From Anchorage to San Francisco to Lima, the two sides have come a long way. Over the weekend, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in Lima on the sidelines of APEC meetings in Peru. Both sides hailed the past four years of engagement. How have bilateral ties evolved over the past few years, especially since the frosty meeting in Anchorage? How did things stabilize? Did China use the Lima meeting to send a message to President-elect Donald Trump?
China and Peru have agreed to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. This is the central message of a joint statement just released by the presidents of the two countries. What message did China send to the people in Peru and beyond? Does that message come with actions? Amid the global uncertainties, how important is China's consistency in its Asia-Pacific policy?
The 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on November 15th and 16th in Peru. Leaders and senior officials from 21 member economies will meet in its capital Lima. Founded 35 years ago after the end of the Cold War, the group of 21 Asia-Pacific economies now accounts for 60 percent of the world's economic output and half of world trade. The region has always been an engine of global economic growth and driver of free trade. But what lies ahead with the election of Donald Trump? What will be China's message at this year's APEC meeting? What are the goals and missions of other members?
In this early November, esteemed scholars and experts in classical civilization have gathered at Yanqi Lake Convention & Exhibition Center in Beijing to celebrate the inaugural World Conference of Classics and to trace the origins of human thought and extract wisdom from human history. Why do we need to study the classics today? How can classical knowledge help solve contemporary global issues? And how can the East and West learn from each other's classical traditions?
How can Global South countries support each other so the group can become stronger as a critical mass in realizing a multipolar world?
As Americans decide who will be their next president, China, like many others around the world, is watching the results closely, trying to gauge the impacts from either a Trump or Harris presidency when the dust settles. What will be some key differences between their trade policies in regards to China? Which would impact China more, both in the short-term and in the long-run? Or will it make any real difference?
Protectionism disguised as "fair trade". That's how China calls the European Commission's decision on Oct. 30 to impose additional tariffs as high as 35.3% against Chinese-made EVs. The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU also expressed profound disappointment in the decision, viewing it as arbitrary, while German carmakers have called it "a step backwards for free global trade and thus for prosperity, job preservation and growth in Europe". Will this help save the European car industry? How will China respond? How will it impact bilateral trade and relations?
Even in our world today, one in ten people globally and as many as one in five in Africa still face hunger. A report by the International Fund for Agricultural Development and four other UN bodies revealed that last year, an estimated 30% of the global population – 2.3 billion people – faced moderate or severe food insecurity. How secure or insecure is the world in terms of food? What kind of innovative efforts should be taken to leverage greater finance for food security? What actions are necessary to continue the fight against hunger and poverty?
At Thursday's BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue in Kazan, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the crucial role of BRICS-Plus nations in advancing global peace, security, and growth for the Global South. The summit issued the 33-page Kazan Declaration, outlining the common stance, values and aspirations of the group. What messages can we take away from the president's speech in Kazan and the landmark Declaration? How will the BRICS grouping shape our future?
As the 16th BRICS Summit is currently taking place in Kazan, Russia, some in the West are getting nervous. It is the first summit since the group expanded earlier this year to welcome five new members. What's at the top of the summit's agenda? How will the diverse group achieve unity to deliver concrete results? Is BRICS the anti-West Leviathan it's portrayed to be?
During the past few weeks, China has announced a raft of policies to bolster the economy, as part of its sweeping efforts to deepen reform and opening up. Various government departments at the highest level have been taking bold steps to boost capital markets and shore up the real estate sector. And the markets have been very reactive. What key measures have been announced? How significant will these policies be? What do they say about the fundamentals and the direction of China's economy?
In a major address on Thursday, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te peddled for "Taiwan independence." He said that the PRC had no right to represent Taiwan and expressed his commitment to "resist annexation or encroachment upon the island's sovereignty." Is he upping the ante before the U.S. elections? Do people in Taiwan know about his endgame and its consequences?
One year on, Israel is expanding its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has already killed some 42,000 people and wounded nearly 100,000 more. It has stepped up attacks in Lebanon and other neighboring countries, inflicting greater civilian casualties and sparking fears of a full-blown regional war with its old foe Iran. Why has this conflict escalated so quickly as it enters its second year? What might happen next? Why does the prospect of peace appear ever more elusive?
"Is China an Enemy Fabricated through Propaganda?" That's the title of a new book by Albert Ettinger, a French-speaking Luxembourgois author who has devoted decades as a historian on Xizang (Tibet), and other China related issues. His book on Xizang titled "Free Tibet? Power, Society and Ideology in Old Tibet" challenges the so-called Western experts on the issue and the politically correct narratives. Despite having been a lone voice for years, he continues to speak up and dig deeper into how Western mainstream narratives have been portraying China as the bogeyman.
Is China a terrible place to live? Nobody seems to have told those from abroad who now call it home, not to mention the millions who are flocking here to experience China for themselves. In this special edition of The Point, we tell the stories of three foreign nationals living in different parts of China. Why did they move here? What have been their experiences? How have they adapted to living and working in a place far from their home countries?
On September 23, the U.S. Commerce Department proposed banning key Chinese software and hardware in so-called connected vehicles. The proposed ban not only affects Chinese EV makers, but also forces other major automakers to remove Chinese components from vehicles before they can enter the U.S. markets. Meanwhile, a vote by the EU on whether to impose additional tariffs on Chinese EVs was postponed. Why are Chinese EVs facing so much hostility in the West? How can the disputes be resolved? Are trade wars the answer?
What does the "pomegranate" fruit evoke for you? In China, it's a metaphor that symbolizes the unity of the Chinese nation. Chinese President Xi Jinping has used this metaphor on many occasions, saying "the people of all the 56 ethnic groups remain closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate." As the country celebrates the upcoming National Day, this topic is in the spotlight again. Why does China focus so much on ethnic unity? Is it just wishful thinking or a reality on the ground? What does it mean for people outside of China?
The U.S. is expected to significantly escalate restrictions on Chinese EVs under the guise of "national security". On Monday, the Commerce Department proposed banning key Chinese software and hardware in so-called connected vehicles. The proposed ban not only affects Chinese EV makers, but also forces other major automakers to remove Chinese components from their vehicles before they can enter the U.S. Why is the U.S. effectively moving to ban Chinese components in EVs? Has the U.S. abandoned its beliefs in free trade and the free market? Is it really about "national security" or more like creeping commercial authoritarianism?
Despite the reported lack of confidence in the world's second-largest economy among some Western media, the IMF recently revised China's 2024 economic growth forecast to 5%, up 0.4 percentage points from April. The IMF noted that the revision was in part based on stronger consumption figures from the first quarter, along with stronger exports. What’s the real economic situation on the ground? Is China's economy headed in the right direction? Why should investors be optimistic about the future?
Leaders from global military and defense departments, heads of international organizations and renowned experts have gathered in Beijing for the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. With discussions centered around global security and defense issues, the evolving nature of U.S.-China relations was a key focus. Where is the relationship heading? What can be done to make sure things don't spiral out of control?