World Today

①Israel has been checking whether its airstrikes had killed Hamas's deputy military leader Marwan Issa in Gaza. What's the latest? (00:46) ②Japan's economy narrowly avoided recession after revising its official economic growth figures. What are the details? (14:12) ③The Caribbean Community has announced the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.(25:30) ④India and the European Free Trade Association signed an economic pact that concluded nearly 16 years of negotiations.(35:26) ⑤A new report has shown that arms imports to Europe surged 94% in the 2019-2023 period from the 2014-2018 period.(45:45)

①Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed new quality productive forces in deliberations or discussions with China's national lawmakers and political advisors. What are the details? (00:53) ②Our interview with Senior Reporter Ali Abbas Ramay from 24NewsHD in Pakistan about his observations on China's "Two Sessions". (13:30) ③China's consumer price index rose by 0.7% in February. (24:58) ④U.S. has airlifted its non-essential embassy personnel from Haiti as violence continues in the country. What's the latest? (34:55) ⑤Neuralink founder Elon Musk said his neuro-tech startup has implanted its device in a human for the first time.(42:20)

In the government work report delivered by Premier Li Qiang to the National People’s Congress, China has set its growth target at around 5%. The report said the country intends to achieve this by developing New Quality Productive Forces, promoting innovation in the digital economy, further lowering the investment threshold in critical industries, and more.

How ambitious is this goal of around 5% growth rate for China? Will China’s ways be able to support the country to meet its goals? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University; Mike Bastin, China observer and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton; Dr. David Blair, Vice President, Center for China and Globalization.

①China is determined to be a force for peace and stability in the world. China’s foreign minister made that remark as he met the press at the annual gathering of the National People’s Congress. We are joined by Wang Huiyao, President of the Center for China and Globalization, and Naseem Khan Achakzai, Executive Director of Grandview Institution, to take a look at the event’s highlights. (00:52)

②We hear from a leader of a listed cybersecurity company about his views on AI development. (24:59)

③Nikki Haley ends her presidential bid, but does not endorse Donald Trump. How powerful is her coalition of supporters in deciding the outcome of a Trump-Biden rematch? (34:27)

④Egypt has secured a deal to more than double its IMF bailout to $8 billion after devaluing its currency by 40%. We take a look at the economic hardships faced by the country. (44:26)

①We take a look at the key messages from a press conference involving heads of China’s major economic government departments at the annual gathering of the country’s legislature. (00:52)

②We talk to a political adviser from Hong Kong about his proposal to improve the city’s financial regulatory mechanism. (15:07)

③Why is Australia seeking to forge closer ties with Southeast Asia through a special summit held in Melbourne? (25:17)

④Germany and Russia spar over a leaked audio on missiles for Ukraine. What does it tell us about Germany’s real sentiment about the war in Ukraine? (34:41)

⑤Apple gets fined nearly $2 billion by the EU for hindering music streaming competition. (44:04)

①China has set an economic growth target of “around 5%” for 2024, as well as targets for other economic indicators such as inflation, job creation, and fiscal budget deficit. We look at how policymakers envisions China’s economic tasks and challenges in 2024. (00:52)

②We hear from former World Bank Chief Economist Justin Yifu Lin about China’s growth potentials. (24:44)

③Inflation in the euro zone eased less than expected in February, as consumers and investors wait for an interest rate decision by the European Central Bank later this week. (33:59)

④China expresses serious concerns about the Biden administration ordering a probe into the national security risks posed by Chinese-made "smart cars". Is the EV industry developing in a trajectory similar to that of the 5G sector? (44:52)

①China’s key political gathering gets underway as leaders seek ways to boost economic confidence. (00:51)

②US Vice President Kamala Harris calls for ‘immediate’ Gaza ceasefire in rare rebuke of Israel, as Biden faces mounting pressure from left-leaning voters over his support for Israel ahead of US presidential election. (13:27)

③Pakistan’s parliament has backed Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister for the second time. (24:57)

④China says it is in talks with the US regarding the renewal of a critical bilateral scientific cooperation pact. What are the obstacles domestically in the US that are stopping the American side to renew the pact? (30:32)

⑤Opec+ members have extended voluntary cuts to oil production for another three months in a bid to boost prices. Why, despite the war in Gaza and the attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the oil price remains well below the $100 a barrel level? (43:46)

For the past few months, analysts, economists and politicians in the West have been discussing the theory that China's economy has peaked. Some agree that the Chinese economy has done so and argue that sustained high growth will inevitably be stifled because of insurmountable challenges in critical areas, such as the economic structure, demography, etc.

Can the "peak China" theory withstand careful examination? What's the state of the Chinese economy? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University; Dr. Lauren Johnston, Associate Professor, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney; Professor Doug Guthrie, Director of China Initiatives at Thunderbird School of Global Management.

①Chinese Premier Li Qiang has met with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation. What signal does it send to the business community? (00:33)

②Apple has canceled its electric car project after a decade of investment into the technology. What factors have contributed to this decision? (13:29)

③China is sending a special envoy to conduct a new round of shuttle diplomacy on Ukraine crisis. (24:33)

④Russia is hosting a meeting for Palestinian organizations including Hamas and Fatah. (33:32)

⑤South Korean trainee doctors have refused to return to work, in defiance of a government deadline to end the strike or face legal action. (42:37)

①Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio is on a state visit to China. How will the visit inject new impetus into China-Sierra Leone ties? (00:46)

②NATO allies have rejected Emmanuel Macron's idea of sending troops to Ukraine. (12:23)

③Chinese technology companies are in the spotlight at the Mobile World Congress 2024. (24:57)

④A new report shows that US businesses are cautiously optimistic about their investment in China. What factors are driving this sentiment? (35:05)

⑤Polish farmers have taken to the streets demanding a ban on food imports from Ukraine. (44:05)