World Today

① China has condemned the US action to add all foreign-made drones and key components to a list of untrusted suppliers. Can protectionism help the US boost its own drone technologies’ competitiveness? (00:56) ② Japan is preparing to restart a major nuclear power plant that has been closed since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. We take a look at the safety concerns raised by this move. (13:56) ③ Israel’s defense minister is engulfed in controversy after saying Israel will never fully withdraw from Gaza. What could be the consequences of a scenario like that? (24:34) ④ European countries are voicing strong support for Denmark and Greenland in the wake of renewed threat from Donald Trump to take over the autonomous territory. Why is Europe firmly rejecting any suggestion of selling the island? (33:04) ⑤ Humanoid robots have begun working at scale on CATL’s factory floors. We explore how China’s EV battery giants are taking automation to the next level. (42:21)

① The yearly transaction volume in China’s A-share market has exceeded 400 trillion yuan ($56.9 trillion) for the first time in 2025. We explore the factors that have contributed to this milestone. (00:52) ② What has prompted China to impose temporary anti-subsidy measures on certain dairy products imported from the European Union? (12:35) ③ Donald Trump has issued a new warning to his Venezuelan counterpart, saying it would be smart for Nicolas Maduro to leave power. What could be the ultimate goal of Washington’s pressure campaign against Caracas? (25:07) ④ We take a look at the perceived divergences between the recently unveiled U.S. National Defense Authorization Act and the U.S. National Security Strategy. (34:44) ⑤ China has begun reviewing a draft law on Antarctic activities and environmental protection. How would the proposed legislation regulate Antarctic activities that China is involved in? (45:39)

① Southeast Asian foreign ministers have gathered in Malaysia for a special meeting to discuss the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. What steps can be taken to de-escalate tensions and end the fighting? (00:58) ② China has issued a serious warning to Japan over a senior Japanese official’s remarks that Japan should have nuclear weapons. We explore why Japan should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. (13:13) ③ EU leaders have struck a deal to loan 90 billion euros to Ukraine, but failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets. What’s the calculation of the bloc? (25:07) ④ China has released a new batch of public data application models to accelerate the use of government data in key sectors. How will this initiative improve digital governance in the country? (33:14) ⑤ A new generation of Chinese beverage brands is tapping into the US market. Do they stand a chance to succeed? (43:46)

① Hainan Free Trade Port begins special customs operations. What does this signal for China’s further opening-up? (00:48) ② Russia vows peaceful solutions while asserting military initiative in Ukraine—what does this mean for the prospects of peace talks? (24:40) ③ The unemployment rate in the U.S. rose in November to a four-year high—what does this reveal about the economic struggles behind everyday Americans’ livelihoods? (36:27) ④ CATL discusses Chinese battery innovation—how will it reshape the future of energy and mobility? (45:08)

① Jimmy Lai convicted—would Western states tolerate similar crimes to their own political systems? (00:45) ② From cold resources to hot growth—how did China build a booming ice-and-snow economy? (14:55) ③ Ghana’s president: China is a true friend of Africa. (24:33) ④ Washington orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela—what is it aiming for? (34:16) ⑤ Arctic sees warmest year on record since 1900: report. (42:57)

① Saudi Arabia strongly reaffirms the one-China principle during Wang Yi’s Middle East visit. What message does it send? (00:45) ② China denounces Japan for hyping up its regular military training. What’s behind Tokyo’s provocation? (11:55) ③ IMF official on China’s economic outlook: what forces will shape the country’s future? (27:05) ④ Far-right candidate Kast wins Chile’s presidential election. What does it mean for the country and the region? (36:41) ⑤ China grants the first Level 3 autonomous driving vehicle permits. What's next? (45:08)

① Chinese economy keeps steady growth momentum in November — What does this indicate about the trajectory set out by the Central Economic Work Conference? (00:44) ② Newly declassified archives add evidence to Japan's wartime crimes against China — How do these records, showing Unit 731’s systematic, state-organized crimes, reshape Japan’s historical accountability? (12:12) ③ Australian PM flags stricter gun laws after Bondi Beach shooting — Will proposed reforms close existing loopholes? (30:27) ④ Zelenskyy offers to drop NATO bid for security guarantees but rejects US push to cede territory — What does this mean for the prospects of a negotiated settlement? (42:59) ⑤ Climate pressure on food: a growing global emergency — How urgent is the threat to global food security, and what strategies can governments and international bodies realistically implement to mitigate it? (51:04)

Softer rhetoric on China, but an intensified drive for economic and technological supremacy. A renewed Monroe Doctrine and a Western Hemisphere that tops America national priorities—is the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy a real shift in American foreign policy, or just old wine in new bottles? In this episode, we explore how America’s new National Security Strategy affects China-U.S. relations and what it means for Global South countries and the broader world order. Host Xu Yawen is joined by Zhao Hai, Director of International Political Studies at the National Institute for Global Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Wang Haolan, Research Assistant at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis; Clifford Kiracofe, Washington-based author and former Senior Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; and George Tzogopoulos, Director of EU-China Programmes and Senior Research Fellow at the European Institute of Nice.

① The U.S. Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for a third time this year, though the decision came with a divided vote. How should the Fed balance its goals of taming inflation and supporting employment? (00:57) ② Venezuela has condemned the latest US seizure of an oil tanker as a “grave international crime.” Why is Washington escalating pressure on Caracas? (14:37) ③ China has held its annual Central Economic Work Conference to set its economic priorities for 2026. We bring you a few quick takeaways from the meeting. (24:59) ④ A conversation with Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, on how the Global South can turn trade into financial clout. (38:42) ⑤ Mexico has approved tariffs of up to 50% on countries that don’t have a free trade deal with it. What has prompted this move, especially while Mexico is negotiating with the U.S. over tariffs? (45:03)

① In a “1+10” dialogue with leaders of major international economic organizations, China’s premier stressed that openness and cooperation remain the most effective way to spur growth and drive innovation. What role is China playing in rejecting rising protectionism? (00:50) ② Iran and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing a China-brokered deal to resume bilateral diplomatic ties. As the peace process for Gaza faces continued uncertainties, what’s the significance of this commitment for the Middle East? (15:18) ③ Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will be ready to hold elections if the United States and Europe guarantee security for the vote. Is that feasible? (24:57) ④ We explore why China’s consumer inflation picked up while factory-gate deflation persisted in November. (33:04) ⑤ Australia has become the first nation to ban social media for kids. We explore the strong emotions that the move has stirred across the country. (43:43)