The Point with Liu Xin
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The Point with Liu Xin presents in-depth analysis and coverage of major world issues and features both international and Chinese viewpoints.
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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 explosive growth? And why are more countries saying "yes" to Chinese cars?
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 strait, offering hope that more ships may soon be granted safe passage. Is the Strait of Hormuz beginning to open or does it risk turning into a new flashpoint? What does Europe's refusal to answer Trump's call for help reveal about transatlantic relations?
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 move?
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-Year Plan now? How would such a framework work in a city long known for its market-driven governance?
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? Why does Trump believe he can influence Iran's leadership? And what could this leadership transition mean for Iran, the region, and global energy markets?
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, particularly in services, would be further opened to global investors. What are China's priorities for the year ahead through 2030? And what could China's development goals mean for the world economy?
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 will this impact the world's second-largest economy and the wider international landscape?
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 sharply divided. What strategic endgame are the United States and Israel pursuing in the region? And how far could the shockwaves spread?
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 uncertainty over the U.S. trade and economic policies. So what are the real takeaways from Merz's trip? What signals does it send for China and Germany? And how might it reshape Europe and the wider international landscape?
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%. But here's the twist: These new tariffs can only stay in place for 150 days without congressional approval. So what is going on with U.S. trade policy? And what does this rollercoaster reveal about America's political system?
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, creativity, and public confidence. Is AI simply a tool, or is it reshaping how traditions are experienced?
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 for transatlantic ties, international institutions, and the rules-based order built after World War II? How will Europe navigate this new normal, and how is China viewing the changes underway?
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 files implicate a web of powerful figures: business tycoons, government officials, and royalty. How did the system allow this to happen? Where did accountability fail? And how transparent or functional are Western political and social systems when power and privilege are involved?
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 decision? And what does the case signal for Hong Kong going forward?
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% year-on-year increase. Transit visa arrivals alone surged by 60% compared with pre-policy levels. So what's behind this sudden wave of China enthusiasm? Why is China so cool right now? Is this just an internet fad, or the beginning of a deeper global shift in how China is perceived?
A growing number of world leaders have been traveling to China recently. From Spain's King Felipe VI to leaders from France, Ireland, the Republic of Korea, Canada, Finland and the UK, a wave of high-level visits to Beijing is well underway. What's driving this surge?
On January 27, 2026, the United States will officially withdraw from the Paris Agreement for the second time. Earlier, the Trump administration also signed an order to pull the U.S. out of 66 international organizations, including dozens of United Nations bodies. And yet U.S. foreign policy hasn't slowed down. Military operations involving Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro, tensions over Greenland, and threats against Iran—America appears to be shrinking in cooperation while expanding in power projection. How to make sense of these seemingly contradictory behaviors? How do these moves affect global politics and how should other countries respond?
At this year's World Economic Forum, a deepening rift between U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders was once again thrust into the spotlight. Trump has ruled out the use of force for now and has walked back earlier rhetoric, but he continues to insist on the U.S. being granted "right, title, and ownership" of the Danish territory. Denmark, however, has pushed back swiftly and firmly, stressing that decisions concerning Greenland can only be made by Denmark and Greenland themselves, and that sovereignty is non-negotiable. How does the Trump administration currently view Europe and its allies? And what does this standoff mean for the future of U.S.-Europe relations?
January 20 marks one full year since Donald Trump began his second term as President of the United States. The White House calls it "365 wins in 365 days," branding Trump's return as a "new era of success and prosperity." But outside the White House, the picture looks very different. Public opinion polls at home show a deeply divided America, while Trump's "Donroe Doctrine" is raising concerns about global stability, alliances, and the future of U.S. leadership. How should we evaluate Trump's second term so far? What has actually changed, and at what cost?
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