World Today

China's daily AI token calls, a key measure of how intensively AI is being used, have hit an unprecedented level. What's behind the surge? How is China weaving AI into the fabric of factories, hospitals, and even our homes? And as the country's economy goes "smart," what could that mean for the rest of the world? Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics at Peking Unive...

① A conversation with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, a senior UN official, on Boao Forum for Asia and regional economic integration. (00:56) ② China has issued a set of guidelines to accelerate the establishment of a nationwide long-term care insurance system. How will this move help alleviate the country’s aging challenges? (12:43) ③ Why have Chinese-developed AI models led global weekly token usage...

① China has released a list of its ten major scientific breakthroughs in 2025. What do they tell us about the focus of the country’s scientific research? (00:56) ② A conversation with Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, on cooperation between Hong Kong and Hainan. (14:18) ③ China has lodged a protest with Japan after a Japanese Self-Defense Fo...

① Xi Jinping has called for efforts to build China’s Xiongan New Area into an innovation hub and a model of high-quality development. How can China nurture an innovative business environment in Xiongan? (00:56) ② A conversation with Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. (12:17) ③ Why did China’s Yiwu, a hub for small commodities, see a more than 50% increase in trade in this...

① It’s time for the annual China Development Forum. Amid global turbulence, will China serve as a cornerstone of certainty for the world? (00:50) ② Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has met a delegation of the US-China Business Council. What opportunities will China’s 15th Five Year Plan offer to American companies? (13:46) ③ Iran has warned that power plants in countries hosting US bases would be co...

China says it will turn aerospace into a pillar industry that improves lives and promotes industrial development. What are included in this goal? How close are these ambitions to reality, and what could they mean for you and me? Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Quentin Parker, Director of Laboratory for Space Research, University of Hong Kong; Zhang Fan, Associate Professor of Astronomy with Beijing N...

① Turkmenistan’s national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is on a visit to China. How can the two sides align their development strategies and promote multilateralism? (00:54) ② Tehran is intensifying attacks on the Gulf region’s energy facilities after Israel hit Iran’s gas field. Does this mark a further escalation in hostilities? (13:24) ③ We explore the Chinese mainland’s plans to facilitate...

① China has launched a Party-wide campaign to reshape how officials correctly view governance performance. (00:44) ② JP Morgan and UBS boost Chinese asset holdings. What’s attracting global capital to China? (14:02) ③ Top U.S. security official resigns over Iran threat assessment. Does this expose cracks in Washington’s war logic? (24:19) ④ Takaichi’s U.S. gamble: Can Japan afford Trump’s price? (...

① China–U.S. trade talks are constructive. What does this signal for future economic cooperation and global market stability? (00:46) ② China and Vietnam launch 3+3 strategic dialogue. How could this mechanism boost regional stability and bilateral coordination? (14:52) ③ Iran refuses a ceasefire, vows to keep fighting. What impact might this have on Middle East security and U.S. strategy? (24:00)...

① China US hold trade talks in Paris. What to expect? (00:47) ② China's industrial output up 6.3 pct in first two months. What does this tell us about China’s economic momentum and structural strengths as growth pressures persist globally? (13:44) ③ Key allies have been holding back after Washington urged help to secure the Strait of Hormuz. What do these reactions tell us about the bigger picture...

China has adopted three major pieces of legislation — the Ecological and Environmental Code, the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, and the National Development Planning Law — at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the National People's Congress. The passage of these landmark laws has drawn widespread attention. Why move forward with them at the very start of China’s 15th Five-Year...

① China’s annual government work report has named embodied AI as one of the emerging industries that the country will nurture. What mechanism should be put in place for this effort? What could be the ultimate value of embodied AI? (00:52) ② Iran’s president has outlined three conditions to end the war with the US and Israel. What do they tell us about Tehran’s current mindset on the war? (15:19) ③...

① What has enabled China’s exports to sharply beat expectations in this year’s first two months? (00:55) ② China has set a target to increase average life expectancy to 80 years by 2030. What will it take to achieve this goal? (12:42) ③ Opposition has outweighed support in the US public opinion about Washington’s military action against Iran, according to polls conducted since the war began. Why i...

① China has set a target of boosting the digital economy to account for 12.5% of its GDP by 2030, which would be a significant increase from the 10.5% share achieved in 2025. What does it take to achieve this goal? (00:53) ② A conversation with Dr. Henry Tan, a political adviser from Hong Kong and CEO of Luen Thai Group. (15:03) ③ Why did China’s consumer inflation hit a three-year high in Februar...

① China’s top court and top prosecutor have delivered their respective work report at the annual session of the national legislature. How is the rule of law enhancing China’s high-quality development? (00:59) ② China’s minister of human resources and social security says the government is looking to harness artificial intelligence to create new jobs while also empowering traditional ones. How does...

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held his annual press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing. What key signals does this press conference send about China’s diplomatic priorities at a time of profound global uncertainty? Host Ge Anna is joined by Zha Daojiong, Professor of international political economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University...

All eyes are on Beijing as Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers the 2026 Government Work Report during the Two Sessions. What does the new economic growth target reveal about China’s priorities? And as China deepens its commitment to opening up, what opportunities lie ahead for global businesses and trading partners? Host Xu Yawen is joined by Andy Mok, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies Universi...

① How does China’s annual government work report chart the course of the country for this year and the next five years? (00:52) ② China’s foreign minister says Beijing will send its special Middle East envoy to regional countries to mediate in the Iran conflict. What has prompted China to make the decision? (24:59) ③ The US Court of International Trade has ordered the US Customs and Border Protect...

① Why will economic growth and domestic demand top the agenda of China’s national legislature at its annual session? (00:54) ② A conversation with Lu Ming, a Chinese national political adviser and a professor at Shanghai Jiaotong University, on how China can boost its service consumption. (12:51) ③ China has rolled out 20 measures to boost sci-tech insurance. How is this sector offsetting the high...

① The annual session of China’s top political advisory body is set to open. In what ways are consultative politics enhancing China’s democracy? (00:52) ② China has released its first national standard system covering the industrial chain and full life cycle of humanoid robots. How will the new standards support high-quality growth across the sector? (13:15) ③ Emmanuel Macron has ordered to increas...

① A top meeting in China has described the next five years as a critical period for socialist modernization. How will China focus on economic development during its 15th Five Year Plan? (00:46) ② Why is Canada putting aside the frictions over the killing of a Sikh activist and seeking to re-engage with India? (10:24) ③ Iran has vowed to use all its strength to make its enemies pay a heavy price fo...

It's Friedrich Merz's first official visit to China as German chancellor. What results will he bring back to Berlin? Merz is the fifth European state leader Beijing has received in less than three months amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty. What implications does it carry for the future of China-EU relations? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Hans-Peter Burghof, a professor and the Chair of the...

① Meeting Germany’s Friedrich Merz in Beijing, Xi Jinping calls on China and Germany to be reliable, innovative, and cultural partners. What momentum has the German leader’s China visit injected into bilateral ties? (00:52) ② US-Iran nuclear talks resume in Geneva. Is the US military threat pressuring Iran to make concessions in negotiations? (15:13) ③ India’s Narendra Modi is on a two-day trip to...

① German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on a trip to China for talks on trade and other issues. What can China and Germany do together to counterbalance global uncertainties? (00:53) ② Donald Trump has touted his economic record during the State of the Union address, saying he has ushered in what he calls a golden age. What’s at stake for Trump in the address? (13:07) ③ Panamanian authorities have s...

① China’s Spring Festival holiday has delivered striking economic signals. Are we witnessing a structural shift toward experience-driven, service-led consumption in the country? (00:59) ② China has announced export control measures against 20 Japanese entities involved in boosting Japan’s military capabilities. Why is China’s concern about Japan’s remilitarization and nuclear ambitions legitimate?...