World Today

① President Xi holds phone talks with South Korean President Lee. (00:46) ② First China-U.S. economic, trade consultation mechanism meeting underway in London. (12:17) ③ About 700 U.S. Marines being mobilized in response to protests in Los Angeles. (25:25) ④ Top Chinese tech firms unveil innovative approaches to boost AI talent training and hiring. (35:54) ⑤ Iran says it's sending a counter-proposal to the U.S. after rejecting Washington's latest offer as “unacceptable.” (45:54)

① What’s driving China’s 2.5% rise in foreign trade over the first five months? (00:48) ② UNESCO expert emphasizes global cooperation, China's leadership in ocean governance. (13:42) ③ What’s fueling the unrest in Los Angeles—and where is it headed next? (23:39) ④ The ECB lowers rates for the eighth time as trade tensions threaten growth. (34:07) ⑤ China’s tourism industry could hit one trillion yuan by 2026: Citi. (45:05)

South Korea has elected a new leader after six months of political turmoil. New President Lee Jae-myung began his term on Wednesday. He pledged to raise the country from what he described as the near destruction caused by a martial law crisis and revive an economy facing global protectionism. Lee also emphasized a pragmatic and national-interest-centered approach in diplomacy. How will President Lee unite a divided country and revive a slumping economy? Could we see a reorientation in South Korea's foreign policy? Host Zhao Ying is joined by Rong Ying, Chair Professor with the School of International Studies, Sichuan University; Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations at East China Normal University; Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute and Chairman of Asia Narratives Substack.

① Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has paid a three-day visit to China. Why does China view its ties with Belarus from a strategic and long-term perspective? (00:52) ② US defense chief Pete Hegseth has skipped a meeting of 50 defense ministers at NATO headquarters that was aimed at coordinating military aid for Ukraine. What does his absence indicate? (13:34) ③ The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Does Washing have a legitimate concern that the resolution would embolden Hamas? (24:09) ④ Thursday marks the World Environment Day. We take a look at how environmental protection and ecological restoration are advancing in China and beyond. (34:11) ⑤ We explore the vitality of China’s inbound tourism. (42:42)

① South Korea’s new president Lee Jae-myung has vowed to raise the country from the turmoil of a martial law crisis and revive the economy. How will he tackle the challenges awaiting his presidency? (00:47) ② The US is facing international criticism after President Donald Trump signed an order to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%. What’s fundamentally wrong with the logic of the tariffs? (13:23) ③ Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the new US ambassador to China to serve as a promoter of bilateral cooperation. How can Washington work toward equality and respect in its relationship with Beijing? (24:14) ④ DeepSeek has released its upgraded R1 AI model. How will the revised model help the Chinese AI startup ramp up competition with OpenAI? (32:56) ⑤ We take a look at the Netherlands’ government collapse trigged by the withdrawal of far-right leader Geert Wilders from the governing coalition. (43:14)

① It’s estimated that China saw 119 million passenger trips during its three-day Dragon Boat Festival, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%. What does it tell us about the consumer confidence in China? (00:52) ② We take a look at how, thanks to a trade-in program, China saw strong growth in retail sales for consumer products in this year’s first five months. (14:39) ③ What’s behind the chaos of an Israeli-backed initiative to establish aid distribution sites in Gaza? (24:58) ④ Iranian diplomatic sources say Tehran is poised to dismiss a US nuclear proposal. What’s the calculus of Tehran? (36:31) ⑤ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has described her country’s unprecedented judicial elections as a complete success. Will Mexico’s ongoing judicial reform reduce corruption and impunity in the judicial system? (45:24)

① US seriously undermines consensus reached during talks in Geneva: China's commerce ministry. (00:42) ② Travel surges across China during the Dragon Boat Festival. (14:53) ③ Russia, Ukraine step up attacks ahead of peace talks. (24:48) ④ Polish independent candidate Karol Nawrocki wins tightly contested presidential election. (36:47) ⑤ Bridge Builder: The Joker, interview with Jimmy O. Yang. (44:01)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has made a trip to Southeast Asia this week for a historic first summit—where ASEAN, China, and the Gulf states aim to prove that 1+1+1 is greater than 3. Speaking at the talks in Kuala Lumpur, Li said the launch of the new forum marked a major innovation in regional economic cooperation amid complex changes in the international landscape. Host Ge Anna is joined by Dr Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia; Dr Rong Ying, Chair Professor with the School of International Studies, Sichuan University; Dr Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

①A US court has blocked President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. What happens next, and how might it reshape his trade strategy? (00:46) ②NATO eyes new 5% spending target (11:36) ③Russia has proposed a second round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. Are we inching closer to a ceasefire? (24:36) ④An interview with Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (31:59) ⑤The Trump administration says it will "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese students studying in the US. How far will the crackdown go, and who will be affected? (41:17)

①Chinese premier Li Qiang calls for upholding multilateral trading system at the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit. How significant is this message amid rising global protectionism and unilateralism? (00:41) ②An interview with Solomon Islands' ambassador to China Barrett Salato (13:11) ③China continues fiscal support for scientific and technological innovation. (25:00) ④The Trump administration orders a pause on new student visa interviews as it weighs social media vetting. Is the US effectively closing its doors to international students? (34:01) ⑤Japan has lost its position as the world's largest creditor nation for the first time in 34 years. (43:00)