World Today

①China calls for the early conclusion of consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We explore its importance for regional peace. (00:42)

②Iran warns the U.S. against attacking its nuclear sites, while Yemen declares a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. Is a wider regional conflict looming? (14:13)

③China is making contactless customs clearance the norm. What does it mean for global businesses? (25:05)

④Europe's heatwaves boost demand for Chinese air conditioners. We explore how Chinese firms adapt to overseas demand. (30:40)

⑤Why is the U.S. planning a 100% tariff on generic drugs from 2028? (43:25)

①A vision for China-Thailand ties in the next 50 years (00:43)

②What's behind the Philippines' repeated infringements in the South China Sea? (13:01)

③China says Japan will pay heavy price for its wrong judgments on nuclear issues. How dangerous is Japan's nuclear ambition? (24:47)

④China firmly opposes the UK nationalization of British Steel. We explore how Britain's decision will harm its own reputation as an investment destination. (32:53)

⑤The U.S. will impose additional 50% tariff on certain Canadian goods, but is it legal or justified? (43:27)

①AI opportunities with China in the eyes of foreign officials and business leaders. (00:42)

②China rejects Trump's election interference accusations. Why do U.S. politicians always hype up China-related issues during domestic elections? (12:47)

③Shanghai's economy showed strong growth in the first half of the year: We explore the key drivers. (25:33)

④Where will Andy Burnham's leadership take Britain? (36:22)

⑤What will be the lasting legacy of the 2026 World Cup? (45:21)

As political leaders, industry pioneers and experts from around the world gather in Shanghai for the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, we explore key questions facing global AI governance today: What are the biggest challenges now? How can countries compete while working together on safety and governance? And how can the world ensure that AI narrows, not widens, the global development gap?

Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations at East China Normal University, Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics at Peking University, and Dr. Liu Shaoshan, Director of Embodied Intelligence at Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society.

①During an inspection tour in Shanghai, Xi Jinping highlighted high-quality urban renewal as a key driver of city modernization. What is China's people-centered approach to urban renewal? (00:56)

②Africa's exports to China have increased significantly since Beijing expanded its zero-tariff policy across the continent in May. What new opportunities is China's policy opening up for African exporters? (14:22)

③We explore why, according to a new Pew study, more people around the world now favor China over the US. (24:49)

④Britain and the European Union have formally signed a treaty on the status of Gibraltar. How could it ease border friction and boost the local economy? (35:34)

⑤According to US media reports, the Trump administration has internally estimated that the war on Iran has cost the US up to $100 billion, over three times higher than its public estimate. What is behind this perceived lack of transparency on war cost? (44:55)

①China's economy grew 4.7% in the first half of 2026. We analyze how the economy has performed so far this year. (00:49)

②Bank cards have become an entry point for users to access AI services, as six Chinese commercial banks have recently launched credit and debit cards bound to AI providers. What could this trend mean to the landscape of China's banking sector? (15:19)

③The Australian government is moving to block the shareholder rights of three China-linked investors in a Perth-based rare-earth miner. Is safeguarding national security legitimate ground for the measure? (24:46)

④Lebanon and Israel have resumed talks to discuss how to implement a US-brokered framework deal aimed at ending the war in Lebanon. Will Israeli troops withdraw from southern Lebanon any time soon? (35:40)

⑤The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent. Why is there strong support for ending the twice-a-year clock changes used across most of the country? (45:09)

①Xi Jinping will attend an upcoming international AI conference in Shanghai and deliver a keynote speech. Where is China now regarding the development and governance of AI? (00:56)

②What has made China's foreign trade maintain good momentum in the first half of 2026? (13:22)

③China has set a goal of raising total retail sales of consumer goods to about 60 trillion yuan ($8.8 trillion) by 2030. What will it take to sustain the growth of the country's consumer demand? (24:56)

④Why has Andy Burnham emerged as the frontrunner to become Britain's next prime minister? (34:47)

⑤Yemen's Houthi group has fired missiles at Saudi Arabia, accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under its control. Does it represent a collapse of the peace process between the two sides? (44:34)

①China has rejected a joint statement by several countries marking the 10th anniversary of the so-called South China Sea arbitration ruling. Why is the ruling illegal and invalid? (00:59)

②Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has stepped down as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced fresh changes to Ukraine's government. What specific strategic shift is Zelensky signaling? (24:58)

③The IMF has downgraded the global growth outlook, but why has it upgraded China's growth forecast? (34:56)

④Hainan has reaffirmed its plan to ban the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2030 and become the first province in China to do so. How ambitious is the goal? (46:52)

The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara has drawn to a close. For two intense days, attention was locked on the Turkish capital. Beyond the debates over defense spending, burden sharing and hotspot issues, the event highlighted Turkiye's unique role within the alliance. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Turkiye is no longer just a NATO member following a script. It is writing it.

How is Ankara reshaping the transatlantic security architecture? Host Ding Heng is joined by Kamal Makili-Aliyev, Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg; Huseyin Bagci, Professor of International Relations at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara; Dr. Mher Sahakyan, Director of "China-Eurasia" Council for Political and Strategic Research.

① China–Namibia ties: New opportunities under Nandi-Ndaitwah's presidency. (00:49)

② From semiconductors to broader trade cooperation, the Netherlands is seeking a new chapter with China. What does Dutch trade minister's China visit reveal about Europe's evolving approach to Beijing? (14:53)

③ China is testing a new path toward reusable rockets with a sea-based booster recovery system. What can we expect? (26:07)

④ Britain's political revolving door: What comes next? (36:23)

⑤ The U.S. is removing Syria from its terror list. What's driving the shift? (46:51)