Episodes
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Discussions in some Western media and policy circles have promoted the idea of a so-called "China squeeze," arguing that China's manufacturing strength is limiting industrialization opportunities for developing economies. Is the "China squeeze" a recycled version of the "China threat?" Does the West really worry about the Global South, or is this another zero-sum approach aimed at containing China's rise? Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology, Professor John Gong of the University of International Business and Economics, and Li Lu
①Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek and pay state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt. What can we expect of the trip? (01:03) ②China's foreign minister has met with US Ambassador to China David Perduey. We explore the meeting's key messages. (13:46) ③China and India have reached an eight-point consensus on their border issue. How will the consensus help build mutual trust between the two sides? (24:58) ④Qatar's prime minister is on a visit to Tehran for talks on de-escalating tensions and reviving dialogue between the US and Iran. What's behind Doha's fa
①China and the US have held their third semi-official Track 1.5 Dialogue. Is the dialogue mechanism enhancing mutual trust between the two sides? (00:59) ②Growth of G7 economies slowed in the second quarter. What could this mean for the global economy? (14:21) ③Iran and Oman have discussed joint shipping route and mine clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz. What would a temporary joint shipping route actually look like? (24:59) ④The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have dissolved after merging with the Syrian army. How far has Syria's peace process advanced? (34:19) ⑤China has set a ded
①Jordan's king is on his ninth visit to China since his accession to the throne. Why are ties between China and Jordan getting closer? (00:57) ②China's vice president met India's national security adviser ahead of a new round of talks on the China-India boundary question. How can China and India enhance mutual trust? (14:13) ③China and Switzerland have completed their negotiations over free trade agreement upgrade. What will an updated FTA bring to the two sides? (24:47) ④The US has announced a major expansion of economic sanctions against Iran. Will Tehran withstand the pressure? (35:37) ⑤Chi
①China and Indonesia agree to deepen cooperation in energy, mineral resources, AI and maritime affairs, and begin formulating a five-year action plan for 2027 to 2031. What's the significance of it? (00:53) ②Is China's trade strength really creating a so-called "squeeze" on other economies? (13:59) ③Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on the US after Washington imposed a 50% levy on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. How many cards does Canada hold in fighting a trade war with the US? (25:00) ④Why has India's purchase of Russian oil reached a record high despite tighter Western sanction
An annual joint military exercise between the US and South Korea have been cut in half at Washington's request. Before the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began, US President Donald Trump called for its reduction, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as Seoul's lack of assistance with the Iran war. South Korea has been a US ally for more than 70 years. The two nations have a mutual defense treaty. Is Washington's decision dealing a blow to American alliance credibility? Host Ding Heng is joined by Peter Kuznick, Professor of History with American University;
①Wang Yi visits South Korea and Indonesia. What's topping his agenda? (00:51) ②Pentagon targets 30 U.S. universities over Chinese research ties. A new "Cold War" in science? (11:45) ③China, Australia expand currency swap agreement. Is Australia hedging against its dependence on the U.S. dollar? (24:09) ④U.S. national debt tops $40 trillion for the first time. How much longer can America sustain its debt-driven economy? (34:40) ⑤China's film industry chain tops 60 billion USD this year. What's driving the growth beyond the box office? (44:09)
①Chinese, Ecuadorian leaders discuss Belt and Road cooperation and investment. What's driving Latin American nations to deepen ties with China? (00:55) ②Macao unveils its next 5-year development plan. How can Macao move beyond gaming and tap into mainland's growth? (12:50) ③China recovers rocket stage on land for first time after earlier recovery at sea. How close is China to achieving routine rocket recovery and reuse? (24:51) ④World Robot Conference opens in Beijing, showcasing real-world uses. Where does China stand in the global race to develop humanoid robots? (33:55) ⑤29 U.S. states take
①Taiwan's defense budget tops NT$1 trillion. More military spending, less for livelihoods - and is Taiwan any safer? (00:53) ②China-Europe Arctic shipping route enters regular weekly operation. What does a faster route mean for global supply chain resilience? (14:50) ③China is rapidly emerging as a major force in global drug innovation. What's behind the rise? (25:00) ④Frustration with Washington grows among US Gulf allies. Can diplomacy still work in the Iran conflict? (34:00) ⑤DRC Ebola outbreak declared the deadliest in the country's history. How serious is the threat? (43:34)
①China says allegations by Philippine defense secretary are unfounded. Why is Teodoro so determined to push China and the Philippines toward confrontation? (00:58) ②South Korean president to revive pro-Japanese asset investigation committee after a 16-year hiatus. Can normal relations with neighbors be maintained if Japan still refuses to confront its wartime history? (10:00) ③China briefs media on Jan-July economic performance. What policy support will China roll out to keep the growth momentum going? (23:37) ④DJI scores a key procedural victory in lawsuit against the US Department of Defense
On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. For the countries and peoples across Asia who suffered under Japanese militarist aggression, August 15th has never been an ordinary day. It represents the triumph of justice over aggression. It also marks the end of a war that brought immense suffering and profound devastation to Asia. 81 years after Japan's surrender, has Japan truly learned from its past - or is history repeating itself? Host Ge Anna is joined by Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation, a Canadian Think Tank, and Chairm
①U.S. leads in missile tests, yet criticizes China: double standards, strategic anxiety, or both? (00:44) ②A China-led international standard on smart city data utilization is released. How will it shape future human urban life? (12:49) ③Putin makes his first visit to an island disputed with Japan. What messages is he sending to Japan? (24:01) ④China's homegrown C919 jet makes international debut. How big a moment is it for global aviation? (33:10) ⑤A culinary anti-war blockbuster gains traction globally. We speak with its translator about China's anti-war storytelling.
①China surpasses the U.S. in R&D spending. What does it mean for the global tech landscape? (00:41) ②Elon Musk encourages people to visit China. We explore what is attracting international tourists to the country. (14:19) ③Pakistan says the U.S. and Iran are close to some arrangement on peace. How close are they to reaching a real agreement? (25:32) ④Turkish parliament passes landmark legal framework for PKK disarmament. How might it reshape Türkiye's ties with Iraq and Syria? (35:47) ⑤How is China preparing for above-average typhoon activity? (45:40)
①China rejects illegally established "Arunachal Pradesh" by India. What's behind India's unilateral attempt to redraw administrative boundaries and alter facts on the ground? (00:41) ②Japan's defense ministry will request a record-high budget for fiscal 2027. How serious are the regional implications? (14:00) ③China's central bank names Deutsche Bank as clearing bank for the renminbi. What does it mean for China-Europe economic relations? (25:08) ④China takes 97% of H1 global humanoid robot shipments. What explains this dramatic lead? (34:52) ⑤Meta launches an open-weight AI model. Where does
①China and Argentina renew currency swap agreement. Can RMB help Argentina hedge against the risks of USD dependence? (00:38) ②China's foreign trade expanded over 19% last month. We explore the drivers behind the growth. (12:50) ③Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan sign a joint defense agreement. What does it mean for regional security? (24:43) ④Why are countries tightening controls on critical minerals? (35:37) ⑤Syria and Russia reach an MoU on the future of Russian military bases. What does it tell us about Syria-Russia relationship now? (44:26)
As the world prepares to mark the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II, Japan, a defeated country in that war, is rolling out a series of security and military initiatives. Why is Japan accelerating its military buildup after decades of maintaining an exclusively defensive posture? What kind of military power is it seeking to become? And should Asia be worried? Host Dou Hongyu is joined by Sultan Hali, a retired air force officer and author from Pakistan, Dr. Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, and Dr. Liu Kuangyu, a re
①China's Ministry of Finance has raised 15 billion yuan (over $2.2 billion) through a sovereign bond auction in Hong Kong. We explore the reasons for the sale's good performance. (00:54) ②The EU says it has collected 1.4 billion euros in revenue from frozen Russian assets and will channel the proceeds to Ukraine. Is the windfall profit mechanism actually helping Ukraine? (15:11) ③The Trump administration has refunded about $100 billion of the tariff revenue collected before the US president's "liberation day" duties were struck down by the Supreme Court. What does it mean for US importers? (24
① China has slammed Japan’s annual defense white paper. What’s motivating Tokyo to hype up the so-called “China threat”? (00:56) ② What’s really going on behind the Philippines’ finger-pointing over China’s ethnic affairs? (15:31) ③ China has announced countermeasures in response to the latest US move to draft a ban on imports of new Chinese datacenter components. What’s driving Washington’s “small yard, high fence” approach to Chinese AI-related products? (25:09) ④ Why did the US economy grow more slowly than expected in the second quarter? (35:29) ⑤ Brazil has downgraded diplomatic ties with
①Hong Kong Stock Exchange has launched five-year China government bond futures contracts, which serve as the only such contracts available in the offshore market. In what ways will they help bolster fixed income and currency markets in Hong Kong? (00:54) ②25 US states have sued the Trump administration over its latest tariffs. Is Trump administration playing a legal "cat-and-mouse" game regarding tariffs? (12:57) ③Why have the US and Japan taken the rare step of joining forces to support the Japanese yen? (24:46) ④India has eased some trade and investment restrictions on China. What could thes
①Japan launches its centralized intelligence agency. Why is it raising concerns at home and abroad? (00:41) ②Chinese companies unveil a new wave of AI models. Is China's AI industry in a new phase of innovation? (12:33) ③What does the historic Ceuta migrant crisis reveal about the EU's migration policy weaknesses? (26:18) ④U.S. President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday. Are diplomatic solutions on the way this time? (36:10) ⑤Pressure on FIFA president increases as UEFA prepares to oppose re-election. Why did FIFA provoke such a strong backlash across Europe? (45:4
Apparel, furniture and home appliances once served as the iconic "old three" of Chinese exports. Later on, the "new three" – electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar panels – became the backbone of China's export growth. Now, China says the new "new three" – AI, robotics, innovative drugs – mark another upgrade in its industrial landscape. What is new about the new "new three" compared to the "new three"? How far can China go in its rise as a global tech power? Host Ding Heng is joined by Xiao Qian, Deputy Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua Universit
①Chinese top leaders sets economic priorities for the rest of 2026. How can policy support sustain growth momentum amid global uncertainty? (00:52) ②U.S. looks to boost anti-China spending worldwide, documents say. How is Washington trying to slow China's rise through pressure and propaganda? (24:59) ③Italy and Saudi Arabia reaffirm support for two-state solution. Can renewed diplomacy bring a breakthrough in the Gaza crisis? (35:13) ④FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina. What's really at stake? (45:06)
①China opposes U.S. move to sanction Chinese research institutions. Can U.S. coercion slow China's tech rise? (00:52) ②Nearly 4,800 foreign-funded companies expanded investment in China in H1. Why are foreign firms betting big on China? (14:28) ③Netanyahu holds talks with Trump at the White House. Rift or repair? (26:17) ④South Korea's stock market has taken another sharp hit. Short-term shock or deeper trouble? (36:30) ⑤U.S. AI companies are secretly buying and destroying millions of books. AI may be transforming the future, but at what cost? (46:00)
①Xi holds talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. What's driving his first China visit? (00:49) ②China's AI, robotics and innovative medicines emerge as new growth engines. Are China's "New New Three" the next economic powerhouse? (13:44) ③China releases position paper on the so-called excess capacity issue. Is "overcapacity" a real economic concern or just a political manipulation? (26:17) ④EAC central bank governors reaffirm commitment to a single currency by 2031. What does this move reveal about Africa's push for deeper economic integration? (35:15) ⑤Zelensky alleges Iran has taken p
①Xi and Lula discuss BRICS, Global South cooperation. What are the next frontiers of cooperation? (00:56) ②Lula criticizes new U.S. tariffs as "unfair" and a "strategic mistake". How are countries looking for ways around Washington's trade barriers? (11:28) ③China chipmaker CXMT surges 500% in blockbuster Shanghai debut. What does it signal? (24:21) ④China's industrial profits extend strong growth in first half. AI, manufacturing and old industries - all growing? What's driving China's industrial momentum? (34:30) ⑤Trump paused Iran strikes to make room for talks. A temporary pause, or a real
