World Today

China Plus

With in-depth panel discussions on domestic and global news and current affairs, World Today gives you the story behind the headlines.

  1. HACE 8 H

    A key step forward in China’s 2030 crewed moon mission

    ① China’s foreign minister has met Hungary’s Viktor Orban in Budapest, with the two sides vowing to deepen all-round cooperation. Why has the Hungarian government led by Orban pursued a long-standing friendly policy towards China? (00:55) ② China has successfully completed a launch test of its new-generation heavy-lift rocket and manned spacecraft. We explore why the test marks a key step forward for the country’s lunar program. (16:17) ③ Lithuania’s prime minister has signaled potential change in Vilnius’s stance on Taiwan. Why was the 2021 opening of the so-called “Taiwan Representative Office” in the Lithuanian capital a strategic mistake? (24:25) ④ What has made the US House of Representatives break with Donald Trump and pass a resolution to terminate the US president’s Canada tariffs? (34:19) ⑤ Is Washington’s rhetoric fundamentally eroding transatlantic trust? Professor Adam Tooze from Columbia University gives his thoughts. (44:11)

    53 min

  2. HACE 1 D

    A cross-border bridge becomes a new point of US-Canada friction

    ① A senior CPC official has stressed supporting patriotic pro-reunification forces in Taiwan and striking hard against separatists. Why is the Chinese mainland justified to do so? (00:55) ② We analyze China’s provincial GDPs for 2025 and explore why “how fast” the economy grows becomes less important than “how well” it grows. (13:37) ③ South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed support for Russia's efforts to end the Ukraine war in a call with Vladimir Putin. How are the two sides developing their ties amid global uncertainties? (25:02) ④ Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse are renewing their calls for the full release of files tied to Epstein’s sex-trafficking network. What have led to their deep sense of frustration? (35:21) ⑤ Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a new US-Canada bridge, demanding that Canada turn over at least half of the project’s ownership and agree to other US demands over cross-border trade issues. Does the threat make sense? (44:20)

    53 min

  3. HACE 2 D

    China’s strategic goal of achieving sci-tech self-reliance

    ① During a visit to an information technology innovation park in Beijing, President Xi Jinping stressed self-reliance in science and technology. How can China achieve this strategic goal? (00:53) ② What is China’s vision for this year’s APEC Leader’ Meeting that will be held in Shenzhen? (15:15) ③ We explore how Epstein files are raising questions about US elite ties. (24:53) ④ Indian farm unions and opposition parties have called for nationwide protests against a new trade framework between India and the United States. Will the agreement put India’s farmers at a disadvantage? (32:03) ⑤ In China, winter sports were traditionally concentrated in Xinjiang and the northeast. Why are they gaining traction in the country’s south nowadays? (42:12)

    53 min

  4. HACE 3 D

    Why Jimmy Lai has had a fair trial in Hong Kong

    ① Hong Kong’s high court has sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. Why does he deserve it? (00:56) ② The US Justice Department is under scrutiny for revealing information about many of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and concealing the details of individuals who may have aided the convicted sex offender. What systemic problem is it pointing to? (13:48) ③ Canada has announced a new EV strategy, stressing the importance of a strategic partnership with China. How big is the room for China-Canada EV cooperation? (24:54) ④ Israel’s president is in Australia to mourn the deaths of last year’s anti-Semitic attack at Bondi Beach. Many Australians have protested against his visit, condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza. How is fury over Gaza dividing Australians? (34:14) ⑤ Saudi Arabia has announced a major investment package in Syria spanning energy, aviation, real estate, and telecommunications. What are Riyadh’s economic and strategic considerations? (44:22)

    53 min

  5. HACE 6 D

    Beyond gold and the dollar: How's RMB emerging as a safe haven?

    Gold prices are swinging sharply, while the appeal of the U.S. dollar as the world's dominant reserve currency appears to be gradually eroding. Does de-dollarization force the world to rethink safe havens — beyond dollar and gold. And where does the Renminbi stand in this shifting landscape? To explore these questions, host Ge Anna is joined by Yan Liang, Professor of Economics at Willamette University; Sean Chang, Associate Professor of Practice in Finance at the University of Hong Kong; and Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer at Novem Arcae Technologies.

    53 min

  6. 5 FEB

    Xi’s key messages in his calls with Trump and Putin

    ① President Xi Jinping has held a phone call with Donald Trump and a virtual meeting with Vladimir Putin on the same day. Will China maintain a stable relationship with the US while further developing close ties with Russia? (00:55) ② What’s behind the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s renewed call for constitutional change to recognize the Self‑Defense Forces? (24:57) ③ Are Russia and Ukraine edging closer to peace as they hold US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi? (35:11) ④ Germany’s Friedrich Merz is on a two-day Gulf tour with a mission to diversity Berlin’s partnerships. To what extent is the trip prompted by the increasingly contentious transatlantic relationship? (44:23)

    54 min

  7. 4 FEB

    Can the US establish a strategic critical minerals reserve?

    ① We explore how China’s “No.1 central document” plans to advance agricultural modernization and rural revitalization in 2026. (00:53) ② The Trump administration has announced a plan to establish a strategic minerals reserve with an aim to protect US manufacturers from supply chain shocks. What could be the possible obstacles for it? (13:46) ③ China has criticized Panama’s top court after it annulled a contract for Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate two ports on the Panama Canal. When Panama yields to Washington’s pressure by taking this move, what prices may Panama have to pay over the long term? (24:53) ④ What has driven German investment in China to hit a four-year high through last year’s first 11 months? (35:28) ⑤ French authorities have carried out a raid on X’s offices in Paris and summoned Elon Musk for questioning. We take a look at Europe’s tightening scrutiny of US social media companies and how it is becoming a source of US-Europe frictions. (44:52)

    53 min

  8. 3 FEB

    What will Uruguay gain from a deepening partnership with China?

    ① President Xi Jinping has held talks with his visiting Uruguayan counterpart Yamandu Orsi in Beijing. How can China and Uruguay expand cooperation and advance an equal world order? (00:56) ② The United States and Iran will hold nuclear talks in Istanbul. Is the threat of a military confrontation easing? (15:06) ③ The Communist Party of China and the Chinese Kuomintang Party have held a think tank forum in Beijing focusing on cross-Strait cooperation. We explore the significance of this dialogue channel’s revival after a hiatus of nearly a decade. (24:58) ④ China has taken a world-first step in automotive safety. It will ban hidden door handles on cars sold domestically. What could be the ramifications of this step? (32:30) ⑤ Elon Musk’s SpaceX has acquired his artificial intelligence business xAI, with plans underway for space-based AI data centers. Is orbit the only way to scale the massive power and computing needs of advanced AI? (42:31)

    54 min
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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.

Ficha técnica

  • Canal
    China Plus
  • Creado por
    China Plus
  • Años en activo
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodios
    201
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © Copyright @ China Plus
  • Sitio web del podcast
    World Today

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