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Panel: Has US-South Korea alliance become transactional?
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…
U.S. debt tops $40 trillion. How long can America keep borrowing?
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…
Ecuador president in Beijing: Why is Latin America drawing closer to China?
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…
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…
Why is the Philippine defense secretary pushing confrontation with China?
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…
Japan's surrender day: can a country that forgets its aggression avoid repeating it?
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…
China-led global standards on smart city: How will it shape human urban life?
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.…
“China is awesome”: Musk urges tourists to visit as inbound tourism rises 20%
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…
Japan's defense spending on the rise: what does it mean to Asia?
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…
Argentina's financial stability: How can a currency swap with China help?
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…
Panel: Japan's security shift - protection or provocation?
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…
Is EU's transfer of profits from frozen Russian assets actually helping Ukraine?
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…
Rising diplomatic tensions between Brazil and Argentina
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…