

The Hub with Wang Guan
China Plus
The Hub covers hot-button geopolitical and economic issues, as well as interesting stories and trends in culture, education, technology and lifestyle. It aims to connect people, cultures and societies across the East and the West.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 28, 2025 • 26min
Shaping a shared future: China's next five years
 In this special roundtable, we are joined by a group of young foreign students who bring a fresh perspective on China and the world. Many of them have studied, worked, and traveled across China, experiencing firsthand the changes shaping daily life and the nation's growth. What is their take on China's next chapter? With the guiding recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan already on the table, how do they see China's priorities for the next five years? 

Oct 21, 2025 • 27min
The 15th Five-Year Plan & beyond
 As China's 14th Five-Year Plan draws to a successful close, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is underway in Beijing from October 20 to 23, a landmark meeting that will set the course for China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and the nation's next phase of modernization. What new signals will this plenary send out about China's policy direction in the years ahead? And how will the 15th Five-Year Plan balance long-term strategy with short-term realities? 

Oct 16, 2025 • 27min
Kołodko on China's 15th Five-Year Plan
 China has just concluded an important chapter, the "14th Five-Year Plan," marked by historic strides in technological innovation, a green transition, and high-quality development. As the nation unveils its "15th Five-Year Plan," former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland, Professor Grzegorz W. Kołodko shares his assessment of China's economic resilience through the decades. What's his view on the prospects of China-Poland relations and China-EU dynamics amid a complex global landscape and Trump 2.0? What role can China's development model play in shaping inclusive globalization and the future of global governance? 

Oct 9, 2025 • 27min
China's holiday economy
 The eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday has just wrapped up after an extended break that energized the nation with hundreds of millions of trips, bustling scenic spots, and booming consumption across China. As people head back to work on this first workday after the long break, we take a closer look at what this holiday reveals about China's economic vitality. From record tourism revenue to surging spending in retail, dining, and entertainment, what do the numbers tell us about China's current growth momentum and consumer confidence? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the world's second-largest economy as it enters the final quarter of the year? 

Sep 30, 2025 • 27min
China rolls out K visa
 Starting October 1, China will implement its revised regulations on the entry and exit of foreigners. Among the highlights is a newly introduced K visa, designed specifically for young tech talents from around the world. This policy has drawn wide attention in the international community. How should we understand this move in light of China's development needs? How might it inject fresh vitality into its economy, advance further opening-up, and strengthen the country's influence on the global stage? 

Sep 25, 2025 • 27min
Xinjiang at 70
 This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Over the past seven decades, Xinjiang has grown from a remote frontier to a vibrant region with modern cities, thriving industries, and improved living standards for 26 million residents representing dozens of ethnic groups. The region has made historic progress in poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare -- achievements that have transformed everyday life. It is also emerging as a pioneer in clean energy, generating a significant share of China's wind and solar power, and serving as a crucial bridge for the country's westward opening-up and international connectivity. 

Sep 23, 2025 • 27min
UNGA at 80
 This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 80th session of the UN General Assembly -- a time to reflect on eight decades of peace, development, and human rights. Yet the world also faces urgent challenges, especially climate change, which calls for stronger global cooperation. At this crossroads, Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Governance Initiative, or GGI, urging countries to work together for a fairer and more equitable global governance system. How can the GGI best align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and what added value can it bring to global climate action and today's international efforts? 

Sep 11, 2025 • 27min
From sports exchange to economic growth
 Sports have long been a powerful bond connecting people across cultures and continents. Recently, a group of Latin American guests gathered in Beijing for an exploration ranging from sports exchange to economic growth. 

Sep 9, 2025 • 27min
Virtual BRICS Summit 2025 in Rio
 Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important address at the BRICS Leaders' Meeting via video link, where leaders held in-depth discussions on a wide range of global challenges, ranging from economic governance to international security and sustainable development. These talks come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and deep economic uncertainties. What messages does the summit send to the international community? How is BRICS reshaping its role in global governance, and what path might this grouping pursue in the years ahead? 

Sep 4, 2025 • 27min
China's V-day parade: a force for peace, development, and global solidarity
 The message from the September 3 parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing is clear: China has a military that is modernizing fast and stands firm against bullying. It has the full capability to defend itself should there be an adversary. Another key message conveyed is that China is a force for peace, development, and global solidarity. It is willing to lead those who are committed to building this Community of Shared Future for Humanity, where there's common development, collective empathy, and a shared love for peace. 


