Deep Dive

From the United States to Brazil, Kenya to Spain, and on to Australia, France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates— from January 16 to 26, these eight countries hosted special events in the lead-up to one of China’s most anticipated annual celebrations: the Spring Festival Gala - one of the world’s most watched TV programs. In this special episode, musician Huang Ye, who performed at the New York...

President Donald Trump’s inaugural address has sent shockwaves through the nation and the global community, outlining a vision for America that is as bold as it is divisive. On one front, the U.S. is pulling back—retreating from international agreements, closing its borders to immigrants, and turning inward. Yet, on another, it’s reaching farther than ever—asserting dominance over key territories...

Two weeks after a powerful earthquake, Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has shifted its focus from emergency response to resettlement and reconstruction. In this episode of Deep Dive, we bring you firsthand accounts from the remote area with my colleague Xu Yawen sharing a story about swift rescue efforts, the resilience of the community, and the first steps toward recov...

With the rapid advancement of eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing), China has taken a bold step by establishing a dedicated department to explore the potential of the low-altitude economy. In this episode, CGTN tech reporter Zhao Chenchen dives into the world of flying taxi technology and examines the economic opportunities this emerging industry holds.

After a failed attempt to arrest South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials has tasked the police with executing the warrant. Yet, the political crisis shows no signs of easing. In this episode, Korean Herald reporter Lee Jungjoo unpacks the month-long political turmoil that continues to roil the nation.

As the world looks toward 2025 with hope, many in Gaza have stopped marking time, unable to distinguish one day from the next. In this episode, we reconnect with Ahmed Riziq, the founder of education project Gaza Great Minds. Despite limited funding and scarce materials, the initiative has expanded over the past months, serving 1,500 students in the war-torn region at the moment. With the New Year...

Since Macao’s return to China, many Portuguese professionals have embraced the opportunity to build their careers in the Special Administrative Region. In this episode, José Carlos Matias reflects on the changes he has witnessed since the early 2000s and explores how the city has thrived amid a growing landscape of business opportunities.

China’s "trade-in for new" policy is making waves, with applications to swap used cars for new ones surpassing 5 million this year. By encouraging consumers to buy sooner, this initiative is helping to boost spending in key sectors like automobiles and home appliances and could drive retail growth by up to 1.8% in 2024, according to some projections. But how does the policy work, and why has it re...

Martial law declared, protests erupted, and now impeachment looms - all starting from the chilling winter night on Dec 3. South Korea now faces a political storm like no other. National Desk reporter Lee Jungjoo with The Korea Herald joins this episode to unpack the political crisis and its far-reaching repercussions.

Rising inequality, insufficient action on climate change, and the projected failure to eradicate poverty have revealed significant flaws in the current global governance system. In response, China and Brazil, two of the largest developing nations, are strengthening their ties to address these challenges, while many countries in the Global South are calling for reform. In this episode, Yasmin Scali...

For decades, global poverty seemed insurmountable. While the percentage of people living in poverty has declined over the years, nearly 600 million are still projected to survive on less than $2.15 a day by 2030. At the same time, China has achieved what many thought impossible, lifting nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty in just eight years. As the G20 launches the Global Alliance t...

Founded near the end of the Cold War, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has evolved into a pivotal platform for promoting economic collaboration and tackling shared global challenges. In a world increasingly defined by geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism, and the urgent demand for sustainability, APEC’s role has never been more significant. The vision of building an Asia-Pacific...

With the inauguration of Chancay Port, a cutting-edge gateway linking South America and Asia, Peru is poised to become a key player in global trade. But what does this mean for the region? And how could Peru’s growing partnership with China reshape local economies? In this episode, CGTN reporter Chen Tong explores the transformative potential of Chancay Port and the far-reaching ripple effects it...

For only the second time in U.S. history, a former president is returning to the White House after a four-year absence, bringing bold promises on the economy, immigration, and America’s global relations. But how much of this agenda can he realistically achieve? And who stands to feel the greatest impact of his planned policies? In this episode, CGTN White House correspondent Nathan King joins us t...

An elderly woman has been sentenced to death for trafficking 17 children in the 1990s, reigniting a nationwide discussion on child trafficking in China. Despite significant progress in the fight against human trafficking, the scars of past crimes linger, while troubling new schemes start to emerge. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Jiang Tao delves into why the case of Yu Huaying still resonate...

As the world experiences rapid change and increasing uncertainty, the need for diverse and multilateral voices has never been more evident. This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to Kazan for the 16th BRICS Summit, engaging with leaders from developing countries and emerging economies. In this episode, CGTN reporter Zhao Yunfei shares his insights into how President Xi's visit could stre...

China is paying greater attention to the growing local government debt that has reached critical levels. In 2024, central authorities allocated 1.2 trillion yuan to tackle the issue, while a dozen heavily indebted provinces and municipalities have suspended infrastructure projects. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Guo Yan joins us to examine the root causes of this mounting debt and explore po...

This past National Day holiday was more than just a busy time for tourism. China's real estate market also saw a remarkable surge in sales following a slew of stimulus packages. How likely will the growth maintain its momentum? CGTN reporter Sun Ye joins this episode to discuss the recent surge in China’s property market.

Fear has gripped Lebanon after thousands of pagers, walkie-talkies, and other electronic devices were turned into explosives. While conspiracy theories swirl about how these everyday products were weaponized, a deeper, more widespread concern is emerging—one that extends beyond Lebanon's borders. Once trust in the global supply chain is broken, how secure can people feel when making international...

South Korean police are investigating hundreds of cases involving deepfake pornography, where the faces of real women and girls are digitally superimposed onto other bodies without their knowledge or consent. This week, reporter Lee Jungjoo from South Korea’s largest English-language daily - The Korea Herald joins us to delve into the rising fears surrounding deepfakes in the country, the devastat...

Amid growing global uncertainty, the Xiangshan Forum convened in Beijing, bringing together 1,800 experts and military representatives from over 100 countries and international organizations to discuss solutions to some of the world’s most pressing security challenges. In this episode, CGTN reporter Zhao Yunfei joins us to explore the impact of the forum and to unpack the Chinese philosophy on sec...

This year, the launch of the latest iPhone coincided with a new product release from another tech giant—Huawei. Despite nearly 90% of smartphones sold in China being from domestic brands, Apple continues to hold over half of the market share for smartphones priced above $600, though with a slight decline in the 1st and the 2nd quarter this year. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Feng Yushun joi...

In 2022, Africa's external debt reached $655.6 billion, with less than 10% owed to China. Despite this, Western lenders—who account for over 35% of Africa’s debt and typically charge double the interest rates—are often left out of the narrative. Instead, Western media continues to blame Chinese investments for a so-called "debt trap". But what’s the real story behind China's involvement in Africa?...

As one of the most highly anticipated games of the year, Black Myth: WuKong – China’s first AAA video game – has achieved remarkable success, selling 10 million copies within just three days and positioning itself to become one of the best-selling video games of all time. Host Li Yunqi is leading the conversation for this episode to share his perspective on why it took so long to see a AAA game fr...

China has launched a significant crackdown on what it describes as "toxic" celebrity culture while celebrating its athletes' best performance at an overseas Olympic Games. The focus is on aggressive fans who took to social media to attack and spread rumors about the nation's Olympians during the Paris 2024. In this episode, Sideline Story host Fu Yu joins us to delve into the rise of China's sport...