00:48)

②The Philippines says it plans to acquire US Typhon missile system. What are the potential implications for regional peace and security? (13:35)

③Why has Donald Trump proposed the controversial idea of taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal? (24:28)

④Nine countries have confirmed their readiness to become BRICS partners. (34:10)

⑤Syria says ex-rebel groups agree to integrate under Defence Ministry. (43:21)

①The United States has launched a new probe into China's semiconductor industry. What's behind this move? (00:39)

②US President Joe Biden has signed a defense bill that directs resources towards a more confrontational approach to China. What could this mean for China-US relations? (15:20)

③The French Prime Minister has announced his new government. Can it avoid another collapse? (24:15)

④The UK government has announced a consultation on its zero emission vehicle targets. (33:43)

⑤OpenAI has unveiled a new artificial intelligence system. (41:13)

①China's top legislature is reviewing a draft law to promote the private sector. What should we expect? (00:42)

②Türkiye's foreign minister has met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. What message does the meeting send out? (11:26)

③German police say the suspect involved in the Christmas market attack faces multiple charges of murder. What do we know about the suspect so far? (24:59)

④Trump says he wants to keep TikTok around "for a little while." (34:26)

⑤Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the country's industrial future lies in electromobility. (43:58)

It has been 25 years since Macao's return to the motherland.

Over the past quarter-century, the Macao Special Administrative Region has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once struggling economically, it is now an international free port with one of the world’s highest per capita GDPs and life expectancies.

During a gathering in Macao to mark the anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping says "one country, two systems" is a sound policy that must be adhered to for a long time.

What's behind Macao's success story over the past 25 years? How will Macao continue to diversify its economy and better integrate into China's broader development plans?

Host Zhao Ying is joined by Angus Chu, Distinguished Professor and Head of Department of Economics, University of Macau; 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.

①Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Macau to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. What are the details? (00:50) ②China has held its annual Central Rural Work Conference in Beijing. What's been discussed? (16:10) ③China and India have reached a breakthrough in resolving their long-standing boundary dispute, reaching a six-point consensus.(25:10) ④Hamas has indicated that a ceasefire agreement may be within reach following positive talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt.(34:55) ⑤The U.S. Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by 25 basis points, the third consecutive rate cut in this easing cycle.(43:55)

①Addressing a foreign policy symposium in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has vowed to position China as a force for peace, unity, openness, justice and inclusion. What are the details? (00:50) ②Ukraine has claimed responsibility for killing the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops. What will be the impact on the conflict? (14:10) ③European Union regulators said they are investigating whether TikTok failed to deal with risks in Romania's election and breached the bloc's digital rule book.(25:18) ④Honda and Nissan, Japan's second-and-third biggest automakers behind Toyota, are mulling a merger.(31:20) ⑤Our exclusive interview with China's Ambassador to the WTO, Li Chenggang.(43:00)

①German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a confidence vote in parliament. What happens next? (00:42) ②The European Central Bank has cut its key interest rates by 25 basis points.(13:05) ③China has announced a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy. What are the details? (25:03) ④TikTok launches an effort in the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent a ban from going into effect.(34:10) ⑤Chrystia Freeland has resigned as Canada's finance minister.(44:30)

①South Korea's constitutional court says it will hold its first preparatory hearing on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 27th. What's next? (00:50) ②Official data show that the Chinese economy has sustained its recovery momentum since September. What are the details? (12:36) ③China and the United States have decided to extend the agreement on bilateral science and technology cooperation for another five years.(25:16) ④French President Emmanuel Macron has nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister.(34:42) ⑤The UK's membership in the CPTPP came into effect on Sunday.(44:36)

Chinese leaders have wrapped up a key policy meeting with pledges to roll out more stimulus measures to shore up the world’s second largest economy. This year’s Central Economic Work Conference has promised to adopt a “moderately loose” monetary policy and a more proactive fiscal approach. There is also a pledge to stabilize the property market and boost consumer spending. The annual gathering led by China’s top leader sets the economic agenda for the upcoming year.

In this edition of the program, we discuss the key signals from this meeting and the prospect of the Chinese economy. Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics with the University of International Business and Economics; Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow with Taihe Institute; Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China.