World Today

World leaders are gathering in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. As the organization marks its 80th anniversary, the mood is anything but celebratory. With wars raging in Gaza and Ukraine, the world body is struggling to promote peace as its founders envisioned eight decades ago. At the same time, the organization faces deep funding cuts, largely from the United States, and mounting doubts about its relevance. So today we ask: Eighty years on, has the United Nations lived up to its founding vision? Is it still essential in today's world? And what must it do to stay relevant and rebuild confidence in multilateralism? Host Zhao Ying is joined by Han Hua, Co-founder and Secretary General of Beijing Club for International Dialogue; Qin Qian, Casual Academic, UNSW Sydney; Digby James Wren, External Relations Advisor to the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

① China has celebrated the 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. We take a look at how Xinjiang is maintaining stability and achieving prosperity. (00:48) ② China has made a landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions. Is China in effect taking on a global leadership role in tackling climate change? (13:03) ③ A conversation with Alfred Moi Jamiru, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, on China’s Global Governance Initiative. (25:17) ④ China’s tech giants are ramping up efforts in artificial intelligence. Is China’s AI push shifting from pure tech competition to creating real-world value for industries? (36:22) ⑤ Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile and Bangladesh are seeking to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. What could they potentially bring to the trade bloc? (46:58)

① Xi Jinping is in Urumqi to attend events marking 70 years of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. How is China building a beautiful Xinjiang? (00:51) ② At the UN General Assembly, China’s premier says the country will not seek any new special treatment in the World Trade Organization negotiations. He also announced a few plans to contribute to global development over the next five years. How does China’s gesture matter? (13:40) ③ A conversation with Tsepang Ts'ita-Mosena, Deputy Speaker of the Lesotho Parliament, on China’s Global Governance Initiative. (24:46) ④ NATO has issued a warning to Russia against what it calls violations of its member states’ airspace, but Moscow has denied the allegations. Is there possibility for the eruption of a major aerial military clash between NATO and Russia? (36:14) ⑤ Why is South Korea’s new president offering a perceived olive branch to North Korea? (44:00)

① Ahead of the annual Chinese farmers’ harvest festival, Xi Jinping called for multiple measures to improve farmers’ life and advance all-round rural vitalization. Why is modernizing the agricultural sector and rural area a key part of China’s modernization? (00:57) ② We take a look at how China’s financial sector has performed during the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan from 2021 to 2025. (13:09) ③ A conversation with Angola’s ambassador to the United Nations on China’s contribution to the UN’s work. (24:55) ④ Russian leader Vladimir Putin has declared his readiness to adhere to nuclear arms limits for one more year under the last remaining nuclear pact with the United States. Why has he made this offer? (34:15) ⑤ Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has launched its leadership election campaign. Will whoever become the next LDP leader save the party from its crisis? (43:14)

① After a call between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, a US congressional delegation visited China and met China’s premier. Is there an opportunity to improve China-US relations? (00:50) ② Britain, Portugal, Australia, and Canada have officially recognized the State of Palestine. How much do their actions matter in terms of piling pressure on Israel? (13:32) ③ Venezuela has shared a letter from its leader Nicolas Maduro to US President Donald Trump that offered direct talks after a US strike on an alleged drug boat. Are Washington’s recent actions in the Caribbean really about intercepting narcotics? (24:55) ④ How could Donald Trump’s H-1B visa crackdown rattle prospects of foreign professionals seeking to work in the US? (34:45) ⑤ A conversation with a German professor who has been attacked in his country for publishing his findings about Xinjiang. (43:51)

A key aspect of Xi Jinping's Global Governance Initiative is practicing multilateralism. As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the multilateral global governance system is nevertheless faced with deepening challenges. The UN finds itself increasingly unable to play a decisive role in ending international conflicts. The current US tariff policy has disrupted decades of broad consensus on international trade rules. Foreign aid to the world's poorest countries is shrinking, and there is no increased global momentum on tackling the looming climate crisis. What can be done to protect the multilateral system? Host Ding Heng is joined by Ramesh Thakur, a former UN assistant secretary-general and Emeritus Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University; George Tzogopoulos, Senior Research Fellow of CIFE, a France-based European research organization; Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow of Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China.

①The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo is underway in Nanning. What are the highlights of this year's event? (00:37) ②The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the first time this year. What does it mean for the US and global economy? (12:44) ③Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defense pact. What's behind the decision? (24:33) ④Kazakhstan expert highlights regional cooperation under Xi's Global Governance Initiative. (33:26) ⑤Xinjiang's development in the eyes of an American scholar (42:55)

①Israel has launched ground offensive in Gaza City. How far will it go, and who can stop it? (00:39) ②The US and Britain have agreed to a major technology pact during Trump's visit. How significant is it for bilateral ties? (12:20) ③China's top 500 enterprises report steady growth in R&D input. (24:30) ④Australia has failed to secure a defense treaty with Papua New Guinea. What concerns might the island nation have? (33:34) ⑤Chinese movie on Japan’s notorious Unit 731 to screen in multiple countries (42:52)

①China and the US have reached a framework consensus on TikTok after two days of talks in Madrid. How significant is this breakthrough? (00:33) ②Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to build a unified national market. What does this mean, and why does it matter? (24:57) ③Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for China and Europe to stand together to oppose arbitrary tariffs. (34:10) ④China's private investment remains well-supported in 2025, though facing some challenges. (43:28)

①China's economic performance held steady in August despite headwinds and uncertainties. (00:40) ②China launches anti-dumping probe into US analog chips. (13:56) ③US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Israel in the wake of the Qatar attack. (24:35) ④More than 100,000 people have marched through central London to protest against immigration. (33:40) ⑤European Central Bank leaves rates unchanged as tariff fallout lingers. (41:08)