World Today

① Overseas banks raise China’s 2025 GDP forecasts— What’s fueling the optimism? (00:49) ② A ceremony will be held to mark 80 years since Taiwan’s restoration—what lessons does this hold for cross-strait unity today? (13:18) ③ China overtakes U.S. as Germany’s top trading partner—what’s driving this shift in global trade? (23:53) ④ U.S. debt surpasses $38 trillion as government shutdown drags on—how deep is the fiscal strain? (42:37)

① China leads the world in wind power for 15 straight years, what’s next for its clean energy push under the upcoming Five-Year Plan? (00:51) ② China's consumption grows steadily in the first three quarters of 2025 — what does this indicate about the resilience and future trajectory of its domestic market? (10:32) ③ Zelenskyy is ready for a ceasefire, yet with the US-Russia summit on hold. Where does this leave the Ukraine peace process? (32:57) ④ U.S. federal shutdown continues — what’s behind Washington’s recurring “shutdown-restart” cycle? (35:57) ⑤ Japan warns Vietnam over motorbike ban: How could it hinder Hanoi’s zero-emission push? (43:09)

① From the 14th to the 15th Five-Year Plan—What drives China’s steady hand in governance? (00:51) ② China’s NEV boom accelerates: production and sales surge 35%, while exports jump 90% in the first 9 months. (14:16) ③ Japan makes history with its first female prime minister, as it faces political and economic headwinds—what challenges loom over Tokyo? (24:43) ④ Israel hits Gaza, blames Hamas. Can the fragile truce hold? (35:17) ⑤ Bolivia elects centrist Rodrigo Paz, ending decades of socialist rule. What direction will Bolivia take next? (43:37)

① As China charts its next Five-Year Plan, what direction will its development take? (00:51) ② Xi congratulates Cheng Li-wun on election as KMT chairperson. (25:00) ③ What’s driving the buzz around robots and AI at the 138th Canton Fair? (34:18) ④ Inside the Afghanistan–Pakistan Talks in Doha: What’s Next? (44:17)

2025 marks the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), with preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) already underway. How have China's economic resilience and technological innovation set the stage for its next strategic leap? Host Ge Anna joins Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University, and Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China.

① China and France have held a strategic dialogue in Hangzhou. How can the two sides deepen mutual trust and promote all-round cooperation? (00:52) ② South Korea has appointed Ro Jae-hun, the eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo, as its new ambassador to China. What does this appointment tell about President Lee Jae Myung and his administration’s China policy? (14:03) ③ Russian President Vladimir Putin has met Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow. We take a look at al-Sharaa’s efforts to restore and redefine ties with Russia? (24:37) ④ A conversation with Professor Grzegorz Kolodko, former Finance Minister of Poland, on China’s economy and China-EU dynamics. (34:46) ⑤ US President Donald Trump has confirmed a report that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. What’s his intention? (44:53)

① Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno has concluded a two-day visit to China. What does the visit signify regarding Madrid’s China policy? (00:52) ② The IMF’s latest economic forecast: the global economy has shown resilience amid US tariff turmoil, but the outlook remains dim. (13:47) ③ Apple CEO Tim Cook has met China’s minister of industry and information technology in Beijing. Amid renewed China-US trade tensions, what message does China hope to send to the US business community through this meeting? (24:53) ④ The president of a professional robotics organization says China is driving the automation of the manufacturing sector globally. Why is China’s robotics industry developing at an unprecedented pace? (34:53) ⑤ In Madagascar, the military says it has seized power. We explore the deeper issues behind the recent protests in the country that led to the downfall of its president. (44:59)

① China has hit back on US port fees with retaliatory levies. We explore why Washington seeks to weaken China’s commercial shipping power and reignites the broader trade tensions with China. (1:00) ② China’s express delivery volume has surpassed 150 billion parcels this year, reaching a milestone more than a month ahead of schedule. What does it tell about the resilience of China’s consumer market and the larger economy? (24:59) ③ Leaders from over 20 countries have witnessed the signing of a Gaza ceasefire deal after Israel and Hamas completed a hostage-prisoner swap. We explore the remaining hurdles for securing lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. (35:01) ④ French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected calls to resign as two no-confidence motions threaten to bring down his latest government. Is there a way out of France’s worst political crisis in decades? (44:10)

① Addressing the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, Xi Jinping called for truly internalizing gender equality in society. We take a look at China’s achievements in empowering women and its contributions to global efforts for women’s development. (00:49) ② China has reported strong export and import figures for September against the backdrop of new trade tensions with the US. What’s behind the resilience of China’s foreign trade? (12:57) ③ Leaders from more than 20 countries have gathered in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a Gaza peace summit. What are the main uncertainties for a Gaza ceasefire? (24:38) ④ A conversation with Jeffrey Sachs, an economics professor at Columbia University, on why he is optimistic about China’s development. (32:01) ⑤ The IMF says the global economy is holding up better than feared but worse than we need. Why is uncertainty the new normal in the world economy? (41:15)

China has wrapped up its National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays with impressive numbers. During the eight-day holiday break, 888 million trips were made, marking a 16% increase compared to the previous year. Domestic tourism revenue reached over 800 billion yuan, approximately $113 billion, a 15% year-on-year growth. What do these figures reveal about China’s booming holiday economy? And how are technology, culture, and policy working together to drive tourism and consumer spending? The sit-in host Xu Yawen is joined by John Gong, Professor at the University of International Business and Economics; Subramania Bhatt, Founder and CEO of China Trading Desk (CTD); and Dai Li, Associate Professor in Development Economics at Hunan University.