World Today

① Trump gives Iran a 10-15 day ultimatum on the nuclear deal. Will diplomacy avert ‘bad things’ or is a crisis looming? (00:37) ② China sees a cross-border travel surge under the visa-free policy. (11:58) ③ Why does China aim for a "reasonable price recovery"? (24:10)

Li Lun, an economics professor at Peking University, on government support and industrial policy. Andy Mock, a robotics and AI professor, on humanoid robots and governance. Paul Dong, sports commentator and company co‑founder, on China’s Winter Olympics wins and athlete performances. Professor Chu Chiang, international relations scholar, on China‑Japan‑Taiwan tensions. They discuss Olympic triumphs, robot commercialization, AI impacts, and regional security.

Yan Liang, economics professor exploring space economy policy; Chu Qiang, aerospace professor on commercial launch growth; Aina Tengen, fellow tracking Spring Festival consumption and AI shopping; Dr. Zhou Mi, research fellow on robotics breakthroughs. They discuss a Gala robot performance sparking mass demand. They cover robotics technical leaps, consumer adoption hurdles, holiday spending and AI shopping trends, and rapid commercial space expansion.

① What new trends are emerging in China’s 2026 Spring Festival? (00:40) ② Hungarian State Folk Ensemble joins CMG’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala for cross-cultural celebration. (15:07) ③ Why is "Becoming Chinese" going viral overseas? (24:30)

① Dialogue or destruction? Chinese FM Wang Yi calls for cooperation as Munich warns of a fracturing world. (00:40) ② How GGI shape cooperation and redefine international engagement? (26:32)

The American think tank Council on Foreign Relations has ranked the ten best and worst decisions in U.S. foreign policy history. Now, as Washington grows more skeptical of multilateralism, reassesses alliances more transactionally, and returns to tariffs and sanctions, history feels closer than ever. What lessons—and what warnings—does America’s diplomatic past hold for today? Host Ge Anna is joined by Zoon Ahmed Khan, Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization; Josef Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations at East China Normal University; and Dr. Liu Kuangyu, Researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

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)

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)

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)

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)