Listen Now

①Responding to reports that China has rejected a US proposal for a defense chiefs’ meeting, China urges the US to create conditions for military dialogue. Why, from China’s perspective, does the responsibility for the current communication difficulties lie with the US? (00:51) ②NATO foreign ministers meet in Norway to debate Ukraine’s status and Sweden's accession. (13:25) ③IAEA team in Japan for final review before the country dumps 1.3 million tons of treated radioactive water into the sea. (26:44) ④China’s foreign ministry criticizes India for giving unfair treatment to Chinese journalists based in India. Does this episode mark further worsening of the bilateral relations? (37:31) ⑤In the US, the House of Representatives has passed a bill to raise the US debt ceiling. (46:58)

①We take a look at China's efforts to strengthen its international communication. (00:53) ②What’s at stake in Tesla boss Elon Musk’s high-profile China trip? (14:49) ③The world's largest EV maker BYD has taken a step towards building its second assembly plant in Southeast Asia. (26:42) ④Brazil has hosted a South American leaders' summit, with an eye on regional integration. Is it easy to overcome ideological differences and join efforts towards integration? (36:42) ⑤Biden administration's recent Indo-Pacific supply chain deal clashes with American industry groups. (47:26)

①We take a look at China's Shenzhou-16 mission to space station. (00:54) ②Multiple foreign business leaders have recently reaffirmed their commitment to the Chinese market. (13:39) ③Why does South Korea hold its first summit with Pacific islands leaders? (26:38) ④North Korea has announced plans to launch its first military spy satellite in June, describing space-based reconnaissance as crucial for monitoring the "reckless" US military exercises with South Korea. Does this represent major escalation in tensions? (37:24) ⑤Singapore's private home prices have surpassed Hong Kong as the most expensive in Asia Pacific in 2023. We explore the factors behind this phenomenon. (45:39)

①China plans to realize manned lunar landing by 2030. What are the details that have been revealed? (00:46) ②China's first domestically produced large jetliner has completed its maiden commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing. How big a progress does this mark for China's aviation industry? (14:30) ③Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won another five-year term in office. What will be his immediate tasks? (25:30) ④U.S. President Joe Biden has struck a deal with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to try to avert a looming debt default. (35:46) ⑤Media report shows Shanghai-based lender, the BRICS New Development Bank, is in talks with Saudi Arabia on admitting the country as its member. (45:35)

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid fifty times more potent than heroin, is fueling the worst drug crisis in the US. Preliminary CDC data shows over 109,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdose in 2022, a new record. That’s equivalent to one person dying every five minutes. The skyrocketing death rate and the $1.5 trillion annual cost to the economy are driving a national debate on how to solve the crisis. This week, the House of Representatives passed a bill looking to make permanent harsh criminal penalties on fentanyl-related drugs. However, many health experts don’t support this approach, suggesting it will only make things worse. Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Joseph Siracusa, Dean of Global Futures with Curtin University; Rick Dunham, former White House reporter of Businessweek, and Co-director of Global Business Journalism Program at Tsinghua University; Harvey Dzodin, Former Vice President of ABC TV network, and Senior Fellow of the Center for China and Globalization.

① Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for advancement of all-round cooperation with Russia. (00:52) ② China, Saudi Arabia among others refuse to join a G20 meeting held by India in disputed Kashmir. (12:56) ③ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declares his 2024 presidential candidacy in Twitter Space. (24:30) ④ Fitch puts US rating on negative watch as debt deadline looms. (33:06)

① China's new ambassador to the U.S. urges bilateral relations to be on the right track. (00:59) ② Australian expert: Traditional culture of ethnic minorities in Xizang is alive and flourishing. (15:13) ③ China’s digital economy surges by 10% to rank 2nd largest globally in 2022. (25:43) ④ A SK team conducts inspection tour of Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant ahead of wastewater release. (35:47) ⑤ West Australian Deputy Premier: Prosperity rests on “mature” China relationship. (45:50)

① Russian PM arrives in China for a business forum. What's on the agenda? (00:42) ② Australian scholar: People's democratic rights have been implemented amid Xizang's development. (15:36) ③ World Health Assembly once again rejects Taiwan-related proposals. (26:57) ④ Papua New Guinea signs a controversial security pact with the U.S. amidst protests. (45:35)

① China summons Japan's ambassador over the hype surrounding China-related issues during the G7 gathering. (00:48) ② China-Europe freight train services expand in the first four months. (25:14) ③ The Arab League holds a summit with the return of the Syrian President. (34:35) ④ China issues guidance to build a basic elderly care system by 2025. (44:30)

The inaugural China-Central Asia summit has just been held in China's ancient city of Xi'an. Leaders from China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan all attended the summit to discuss ways of leveling up partnership among the six nations. At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out his vision for a stable, prosperous, harmonious and interconnected Central Asia. How should we understand the strategic significance of Central Asia amid moves by global powers like the U.S., Japan to set up "Central Asia 5+1" mechanisms? What do Central Asian countries look for when working with global powers? Host Liu Kun is joined by Professor Doug Guthrie, Director of China Initiatives at Thunderbird School of Global Management; Naseem khan Achakzai, Advisor to Speaker Balochistan Assembly (Parliament) from Pakistan; Rong Ying, Vice President and Senior Research Fellow, at the China Institute of International Studies.

①President Xi Jinping calls on northwest China's Shaanxi Province to write a new chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. (01:00) ②China's trade with five Central Asian countries hits a record-breaking 50 billion yuan in April. What factors contributed to this impressive surge in trade volume? (13:36) ③Chinese envoy visits Ukraine for political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. How is China playing an active role in promoting peace talks? (24:24) ④What are the key points of disagreement between the White House and Republicans regarding the debt ceiling negotiations in the US? (33:01) ⑤UK seeks to partner with Japan on defense and technology. (41:03)

①Former Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov says China-Central Asia Summit will help further enhance strategic partnership between the two regions. (01:02) ②As the China-Central Asia Summit approaches, we delve into the economic collaboration between the two regions. (15:17) ③China has strongly criticized Japan for provoking bloc confrontation as Fumio Kishida repeatedly attacked China ahead of the G7 summit. (24:35) ④The Chinese Embassy in the UK condemns former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss’s visit to Taiwan. We analyze the potential impact on China-UK relations. (33:38) ⑤The CEO of OpenAI calls for greater regulation of artificial intelligence. We discuss the delicate balance between fostering innovation and ensuring accountability. (42:53)

①Expert emphasizes the importance of stable and significant relationships between China and countries in Central Asia. (00:50) ②European countries pledge fresh defense aid to Ukraine. How will this impact the trajectory of the ongoing crisis? (13:46) ③China April industrial output rises 5.6%, retail sales jump 18.4%. (24:11) ④Australian Trade Minister says his country doesn't want to decouple from China. Are we witnessing signs of improvement in China-Australia relations? (34:40) ⑤Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make first official visit to South Korea. What will be on the top of his agenda? (42:24)

①Leaders of Central Asian countries will travel to the city of XIAN for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. How will the summit draw new blueprint for China-Central Asia relations? (00:59) ②Chinese envoy starts a trip to Europe for political solution of Ukraine crisis. How is China playing is role in mediating and facilitating peace talks? (14:28) ③Thailand's two main opposition parties have agreed to coalition after election success. What does this mean for the future of the country? (24:33) ④Erdogan faces runoff in Turkish presidential election. What will happen next? (31:56) ⑤Elon Musk names a new chief executive of Twitter. (42:19)

China's high-level government officials are busy travelling around Europe, showing the country's support for the development path chosen by the European people and to Europe in achieving strategic autonomy. What would a strategically independent Europe entail for its relations with China and the future of the region? Host Ge Anna is joined by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, Founder of The Schiller Institute; Chen Weihua, Chief of China Daily EU Bureau; Mike Bastin, Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton.

①US President Joe Biden says he remains optimistic about resolving the debt ceiling quandary. Will there be a way out for the debt ceiling standoff? (00:48) ②Turkiye is set to hold key presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday. Who are the main contenders? (15:47) ③Germany has given final approval for Chinese company COSCO to take a minority stake in the operator of a container terminal at the Hamburg port.(25:30) ④China's consumer price index rose 0.1 percent year on year in April.(36:20) ⑤The number of migrants crossing U.S. border tops 10,000 daily as they seek entry into the country before Title 42 ends.(43:40)

①In a meeting with German counterpart in Berlin, China's foreign minister warned the EU not to sanction Chinese companies over trade with Russia. We look at some details of the meeting and how it reflects the current China-EU relations. (00:58) ②Foreign ministers of Turkiye and Syria hold first official meeting since the start of Syrian civil war. What’s at stake? (15:17) ③Foreign ministers of ASEAN members are meeting this week in Indonesia for an ASEAN Summit. (25:04) ④We look at a new trend that China's electric vehicle makers are expanding manufacturing in Southeast Asia. (33:26) ⑤IBM unveils new AI platform to help businesses replace human workers. (43:41)

①China has declared a Canadian diplomat in Shanghai persona non grata. What's the background? (00:46) ②China, Afghanistan and Pakistan pledge to enhance cooperation on security and counter-terrorism. What's the significance? (11:00) ③China's total imports and exports of goods surged by 5.8 percent in the first four months of 2023.(22:53) ④US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned again that a failure to raise the US debt ceiling in time could lead to an economic and financial catastrophe.(32:00) ⑤Britain is preparing to send long-range missiles to Ukraine.(40:40)

①Arab foreign ministers decided to restore Syria's membership in the Arab League. What's the significance? (00:47) ②South Koreans rallied to protest Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Seoul. What is the background? (14:20) ③Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang called for efforts to prevent a downward spiral of China-U.S. ties when meeting with U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.(25:30) ④China's service activity grew for a fourth consecutive month in April. What does that indicate? (33:26) ⑤The United States, Saudi Arabia, UAE and India are discussing a joint railway project in the Middle East.(43:00)

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol wrapped up his week-long visit to the United States. While Seoul claims that the visit opens a new chapter for the SK-US alliance, criticism mounts saying Yoon becomes a "new Cold War facilitator" for politics on the peninsula, in East Asia, and even the world. What does the trip reveal about Yoon’s foreign policy? What far-reaching impact will it have on South Korea and the region? Host Ge Anna is joined by Dr. Qu Bo, Professor from China Foreign Affairs University; Dr. Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science, International Islamic University Malaysia; Dr. Josef Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University.