World Today

Epizode

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  Panel: Decoding Beijing's reform to turn complaints into change 16.10.2026 54min

  Seven years into the reform on "swift response to public complaints," how has Beijing changed the way public concerns reach the government and lead to action? How does the system turn problems into a form of oversight? And what lessons can other countries learn from its experience? Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Prof. Ma Liang with the School of Government, Peking University, Mario Cavolo, Founder & CEO of M Communications Group and Senior Fellow at the Center for China & Globalization, and Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation, a Canadian Think Tank.
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  70 years on, will Canton Fair continue to drive win-win trade? 15.10.2026 53min

  ①China's Canton Fair is marking its 70th anniversary. We explore the role of the event in the building of an open world economy. (00:57) ②The Chinese mainland has condemned a so-called "Double Ten" speech made by Taiwan's Lai Ching-te. Why is the speech deceptive and two-faced? (15:51) ③Britain has rejected the EU's demand to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as a condition for closer ties with the bloc. What is London's consideration? (24:36) ④Why did inflation in the US accelerate in September despite the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate hike? (33:59) ⑤What has made the IMF raise its global growth forecast? (43:02)
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  What's the outlook of the Healthy China Initiative? 14.10.2026 53min

  ①Meeting two African leaders in Beijing, Xi Jinping put forward several proposals for China-Africa mining cooperation and settling Africa's hotspot issues. How much do they matter for China-Africa ties? (00:54) ②Xi Jinping has called for efforts to secure decisive progress in the Healthy China Initiative over the next five years. How can China deliver higher-quality health services to its people? (15:35) ③China's consumer and producer price indexes rose at a faster pace in September. What do they tell us about the country's economic dynamics? (24:57) ④Shanghai has won the first World Intellectual Property Organization City of Innovation award, alongside Liverpool in Britain and Charleroi in Belgium. We explore the key factors that entitle Shanghai to the award. (35:17) ⑤Ethiopia's government forces have reportedly advanced to a town on the border with Eritrea. Is it possible to avert war between the two countries at this point? (44:59)
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  What's prompting China and Russia to deepen maritime and Arctic cooperation? 13.10.2026 53min

  ①China and Russia have vowed to expand maritime and Arctic cooperation. How can the two sides jointly develop Arctic shipping routes? (01:01) ②China's central bank has given its approval to Visa to make preparations for a locally registered bank card clearing organization. Why does this development matter? (15:01) ③China's semiconductor industry is witnessing surging orders, rising exports and growing demand from artificial intelligence. What's driving this momentum? (24:47) ④A new poll in Japan is pointing to growing public opposition to military intervention in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict. Will the Japanese government listen to the voices from its people? (35:44) ⑤What's behind South Korea's decision not to apply for CPTPP membership this year? (45:07)
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  What is lying ahead for China-EU trade talks? 12.10.2026 53min

  ①China has unveiled 19 key measures to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. What do they tell us about China's vision for high-tech development? (00:56) ②China and the EU have held talks on hybrid and electric vehicle trade. What does the agreement reached during the talks mean to the two sides? (14:15) ③China's central bank says it remains committed to letting market forces play a decisive role in determining the renminbi exchange rate. We explore why China has no need to gain competitive advantages through currency devaluation. (24:55) ④Why is China justified to sanction two officials from Paraguay and Belize over their support for so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan region? (35:23) ⑤Yemen's Houthis have launched more strikes on Riyadh's international airport and energy facilities across Saudi Arabia. How far will the war escalate? (45:17)
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  Panel: What's actually driving the war in Yemen? 09.10.2026 53min

  Over the past month, the conflict in Yemen has dramatically escalated. Houthi forces have surged along Yemen's Red Sea coast and seized key islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, prompting the Yemeni government to launch counteroffensives. The conflict has triggered everything from renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia to the activation of a mutual defense pact between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, alongside the maneuvering and compromises of major powers. Why did the fragile ceasefire collapse so completely? What must be the first step towards a peace that truly belongs to the Yemeni people? Host Ding Heng is joined by Adel Dashela, Researcher at the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies and a non-resident fellow at the Finnish Institute in the Middle East; Greg Barton, Professor of Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University; Hussein Askary, Vice-President of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden.
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  Europe's tougher line on China ahead of talks: Pressure or pragmatism? 08.10.2026 53min

  ① The European Parliament takes a tougher line on China as the EU Trade Commissioner is set to visit Beijing. Can Europe really pressure China into making concessions? (00:48) ② A look into new tourism trends revealed during China's National Day holiday (13:28) ③ The US government proposes a $70,000 fee for international students seeking paid work experience in the country. Could it make US education less attractive? (25:12) ④ Why is growing demand for more education funding and better school conditions turning into a nationwide movement in France? (34:16) ⑤ Yemen's Houthi group launches attacks on Saudi Arabia while warning Türkiye and Pakistan not to get involved. Is this the first test for the Mecca Alliance? (43:15)
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  Three years into the Palestine-Israel conflict: What lessons for the world? 07.10.2026 53min

  ① China calls on France, Germany to uphold free trade after European countries propose new EU trade tool. How will trade defense tools backfire? (00:54) ② Three years into the Palestine-Israel conflict: What lessons for the world? (13:25) ③ How does China build a smarter, more efficient logistics network? (25:30)
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  Beyond scenery and food: Why is China's long holiday drawing foreign tourists? 06.10.2026 58min

  ① Beyond scenery and food: Why is China's long holiday drawing foreign tourists? (00:47) ② Pakistan and Türkiye agree to deploy forces in Saudi Arabia amid Yemeni threats. Can the Mecca Alliance deter Houthi attacks? (17:00) ③ China's urban underground pipeline network: Building smarter, safer cities (30:23)
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  Is G20 still able to manage economic disagreements? 05.10.2026 54min

  ① G20 members put forward different views on multiple trade issues set by the US presidency. Is G20 still able to manage economic disagreements? (00:49) ② US President Donald Trump names National Intelligence Chief Jay Clayton as the new AI czar. What does this tell us about how the US views AI? (14:29) ③ China's six networks strategy：What does China's next-generation telecom network mean for the future of connectivity? (25:30)
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  South Korea's US investment plan: Is there a deal? 02.10.2026 53min

  ①Washington is calling on its European allies to release strategic diesel reserves to help the US address soaring diesel prices. How could Europe respond? (00:42) ②US President Donald Trump has announced a major South Korean investment package, but it has prompted Seoul to clarify that the deal is far from finalized. Will South Korea fulfill its investment commitment for the US? (11:36) ③China's Six Networks strategy: China is stepping up efforts to build a "new power grid". Its plans call for stronger electricity links between regions and upgrades to local networks. What could this investment mean for electricity bills, business decisions and the economic prospects of smaller cities? (25:00)
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  2.1 billion trips, one holiday: a closer look at China's Golden Week economy 01.10.2026 53min

  ①2.1 billion trips, one holiday: a closer look at China's Golden Week economy. (00:37) ②China's central bank rolls out targeted financial support: What does it mean for the economy? (13:33) ③China's Six Networks strategy: China is building a major network of water infrastructure, from cross-regional water supply to flood control and inland waterways. What will China's water network change and why does it matter? (26:13)
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  How could a Section 301-style trade tool against China backfire for EU? 30.09.2026 53min

  ①China has warned the EU against pursuing a reported Section 301-style trade tool targeting China. Is a China-EU trade war still preventable? (00:53) ②How provocative is a new Philippine maritime chart covering islands and reefs in China's Nansha Qundao? (15:36) ③China's Ministry of Science and Technology says the country has become one of the world's fastest-rising innovators. What's the secret behind China's advance? (24:33) ④The US has officially ended its military mission in Iraq. What could be its implication for the Middle East? (35:34) ⑤OpenAI has apologized for the hacking of an Australian government website by a rogue AI agent. What lessons can we learn from this incident? (44:39)
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  What is behind Netanyahu's secret UAE visit? 29.09.2026 53min

  ①Meeting president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade, China's Wang Yi urged Japan to correct the erroneous words and deeds of its leaders on the Taiwan question. We explore why Japan needs to improve its relationship with China from its current low. (00:52) ②Why has the profit growth of China's high-tech manufacturing enterprises far outpaced its overall industrial profit rise so far this year? (15:45) ③EU foreign and defense ministers have met in Brussels to discuss military support for Ukraine and wider security issues. Why has the meeting failed to see major breakthroughs or agreements? (24:55) ④Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates. What's at stake for the two sides? (34:08) ⑤The US has finalized sharply lower vehicle fuel economy standards. What could be its short-term effects and long-term impacts? (41:59)
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  Why do Swiss voters reject a push for stricter neutrality? 28.09.2026 52min

  ① The Global Development Initiative is marking its 5th anniversary. What has it delivered to the world since its launch? (00:53) ② China and the US have reached positive consensus on multiple economic and trade issues during their latest round of consultations. How much space does it create to stabilize their trade ties? (12:42) ③ The Chinese Embassy in Manila has hit out at Gilberto Teodoro Jr. after the Philippine Defense Secretary attacked China at a forum. Is Teodoro trying to foster a culture of Sinophobia in the Philippines? (24:01) ④ Why have Swiss voters rejected a proposal to tighten neutrality rules? (31:47) ⑤ China has seen strong travel demand during its Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. We explore a broader shift taking shape in the country’s consumer economy. (41:31)
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  Panel: How will the new China-US consensus shape bilateral ties and beyond? 27.09.2026 33min

  China and the United States have reached consensus on eight outcomes following a widely watched summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Washington. It touches on the key principles for a new vision for the bilateral relationship, mutual support in hosting international summits, Iran, trade consultation, AI dialogue, etc. What strategic guidance does the consensus provide for China-US ties? In what ways does it matter to the rest of the world? What is the key to implementing the consensus? Host Ding Heng is joined by Wang Haolan, Research Associate at Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy Institute; Professor Yao Shujie, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Sciences, Chongqing University.
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  Panel: Mapping the future of China-US ties 25.09.2026 53min

  President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States has provided fresh guidance for bilateral ties. The Chinese leader says he and President Donald Trump have reached common understanding on many issues during their talks in Washington, adding both nations stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. How can China and the US translate their new vision of a "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability" into action? Host Ding Heng is joined by Wang Haolan, Research Associate at Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy Institute; Dr. Shao Yuqun, Senior Fellow of the Center for American Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies; Andy Mok, Author of the book "The Innovation Machine" and Professor with Beijing Foreign Studies University.
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  Xi arrives in US to personal Trump welcome 24.09.2026 54min

  ①Xi arrives in US to personal Trump welcome: China and the U.S. should be partners, not rivals. (00:53) ②We talk with four young people from China and the United States, exploring: Can a new generation build a healthier China-US relationship? (16:27) ③Takaichi provocatively challenges the UN Charter's "enemy state clauses". Is Japan edging back toward militarism? (26:10) ④China leads global tourism as both a source and destination. What's driving its growing role? (35:44) ⑤Italy is bringing nuclear power back after nearly four decades. What's behind the shift, and what does it mean for Europe's energy security? (45:29)
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  Xi and Trump to meet in Washington, what's at stake? 23.09.2026 53min

  ①Xi and Trump are set to meet again in Washington, less than six months after their last meeting in Beijing. What kind of China-U.S. relationship is taking shape? ②2026 World Manufacturing Convention opens in Anhui, China. How far has China's industrial upgrading come? ③U.S. and Iranian officials hold three-hour talks in New York. Is there a real opening for diplomacy? ④Washington, Tokyo and Seoul step up economic-security coordination. Cooperation or bloc politics?
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  Global conflicts, extreme weather: How secure is China's food supply? 22.09.2026 52min

  ①Chinese FM rejects protectionism and urges China and Germany to boost cooperation, uphold free trade.(00:48) ②Ambassador Fu Cong on President Xi's state visit to the United States, and where China-US relations stand.(14:05) ③China unveils a new five-year plan for agricultural and rural development. What does it mean for China’s food security?(24:47) ④Peruvian entrepreneur: Get involved, AI is a driver not the end.(35:40) ⑤Macron, Trump discuss Ukraine-Russia energy truce, while Russia and Ukraine continue to trade attacks. Where does the conflict go from here?(44:51)