World Today

① Meeting Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Beijing, Xi Jinping pledged to promote the building of a China-Fiji community with a shared future. Why are China and Fiji moving closer to each other? Why does China voice support to Rabuka’s “Ocean of Peace” foreign policy? (00:49)

② The EU has technically adjusted its planned tariffs on China-made electric cars following what the bloc calls a thorough probe. Will tariffs alter the momentum of China’s EV exports? (14:50)

③ Latest figures appear to be pointing to the continued sluggishness in the Eurozone economy. (24:48)

④ We explore the motives of Azerbaijan’s application to join the BRICS. (34:32)

⑤ China calls on Libyan leaders to create conditions for resolving political crisis. What has led to what the UN calls the rapid deterioration in the political, military and security situation in Libya recently? (44:41)

① US says Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge differences holding up a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, calling on Hamas to do the same. Does this represent a turning point in Benjamin Netanyahu’s attitude towards ceasefire? Will Hamas accept the proposal? (00:49)

② Ukraine says its military incursion into Russia’s Kursk aims to create a buffer zone. Is that the real calculus of Kyiv? How could its operation affect the prospect of peace talks? (12:33)

③ During a visit to Azerbaijan, Russia’s Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed commitment to supporting the normalization of ties between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We explore Russia’s role in maintaining stability in South Caucasus. (25:23)

④ What was at stake in a recent meeting between Chinese and US economic officials held in Shanghai? (34:49)

⑤ We take a look at Black Myth, China’s first AAA video game. What’s behind the remarkable heat it has generated? And how does its business model look like? (44:13)

① Xi Jinping has held talks with To Lam, Vietnam’s new top leader, in Beijing. We explore what’s at stake in Lam’s trip to China. (00:51)

② China’s premier has emphasized stimulating consumer spending as a way to revitalize economy. (15:00)

③ In Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been sworn as the youngest prime minister. What is the main challenge faced by the new government? (24:59)

④ We look at the National Day Rally speech made by Singapore’s Lawrence Wong and what policy directions it signals. (34:59)

⑤ Protests are spreading in India over a doctor's rape and murder. We explore the root cause of violence against women in India. (44:44)

Nickel, a long-used metal in stainless steel, now has an important role in our planet's green transition. With an estimated 21 million tons of nickel reserve, one of the largest in the world, Indonesia has seized the opportunity of the global energy transition and become a dominant nickel powerhouse. The country now accounts for nearly half of the global supply.

How has Indonesia built up its nickel industry? What has collaboration in nickel smelting between Indonesian and Chinese companies brought to both sides? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Zha Daojiong, Professor of international political economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University; Dr. Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

①China has expressed firm opposition against the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine cooperation. What does the deal mean to regional peace and security? (00:47)

②Thursday marks China's second National Ecology Day. What efforts have been made to promote ecological sustainability? (13:39)

③China's industrial output sustained stable growth in July with booming new growth drivers. What does this indicate about China’s economic trajectory? (24:59)

④Why has WHO declared mpox a global health emergency? (32:53)

⑤California governor calls for immediate smartphone restrictions in schools. (42:21)

①Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announces that he will step down in September. What has led to this decision? (00:46)

②Russia's Belgorod has declared a state of emergency following Ukrainian attacks. Where is the Russia-Ukraine war heading? (12:00)

③Iran has lashed out at the western call for restraint in attacking Israel, saying it is determined to defend its national security. Is a wider war in the region unavoidable? (24:28)

④Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a visit to Myanmar and Thailand. (33:20)

⑤Producer inflation in the US rose at a softer pace than expected in July. (42:28)

①What to expect from Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's visit to China? (00:35)

②Western leaders urge restraint amid expected Iran response towards Israel. What will be Iran's next move? (13:25)

③France wakes up from its Olympic dream to a harsh political reality. (24:34)

④Indonesia has held the first cabinet meeting in its planned new capital, Nusantara. Why is Indonesia building a new capital? (32:59)

⑤China launches low-altitude air route linking Shanghai and neighboring Jiangsu Province on a trial basis. (41:40)

①China has issued guidelines to ramp up green transition. How do they align with the country's broader economic and environmental goals? (00:47)

②More than half of new cars sold in China are now electric or hybrid. (14:52)

③China's senior diplomat Wang Yi condemned the assassination of Hamas chief, saying it jeopardizes Gaza ceasefire negotiations. (24:35)

④For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted pushing military into Russian territory. What could be the ultimate aim of Ukraine's incursion? (34:37)

⑤China calls NED "white gloves" of U.S. government. (43:22)

The US national debt has hit a new $35 trillion landmark, according to the latest data from the US Treasury Department. That is equal to the GDPs of China, Japan, Germany, India, and Britain combined. This year alone, the International Monetary Fund has twice sounded alarm, saying the escalating US debt load poses a growing risk to the global economy.

What has led to the continued rise of the US government debt? In what ways could this issue become risky for America and beyond? Host Ding Heng is joined by William Lee, Chief Economist of Milken Institute, a California-based economic think tank; Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow of Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China; Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics with University of International Business and Economics; David Blair, Vice President and Senior Economist of the Center for China and Globalization.

①The World Anti-Doping Agency has issued a statement questioning the integrity of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. What are the details? (00:50) ②Russia says it has battled a major cross-border incursion from Ukraine for a second day. What happens next? (15:36) ③Turkiye has filed a request with a UN court to join South Africa's lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.(23:50) ④The Boeing Starliner crew who have been in orbit for over 60 days may have to stay there until February as a result of technical difficulties the space ship encountered mid-flight.(33:30) ⑤Our interview with Paul Ashton, a foreign influencer in China who coined the phrase "city bu city" and sparked a buzz on social media.(41:42)