The Hub with Wang Guan

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting China with a high-level business delegation at a time of global economic uncertainty. Can this visit bring new momentum to China–Germany relations? And how can the two sides expand cooperation while strengthening long-term stability?

The Year of the Horse is bringing new energy to Spring Festival celebrations around the world! From time-honored customs to modern creativity, how are traditions being refreshed for younger audiences and international viewers? And how does horse culture help bridge the past with today's artistic expression? In this special festive edition of The Hub, our guests share stories, insights, and memories of the Spring Festival, explore the meaning of the Chinese zodiac, and discuss how culture connects people across borders. They also send their Chinese New Year greetings to audiences around the globe, wishing everyone joy, success, and a wonderful Year of the Horse!

Music ushers in the Year of the Horse by bringing people closer across cultures. But what does a song mean when it crosses borders? How can music transform travel into understanding and strangers into friends? In this special edition of The Hub, Wang Guan celebrates the New Year with stories of music, connection, and cultural exchange as the One Voice Children's Choir returns to China to perform in Beijing ahead of the Chinese New Year. The choir and their director reflect on why they wrote their new song, "We Are Together," for Chinese audiences, share how performing in China this time feels different from previous visits, and explore how their interactions with local audiences have shaped their journey.

Why does the Epstein case continue to captivate the world? Does it reveal more than individual wrongdoing, but also expose deeper questions about power and accountability? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan speaks with Rina Shah, geopolitical analyst and commentator; Brandon Andrews, entrepreneur and former Hill staffer; and Josef Mahoney, professor of politics at East China Normal University, to examine the implications of the Epstein files. They explore how global elite networks operate, the obstacles facing the justice system, and how political pressure and withheld information erode public trust in some Western societies.

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games are currently underway, and attention is turning to how winter sports and tourism are reshaping economies around the world. What is driving China's winter tourism boom, and how much room is there for future growth? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan explores the rise of China's winter economy. He is joined by Kari Tirkkonen, CEO of Suomutunturi Ski Resort from Finland, Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, and Paul Dong, co-founder of Ei Asia Limited and a sports industry observer. They examine how China is transforming its winter resources into a powerful economic engine. They discuss the surge in domestic travel, the expansion of winter tourism beyond traditional destinations, and the growing role of culture, leisure, and lifestyle consumption.

Rising tensions between the United States and Iran are reshaping diplomacy and security. Can dialogue still prevent escalation, and what do these developments mean for the wider world? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan is joined by Bobby Naderi, journalist and political commentator in London; Zhou Rong, senior analyst at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China; and Einar Tangen, senior fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation. Together, they explore the latest signals from upcoming U.S.-Iran talks and discuss Washington's military deployments in the Middle East.

Relations between China and the United States are built through both national dialogue and, increasingly, by individual experience. What can personal experience teach us about peace and mutual respect? In this edition of The Hub, Wang Guan talks to Evan Kail, an American content creator who gained global attention after donating a rare World War II photo album documenting Japanese war crimes to China. Together, they examine his personal connection to the history of the World Anti-Fascist War, and how these experiences shape his views on war and peace. The conversation also looks into the role of people-to-people exchange in easing misunderstandings and reflects on what personal connections mean for the future of China–U.S. relations.

The United States has once again withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, but this move goes far beyond climate policy. In recent years, Washington has increasingly stepped back from multilateral institutions, raising serious questions about the future of global cooperation. What does this trend mean for the rules-based international order? Is global governance becoming more fragmented or simply being reshaped? In this episode of The Hub, Wang Guan is joined by guests to explore how U.S. withdrawals are viewed around the world, from Europe to the Global South, and what this shift means for fairness, stability, and shared responsibility in international affairs.

2026 marks 70 years of diplomatic engagements between China and Africa. China–Ghana cooperation is gaining new momentum. As global uncertainty rises, what makes China–Ghana cooperation stand out, and what does it signal for the future of China–Africa relations?

China's economy hit a major milestone in 2025, surpassing 140 trillion yuan in GDP. What has driven this growth — and what challenges lie ahead? In this episode of The Hub, host Wang Guan is joined by a panel of experts to discuss economic resilience, technological and industrial upgrading, the priorities of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, and China's evolving role in the global economy. What forces are shaping China's next phase of development?

Recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, rising tensions with Iran, and its interest in Greenland may look separate — but are they? Is might prevailing over right? In this episode of The Hub, host Wang Guan and guests examine the strategic logic connecting these flashpoints and what they may reflect about deeper trends in shifting power, sovereignty, and the global order.

China and the Republic of Korea are at a pivotal moment as President Lee Jae Myung begins his first state visit to Beijing. What does this visit mean for the future of China-ROK relations, and how can cooperation between the two neighbors shape regional stability and growth? Where do China-ROK relations stand today and where are they headed next?

China stands at a new juncture as it looks ahead to 2026 with development, governance, and global engagement in focus. What signals shape China's economic priorities for the year ahead? How does China view its role in a rapidly changing world? In this first episode of The Hub for 2026, we explore the key messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2026 New Year address, discuss economic progress and innovation-driven growth, and examine priorities under the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.

As China prepares to launch its 15th Five-Year Plan, it enters a new phase of modernization driven by innovation and long-term planning. What does this mean for the global economy – and for a world facing rising uncertainty? In this year-end special on The Hub, Huang Jiyuan speaks with Martin Jacques, former senior fellow at the University of Cambridge, on China's development path, the outlook for China-U.S. relations, China's role in the Global South, and whether cooperation and civilizational understanding can help rebuild trust in a fragmented world.

Throughout 2025, Asia has continued to drive the global economy. China is advancing high-quality development while playing a stabilizing role in international affairs. Following a year of high-level engagement, what lies ahead for China-U.S. relations? Among shifting global currents, how will Asia's growth contribute to shared global prosperity? In a CGTN year-end special, The Hub brings you a 2025 review with Professor Kishore Mahbubani. As a distinguished diplomat, scholar, and author of influential books on Asia and global affairs, he examines the future of major-power relations, explores the global implications of China's development path, and underscores the necessity of cooperation over rivalry.

As the world faces increasing challenges—from global governance and regional security to climate change and food security—international cooperation has never been more important. How can nations work together to build sustainable partnerships that can transcend geopolitical tensions and promote long-term mutual benefits? How can we ensure that global challenges are addressed through collaboration rather than confrontation? We speak with Grzegorz Kolodko, a renowned economist and former Deputy Prime Minister of Poland.

This is a big moment as Hainan, the Free Trade Port in South China, officially launches its special customs arrangements that will allow more goods, services, investments, data, and people to move more freely into the island. This is a major policy move, demonstrating China's resolve to become more open and inclusive in this new era. How will all this work in reality? What will these special customs operations mean for global investors and companies?

Climate change is no longer unfolding in the background — it is now a major driver of the global food crisis. Heatwaves, droughts, floods and widespread crop failures are disrupting harvests and threatening livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in the world's most vulnerable regions. As the United Nations Environment Assembly meets this week at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, one urgent question comes to the forefront: how can countries strengthen resilience and transform their food systems to withstand a rapidly warming planet?

A decade since the Paris Agreement, the impacts of climate change are still haunting humanity, and the clock is ticking. As major economies are steering towards a green and digital transformation, the question is no longer why we must do this, but how we can best do it together. How to collaborate in the race for clean tech innovation? Who will lead the next wave of green growth? Join frontline experts in a special global discussion co-produced by CGTN and Euronews to explore the future of clean technology innovation.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, a milestone that reflects five decades of growing economic, cultural, and political exchange. How can nations work together to build sustainable partnerships that transcend geopolitical tensions and promote long-term mutual benefits? How can we ensure that global challenges are addressed through collaboration rather than confrontation?

A new article in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences presents compelling evidence that Chinese researchers are playing an increasingly important role in international science collaboration nowadays, after analyzing nearly six million papers, as well as their continued momentum amid fierce competition with the United States. How should we interpret China's growing influence in global science? What has China done right to reach this point? How can China and the United States, the two largest powers in scientific research, coexist and collaborate to advance global scientific progress?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call touching on the Taiwan question on Monday. That was followed by President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holding their first phone call since the Japanese PM sparked a major diplomatic fallout with China over her remarks on Taiwan. Beijing has issued a series of strong and coordinated diplomatic responses over Takaichi's refusal to retract her Taiwan remarks, with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warning that Japan has "crossed a red line." How seriously has Japan miscalculated China's red lines? And what do these developments mean for regional stability and world order?

Japan under Sanae Takaichi is flagrantly crossing diplomatic red lines. By claiming that "a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency," she is signaling potential intervention in China's internal affairs — a blatant violation of the One-China principle and the foundation of China-Japan relations. Beijing has responded firmly, while Takaichi remains unwilling to retract her irresponsible remarks. What is Japan really up to? How badly has it misread China's resolve — and what happens next?

This is a turbulent time, with people around the world asking the same question: How should we pursue the better lives we all dream of? How can we solve the problems that are too big for one generation to face? We are joined today by a distinguished panel of leaders and experts—with deep insights into China's development and its global impact—to shed light on these critical issues.

In the field of education, China and New Zealand have established a long-standing partnership — from university exchanges and joint research programs to platforms like the China Education Expo. In this special edition of The Hub, Dr. Shane Reti, New Zealand's Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, shares his insights on how education, science, and climate actions are shaping our shared future.

The China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. As one of the world's largest trade fairs, it has become a flagship platform for showcasing China's commitment to high-standard and institutional opening-up — a central theme of the country's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. Amid global economic headwinds, China is doubling down on openness — turning its vast market into a shared space for cooperation, innovation, and growth.

The recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan marked a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. Held on the sidelines of APEC South Korea 2025, the meeting carried a clear, forward-looking message: the world's two largest economies, after years of frictions, are positioning themselves as partners rather than perpetual rivals. What deeper political and economic signal does this meeting send? Can we realistically expect a turning point in China–U.S. relations?

In this special roundtable, we are joined by a group of young foreign students who bring a fresh perspective on China and the world. Many of them have studied, worked, and traveled across China, experiencing firsthand the changes shaping daily life and the nation's growth. What is their take on China's next chapter? With the guiding recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan already on the table, how do they see China's priorities for the next five years?

As China's 14th Five-Year Plan draws to a successful close, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is underway in Beijing from October 20 to 23, a landmark meeting that will set the course for China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and the nation's next phase of modernization. What new signals will this plenary send out about China's policy direction in the years ahead? And how will the 15th Five-Year Plan balance long-term strategy with short-term realities?

China has just concluded an important chapter, the "14th Five-Year Plan," marked by historic strides in technological innovation, a green transition, and high-quality development. As the nation unveils its "15th Five-Year Plan," former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland, Professor Grzegorz W. Kołodko shares his assessment of China's economic resilience through the decades. What's his view on the prospects of China-Poland relations and China-EU dynamics amid a complex global landscape and Trump 2.0? What role can China's development model play in shaping inclusive globalization and the future of global governance?

The eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday has just wrapped up after an extended break that energized the nation with hundreds of millions of trips, bustling scenic spots, and booming consumption across China. As people head back to work on this first workday after the long break, we take a closer look at what this holiday reveals about China's economic vitality. From record tourism revenue to surging spending in retail, dining, and entertainment, what do the numbers tell us about China's current growth momentum and consumer confidence? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the world's second-largest economy as it enters the final quarter of the year?

Starting October 1, China will implement its revised regulations on the entry and exit of foreigners. Among the highlights is a newly introduced K visa, designed specifically for young tech talents from around the world. This policy has drawn wide attention in the international community. How should we understand this move in light of China's development needs? How might it inject fresh vitality into its economy, advance further opening-up, and strengthen the country's influence on the global stage?

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Over the past seven decades, Xinjiang has grown from a remote frontier to a vibrant region with modern cities, thriving industries, and improved living standards for 26 million residents representing dozens of ethnic groups. The region has made historic progress in poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare -- achievements that have transformed everyday life. It is also emerging as a pioneer in clean energy, generating a significant share of China's wind and solar power, and serving as a crucial bridge for the country's westward opening-up and international connectivity.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 80th session of the UN General Assembly -- a time to reflect on eight decades of peace, development, and human rights. Yet the world also faces urgent challenges, especially climate change, which calls for stronger global cooperation. At this crossroads, Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Governance Initiative, or GGI, urging countries to work together for a fairer and more equitable global governance system. How can the GGI best align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and what added value can it bring to global climate action and today's international efforts?

Sports have long been a powerful bond connecting people across cultures and continents. Recently, a group of Latin American guests gathered in Beijing for an exploration ranging from sports exchange to economic growth.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important address at the BRICS Leaders' Meeting via video link, where leaders held in-depth discussions on a wide range of global challenges, ranging from economic governance to international security and sustainable development. These talks come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and deep economic uncertainties. What messages does the summit send to the international community? How is BRICS reshaping its role in global governance, and what path might this grouping pursue in the years ahead?

The message from the September 3 parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing is clear: China has a military that is modernizing fast and stands firm against bullying. It has the full capability to defend itself should there be an adversary. Another key message conveyed is that China is a force for peace, development, and global solidarity. It is willing to lead those who are committed to building this Community of Shared Future for Humanity, where there's common development, collective empathy, and a shared love for peace.

This week, China hosted the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the city of Tianjin. At the Summit, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative. As this week marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, SCO leaders also issued a statement to honor that occasion: Never forget the lessons of WWII.

Over the 24 years since its founding, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has steadily grown under the strategic leadership of its member states, broadening cooperation and increasing its influence on the global stage. With the SCO Summit in the coastal city of Tianjin coming up from August 31 to September 1, what role will the "Shanghai Spirit" play in building trust and cooperation among its members? In this complex international environment, how can SCO members achieve security and development together?

In this special edition of The Hub, CGTN host Wang Guan talked with ambassadors, culture figures and witnesses of China-Pakistan relations at a panel discussion co-hosted by CGTN and the Embassy of Pakistan in China. How has the relationship between China and Pakistan stayed so strong and resilient over the years and decades?

This year marks the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, a hard-fought struggle for China's survival and a key part of the global fight against fascism. Yet this chapter of history has quickly become a "forgotten war" in many parts of the Western world, and for that matter China has been, to borrow the words of then-Oxford, now-Harvard scholar Rana Mitter, a "forgotten ally." What exactly happened eighty years ago in this part of the world? And what crucial lessons must be learned?

Rising global tensions and ideological divides are making the echoes of the 20th century louder. Odd Arne Westad, a leading historian from Yale University, studies these dynamics. In addition to his Bancroft Prize-winning book, The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times, he also specializes in China with works like Restless Empire: China and the World and The Great Transformation: China's Road from Revolution to Reform. His work helps us understand the complex world order by connecting the past and present. As we face these familiar challenges, are we truly learning from history, or are we destined to repeat it?