World Today

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)

As global tensions rise and multilateralism faces new tests, China proposes a new framework: the Global Governance Initiative, a new vision grounded in sovereign equality, abiding by the international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approaches, and taking real actions. What does this initiative mean in practical terms? How is the world responding? And how can it reshape the architecture of global governance for the better? The sit-in host Xu Yawen is joined by Dr. Lee Pei May, an assistant professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, Prof. Zha Daojiong, a professor of international political economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University, and Prof. Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University.

① China’s foreign and defense ministers have held calls with their US counterparts. Why is it important to reaffirm a few key principles guiding China-US bilateral ties now? (00:56) ② Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Austria, Slovenia, and Poland in a five-day trip. What’s at stake in his trip? (16:07) ③ The Chinese government has approved a plan to set up a national nature reserve on the island of Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. Why is it a necessary step? (25:13) ④ We take a look at the highlights of the ongoing 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services. (34:17) ⑤ What could be the political ramifications of the death of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk? (43:38)

① Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has concluded a three-day visit to China, the first China trip by a Portuguese head of government in nearly a decade. How can Lisbon and Beijing enhance cooperation? (00:52) ② What has made Israel carry out a strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar? (13:30) ③ We explore the progress of China's manufacturing sector during the country's 14th Five-Year Plan. (27:00) ④ We take a look at a CGTN poll showing strong recognition of Taiwan’s return to China after World War II and why seeking “Taiwan independence” is a subversion of the post-war international order. (38:44) ⑤ Basketball legend LeBron James has called basketball “a bridge” that connects the US and China. Does he have a point? (45:15)

① Addressing a virtual summit with other BRICS leaders, Xi Jinping made a three-point proposal for the group to uphold multilateralism, openness and solidarity. Is BRICS becoming a leading force against hegemonism and protectionism? (00:52) ② French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has lost a confidence vote in Parliament. We take a look at the deepening political paralysis in the country. (24:58) ③ South Korea plans to send a chartered plane to the US to bring back its workers detained by US authorities at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in Georgia. We explore the clash between the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and its push to attract foreign investment? (34:40) ④ How is CATL betting on tailor-made batteries to win in European EV market? (43:34)

① US President Donald Trump says the White House is ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia. How realistic is it for the US to impose secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia? (00:55) ② Japan is now facing a month-long process to select its next prime minister following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Is the LDP facing the worst crisis since its founding? (12:38) ③ Why has China’s foreign trade in the first 8 months shown resilience? (24:19) ④ We explore why the US trade deficit widened more than expected in July. (33:40) ⑤ China has criticized Canadian and Australian warships transiting the Taiwan Strait as a provocation. Could Western warships’ actions trigger a military clash? (45:22)