The Point with Liu Xin

The U.S. launched air strikes on Iran's key nuclear facilities over the weekend. What triggered President Trump to give the go-ahead? How will Iran respond? In what ways would the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz affect the world?

Have you noticed there has been more talk about a certain United Nations resolution numbered 2758? In the Taiwan press, it felt relentless. Resolution 2758 was passed at the 26th session of the UN General Assembly on Oct. 25, 1971. The resolution set the foundation of the UN position concerning Taiwan. What triggered this latest wave of media attention? What's their argument?

From Monday to Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, at the invitation of the country's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In the land of the Great Steppe, President Xi and his counterparts of five Central Asian countries are expected to further cement China-Central Asia cooperation. Exchanges between China and Central Asia date back at least two thousand years, to the days of the Ancient Silk Road. And with the Belt and Road Initiative, political trust has been enhanced and trade volume has skyrocketed. What does the summit mean for China-Central Asia ties? What results can we expect this time? What do stable China-Central Asia relations mean for the world?

Bilateral trade between China and the EU last year reached US$786 billion with investment rising to US$260 billion. Yet friction remains as the EU has moved to curb the access of Chinese medical device makers to public procurement contracts and imposed high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. This comes after the EU designated China as "a partner for cooperation, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival". How well will this approach play out? What are the expectations for China-EU trade relations going forward? How are U.S. protectionist policies impacting China-EU relations?

A framework was reached in principle for implementing the consensus reached between the two presidents over a recent phone call and the trade deal reached last month in Geneva. That appears to be the outcome of the latest round of talks between the world's two largest economies in London. Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping used the metaphor of "recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations", saying that the two sides should take the helm of the ship, set the right course, and steer clear of disturbances and disruptions as it sails forward. China is sincere and principled. Is the U.S. prepared to do the same?

China has been strengthening its maritime legislation framework for decades, building a robust set of domestic laws to provide a legal basis for its rights over relevant waters. How can international and domestic rule of law help bring peace in the South China Sea? Can we expect more cooperation to emerge between the claimant countries involved? As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippines relations, can the two sides seize the opportunity to improve ties?

On June 5th, the presidents of the world's two largest economies spoke on the phone. Both sides discussed trade issues, especially how to advance the agreement reached in Geneva on May 12th. The call also came amid repeated U.S. accusations that China has not followed through on its promises to relax controls over rare earths, minerals that are essential for hi-tech products. What did the two presidents talk about? What signals are they sending to the world? And what are we to expect going forward?

China extends visa-free entry to five Latin American and four Gulf countries, bringing the total to 47. Why the addition of Latin American and Gulf countries this time? What are the expectations from these regions, and what ripple effects could this policy have on business, trade, and tourism ties between China and these countries?

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will "aggressively revoke" visas from Chinese students, "including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." In his announcement on China, Rubio said the government will also "revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications" from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. This comes on the back of threats to limit the number of international students studying in American universities. Why are Chinese students particularly targeted? Are they the easy target in the ongoing feud between the White House and elite universities? How is this impacting the lives of young Chinese students?

The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability". As this year's ASEAN chair, Malaysia has highlighted its goal of forging and expanding economic partnerships beyond its borders as one of its main priorities. What drives the three parties to embrace each other? What's on the agenda of the summit, and how might this new platform bring fresh dynamics into Asia—and potentially the world?

On May 12th, the Bureau of Industry and Security under the U.S. Commerce Department issued “guidance", stating that using Huawei's most advanced AI chips "anywhere in the world" may violate U.S. export controls. China immediately condemned the move, vowing to take resolute measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Days later, the U.S. removed the line about "anywhere in the world," but still warns "all persons and companies in the U.S. and abroad" against using "PRC-produced" advanced chips. What does this latest "land grab" mean for businesses and the AI sector around the world? Will it succeed in containing China's development or has that train already left the station? How can companies respond to Washington's latest threats and intimidation?

U.S. buyers jumped on the phone to call their Chinese suppliers as soon as news reached them from Geneva. Demand for goods from China was so high that it led to a shipping container shortage, a sharp reversal from the situation just days ago. Following the high-stakes meetings in Geneva, tariffs came down significantly, and a 90-day pause was set while the two sides are expected to conduct high-level consultations under a joint mechanism. Going forward, will sharp pendulum swings be the new normal? How will the trade and economic talks unfold between the two sides?

The Cannes Film Festival is set to screen two Xizang-related films peddling separatism under the guise of spirituality and ethics. Are these films what they claim to be? Who are the people behind these productions? Have they actually been to Tibet or Xizang and seen it with their own eyes? What do those who live in Xizang today say about their lives, those who have no voice in the star-studded halls and alleyways of the French Riviera?

On May 7, China unveiled a 10-point policy package aimed at enhancing market confidence, boosting long-term liquidity and supporting innovation-driven growth. The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, cut its policy rate and reduced the reserve requirement ratio. Additional measures were announced to shore up technological innovation, consumer services and businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs. Now, China's economy grew by 5.4% during the first quarter of this year and value-added industrial output expanded 6.5% year on year. Retail sales also grew by 4.6% in the first quarter. Against the better-than-expected quarterly figures, why is China rolling out these measures? How will they affect the economy in the short to mid-term? And how have markets reacted so far?

During President Xi Jinping's state visit to Russia, the two sides issued a joint statement to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, bringing bilateral ties to the highest point in history. What does this mean for the two countries and the world at large?

China-EU relations have stood the test of time, with the two sides marking 50 years of diplomatic relations on May 6th. What shared values underpin this close relationship and where is it heading?

The 47th U.S. President's trade and tariff war against China has domestic retailers warning of empty shelves and economists predicting a U.S. recession before the end of the year. Internationally, China is seen as a more stable partner and a force for good in the world than the United States. How have the first 100 days of the Trump administration impacted bilateral ties? How will the trade fallout unfold in the short term? And how might changes in the comparative standings of the United States and China potentially shape the international landscape?

China, Russia, and Iran support the International Atomic Energy Agency in playing a constructive role in resolving issues pertaining to Iran's nuclear program. A joint meeting between senior diplomats from the three countries and the head of the IAEA sent that message on Thursday. What's the significance of the joint meeting in Vienna? What came out of the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Beijing? What can we expect from the third round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S.?

Higher inflation and lower growth. That's the outlook from the IMF's sobering World Economic Outlook for 2025. The report forecasts half a percentage point lower global growth for 2025, compared to January estimates, before Donald Trump returned to the White House. This is the clearest indication to date of the damage his tariff gambit is having on the global economy. In response to reports of the U.S. using tariff relief to coerce countries into distancing themselves from China, the Ministry of Commerce has warned that China will take resolute countermeasures against countries that choose to do so. How to reverse the damage to the global economy before it's too late? Who should make the first move to de-escalate the tariff standoff between the world's two largest economies?

On this special edition of The Point, we are taken back to a pivotal moment in global diplomacy: October 25, 1971, when the United Nations passed Resolution 2758, recognizing the People's Republic of China as the sole lawful representative of China at the UN. Joining us today is a unique eyewitness to history: Charles Liu, founder and chairman of HAO Capital, and founding director of the Center for China and the World at the City University of Macao. Born in Taiwan, he stood at the UN headquarters as the resolution passed. Hear his reflections on that defining day and his response to those now questioning its legacy.

President Xi Jinping is in Malaysia now, as part of his state visits to Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia. On the trip, China looks to strengthen economic ties, boost connectivity and deepen regional cooperation and integration. How does China's neighborhood diplomacy align with the concept of building a community of shared future with neighboring countries? What steps are China and ASEAN countries taking to defend the global multilateral trading order, especially given Washington's recent tariff blitz?

In response to earlier U.S. tariffs announced last week, China retaliated with its own set of measures, including reciprocal tariffs, rare earth export controls, and market stability actions. China has also deployed its economic heavyweights - the central bank, sovereign wealth funds, and financial regulators - into the fray. What other tools does China have up its sleeve? How will China respond to Trump's latest tariff escalation? What chances are there now of a negotiated settlement?

A beautiful thing to behold? This is how U.S. President Donald Trump described the long-term effects of his tariffs after trillions of dollars were wiped off global stock markets. Asian markets saw steep drops this morning as exchanges reopened for the first time since Trump's latest tariff gambit. China swiftly hit back on Friday with strong and expansive countermeasures, including additional tariffs of 34 percent on all U.S. imports starting on April 10th. How will Trump's tariffs impact the average Americans? Can these tariffs really make America great again in the long run?

"Strait Thunder-2025A", that's the code name of the ongoing military exercises conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the middle and southern areas of the Taiwan Strait. The PLA Eastern Theater Command made the announcement hours ago on Wednesday, a day after launching joint military exercises around the island on Tuesday. China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Tuesday that the drills are a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te authorities' blatant "Taiwan independence" provocations. What triggered the latest reactions from Beijing? What has Lai Ching-te said or done since he took office last May? How will the drills impact the situation across the Strait?

The annual Boao Forum for Asia kicked off on Tuesday under the theme "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future." The forum brings together 2,000 representatives from some 60 countries and regions, including leaders from Russia, Indonesia, Laos, Bangladesh, and Kazakstan along with around 120 ministerial-level officials, and leaders from 30 international organizations. Delegates will spend three days discussing strategies for navigating global challenges and fostering regional cooperation. What's on the agenda of this year's meeting? What uncertainties is the world facing? What can we expect from Asia, the world's most economically dynamic region?

Tariffs and Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to implement his latest wave of tariffs, or reciprocal tariffs, on the world. And his administration has been holding talks with Russia and Ukraine respectively in Saudi Arabia. What will be the implications of these developments for the world, especially for the Global South? Our guest today is Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental Institute for Social Research.

A 30-day halt to strikes on energy facilities by Russia and Ukraine. That appears to be the outcome of a lengthy phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18th. According to statements from the White House and the Kremlin, both sides agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. How significant was this phone call? Why is a truce so difficult to achieve? And what is China's take on this development?

Hainan, China's southernmost province, has a population of over 10 million and spans 35,400 square kilometers. Once a remote and underdeveloped island, it has been transformed into a rising hub for international trade and investment. A key part of this transformation is the Hainan Free Trade Port, which has garnered global attention and has been highlighted in China's Government Work Report for seven consecutive years. By the end of 2025, Hainan plans to establish independent customs operations, a significant milestone in its development. What are these operations? How will they impact Hainan, the world, and maybe even you? What makes this beautiful island so uniquely attractive?

China's annual "Two Sessions," the biggest event on the country's political calendar, are currently underway. The term "new quality productive forces", introduced by President Xi Jinping in September 2023, is again in the spotlight. What are the new quality productive forces? As technology rapidly advances and the international landscape remains fraught with uncertainties, how will China chart its course towards modernization?

Around 5%, that's the growth target China has set for 2025, the same as last year. This was announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in his government work report, presented to the annual gathering of China's top legislators for deliberations. The report reviewed the government's work last year, outlined economic and social priorities, policy directions for the year ahead and actions to be taken. Why is China so confident about achieving similar levels of growth as last year? How does China plan to achieve these targets?

The "Two Sessions", considered the most important event on China's political calendar, is coming up. Delegates from across China are gearing-up to attend the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Ethnic unity is always high on the agenda during the "Two Sessions". To understand how ethnic unity is promoted on the ground, CGTN host Liu Xin traveled to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to a city called Shihezi, where its administration has been put under U.S. sanctions for the past four and a half years.

Has China lost its allure to foreign investors? That's the picture painted by mainstream Western media reports this week. But do the numbers support this take? For instance, inbound investment in January dropped by 13% year-on-year, but jumped almost 30% from the previous month. The number of foreign companies registered in China also rose by 10% last year. What's behind these numbers? What's China doing to further boost foreign investment?

The movie Ne Zha 2 debuted in China at the end of January during the Spring Festival holiday, and quickly shattered box office records at home and abroad. Within three weeks, it had grossed nearly 13 billion yuan, or 1.8 billion US dollars, making it the world's best-selling animated film in history. It's also the only non-Hollywood film to join the all-time global box office top ten. What has made this movie such a success? Could this be a turning point for China's cultural appeal globally?

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the arrival of DeepSeek AI should serve as a wake-up call for U.S. industries, urging the country to focus intensely on staying competitive. Is China engaged in an AI-led tech race against the U.S.? What are Trump's AI policies, and how do they differ from those of his predecessor? How can we prevent the polarization of the digital world?

Can the peoples of China and the United States increase exchanges against headwinds? There has been positive momentum over the past couple of years, but can it be sustained under President Trump? Why should Americans, who are now gripped by domestic divisions and uncertainties, care about getting to know their Chinese counterparts?

How do people in China's Taiwan region celebrate the Spring Festival? What customs do people across the Strait share? What are some of the differences? How has popular culture from both sides influenced each other over the past decades?

How do people in China's Taiwan region celebrate the Spring Festival? What customs do people across the Strait share? What are some of the differences? How has popular culture from both sides influenced each other over the past decades?

Since taking office on January 20th, Trump has adopted a rather nuanced stance on China tariffs, a contrast to his hardline trade policy during his first presidency. However, the end of the honeymoon period still looms, as the "Tariff Man" campaigned on levying high tariffs on all Chinese exports to the U.S.. Can the two sides find ways to establish a mutually beneficial trade relationship? Why has trade been resilient despite Trump's tariffs that were kept in place by Biden? Can new and bigger tariffs really make America great again?

On January 20th, Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, declaring that "the golden age of America begins right now". Han Zheng, Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative and Vice President of China, attended the inauguration ceremony, marking the first time for a senior Chinese official to participate in a U.S. presidential inauguration. Just days before the big event, President Xi spoke with Trump on the phone at the latter's request and both leaders expressed the hope that ties would get off to a good start in Trump's new term. How will the world's two largest economies handle their relationship? How will this impact the rest of the world, particularly the Global South?

TikTok is back online, after going dark for 12 hours. It chose to shut itself down over divestment. The abrupt disappearance came just minutes before a US law banning the app took effect on Sunday, and one day before Donald Trump returns to power. But now, the app, along with its 170 million American users, about half the country's population, thanks him for restoring its operation. Days earlier, many TikTokers, who call themselves "TikTok refugees", flocked to the Chinese app RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, learning some Mandarin and Chinese dishes along the way. Can Trump save TikTok eventually? What will happen after the 90-day reprieve ends? How long will American users stay on RedNote?

Following the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest China's Xizang, the Chinese President ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties. The quake hit the remote border county of Dingri on Tuesday morning, killing 126 people so far, injuring 188 more and damaging over one thousand houses. Rescue teams were immediately mobilized in a race against time despite the high altitude, remote location and freezing temperature. What's the latest on the ground? How are disaster response teams adapting to the region's unique needs?

The World Bank raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2024 and 2025 on Dec 26th of 2024, but cautioned against challenges such as household and business confidence, and headwinds in the property sector. China has emphasized the need to maintain steady economic growth, keep employment and prices generally stable, ensure a basic equilibrium in the balance of payments, and increase residents' income in step with economic growth. What obstacles and challenges can we expect in the new year? Where is China's economy headed?