World Today

① President Xi Jinping has called for absorbing netizens’ opinions in formulating China’s next five-year plan. How does China integrate seeking advices from the public with its top-level decision-making process? (00:54)② Several Chinese government bodies have held mid-year meetings to better support economic growth for the rest of the year. We explore their key messages. (13:02)③ Japan has clinched a $6.5 billion deal to build Australia’s next-generation warships. With a military export ban no longer in place, is Japan moving further away from its postwar pacifism? (24:57)④ Moscow says it is anticipating talks with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff later this week. We explore the ongoing bargain between Russia and the US over the Ukraine war. (34:27)⑤ The global roller-coaster ride of Donald Trump’s tariffs has entered its latest phase. Is America really winning? (43:10)

① Hamas says it is prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions. Is Israel likely to accept Hamas’s conditions? (00:54)② US employment growth was weaker than expected in July. Will the weaker figure put a September interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve back on the table? (13:47)③ FBI plans to open an office in New Zealand to counter Chinese influence. Why could this move undermine regional peace and stability? (24:53)④ China’s 2025 summer box office has exceeded 7 billion yuan. What is driving the strong performance? (34:18)⑤ South Korea has begun removing propaganda loudspeakers along the border with North Korea. Is it possible to reestablish dialogue between the two sides? (44:22)

Fueled by rising consumption and attractive packages offered by tourism authorities, this summer promises to be a bumper season for tourism in China. Railway trips from July to August are projected to exceed 950 million, up 6% year-on-year. Group tour bookings have jumped over 35%, and a national campaign will feature 39,000 cultural events. Meanwhile, outbound travel is also surging — visa applications for countries like Italy, Norway, and Germany are up over 80%. What does this summer’s travel frenzy reveal about the evolving patterns of Chinese consumer behavior?Host Ge Anna is joined by Mario Cavolo, Founder and CEO of M Communications Group; Chen Jiahe, chief investment officer at Novem Arcae Technologies; Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics.

①China has announced a key meeting in October to set economic and social goals for the next five years. What to expect? (00:39)②Added value of China's "three new" economy accounted for 18% of GDP in 2024. (13:55)③The US hits brazil with 50% tariffs and sanctions. (24:14)④Canada has joined France and Britain in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state. (33:20)⑤An interview with Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China (42:22)

①China and the US have wrapped up two days of trade talks in Stockholm. What are the key outcomes?②The IMF has raised its economic growth forecast for China this year. What's driving this revision? ③Britain says it'll recognize Palestine as a state unless Israel agrees to an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza. ④Trump sets a new deadline of 10 or 12 days for Russia to act on Ukraine. ⑤China has unveiled childcare subsidies to boost its birth rate. How effective could the policy be?

①Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng meets with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm. What's on the agenda? (00:41)②Thailand and Cambodia agree to an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. Can it pave the way to ending the conflict? (11:38)③Germany plans to establish an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip with the support of Jordan. (24:34)④China designates "Drone Flight Planner" as a new profession. (33:53)⑤US government probes Duke University in latest federal funding threat. (43:36)

①China and the US are entering a fresh round of trade talks in Stockholm. What can we expect? (00:39)②China has proposed the creation of a global AI cooperation organization. What's behind the initiative? (11:16)③The US and EU have agreed to a trade deal with a 15% US tariff on most EU goods. Who are the winners and losers? (24:14)④China's tax and fee revenue during 14th Five-Year Plan is expect to top 155 trillion yuan. (34:26)⑤Houthis vow to step up shipping attacks to press Israel on Gaza. (43:32)

China and the European Union have pledged to promote cooperation on trade and investment at the 25th China-EU summit. The two sides have also issued a joint declaration, reaffirming policy continuity to step up efforts in tackling climate change. Meeting EU leaders in Beijing, President Xi Jinping called for providing more certainty for the world through steady China-EU ties.Why does the current international landscape require China and the EU to deepen trust? How can the two sides focus on pragmatic cooperation despite their differences? Host Ding Heng is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow of Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Dr. George Tzogopoulos, Director of EU-China Program at CIFE, a European research organization; Sultan Hali, a Chinese foreign policy analyst and retired Air Force officer in Pakistan.

① How might the latest China–EU talks shape their future ties? (00:48)② What to watch for in the China–U.S. next trade talks in Sweden? (10:30)③ Why is the U.S. redeploying nuclear weapons to the U.K. after 17 years? (24:21)④ Why Russia and Ukraine agree to a prisoner swap but fail to reach a ceasefire in their latest talks? (32:35)

① What does the launch of island-wide independent customs operations in Hainan Free Trade Port this December mean for China’s opening-up? (00:47)② What was discussed during the video meeting between China’s commerce minister and the EU trade commissioner ahead of the China–EU summit? (13:18)③ Being America’s friend in 2025—what does it take? U.S. President Donald Trump announces trade deals with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. (24:30)④ Japanese PM Ishiba denies talks of his imminent resignation. (35:03)⑤ Why is the U.S. pulling out of UNESCO again—for the third time? (43:55)