The Point with Liu Xin

The global economy is facing uncertainty as tensions in the Middle East escalate. The International Monetary Fund has cut its global growth forecast to 3.1%, warning that the outlook has "abruptly darkened" following the outbreak of war involving Iran. At the same time, China reported a steady 5% GDP growth in the first quarter, raising key questions about resilience and shifting economic dynamics...

During his latest 5-day official visit, Pedro Sanchez returned to China for the fourth time in just four years, signaling deepening ties between Spain and China. Invited by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the Spanish prime minister held high-level talks with President Xi Jinping and visited key institutions, including tech giant Xiaomi. Following previous high-profile exchanges, including visits by King...

A rare high-level meeting has taken place. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, in Beijing during her visit to the Chinese mainland, the first of its kind in 10 years. From Jiangsu to Shanghai, Cheng's trip blends history, future vision, and even a touch of everyday life. What does this v...

A dramatic last-minute breakthrough: Iran and the United States have agreed to a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, less than two hours before a critical deadline set by US President Donald Trump. With tensions at a tipping point and threats looming over the Strait of Hormuz, both sides are now heading to the negotiating table in response to a 10-point proposal from Iran. What triggered this...

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, a rare moment of engagement is emerging across the Taiwan Strait. At a time when global flashpoints are multiplying, any sign of dialogue carries added weight. For the first time in nearly a decade, the leader of the Kuomintang party has been invited to visit the mainland. How might this reshape the trajectory of cross-Strait relations? And what signals does it s...

As the US-Israeli war against Iran enters its second month, US President Donald Trump claims victory, insisting that Iran is "begging to make a deal." But is that the full story? On the ground, Iranian strikes have hit multiple US military bases across the region, raising serious questions about Washington's long-standing "security guarantee." What does that mean for US allies and for the global b...

Despite global headwinds, Asia's economy remains resilient and forward-looking. According to the Boao Forum for Asia, the region is projected to grow by 4.5% in 2026, accounting for nearly half of global GDP on a PPP basis. How has Asia become the world's primary growth engine? What new forces are shaping its future? And how will it navigate rising global uncertainty?

"Isolation is a death sentence for universities." That's how Harvard professor William Kirby describes the risks of cutting off academic ties between China and the United States. In this special episode, he explains to CGTN host Liu Xin why re-engagement is not just desirable, but necessary. As geopolitical tensions rise and cooperation becomes more complicated, the future of the relationship may...

As the US-Israel war against Iran intensifies with no clear end in sight, a critical question remains: Is this war legal? On March 10, the United States submitted a letter to the United Nations Security Council, justifying its strikes - carried out alongside Israel - as "necessary and proportionate" self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. But does this argument truly meet the legal thresh...

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China exported over 1.35 million vehicles in just the first two months of the year, up nearly 50% year-on-year. That's almost 1,000 cars every hour leaving the country. Even more striking: New Energy Vehicles now make up over 40% of China's auto exports, with over 300 NEVs and hybrids shipped globally every hour. What's behind this ex...

After an Israeli missile strike killed Iran's Security Chief Ali Larijani, Tehran is vowing revenge. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is calling for international backup to force open the Strait of Hormuz, but allies are, so far, avoiding being drawn into the war. In a notable development, a Pakistani-flagged tanker is reported to be the first non-Iranian vessel to officially transit the strai...

As China's Two Sessions, the country's biggest political event of the year, concluded, Beijing has unveiled major development goals stretching toward 2030. Western media have long scrutinized signals from China, often through a skeptical lens. But amid global uncertainty, some coverage appears to be taking on a more nuanced tone. Are the narratives around China shifting? What's behind this subtle...

As Hong Kong approaches the 30th anniversary of its return to China, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has revealed that the city is exploring the development of its first-ever Five-Year Plan. The initiative is expected to focus on economic growth, improving livelihoods, and strengthening the city's global competitiveness, before undergoing public consultation. Why is Hong Kong considering a Five-Y...

According to Iranian state media, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed to succeed his father as the Islamic Republic's top authority. Just hours before the confirmation, US President Donald Trump claimed Iran's new supreme leader would not last long without his approval. As geopolitical tensions rise, global markets are reacting. Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?...

In an increasingly uncertain global environment, what role can China play in stabilizing growth and boosting confidence? At China's most important annual political gathering, the Two Sessions, Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report and announced the country's GDP growth target for 2026. The meeting also sent signals that market access would be further expanded and that more sectors,...

China's "Two Sessions" is currently underway as policymakers map out the country's next stage of development amid global uncertainty. Deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will review the government's work report and 2026 budget, while also formulating the blueprint that will shape the 15th Five-Year Plan through 2030. How...

The Middle East faces a historic turning point after Iran confirmed that its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in U.S.–Israeli strikes. Tehran has formed an interim leadership council as it prepares to select the next Supreme Leader. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran against retaliation, saying American forces would respond with force "never seen before." Reactions worldwide are sharp...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has just concluded his first official visit to China since taking office in May 2025. In Beijing, he expressed his commitment to deepening Germany's comprehensive strategic partnership with China. At the same time, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined three key areas for strengthening ties. This visit is about more than bilateral relations. It comes amid rising un...

Pure tariff chaos. On February 20, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority when he imposed tariffs last April under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, better known as IEEPA. Trump called the ruling "ridiculous." He struck back, announcing a new 10% global tariff, this time under a different law and warning it could rise to 15...

Spring Festival in Beijing is no longer just about temple fairs and red lanterns. This year, the celebrations also feature VR experiences, humanoid robots, and AI-generated performances. In this edition of our Year of the Horse special, we look at how emerging technologies are becoming part of the holiday atmosphere. We discuss what this integration of tech means for cultural expression, creativit...

In Beijing's 600-year-old Longfusi, a neighborhood recently visited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, tradition meets creativity as the city welcomes the Year of the Horse. From bustling festival fairs to red 'Fu' decorations, we explore what the horse symbolizes today: strength, vitality, and forward momentum—and how young people, longtime residents, and international visitors are celebrating.

The post-war international order is under unprecedented strain. At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, a stark warning has emerged: The United States is "taking an axe" to decades of established global norms. As the conference opens in Munich, Europe finds itself struggling to adapt to a rapidly shifting strategic reality, while global economic uncertainty continues to mount. What does this mean...

Over the past year, a massive release of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has pulled back the curtain on one of the most disturbing scandals of our time. Following a law passed by the U.S. Congress in November demanding full transparency, the Department of Justice has published more than 3 million pages of material, including over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. These file...

Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to publish seditious materials and collusion with external forces to endanger national security. The Hong Kong SAR government welcomed the verdict, saying the conviction demonstrates that righteousness is upheld by the law. Is the 20-year sentence justified? How did the court arrive at this d...

Are you also living through a "very Chinese" phase of your life? From cooking Chinese food and using Chinese apps to declaring "I'm becoming Chinese," a viral trend is sweeping social media worldwide. At the same time, China is opening its doors wider than ever. In 2025, China welcomed 41 million inbound travelers, following the extension of its visa-free transit policy to 10 days, marking a 27% y...