World Today
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With in-depth panel discussions on domestic and global news and current affairs, World Today gives you the story behind the headlines.
1886 Episodes
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① Israel and Hamas open indirect talks in Egypt — but how likely is a Gaza ceasefire? (00:45)
② France sees third PM exit since last December — does this political turmoil pose risks to Europe? (14:46)
③ China set to test asteroid defense system — how could this mission reshape China's growing space economy and global role? (24:45)
① China’s holiday rush is rewriting records — more than a billion trips in just half a week! What does this travel fever say about China’s booming consumer power? (00:44)
② China’s top diplomat Wang Yi is heading to Europe — with stops in Italy and Switzerland for high-level talks. (13:25)
③ Pharma giants eye China: What makes it a strategic hub for global drug development? (25:01)
① China and Singapore have exchanged congratulations on the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Why have the two sides been able to build a close, deepening partnership? (00:38)
② Speaking at a forum in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Donald Trump’s efforts to help negotiate peace in Ukraine, but warned that supplies of US long-range missiles to Kyiv would seriously hurt ties between Moscow and Washington. We explore Putin’s key messages. (14:22)
① European leaders have held a summit in Copenhagen to discuss building an EU-wide “drone wall”. Is it something feasible for the EU? (00:40)
② The operation of the first direct cargo flight route from China’s Hainan to Africa has begun. What could be Hainan’s role in future China-Africa trade? (12:32)
① The US government has shut down much of its operations as Congress and the White House failed to reach a funding deal. Is there a clear path out of the impasse? (00:37)
② China has officially launched its K-visa program aimed at attracting global young professionals. What is the role of global talents in China’s path towards high-quality development and high-level opening? (13:19)
① US President Donald Trump says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a 20-point plan to put an end to the conflict in Gaza. Is it a turning point in the peace process? (00:54)
② South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has held talks with outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Busan. What’s at stake in the meeting? (14:03)
③ China’s Ministry of Water Resource says the country has built the world’s largest water infrastructure system during its 14th Five-Year Plan period. We take a look at the efforts behind this achievement. (24:34)
④ A conversation with UN Under-Secretary-General Haoliang Xu. (34:53)
⑤ What does Moldova’s future look like after its governing pro-EU party won parliamentary elections? (44:01)
① We take a look at North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui’s trip to China and why consolidating ties with North Korea is a strategic decision of China. (00:48)
② Iran is weighing confrontation or diplomacy after UN sanctions are re-imposed against it over nuclear issues. How could Iran respond? (14:44)
③ Why are Russia and Ukraine intensifying drone and missile attacks on each other? (24:47)
④ China is bracing for a travel surge during the upcoming National Day holiday. What does it reveal about the health of China’s economy? (35:02)
⑤ Nigeria is eyeing certification of China’s C919 jet for local airlines. How much business potential does the Africa nation boast for C919? (46:03)
World leaders are gathering in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
As the organization marks its 80th anniversary, the mood is anything but celebratory. With wars raging in Gaza and Ukraine, the world body is struggling to promote peace as its founders envisioned eight decades ago.
At the same time, the organization faces deep funding cuts, largely from the United States, and mounting doubts about its relevance.
So today we ask: Eighty years on, has the United Nations lived up to its founding vision? Is it still essential in today's world? And what must it do to stay relevant and rebuild confidence in multilateralism?
Host Zhao Ying is joined by Han Hua, Co-founder and Secretary General of Beijing Club for International Dialogue; Qin Qian, Casual Academic, UNSW Sydney; Digby James Wren, External Relations Advisor to the Royal Academy of Cambodia.
① China has celebrated the 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. We take a look at how Xinjiang is maintaining stability and achieving prosperity. (00:48)
② China has made a landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions. Is China in effect taking on a global leadership role in tackling climate change? (13:03)
③ A conversation with Alfred Moi Jamiru, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, on China’s Global Governance Initiative. (25:17)
④ China’s tech giants are ramping up efforts in artificial intelligence. Is China’s AI push shifting from pure tech competition to creating real-world value for industries? (36:22)
⑤ Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile and Bangladesh are seeking to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. What could they potentially bring to the trade bloc? (46:58)
① Xi Jinping is in Urumqi to attend events marking 70 years of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. How is China building a beautiful Xinjiang? (00:51)
② At the UN General Assembly, China’s premier says the country will not seek any new special treatment in the World Trade Organization negotiations. He also announced a few plans to contribute to global development over the next five years. How does China’s gesture matter? (13:40)
③ A conversation with Tsepang Ts'ita-Mosena, Deputy Speaker of the Lesotho Parliament, on China’s Global Governance Initiative. (24:46)
④ NATO has issued a warning to Russia against what it calls violations of its member states’ airspace, but Moscow has denied the allegations. Is there possibility for the eruption of a major aerial military clash between NATO and Russia? (36:14)
⑤ Why is South Korea’s new president offering a perceived olive branch to North Korea? (44:00)
① Ahead of the annual Chinese farmers’ harvest festival, Xi Jinping called for multiple measures to improve farmers’ life and advance all-round rural vitalization. Why is modernizing the agricultural sector and rural area a key part of China’s modernization? (00:57)
② We take a look at how China’s financial sector has performed during the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan from 2021 to 2025. (13:09)
③ A conversation with Angola’s ambassador to the United Nations on China’s contribution to the UN’s work. (24:55)
④ Russian leader Vladimir Putin has declared his readiness to adhere to nuclear arms limits for one more year under the last remaining nuclear pact with the United States. Why has he made this offer? (34:15)
⑤ Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has launched its leadership election campaign. Will whoever become the next LDP leader save the party from its crisis? (43:14)
① After a call between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, a US congressional delegation visited China and met China’s premier. Is there an opportunity to improve China-US relations? (00:50)
② Britain, Portugal, Australia, and Canada have officially recognized the State of Palestine. How much do their actions matter in terms of piling pressure on Israel? (13:32)
③ Venezuela has shared a letter from its leader Nicolas Maduro to US President Donald Trump that offered direct talks after a US strike on an alleged drug boat. Are Washington’s recent actions in the Caribbean really about intercepting narcotics? (24:55)
④ How could Donald Trump’s H-1B visa crackdown rattle prospects of foreign professionals seeking to work in the US? (34:45)
⑤ A conversation with a German professor who has been attacked in his country for publishing his findings about Xinjiang. (43:51)
A key aspect of Xi Jinping's Global Governance Initiative is practicing multilateralism. As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the multilateral global governance system is nevertheless faced with deepening challenges.
The UN finds itself increasingly unable to play a decisive role in ending international conflicts. The current US tariff policy has disrupted decades of broad consensus on international trade rules. Foreign aid to the world's poorest countries is shrinking, and there is no increased global momentum on tackling the looming climate crisis.
What can be done to protect the multilateral system? Host Ding Heng is joined by Ramesh Thakur, a former UN assistant secretary-general and Emeritus Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University; George Tzogopoulos, Senior Research Fellow of CIFE, a France-based European research organization; Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow of Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China.
①The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo is underway in Nanning. What are the highlights of this year's event? (00:37)
②The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the first time this year. What does it mean for the US and global economy? (12:44)
③Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defense pact. What's behind the decision? (24:33)
④Kazakhstan expert highlights regional cooperation under Xi's Global Governance Initiative. (33:26)
⑤Xinjiang's development in the eyes of an American scholar (42:55)
①Israel has launched ground offensive in Gaza City. How far will it go, and who can stop it? (00:39)
②The US and Britain have agreed to a major technology pact during Trump's visit. How significant is it for bilateral ties? (12:20)
③China's top 500 enterprises report steady growth in R&D input. (24:30)
④Australia has failed to secure a defense treaty with Papua New Guinea. What concerns might the island nation have? (33:34)
⑤Chinese movie on Japan’s notorious Unit 731 to screen in multiple countries (42:52)
①China and the US have reached a framework consensus on TikTok after two days of talks in Madrid. How significant is this breakthrough? (00:33)
②Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to build a unified national market. What does this mean, and why does it matter? (24:57)
③Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for China and Europe to stand together to oppose arbitrary tariffs. (34:10)
④China's private investment remains well-supported in 2025, though facing some challenges. (43:28)
①China's economic performance held steady in August despite headwinds and uncertainties. (00:40)
②China launches anti-dumping probe into US analog chips. (13:56)
③US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Israel in the wake of the Qatar attack. (24:35)
④More than 100,000 people have marched through central London to protest against immigration. (33:40)
⑤European Central Bank leaves rates unchanged as tariff fallout lingers. (41:08)
As global tensions rise and multilateralism faces new tests, China proposes a new framework: the Global Governance Initiative, a new vision grounded in sovereign equality, abiding by the international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approaches, and taking real actions.
What does this initiative mean in practical terms? How is the world responding? And how can it reshape the architecture of global governance for the better?
Host Xu Yawen is joined by Dr. Lee Pei May, an assistant professor of political science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, Prof. Zha Daojiong, a professor of international political economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University, and Prof. Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University.
① China’s foreign and defense ministers have held calls with their US counterparts. Why is it important to reaffirm a few key principles guiding China-US bilateral ties now? (00:56)
② Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Austria, Slovenia, and Poland in a five-day trip. What’s at stake in his trip? (16:07)
③ The Chinese government has approved a plan to set up a national nature reserve on the island of Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. Why is it a necessary step? (25:13)
④ We take a look at the highlights of the ongoing 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services. (34:17)
⑤ What could be the political ramifications of the death of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk? (43:38)
① Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has concluded a three-day visit to China, the first China trip by a Portuguese head of government in nearly a decade. How can Lisbon and Beijing enhance cooperation? (00:52)
② What has made Israel carry out a strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar? (13:30)
③ We explore the progress of China's manufacturing sector during the country's 14th Five-Year Plan. (27:00)
④ We take a look at a CGTN poll showing strong recognition of Taiwan’s return to China after World War II and why seeking “Taiwan independence” is a subversion of the post-war international order. (38:44)
⑤ Basketball legend LeBron James has called basketball “a bridge” that connects the US and China. Does he have a point? (45:15)
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