World Today

①Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has discussed the Middle East situation with his counterparts from Egypt and Jordan over the phone. What are the details? (00:50) ②The United States and Australia have committed to deepening military and industrial ties after a high-level dialogue. What's the impact? (13:00) ③In the U.S. presidential election, democratic candidate Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.(25:16) ④Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been named the interim leader of Bangladesh.(33:40) ⑤We have an exclusive interview with International Cycling Union President David Lappartient, also a member of the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency.(43:00)

①UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for calm and restraint in Bangladesh. What's behind the recent turmoil in the country? (00:55) ②Japanese stocks have rebounded after their biggest single day rout on Monday. What's the market sentiment? (11:22) ③China's Anti-Doping Agency said the U.S. displayed double standards trying its best to clear American athletes on one hand, but on the other accusing CHINADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency of "covering up the truth." (23:10) ④A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google spent billions of dollars to create an illegal monopoly for its search engine.(34:30) ⑤China's expanded visa-free policy introduced last year has led to a surge in international travelers eager to explore the country.(42:40)

①British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the far-right violence that has taken place across the country. What's been happening? (00:46) ②The Philippines and Germany have committed to signing a defense cooperation arrangement later this year. What's the impact for Asia-Pacific? (14:30) ③Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen made history by becoming the first Asian player to win the women's singles gold at the Paris Olympics.(25:18) ④Iran has vowed to retaliate for the killing of Hamas political Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.(37:08) ⑤China will work to further develop consumer services to meet people's demand for diversified and quality services.(43:00)

The Beijing Central Axis, a building ensemble that runs through the core area of the Chinese capital, has been officially added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Central Axis originated in the 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty when the capital, Dadu, was established. It was during that time that the Venetian merchant Marco Polo visited China. He was amazed by the orderly, chessboard-like city planning of Dadu, and later wrote down his experience in The Travels of Marco Polo.

But how has the Central Axis evolved over the past centuries? How does it embody the philosophical and aesthetic values of ancient China? What role does it play in modern days?

Host Zhao Ying is joined by David Moser, Sinologist, Associate Professor at Capital Normal University, China; Qu Qiang, Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China; Mario Cavolo, Founder and CEO of M Communications Group.

① Iran's Supreme Leader has vowed to avenge the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. How could Tehran carry out its revenge? (00:50)

② Responding to a recent report by the New York Times, China’s anti-doping authority has defended two elite Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in 2022. We look at the attempts by some US politicians and US media to hype up doping allegations against Chinese swimmers.(13:19)

③ At the Paris Olympics, more than two-thirds of the live broadcast signals are facilitated by Chinese tech company Alibaba's cloud broadcasting services. Traditionally, satellite broadcasting was the main content distribution channel for broadcasters. We explore the secret behind this technological revolution. (24:58)

④ How has a knife attack in Britain triggered violent far-right protests? (32:42)

⑤ We talk to David Dzombak, Hamerschlag University Professor Emeritus at Carnegie Mellon, on climate challenges and green transition. (41:31)

① The CPC leadership has set out China’s economic priorities for this year’s second half: fostering new quality productive forces, strengthening macro regulation and tapping the potential of domestic demand, among others. We explore possible scenarios for China’s economy in H2? (00:58)

② Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Iran. How big a blow does his death represent to Hamas? (14:04)

③ What could be the policy directions of Iran’s new president who pledges to keep trying to remove Western sanctions? (25:45)

④ Sudan's government has conditionally accepted an invitation to attend US-sponsored peace talks in Geneva. How much hope does it raise for advancing efforts to end a 15-month-old civil war? (36:54)

⑤ China grants 144-hour visa-free entry to foreigners visiting Hainan in tour groups via Hong Kong and Macao. What could this policy bring to the tropical island? (45:01)

① Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in China to boost economic ties between the two sides. How far can a three-year action plan signed during her trip elevate China-Italy cooperation? (00:56)

② The US has announced $500 million in military funding to the Philippines. Is this what is actually needed by the Philippines? (13:16)

③ China’s customs authority has rebuked a narrative about overcapacity in the country’s green energy sector. What’s wrong with the logic of the overcapacity narrative? (24:08)

④ Venezuela is recalling its diplomats from seven countries that refuse to recognize the re-election of Nicolas Maduro. How much efforts will be needed for Maduro to maintain stability and order after the election? (32:36)

⑤ The new UK government is setting out plans for spending cuts to plug holes in public finances. What kind of economy has the Labor-led government inherited from the previous administration? (43:11)

① Timor-Leste’s president, Jose Ramos-Horta, is making his first visit to China since he took office in 2022. In what areas can the two sides tap into for more potential in trade and broader economic cooperation? (00:49)

② The US and Japan announce steps to strengthen their military ties. Why is their alliance seen by some protesters in Tokyo as undermining regional stability? (12:37)

③ The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has listed the Beijing Central Axis as a World Heritage Site. We explore the axis’s values as well as the efforts needed to protect it. (24:51)

④ Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has won a third term. What are the immediate challenges he will have to face? (35:44)

⑤ How likely will an all-out war break out between Israel and Hezbollah after a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights? (44:19)

After a long-awaited policy meeting, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted a resolution outlining China's vision on key areas of development, such as building advanced industries, spurring technological innovation, efforts on decarbonization, and more.

How does the 3rd plenum of the Party's 20th Central Committee help the country push forward the cause of Chinese modernization? What are the challenges facing the country's decision-makers in this process? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Dr. Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University; Mike Bastin, Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton.

① We look at how a resolution passed by a key CPC meeting plans to accelerate China’s ecological preservation and green transition. (00:57)

② Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in China to discuss bilateral ties and Ukraine crisis. What is the common ground between the two sides on ending the war in Ukraine? (16:07)

③ What’s at stake in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US? (25:57)

④ China’s central bank on Thursday cut a key interest rate in a move to maintain sufficient liquidity in the banking system. What is the message sent by China’s monetary policymakers? (35:08)

⑤ We explore how “China Travel” has become a buzzword on worldwide social media. (43:29)