World Today

①Chinese Premier Li Qiang warns of deepening trust deficit at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos. (00:50) ②Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps launched ballistic missiles at targets in Syria and in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. What are the ramifications? (13:32) ③Former U.S. President Donald Trump's bid back into the White House started with an easy win in Iowa. What are the details? (24:42) ④The Pacific nation of Nauru announced its decision to cut ties with Taiwan and commit to the one-China principle.(34:35) ⑤China unveils its first policy document dedicated to strengthening the "silver economy".(44:30)

①Chinese Premier Li Qiang is leading a delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos. What's on his agenda? (00:53) ②In Egypt, the first stop of his four-nation Africa tour, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the situation in Gaza and China's ties with the Arab world with Egyptian and Arab officials. What are the details? (12:55) ③In a phone call with Yemen's Houthi officials, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the U.S. air strikes on Yemen.(25:12) ④The latest customs figures show that China's foreign trade expanded by 0.2 percent in 2023.(34:00) ⑤Our exclusive interview with Wang Lixin, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives.(43:15)

This winter, ice and snow tourism has emerged as a "phenomenon-level internet sensation" in China. From Harbin to Changbai Mountain, Shenyang to Hulun Buir, a significant influx of Chinese tourists is heading to the north, enthusiastically exploring the enchanting winter landscapes.

What has led to the sudden popularity of ice and snow tourism in China? Can this internet sensation transform into an enduring trend?

Host Ge Anna is joined by Prof. Qu Qiang, Research Fellow, Beijing Foreign Studies University; Mario Cavolo, Founder and CEO of M Communications Group and Senior Fellow, Center for China & Globalization; Mike Bastin, China Observer and Senior Lecturer, University of Southampton in the UK.

①China and Maldives have elevated bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Does this development target any third party? (00:49)

②We explore the things at stake in Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s two-day visit to China. (13:48)

③China announces new initiatives to facilitate foreign visits. (24:53)

④US Republican primary: Key takeaways from the latest Haley-DeSantis debate. (33:25)

⑤In Germany, rail strikes and farmers’ protests are causing disruption in the biggest European economy. (42:54)

①Chinese and US military officials have held their first formal talks in more than two years. We explore how to main to stable military-to-military communications between Beijing and Washington. (00:54)

②The boss of Boeing has admitted it was the company’s mistake after one of its planes suffered a door blow-out after take-off in the US. What can we possibly judge from the known facts about the accident? (13:34)

③China has released a package of policies to support building its coastal Fujian Province into a pilot zone for advancing cross-Strait economic integration. (24:53)

④The European Union will start discussions on launching its own military mission in the Red Sea. What has made the EU consider doing so? (34:07)

⑤We explore the immediate and long-term issues behind the current chaos in Ecuador. (43:42)

①Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pinpointed the major highlights in China's 2023 diplomatic work. (00:55)

②France’s Emmanuel Macron is widely expected to reshuffle his top team to revive his political impetus at the start of a year of major events in the country. What do the challenges Macron has faced in his second term tell us about French politics today? (12:39)

③China's December foreign exchange reserves return to above $3.2 trillion, which could help the country cope with external uncertainties. (24:19)

④Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured a fifth term in office, saying her re-election is a victory of the people. Is the western criticism of Hasina fair? (34:28)

⑤We take a look at a pioneering private US Moon mission. (43:12)

①Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is paying a state visit to China this week. What's on his schedule? (00:50) ②The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the temporary grounding of some Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircrafts following an accident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. What are the details? (12:40) ③U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East hoping to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading further.(25:30) ④Inflation in the euro zone rose last month after six months of consecutive falls.(34:48) ⑤Students from University of Virginia in the U.S. and Tsinghua University in China celebrate ping pong diplomacy and 45 years of U.S.-China relations.(46:12)

Since November, Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, claiming this campaign is in response to Israel’s military operation in Gaza. As a result, major shipping companies have suspended their routes through the Suez Canal, which handles 12% of world trade. The US has established a naval coalition named Operation Prosperity Guardian to fend off Houthis attacks. So far, however, the attacks have continued, and there is a risk of a direct confrontation between the US and the Houthis.

Does this mean the Gaza war is being widened to a Middle East conflict? Host Ding Heng is joined by Zhang Sheng, Visiting Research Fellow with Koç University in Istanbul, Turkiye; Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science with the International Islamic University Malaysia; He Wenping, Senior Research Fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

① Iranian President has warned that those behind the deadly blasts in Kerman will be identified and punished. (00:52)

② Russia and Ukraine have carried out the largest prisoner exchange so far. Is it an indicator for future peace talks? (13:46)

③ China has cautioned against decoupling and de-risking as the IMF predicts a potential 7% reduction in global GDP. (25:14)

④ China starts a national economic census. What are the highlights? (34:25)

⑤ South Korea's world-lowest fertility rate is set to fall further. What potential challenges might arise? (43:37)

① Israeli drone kills deputy Hamas chief in Beirut. How does this event heighten concerns about potential spillover effects in the region? (00:50)

② China leads the global hydrogen race with the world's largest network. What does it mean? (14:11)

③ Trump appeals disqualification from the 2024 primary ballot in Maine. Amidst intense political struggles in the 2024 U.S. election, how will the nation be shaped? (26:15)

④ How China's BYD outpace Tesla in global quarterly EV sales? (38:38)

⑤ Why is ice and snow tourism heating up China's New Year celebrations? (47:25)