Podcasts about five year plan

President Xi Jinping stressed advancing high-quality urban renewal during an inspection tour in Shanghai on Wednesday, calling for comprehensive efforts to fully embrace the people-centered philosophy of urban development and keep enhancing urban residents' sense of gain, happiness and security.In advancing urban renewal, sustained efforts must be made to listen to the people's needs, draw on their suggestions and assess results through their feedback, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.During the tour, Xi spoke with residents and community workers at a residential community in Shanghai's Huangpu district. He listened to a briefing on Shanghai's efforts to renovate old residential buildings lacking sanitary facilities and on the city's resolution of the long-standing problem of residents in old neighborhoods having to carry chamber pots.He stressed that the CPC Central Committee has made urban work a policy priority, outlining steps to build modern cities of the people that are innovative, desirable to live in, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced and smart.Renovating aging urban residential communities is an important part of this endeavor, Xi said.During the Central Urban Work Conference in July last year, Xi stressed that the nation must take urban renewal as a key driver and vigorously optimize urban structure, foster new growth drivers, improve urban quality, advance green transformation, preserve cultural heritage and enhance governance efficiency.The State Council, China's Cabinet, released in May an urban renewal plan, outlining key targets and policy measures for the country's urban renewal efforts during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.According to the plan, the nation will launch renovation projects for 115,000 aging urban residential communities and carry out comprehensive community upgrading in 5,000 neighborhoods during the 2026-30 period, with the aim of creating higher-quality urban living spaces.Xi underscored on Wednesday that officials must firmly establish and practice a correct understanding of governance performance, think about what concerns the people, respond to their most pressing needs, formulate and implement effective policies, and persevere in improving people's livelihoods over the long term.He also called for improving property management and community services with what he described as the precision of "needlework", striving to better meet residents' expectations.At the home of retired resident Zhu Guoli, Xi carefully checked the family's living conditions.He told the family that the lives of ordinary people are both family affairs and affairs of the State.The CPC is dedicated to serving the people, and only when the people live in peace and contentment can the Party and the government rest assured, he said.The president also checked the supply of fruits and vegetables and spoke with community representatives, subdistrict officials and community workers.He pointed out that communities are the basic units of the urban governance system.Xi also called for steps to improve the level of community governance, directing more resources, services and management to the grassroots, while continuing to reduce burdens on primary-level organizations and empower them.With the nation now at a critical stage of flood control and prevention, Xi called on various regions and departments to establish worst-case scenario thinking, closely monitor rainfall, flood conditions and typhoon developments, and carry out detailed investigations of potential risks and hazards. He highlighted the importance of making solid preparations for flood prevention and control, emergency rescue and disaster relief, and effectively safeguarding the lives and property of the people.renewal /rɪˈnjuːəl/更新；改造；复兴resilient /rɪˈzɪliənt/有韧性的，抗风险能力强的grassroots /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/基层；草根endeavor /ɪnˈdevə(r)/努力；事业，工作underscore /ˌʌndəˈskɔː(r)/着重强调，凸显scenario /səˈnɑːriəʊ/情景、预想情况

Alice Han and James Kynge look at why, for the first time in decades, China's new Five-Year Plan sets no numerical target for urban job creation. With unemployment at 5.1%, producer prices at a four-year high, and AI anxiety rippling through the labor market, what does it mean when Beijing, a government that treats jobs numbers as sacred, stops setting one? Then: Tencent is in talks to become the largest shareholder in Manus, the Chinese AI agent startup Meta tried to buy for $2 billion before Beijing forced the deal to unwind. Alice and James unpack why Chinese regulators intervened, what happened to Manus's founders, and what this all signals about Beijing's grip on its AI sector. Finally: Gen Z in China is skipping the megacities. Alice and James dig into why more young people are choosing Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities over Beijing and Shanghai, and whether it's a lifestyle choice or a symptom of a tougher economy. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Schopp provides an update on the Spain versus France soccer match before analyzing the frustrations of sports officiating and parental bias in youth sports. He then addresses a caller's concerns regarding the Buffalo Sabres' timeline for becoming a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. 01:01 - Soccer Update 02:26 - Officiating And Parent Biases 05:18 - Sabres Playoff Future

China's 15th Five-Year Plan sets the course for the country's next stage of economic development, with a stronger focus on domestic demand, innovation, green transition, and high-quality growth. What are China's top priorities over the next five years? How will the new plan shape China's economy and influence the global economic landscape amid rising geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainty?

The Chinese port city of Dalian just hosted the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions - AMNC26 - often known as the Summer Davos. Innovating at scale was the official theme, and we heard lots on that - but also geopolitics, not least the rivalry between China and the US. On this episode we get a flavour of the discussions and hear from the people at the World Economic Forum who are working on the big issues throughout the year. Links: Home page for AMNC26: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2026/ Blogs: Summer Davos 2026: Key takeaways and must-reads: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/06/summer-davos-2026-key-highlights-must-reads/ Graham Allison: US-China competition is the 'fiercest Thucydian rivalry of all time': https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/06/graham-allison-us-china-trump-xi-thucydides-trap/ AMNC26 sessions: 15th Five-Year Plan, Unpacked: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2026/sessions/15th-five-year-plan-unpacked/ Chief Economists Briefing: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2026/sessions/chief-economists-briefing-2fb0bbaf27/ US and China: From Here to Where?:  https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2026/sessions/us-and-china-from-here-to-where/ Summer Davos 2026: Special address by Li Qiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/06/summer-davos-2026-special-address-by-li-qiang-premier-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china/ Radio Davos Daily from AMNC26: AMNC26 - What to expect from "Summer Davos": https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/amnc26-what-to-expect-from-summer-davos/ Day 1 - Taking the pulse of Asia's largest economy, and of the world: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/amnc26-day-1/ Day 2 - Adam Tooze on Premier Li, and other upcoming highlights: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/amnc26-day-2/ AMNC26 Day 3 - The final day at the Summer Davos: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/amnc26-day-3/ Other related podcasts: The scientific advances ready to change the world: the Top 10 Emerging Technologies 2026: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/top-10-emerging-tech-2026/ A "fundamental shift" in energy thinking: the Energy Transition Index 2026: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/energy-transition-index-2026/ AMNC26: Chief Economists Briefing (audio): https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues/episodes/amnc26-chief-economists-briefing/ Follow Agenda Dialogues on any podcast app to get the audio from more AMNC26 sessions in the coming weeks: https://pod.link/1574956552 Forum initiatives mentioned in this episode: First Movers Coalition: https://initiatives.weforum.org/first-movers-coalition/home Transitioning Industrial Clusters: https://initiatives.weforum.org/transitioning-industrial-clusters/home Longevity Economy: https://initiatives.weforum.org/financial-resilience-for-every-generation/home Deepening Divides: The Cost of a More Fragmented Financial System: https://www.weforum.org/publications/deepening-divides-the-cost-of-a-more-fragmented-financial-system/ The Longevity Dividend: The Business Case for Linking Health and Wealth: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-longevity-dividend-the-business-case-for-linking-health-and-wealth/ The AI Playbook for Financial Services: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-ai-playbook-for-financial-services/ Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2026: https://www.weforum.org/publications/top-10-emerging-technologies-of-2026/ Radio Davos episode on that: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/top-10-emerging-tech-2026/ Reskilling Revolution - The First Mile Sandbox: https://initiatives.weforum.org/reskilling-revolution/first-mile-sandbox Lumina: https://lumina.weforum.org/ Global Lighthouse Network: https://initiatives.weforum.org/global-lighthouse-network/home More Forum podcasts: Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552

Craig and Big Mac react to the Yankees' seven-game losing streak and the team's struggles to execute in critical late-inning moments. They also discuss Mitchell Robinson signing with the Boston Celtics and Steve Cohen's public defense of David Stearns' long-term plan for the Mets. 01:23 - Mitchell Robinson Knicks Exit 05:52 - Defining A Yankee Swoon 12:52 - Steve Cohen Podcast Interview 16:54 - Freddie's Yankee Frustrations 20:05 - Managerial Decision Debates 24:10 - Knicks Roster Flexibility 29:26 - Bullpen Trust Issues 36:34 - David Stearns' Five-Year Plan

As political and business leaders gather in Dalian, Liaoning province, for the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum, global attention is turning to how China will use the event to reinforce its role in championing stable growth and practical cooperation at a time of mounting global economic uncertainty.各国政商领袖齐聚辽宁大连，出席世界经济论坛第十七届新领军者年会，全球目光聚焦中国将如何借助此次论坛，在全球经济不确定性持续攀升的当下，进一步发挥引领作用，倡导稳定增长与务实合作。Premier Li Qiang underscored China's commitment to strengthening cooperation with various countries in emerging sectors and enhancing development synergy, as he held a series of bilateral meetings with heads of government on Tuesday on the sidelines of the event, also known as the Summer Davos forum. The prime ministers Li met with were Guinea's Amadou Oury Bah, Kazakhstan's Olzhas Bektenov, the Republic of Korea's Kim Min-seok, Mongolia's Nyam-Osor Uchral and Montenegro's Milojko Spajic.本届论坛又称夏季达沃斯，李强总理于周二在论坛期间同多国政府首脑举行双边会见，着重阐明中方愿同各国加强新兴产业合作、提升发展协同效应。此次会见的各国总理包括几内亚总理阿马杜·乌里·巴、哈萨克斯坦总理奥尔扎斯·别克捷诺夫、韩国总理金民锡、蒙古国总理尼亚姆·奥索尔·乌其尔勒、黑山总理米洛伊科·斯帕伊奇。During the meeting with Bektenov, Li voiced China's readiness to work with Kazakhstan to expand bilateral trade, deepen cooperation in energy and mineral resources, enhance connectivity, and broaden collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, smart cities, big data and the digital economy — injecting fresh momentum into the modernization drive of both nations.在同别克捷诺夫会见时，李强表示，中方愿同哈萨克斯坦扩大双边贸易，深化能源矿产领域合作，提升互联互通水平，并拓展人工智能、智慧城市、大数据、数字经济等新兴领域协作，为两国现代化建设注入全新动能。While meeting with Kim, Li called on both sides to seize new opportunities for innovation-driven development, and stressed efforts to advance an open Asia-Pacific economy, uphold free trade and multilateralism, and keep global industrial and supply chains secure and stable.会见金民锡时，李强提出，中韩双方应抢抓创新驱动发展新机遇，着力推进开放型亚太经济，坚持自由贸易与多边主义，维护全球产业链供应链安全稳定。The foreign government heads pledged efforts to deepen collaboration with China across various sectors. Uchral Nyam-Osor, the Mongolian prime minister, said that Mongolia is ready to enhance synergy between its national development strategy and China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), and to bolster cooperation in trade, cross-border connectivity, infrastructure, energy and mining, agriculture and the green economy.各国政府首脑均承诺，将深化各领域对华合作。蒙古国总理尼亚姆·奥索尔·乌奇尔勒表示，蒙古愿推动本国发展战略同中国“十五”规划（2026—2030年）对接协同，加强贸易、跨境互联互通、基础设施、能源矿产、农业、绿色经济领域合作。The three-day event, which began on Tuesday, brings together more than 1,700 leaders from the business, government, academic and media communities from over 90 countries and regions to discuss ways to boost world economic growth and cooperation.本次论坛为期三日，自周二启幕，汇聚来自90多个国家和地区的1700余名商界、政界、学界、媒体代表，共同探讨提振全球经济增长、深化国际合作的路径。Long regarded as a key platform for promoting exchanges between China and the world and enhancing practical cooperation, the annual gathering also speaks volumes about global stakeholders' broad recognition of China and their unwavering confidence in its prospects amid worldwide volatility.该年会长期以来是联通中国与世界、推进务实合作的重要平台，也充分体现出，在全球局势动荡多变的背景下，全球各方利益相关者对中国的广泛认可，以及对中国发展前景坚定不移的信心。Some participants stressed that the world's second-largest economy is a reliable partner for joint innovation, practical cooperation and shared growth.多位参会代表强调，作为全球第二大经济体，中国是携手创新、务实合作、共赢发展的可靠伙伴。Pontus Erntell, who oversees Ikea's operations in China, described the country as a strategic market where the Swedish home furnishing giant has been deeply rooted for a long time.宜家中国区负责人庞安泽表示，中国是宜家这家瑞典家居巨头深耕多年的战略核心市场。"China is one of very few countries outside of Sweden where we have all parts of the value chain. It is a market where we truly want to develop, learn and collaborate with local partners," he said.他表示：“除瑞典本土外，全球极少有国家能让我们完整布局全产业链，中国就是其中之一。我们十分希望在这片市场深耕发展，与本土伙伴相互学习、携手合作。”Jiang Ying, chair of Deloitte China, said that China's complete industrial system, resilient economic fundamentals and continued high-level opening-up remain key pillars supporting the country's long-term growth.德勤中国主席蒋颖表示，完备的产业体系、富有韧性的经济基本盘、持续推进的高水平对外开放，是支撑中国长期稳定增长的核心支柱。Jiang said emerging sectors such as AI and the low-altitude economy are set to make further breakthroughs, while the coordinated development of traditional and new growth drivers will help sustain China's economic momentum.蒋颖提到，人工智能、低空经济等新兴产业将迎来更多突破，新旧增长动能协同发展，能够持续稳固中国经济增长动能。"The long-term value of the Chinese market lies in its vast and dynamic consumer base, vibrant technological and industrial innovation, and continued high-level opening-up," Jiang said.蒋颖称：“中国市场的长期价值，源于规模庞大、活力充沛的消费群体，蓬勃兴旺的产业技术创新，以及持续推进的高水平对外开放。”Chafic Nassif, senior vice-president at communications tech giant Ericsson and head of Ericsson Northeast Asia, said that China's combination of "scale, speed of execution and innovative industrial ecosystem" makes it a uniquely critical market in the global technology landscape.通信巨头爱立信东北亚区高级副总裁Chafic Nassif表示，中国兼具市场规模、落地执行效率与创新产业生态，在全球科技版图中拥有独一无二的重要地位。multilateralism /ˌmʌltiˈlætərəlɪzəm/多边主义synergy /ˈsɪnədʒi/协同效应、发展合力stakeholder /ˈsteɪkhəʊldə(r)/利益相关方volatility /ˌvɒləˈtɪləti/动荡、波动resilient /rɪˈzɪliənt/有韧性的

China's jobless rate for its youngest workers fell to 15.6 percent in May, the lowest level in 11 months, official data showed on Monday, ahead of a record wave of college graduates entering the job market.6月22日公布的官方数据显示，5月份中国16至24岁青年劳动力失业率降至15.6%，为11个月以来的最低水平。这一数据发布之际，新一轮创纪录的高校毕业生即将进入就业市场。The unemployment rate for the 16-to-24 age group, excluding students, dropped 0.7 percentage points from 16.3 percent in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.据国家统计局数据，16至24岁青年劳动力（不含在校生）失业率较4月份的16.3%下降了0.7个百分点。The rate had peaked at 18.9 percent in August — the highest since China revised its survey methodology in December 2023 — before declining steadily between September and February.该失业率在去年8月曾达到18.9%的峰值——这是自2023年12月中国调整调查方法以来的最高水平，随后在去年9月至今年2月期间持续回落。It ticked up again in March before resuming its downward trajectory in April and May.3月份该数据再度小幅回升，随后在4月和5月重新进入下行通道。The improvement was broad-based across age groups. The unemployment rate for the 25-to-29 age group cohort fell to 7.2 percent in May from 7.4 percent in April, the lowest in three months, while the rate for the 30-to-59 age group edged down to 4.1 percent from 4.2 percent, a four-month low.失业率的改善在不同年龄段具有普遍性。25至29岁年龄组失业率从4月份的7.4%降至5月份的7.2%，为三个月来最低；30至59岁年龄组失业率则从4.2%微降至4.1%，创四个月新低。The overall urban survey unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from April.全国城镇调查失业率为5.1%，较4月份下降0.1个百分点。Li Chang'an, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies, attributed the improvement to stable macroeconomic fundamentals and the continued strengthening of pro-employment policies, particularly those targeting young people.对外经济贸易大学中国开放经济研究院教授李长安将失业率的改善归因于宏观经济基本面的稳定以及稳就业政策的持续发力，尤其是针对青年群体的就业支持政策。"The employment first policy, I should say, has played a very positive role," he said.“应该说，就业优先政策发挥了非常积极的作用，”他说。China has made job creation a top priority. Earlier this month, the State Council, China's Cabinet, unveiled a plan to place an "employment first" strategy into action over the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period. The blueprint seeks to stabilize overall employment while better aligning what students learn in school with what employers actually need.中国始终将就业置于优先位置。本月初，国务院发布了在“十五五”规划期间（2026—2030年）全面实施就业优先战略的行动方案。该方案旨在稳定整体就业的同时，更好地实现学校教育与市场需求之间的衔接。For young people — especially the record number of college graduates this year — the plan aims to broaden job and career pathways. Steps include building a national big data platform to match talent with job openings, and revamping university curricula to better serve emerging industries.针对青年群体——尤其是今年创纪录的高校毕业生——该计划旨在拓宽就业与职业发展通道。具体措施包括建设全国性大数据平台，实现人才与岗位的精准匹配，以及调整高校课程设置，更好对接新兴产业需求。Other programs feature skills training for 1 million young workers in advanced manufacturing and modern services, as well as a million apprenticeships in technology, technical, and management fields.其他项目包括为100万青年劳动者提供先进制造业和现代服务业技能培训，以及在科技、技术和管理领域设立100万个学徒岗位。Despite the decline in youth joblessness, the 15.6 percent youth unemployment rate remains more than double the 7.2 percent rate for the 25-to-29 group and nearly four times the 4.1 percent rate for the 30-to-59 group, underscoring persistent structural imbalances in the labor market.尽管青年失业率有所下降，但15.6%的青年失业率仍为25至29岁年龄组（7.2%）的两倍以上，且接近30至59岁年龄组（4.1%）的四倍，凸显出劳动力市场中持续存在的结构性失衡问题。Li said the elevated youth unemployment rate is a mix of a chronic oversupply of college graduates and a persistent disconnect between what young people learn and what employers need — particularly as adoption of artificial intelligence accelerates demand for highly skilled workers while education and vocational training fall behind.李长安表示，青年失业率居高不下，既是高校毕业生长期供给过剩的结果，也反映了青年所学与企业所需之间的持续脱节——尤其是在人工智能快速普及加速了对高技能人才的需求之际，教育与职业培训明显滞后。The data comes as China prepares for a record 12.7 million college graduates this year, up 480,000 from 2025, according to the Ministry of Education. The influx is expected to keep pressure on youth employment in the coming months.据教育部数据，今年中国高校毕业生人数将达到创纪录的1270万人，较2025年增加48万人。预计这一增量将在未来几个月内继续对青年就业形成压力。Li warned that youth employment pressure will persist over the next decade as graduate numbers continue to climb, though he added that the central government's sustained employment first policies should help keep the situation on track.李长安警示称，随着毕业生人数持续攀升，未来十年青年就业压力仍将持续。但他同时表示，中央政府持续实施的就业优先政策应有助于保持总体局势稳定。"With employment pressure remaining intense this year, it is essential to keep pushing the employment first strategy and policy support — that is the bedrock for lasting stability in youth jobs," Li said.“今年就业压力依然较大，必须持续推动就业优先战略和政策支持——这是实现青年就业长期稳定的基石，”李长安说。

 In this episode of The Unshakeable Church, Ron Pearce examines two familiar parables from Luke 15: the lost sheep and the lost coin. Through these stories, he highlights a powerful truth that is driving revival movements around the world: believers who understand their responsibility before God for those who do not yet know Christ. Drawing from decades of ministry alongside national church planters, Ron explains how compassion, perseverance, prayer, and a burden for the lost continue to transform lives and communities today.  Learn more about Empower Ministries and discover stories of what God is doing around the world at empowerministries.ca

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping has urged incessant efforts in regularizing coordinated regional development to secure solid progress in advancing common prosperity for all.Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in recent instructions on steadily advancing the cooperation between China's eastern and western regions. He highlighted the east-west cooperation program's significant role in supporting poverty alleviation efforts and promoting balanced regional development over the past 30 years since its initiation, which has demonstrated the political strengths of the Party, as well as the superiority of China's socialist system.Xi highlighted this year as the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, as well as the first year of the regular assistance efforts in the country's rural revitalization drive. He also called for efforts to summarize and apply the valuable experience gained from cooperation between Fujian province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, further improve cooperation mechanisms, optimize cooperation methods, and expand the scopes of cooperation. The endeavors are expected to promote industrial complementarity, personnel exchanges, and mutual learning of technologies, ideas, and work styles between the eastern and western regions, and to achieve mutual benefits, win-win outcomes, and common development.Party committees and governments at all levels should earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for regularized assistance for western regions, firmly secure the bottom line to prevent any large-scale relapse into poverty or new cases of poverty, steadily advance rural revitalization across the board, and continuously enhance coordinated regional development, so as to make solid progress toward common prosperity for all.The important instructions of Xi were conveyed at a national work conference on east-west regional cooperation, which opened on June 17 in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia. Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, delivered a speech at the meeting. Liu emphasized that General Secretary Xi's important instructions are strategically insightful, profound and incisive, demonstrating strong political, ideological and guiding significance. They provide fundamental guidance for carrying out regularized east-west cooperation, and must be thoroughly studied, fully understood and resolutely implemented.Liu underscored the need to consistently uphold the political responsibility, firmly establish and practice a correct understanding of governance performance, and draw upon the successful experience from Fujian-Ningxia cooperation, among others. Efforts should be intensified to deepen industrial and labor-service coordination between the eastern and western regions, strengthen the exchange of officials and professionals, expand cooperation in science and technology, finance and other fields. It is essential to carry out work creatively in light of local conditions, continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of collaboration, and promote complementary strengths, mutual empowerment and common development.The meeting also briefed participants on the progress of east-west regional cooperation. Officials from Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Fujian province respectively introduced the experience and practices in Fujian-Ningxia cooperation. Officials from Beijing and Shanghai municipalities, as well as Jiangsu, Guangdong, Sichuan and Gansu provinces also addressed the meeting.Officials from relevant provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities undertaking east-west regional cooperation tasks, as well as those from some member departments of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, attended the meeting.

If you've ever had your carefully crafted life plan completely derail, this episode is for you. This week Kat and Nic are joined by Kate Clark who shares her journey through career pivots, personal challenges, and hard-earned lessons about resilience. The gals talk about trusting yourself, embracing the messy middle, and why "fail forward" might be the best advice you'll ever get.-----------Being a working mom is the most crazy, amazing, powerful, frustrating, loving experience you will ever have in your entire life. The Working Mommy's Manual podcast, hosted by Nicole Corning & Kathleen Wilson.-----------Tune in for new episodes every other Tuesday! [Please excuse the inconsistency of uploads and video quality, we are in the middle of transitioning to new formats and we appreciate any grace during this period] -----------CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE:• TikTok: @workingmommysmanualpod• Instagram: @workingmommypodcast• YouTube: @TheWorkingMommysManual• LinkTree: linktr.ee/WorkingMommyManual• Website: theworkingmommysmanual.com• Email: workingmommypod@gmail.com

The critical importance of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation was underscored at the 18th Straits Forum in Xiamen, Fujian province, as participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered over the weekend, overcoming obstructions from island authorities.第十八届海峡论坛在福建省厦门市举行，周末期间，两岸与会人士克服台湾当局的阻挠齐聚一堂，凸显了两岸交流合作的极端重要性。The annual forum, which started in 2009, serves as a platform to promote mutual understanding and integration between the mainland and Taiwan, emphasizing the shared cultural and economic interests binding both sides.这一始于 2009 年的年度论坛是促进大陆与台湾相互了解与融合的平台，彰显了联结两岸的共同文化与经济利益。Addressing the main conference on Saturday, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, called for resolute opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, urging joint efforts to advance peaceful cross-Strait relations and national reunification.中共中央政治局常委、全国政协主席王沪宁周六在大会上发表讲话，呼吁坚决反对 "台独" 分裂活动和外部干涉，共同推动两岸关系和平发展与国家统一。He emphasized that the mainland stands ready to share development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots, noting that the country's blueprint for the ongoing 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period will open up broader space for cross-Strait integration.他强调，大陆愿与台湾同胞分享发展机遇，我国 "十五五" 规划（2026-2030 年）蓝图将为两岸融合发展开辟更广阔空间。At a meeting on Saturday on advancing the development of the demonstration zone for integrated development across the Taiwan Strait, Wang urged greater progress in advancing such integration during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.王沪宁周六在推进海峡两岸融合发展示范区建设座谈会上，要求在 "十五五" 时期推动两岸融合发展取得更大进展。He called for supporting Fujian in exploring new mechanisms, pathways and models for cross-Strait integrated development. He also urged closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges.他要求支持福建探索两岸融合发展的新机制、新路径、新模式，同时深化两岸民间和文化交流。Under the theme of expanding people-to-people exchanges, this year's Straits Forum featured 58 diverse events covering grassroots, youth, cultural and economic exchange sectors.本届海峡论坛以 "扩大民间交流" 为主题，举办了 58 场涵盖基层、青年、文化、经济等交流领域的多元化活动。Earlier, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities elevated restrictions by banning island officials from attending the event, marking the first time the island's grassroots officials were blocked from participation.此前，台湾民进党当局升级限制措施，禁止岛内官员出席本届论坛，这是首次禁止台湾基层官员参与海峡论坛。Addressing the forum despite these bans, Chang Jung-kung, vice-chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said that despite twists and turns, the Straits Forum has always been committed to promoting exchanges and playing a critical role in cross-Strait relations.中国国民党副主席张荣恭出席论坛并表示，尽管历经曲折，海峡论坛始终致力于推动交流，在两岸关系中发挥着关键作用。During the forum, mainland enterprises signed agreements with various businesses and trade associations from Taiwan, buying signature agricultural goods including atemoya and pomelos, as well as tea and fishery products from counties such as Taitung, Yunlin and Nantou.论坛期间，大陆企业与台湾多家企业和行业协会签署协议，采购台东、云林、南投等县的释迦、柚子等特色农产品以及茶叶和渔产品。The contracts serve as a major step forward in implementing the 10 follow-up exchange policies introduced following the landmark cross-Strait meeting between leaders of the CPC and KMT in April, focusing on the practical livelihood needs of grassroots families and small business operators.这些协议是落实 4 月国共两党领导人历史性会晤后推出的 10 项后续交流政策的重要举措，聚焦基层家庭和小微企业经营者的实际民生需求。Yao Ching-ling, magistrate of Taitung county, said via a live video link that the purchase agreements were an immense encouragement to local farmers. "Agricultural and fishery products carry the core livelihoods of countless Taiwan families," she said.台东县县长饶庆铃通过视频连线表示，采购协议对当地农民是极大的鼓舞，她说："农渔产品承载着无数台湾家庭的核心生计。"A range of prominent figures and grassroots representatives also stepped onto the stage during the conference to share their stories of cross-Strait integration.多位知名人士和基层代表也在大会上登台，分享他们参与两岸融合发展的故事。Su Heng, a Taiwan political commentary vlogger, said grassroots perspectives and livelihood statistics best reflect the truth that artificial barriers can never block the shared enthusiasm of compatriots from both sides.台湾时政评论博主苏恒表示，基层视角和民生数据最能说明一个事实：人为障碍永远阻挡不了两岸同胞的共同热情。A massive number of Taiwan residents still crossed the Strait for markets, business cooperation and career opportunities, Su added.她补充道，仍有大量台湾同胞跨越海峡寻找市场、寻求商业合作和职业发展机遇。Lai Tsai-ta, co-founder and CEO of artificial intelligence pharmaceutical startup Metis TechBio Co, shared his journey on the mainland since 2019. Backed by over 10 million yuan ($1.48 million) in subsidies and startup services in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, his company grew into a recognized unicorn before listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May.人工智能制药初创企业迈帝思生物科技有限公司联合创始人兼首席执行官赖财达分享了他自 2019 年以来在大陆的发展历程。在浙江省杭州市超过 1000 万元（约合 148 万美元）的补贴和创业服务支持下，他的公司成长为知名独角兽企业，并于今年 5 月在香港证券交易所上市。"The mainland offers sincere hospitality, strong policy backup, and a welcoming environment," Lai said, encouraging Taiwan youth to combine their professional skills with local industrial advantages to find their own perfect stage.赖财达表示："大陆有真诚的礼遇、有力的政策支持和友好的发展环境"，他鼓励台湾青年将专业技能与当地产业优势相结合，找到属于自己的理想舞台。underscore /ˌʌndəˈskɔː(r)/ v. 强调，凸显obstruction /əbˈstrʌkʃn/ n. 阻碍，障碍reunification /ˌriːjuːnɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ n. 统一，重新统一integration /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ n. 融合，一体化

Great marketing isn't about saying more—it's about understanding more. In this episode, Diane DiCarlo shares why customer insight is a competitive advantage, how curiosity leads to better strategy, and what organizations can learn when they take the time to listen.This is Brand Story, a podcast celebrating the stories of real people who are making an impact on brands, business, and the world around them. Episodes feature guests from a variety of backgrounds who bring their own unique perspectives to the conversation.Brand Story is created and produced by Gravity Group, a full-service brand and marketing agency, and is hosted by Gravity Group President, Steve Gilman.Links and Information From the Episode Here: gravitygroup.com/podcast/curiosity-first/Continue the conversation on social:For more of Brand Story, check out our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravitygroupmarketing), where we'll post previews and highlights of shows, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, plus other marketing news you can use.We're also on:Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/gravitygroupFacebook — https://www.facebook.com/gravitygroupmarketing(00:00) Meet Diane DiCarlo(05:13) From In-House Marketer to Consultant(09:40) Talking to the Right Audience(15:25) Marketing Isn't Always the Problem (20:15) People Buy Emotionally, Then Defend Logically(25:52) The Surprises Hidden in Surveys(31:18) Common Mistakes Marketers Make(35:23) Marketing in the Age of AI(40:42) Learning That Not Everyone Thinks Like You(42:33) The Free Birding Chapter(45:00) Let Go of the Five-Year Plan

After China's central government raised the proportion of after-tax profits that State-owned enterprises must remit to the State, a growing number of provinces are following suit, aiming to ease widening fiscal revenue-expenditure gaps and free up more funds for social welfare and livelihood programs.继我国中央政府上调国有企业税后利润上缴国家的比例后，越来越多的省份纷纷跟进效仿，旨在缓解日益扩大的财政收支缺口，为社会福利和民生项目腾出更多资金。The moves come as local governments face mounting fiscal pressures from a protracted property downturn, weak land sales and rising mandatory spending on pensions, healthcare and debt servicing, and tapping SOE profits has become an increasingly important lever, experts said.专家表示，当前地方政府受楼市长期低迷、土地出让收入疲软、养老金、医疗、偿债等刚性支出不断增加影响，财政压力持续加大，盘活国企利润已然成为愈发重要的调控手段。The provinces of Guangdong, Jiangxi, Jiangsu and Hainan have all signaled in their recently released 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) outlines that they will "reasonably raise" profit remittance ratios of local SOEs, and/or dynamically optimize collection rates.广东、江西、江苏、海南等省份在近期发布的“十五五”（2026-2030年）规划纲要中明确提出，将合理上调地方国企利润上缴比例，并动态优化征缴费率。Localities such as the provinces of Guizhou and Hunan, as well as the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, have already steadily increased their own ratios.贵州、湖南、广西壮族自治区等多地已稳步上调本地国企利润上缴比例。China launched its State capital operations budget in 2008, requiring wholly State-owned enterprises to hand over a portion of their after-tax profits. The rates have been raised several times since.我国于2008年设立国有资本经营预算制度，要求国有独资企业上缴部分税后利润，此后该上缴比例已历经多次上调。"Revenue growth has slowed in recent years, but mandatory spending has continued to climb. Increasing the share of SOE profits handed over to the State directly boosts funds available to bridge the gap between income and expenditure, which is the most immediate driver," said Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities.粤开证券首席经济学家罗志恒表示：“近年来财政收入增速放缓，但刚性支出持续攀升。提高国企利润上缴比例，能够直接增加可支配资金，填补财政收支缺口，这是当前最直接有效的举措。”Luo said State capital returns had been locked up within individual enterprises, making it hard to create coordinated policy. By centralizing those funds, the government can channel resources into priority areas such as major national initiatives, technological innovation, social programs and risk management.罗志恒称，以往国有资本收益留存于企业内部，难以形成统筹协同的政策效能。通过集中统筹这类资金，政府可以将资源精准投入国家重大战略、科技创新、社会民生、风险防控等重点领域。At the central level, the top rate for tobacco producers and resource-based firms — which account for the lion's share of central government revenue from State capital operations — now stands at 35 percent, up from 20 percent in 2014.在中央层面，烟草企业和资源型企业是中央国有资本经营收入的主要来源，这类企业的最高利润上缴比例已从2014年的20%上调至目前的35%。For local governments, rates vary but are also trending upward. Jilin province, for example, lifted its base rate from 20 percent to 30 percent in 2020.地方国企的利润上缴比例虽各地不一，但整体呈上调趋势。例如，吉林省已于2020年将基础上缴比例从20%提升至30%。Guangxi set a 35 percent rate for financial and resource enterprises and 30 percent for others starting in 2025.广西则自2025年起，将金融类、资源类国企上缴比例定为35%，其他类国企定为30%。"The general direction is a moderate increase, with rates differentiated by industry and region. Financial and resource firms typically pay more, while public-welfare enterprises pay less or may be temporarily exempted to encourage long-term investment," said Li Yan, a professor at Central University of Finance and Economics.中央财经大学教授李岩表示：“整体调控方向是适度上调比例，同时实行分行业、分地区差异化政策。金融、资源类企业上缴比例更高，公益类企业上缴比例较低，或可暂时减免，以此鼓励企业长期投入发展。”The impact on government coffers has been immediate. At the central level, after Beijing raised remittance rates in 2025, State capital operational revenue jumped 73.3 percent year-on-year to 390.3 billion yuan ($57.6 billion), far exceeding the budgeted figure, said the Ministry of Finance.财政部数据显示，政策对财政收入的提振效果立竿见影。2025年中央上调利润上缴比例后，中央国有资本经营收入同比大增73.3%，达到3903亿元（折合576亿美元），大幅超出预算规模。That allowed the central government to transfer 240 billion yuan into the general public budget — a record amount — to fund social welfare, education and infrastructure, the ministry said.财政部表示，这笔资金让中央政府得以向一般公共预算调入2400亿元资金，创下历史新高，专项用于保障社会福利、教育、基础设施建设等民生重点领域。At the local level, State capital operational revenue rose from about 94.7 billion yuan in 2015 to 464.4 billion yuan in 2025, a nearly fivefold increase. Transfers from the State capital budget to the general public budget also expanded, reaching 334.1 billion yuan last year.地方层面，国有资本经营收入从2015年的947亿元增长至2025年的4644亿元，涨幅接近五倍。国有资本经营预算调入一般公共预算的资金规模也持续扩大，去年达到3341亿元。"Raising remittance rates and expanding coverage could help local governments narrow their fiscal gaps and better reflect the public nature of State capital," said Deng Shulian, a professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.上海财经大学教授邓淑莲表示：“上调国企利润上缴比例、扩大上缴范围，能够帮助地方政府缩小财政收支缺口，更好地彰显国有资本的公共属性。”Experts caution against a one-size-fits-all hike.专家提醒，利润上缴比例上调不可采取“一刀切”模式。"The increase should be moderate, differentiated by sector and enterprise type, and be periodically reviewed based on industry conditions, profitability and fiscal needs," Deng said.邓淑莲表示，比例上调应适度推进，根据行业、企业类型实行差异化标准，并结合行业发展形势、企业盈利状况和财政需求进行定期动态调整。remit /rɪˈmɪt/上缴（款项）；汇款；免除fiscal /ˈfɪskl/财政的；国库的protracted /prəˈtræktɪd/持久的，长期拖延的mandatory /ˈmændətɔːri/强制的，法定的，刚性的coffer /ˈkɒfə(r)/（复数）国库，金库；资金储备differentiate /ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪt/区分，差异化对待；辨别

Residents of Doonbeg are being invited to help shape the future of their community through a new public consultation aimed at developing an ambitious five-year plan for the village. The survey is seeking ideas on social, economic and environmental initiatives that could make Doonbeg an even better place to live, work and socialise. To discuss the project and what it could mean for the area, Alan Morrissey joined by Fianna Fáil councillor Rita McInerney and Doonbeg resident Jennie Drysdale. Photo (c) Eddylandzaat via Wikipedia

China's property market is showing signs of life after a five-year slump, prompting some analysts to call for a long-awaited rebound. Price declines for newly built homes are narrowing, while transaction volumes are finally ticking up, particularly in top-tier cities. But is this a significant turnaround or just a dead cat bounce? Leonid Mironov, a fund manager at Gavekal Capital, joins host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He breaks down why he believes the real estate sector is bottoming out rather than roaring back and explains why markets might be too bearish on China's consumption narrative. Mironov also discusses Beijing's "anti-involution" measures to curb cutthroat competition and details where investors can still find high-quality opportunities aligned with the government's 15th Five-Year Plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(00:00:00) Cold Open: What is the Eclipse Effect? (00:00:45) Welcome Back and the Non-Conformist Oath (00:03:47) Ella's Five-Year Plan and the 2017 Missouri Eclipse (00:06:00) Building Rochester's Eclipse Task force: 750 Volunteers, No Budget (00:12:00) Co-Chairing the National Eclipse Task Force (00:14:27) The Dreadful Lack of Agency and What To Do About It (00:17:21) Bonding vs. Bridging: The Two Kinds of Social Capital (00:21:09) The Network Graph: Making Invisible Connections Visible (00:28:51) Stories From the National Eclipse Effort (00:39:09) On Failure, Grade, and Raising Kids Outside the System Deborah Ross watched the 2017 solar eclipse from a field in Kimmswick, Missouri and came home convinced of two things: Rochester needed to be ready for 2024, and it was going to be her job to make that happen. What she built with 750 volunteers, no budget, and six years of monthly meetings became both a defining moment for this region and the foundation of a book.In this episode, she breaks down how an eclipse becomes a community organizing tool, what servant leadership actually looks like when you're asking hundreds of people to work for free, and why the principles behind The Eclipse Effect apply to any catalyst, a natural disaster, a federal funding cut, or the Olympics coming to your town. CONNECT The Eclipse Effect → https://theeclipseeffect.comKids Out and About → https://kidsoutandabout.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com

As China and the United States race to expand their artificial intelligence capabilities, economists said the two countries need closer cooperation on global governance and safety standards in order to better manage the potential risks of the technology.在中美两国竞相提升人工智能能力之际，经济学家表示，两国需要在全球治理和安全标准方面加强合作，以更好应对该技术的潜在风险。While the US continues to lead in frontier AI research, large-scale models and computing power, economists said that China is rapidly catching up and has developed strengths in integrating AI into manufacturing, consumer services and other parts of the real economy, reflecting different development priorities in the two countries.尽管美国在前沿人工智能研究、大模型和算力方面继续保持领先，但经济学家表示，中国正在迅速追赶，并在将人工智能融入制造业、消费者服务及其他实体经济领域方面形成了优势，这反映了两国不同的发展重点。"There are two main players in the development of frontier AI — China and the US," economist and Nobel laureate Michael Spence told China Daily. "There's almost no measurable difference between them now in terms of performance. Whatever difference there was, China has caught up."“前沿人工智能的发展主要有两个参与者——中国和美国，”经济学家、诺贝尔奖得主迈克尔·斯宾塞在接受《中国日报》采访时表示。“就性能而言，现在两者几乎没有可测量的差异。无论过去存在什么差距，中国已经赶上了。”According to Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, US and Chinese AI models have traded places at the top of performance rankings multiple times since early 2025.根据斯坦福大学以人为本人工智能研究所的数据，自2025年初以来，美国和中国的人工智能模型在性能排名榜首位置已经多次交替。As of March, the top US model led by only 2.7 percent, with a marginal gap that fluctuated over the past year while remaining in single digits, according to the institute's 2026 AI Index Report.根据该研究所发布的《2026年人工智能指数报告》，截至今年3月，美国顶尖模型的领先幅度仅为2.7%，这一微小差距在过去一年中有所波动，但始终保持在个位数。"The models of AI innovation pursued by China and the US are actually quite different," said Zhu Min, former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund.“中美两国所追求的人工智能创新模式其实存在很大差异，”国际货币基金组织前副总裁朱民表示。"The US focuses on large models, massive computing power and a strong foundational base, aiming for what we call 'artificial superintelligence'. What the US pursues is the development of intelligence itself," he said.“美国专注于大模型、巨量算力和强大的基础底座，目标是所谓的‘人工超级智能'。美国追求的是智能本身的发展，”他说。China, according to Zhu, measures AI development by a different yardstick.朱民表示，中国衡量人工智能发展的标准不同。"China, in contrast, emphasizes applying AI to the real economy. When assessing whether AI is good or not, China places greater weight on the benefits and convenience it can bring to the real economy and to people's daily lives," he added.“相比之下，中国更强调将人工智能应用于实体经济。在评估人工智能优劣时，中国更看重它能给实体经济和人们的日常生活带来的效益和便利，”他补充道。Spence noted that China's systematic approach to deployment gives it an edge that the West currently lacks.斯宾塞指出，中国在部署方面的系统性做法使其具备了西方目前所缺乏的优势。"China has, in my view, in the context of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), a better set of either plans or intentions to make sure that AI is deployed by and adopted across a wide range of the economy, both in manufacturing and services," Spence said.“在我看来，在‘十五五'规划（2026-2030年）的背景下，中国在确保人工智能在制造业和服务业等广泛经济领域得到部署和应用方面，有一套更好的计划或意图，”斯宾塞说。"We talk a lot about the diffusion challenge, but we are just talking about it. We are not doing anything," he added.“我们经常谈论推广的挑战，但只是停留在口头上，并没有采取任何实际行动，”他补充道。As both China and the US, along with other economies, are scrambling to scale up their AI capabilities, the risks are increasing too — and not just economic ones.随着中美两国及其他经济体都在争相提升人工智能能力，相关风险也在增加——而且不仅仅是经济风险。"AI carries significant uncertainty, including risks related to society, the environment and potential military uses," Zhu warned.“人工智能具有巨大的不确定性，包括与社会、环境以及潜在军事用途相关的风险，”朱民警告说。"Therefore, establishing a governance framework and safety 'guardrails' for AI is, I believe, the most critical imperative for China and the US as the two leading players in this field, and it is also what the world expects of them," he added.“因此，为人工智能建立治理框架和安全‘护栏'，我认为是中美作为该领域两个领先国家最紧迫的任务，也是世界对它们的期望，”他补充道。"The US tends to favor exogenous governance — building external oversight frameworks for monitoring and compliance," Zhu said. "China emphasizes an endogenous approach, embedding safeguards from the very beginning, even before model deployment, to ensure that AI benefits humanity."“美国倾向于外生治理——建立用于监控和合规的外部监督框架，”朱民说。“中国强调内生方法，在模型部署之前就从一开始嵌入安全措施，以确保人工智能造福人类。”Zhu noted that "both approaches are valid, open to discussion, and could together shape the future of AI governance".朱民指出，“这两种方法都是有效的，可以讨论，并且可以共同塑造人工智能治理的未来。”Spence said the US and China "can probably cooperate on certain aspects of regulation, such as not using the technology for highly destructive purposes".斯宾塞表示，美国和中国“可能在监管的某些方面展开合作，例如不将该技术用于高度破坏性的目的”。China and the US agreed to launch an intergovernmental dialogue on AI, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun announced at a news conference earlier this month.中国外交部发言人郭嘉昆在本月初的一次新闻发布会上宣布，中美两国同意启动人工智能政府间对话。Guo said that China and the US need to work together to promote the development and improve the governance of AI to ensure that it will better contribute to the progress of human civilization and the common welfare of the international community.郭嘉昆表示，中美需要共同努力，推动人工智能的发展，完善人工智能的治理，确保人工智能更好促进人类文明进步和国际社会共同福祉。cooperation /kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ 合作

President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Wednesday to further extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, while pledging to further strengthen political mutual trust, strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries amid a fluid and turbulent international situation.The agreement was reached during talks between the two heads of state at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, before Putin concluded his two-day state visit to China.After their talks earlier on Wednesday, the two presidents signed a joint statement on further enhancing the comprehensive strategic coordination and deepening good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation between the two countries. They witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation docu­ments in areas including the economy and trade, education, and science and technology.The two sides also issued a joint statement on advocating a multipolar world and a new type of international relations, and reached 20 cooperation agreements in other areas.When addressing the media together after their talks, Xi said this was Putin's 25th trip to China since he first assumed the presidential office in Russia in 2000, which fully demonstrates the high level and uniqueness of China-Russia relations.Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, Xi said that over the past three decades, bilateral ties have reached the highest level in history as a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, setting an example for a new type of major-country relations.This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The treaty was last extended on June 28, 2021, when Xi and Putin held talks via video link and issued a joint statement ahead of the 20th anniversary of its signing.Xi said that over the years, the two countries have always abided by the treaty's established principle of non-alliance, nonconfrontation and not targeting any third party, while upholding equality, mutual respect, good faith and win-win cooperation.The two countries have made important contributions to safeguarding international fairness and justice and promoting a new type of international relations, serving as a vital constant amid changes unseen in a century, he said.Xi called on China and Russia to build on past achievements and further support each other firmly on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, maintain close strategic communication and exchanges at all levels, and continuously consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust between the two countries.In recent years, cooperation between China and Russia in various fields has advanced steadily and achieved many positive results. The value of bilateral trade has exceeded $200 billion for three consecutive years, and in the first four months of 2026, two-way trade increased nearly 20 percent, according to customs data.Xi said the two sides should build on this momentum, deepen the alignment between China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and Russia's development strategy through 2030, and upgrade mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to better serve the development and revitalization of both countries.Speaking about global governance, Xi noted that the world today is far from being peaceful, with unilateralism and hegemonism causing severe harm, adding that the world is facing the danger of returning to the law of the jungle.As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia should firmly fulfill their responsibilities as major countries, uphold the authority of the UN as well as international fairness and justice, and oppose all acts of unilateral bullying and attempts to reverse the course of history, he said.China and Russia should, in particular, oppose all provocative acts that deny the outcomes of World War II and seek to justify and revive fascism and militarism, Xi said, emphasizing that the two sides should jointly promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.Putin, who received a welcoming ceremony that featured a 21-gun salute, quoted the Chinese saying that "one day apart feels like three autumns" when meeting with Xi, whom he described as his "dear friend"."Russia-China relations have reached a truly unprecedented level, and continue to develop. At the same time, our relations are self-sufficient; they do not depend on the current international situation and can serve as an example of relations between nations in this age," he said when addressing the media.He said that Russia is full of confidence in the future of bilateral relations, adding that it will work with China to deepen the two countries' partnership and good-neighborly friendship, strengthen people-to-people bonds, and contribute to the development and revitalization of both countries and the well-being of their peoples."Moscow and Beijing will jointly uphold international law and the provisions of the UN Charter in their entirety ... and cooperate effectively within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and other international structures, making a significant contribution to addressing pressing global and regional challenges," Putin said.During their talks on Wednesday, Xi said the China-Russia relationship has entered a new stage of greater achievements and faster development.Unswervingly promoting the long-term, sound, steady and high-quality development of the China-Russia relationship is a strategic choice made by the two sides based on the fundamental interests of the two countries and the global trends, he said.Xi called on China and Russia to fully implement the important common understandings reached between him and Putin, seize the historic opportunities and further promote the mutual trust, cooperation and friendship between the two countries.He emphasized that both sides should focus on the goals of national development and revitalization, fully leverage the comprehensive and well-established mechanisms of China-Russia cooperation and strengthen the overall planning for cooperation in all respects.The two countries should also promote the upgrading of practical cooperation in trade and investment, energy and resources, transportation, and sci-tech innovation, as well as actively explore cooperation in frontier areas, in order to create new engines for growth with new quality productive forces, Xi said.He added that efforts should be made to continue the long-standing friendship between the two sides, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, film, tourism and sports, and consolidate the social and public support for bilateral friendship.Also on Wednesday, China announced that it has decided to extend its visa-free policy for Russia until Dec 31, 2027. According to TASS news agency, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said in Beijing that Russia will also extend its visa-free policy for Chinese citizens.During their talks, the two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East.Xi emphasized that all hostilities in the Middle East must end immediately, renewed fighting should be avoided and, most important, negotiations should continue.Noting that the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region is at a critical juncture between war and peace, he said that an early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to the stability of energy supplies, the functioning of industrial and supply chains, and the stability of the international trade order.On Wednesday evening, Xi held a welcoming banquet for Putin in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Chair: Tim Burke, editor  Speaker: Derek Griffin, head of acquisitions, Whitbread Premier Inn provides 12% of the UK's hotel accommodation stock – the highest of any hotel operator in any market in the world. This extraordinary success has been delivered through a continual 20-year expansion programme underpinned by a unique business model and flexible property requirements. This April, the company unveiled a new business strategy and five-year plan focused on the continued expansion of Premier Inn, but with greater emphasis on recycling capital from the company's largely freehold estate to fund future bedroom expansion. Greater emphasis is also being placed on leasehold opportunities to drive estate growth. During UKREiIF, Derek Griffin, Whitbread's acquisition head, sat down with Tim Burke to discuss the principles of the new business strategy including how the company plans to go about recycling £1.5bn of property, where it is focusing its new growth, and the future for its popular hub by Premier Inn brand.

APR Health Solutions Peptides: www.aprhealthsolutions.com - code nyleOptimize HRT Clinic: https://members.optimize-hp.com - code nyleMerch: https://www.aykons.com/nylePlease share this episode if you liked it. To support the podcast, the best cost-free way is to subscribe and please rate the podcast 5* wherever you find your podcasts. Thanks for watching.To be part of any Q&A, follow trensparentpodcast or nylenayga on instagram and watch for Q&A prompts on the story  https://www.instagram.com/trensparentpodcast/Huge Supplements (Protein, Pre, Defend Cycle Support, Utilize GDA, Vital, Astragalus, Citrus Bergamot): https://www.hugesupplements.com/discount/NYLESupport code 'nyle' 10% off - proceeds go towards upgrading content productionYoungLA Clothes: https://www.youngla.com/discount/nyleCode ‘nyle' to support the podcastLet's chat about the Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trensparentpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transparentpodcastPersonalized Bodybuilding Program:  https://www.nylenaygafitness.comRP Hypertrophy Training App: rpstrength.com/nyle (code nyle)Timestamps:00:00:00 Intro00:02:04 Sarcoplasmic vs. Myofibrillar Training00:06:11 Overtraining & Serbian Diet00:08:20 High-Protein Strategy & Food Visualization00:14:12 The Five-Year Plan & Olympia Regrets00:16:27 Training Back with Ronnie Coleman00:20:20 Arm Blasting & Training Splits00:23:44 Training Long vs. Training Hard00:26:16 Modern Stress & Recovery00:28:02 Giant Sets & Peak Contractions00:32:45 Gym Ethics & The Colosseum Rule00:35:03 Peptide Optimization & Liver Protection00:37:05 IGF-1 Protocols & Injection Science00:41:45 Needle Length & The Golden Era of 199700:45:52 Nile's Quad Protocol & Leg Sweeps00:49:57 V-Taper, Waist Size, & Classic Criteria00:55:41 The Oncology Risks of IGF-101:01:12 Debunking the Insulin Myth with Dave Palumbo01:13:10 Pre-Workout Insulin & Nutrient Loading01:22:07 Optimize HRT & Bloodwork Management01:25:54 Low-Dose Thyroid Hormones (T3/T4)01:34:59 Longevity, Joint Health, & Synthol Disasters01:39:58 Cruising vs. "Half On, Half Off" Cycles01:44:08 Off-Cycle Training & Muscle Memory01:52:00 Peptides (BPC-157/TB-500) & The Placebo Effect02:02:18 Post-Show Rebound Strategy02:09:14 Jean Pierre Fux vs. Marcus Ruhl02:13:51 DHB (Dihydroboldenone) vs. Masteron/Primo02:16:35 Milos' Maximum Cycle Dosages02:18:14 Posing Artistry vs. Bodybuilding Judging02:22:08 Terrible Genetics & Overcoming Limitations02:24:33 1999: Milos' Biggest Year & Synthol Regrets02:28:21 The Holy Trinity: Test, GH, & Insulin Synergy02:28:55 Masteron vs. Primobolan Contest Selection02:30:26 Steve's "Bathmate & hCG" Protocol02:32:43 Generic vs. Pharmaceutical Growth Hormone02:36:45 Most Underrated & Overrated PEDs02:38:23 Final Message: Legacy, Love, & Simplicity00:00:00 Intro00:02:04 Sarcoplasmic vs. Myofibrillar Training00:06:11 Overtraining & Serbian Diet00:08:20 High-Protein Strategy & Food Visualization00:14:12 The Five-Year Plan & Olympia Regrets00:16:27 Training Back with Ronnie Coleman00:20:20 Arm Blasting & Training Splits00:23:44 Training Long vs. Training Hard00:26:16 Modern Stress & Recovery00:28:02 Giant Sets & Peak Contractions00:32:45 Gym Ethics & The Colosseum Rule00:35:03 Peptide Optimization & Liver Protection00:37:05 IGF-1 Protocols & Injection Science00:41:45 Needle Length & The Golden Era of 199700:45:52 Nile's Quad Protocol & Leg Sweeps00:49:57 V-Taper, Waist Size, & Classic Criteria00:55:41 The Oncology Risks of IGF-101:01:12 Debunking the Insulin Myth with Dave Palumbo01:13:10 Pre-Workout Insulin & Nutrient Loading01:22:07 Optimize HRT & Bloodwork Management01:25:54 Low-Dose Thyroid Hormones (T3/T4)01:34:59 Longevity, Joint Health, & Synthol Disasters01:39:58 Cruising vs. "Half On, Half Off" Cycles01:44:08 Off-Cycle Training & Muscle Memory01:52:00 Peptides (BPC-157/TB-500) & The Placebo Effect02:02:18 Post-Show Rebound Strategy02:09:14 Jean Pierre Fux vs. Marcus Ruhl02:13:51 DHB (Dihydroboldenone) vs. Masteron/Primo02:16:35 Milos' Maximum Cycle Dosages02:18:14 Posing Artistry vs. Bodybuilding Judging02:22:08 Terrible Genetics & Overcoming Limitations02:24:33 1999: Milos' Biggest Year & Synthol Regrets02:28:21 The Holy Trinity: Test, GH, & Insulin Synergy02:28:55 Masteron vs. Primobolan Contest Selection02:30:26 Steve's "Bathmate & hCG" Protocol02:32:43 Generic vs. Pharmaceutical Growth Hormone02:36:45 Most Underrated & Overrated PEDs02:38:23 Final Message: Legacy, Love, & Simplicity

Our guest on this week's episode is Omar Qari, CEO of Logicbroker. Every industry has had to adjust to the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty – the Iran war, high fuel prices, volatile tariff policy – the list goes on. So, how are retailers and brands making the needed adjustments to deal with these shifting trade conditions and uncertain supply availability? Our guest offers his insights with Senior News Editor Ben Ames.Most warehouses have packages of some kind that they need to sort - either inbound cases that have to go to storage or processing areas or goods in outbound packages that have to be sorted to dock doors. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham wrote for this month's DC Velocity about how the wide diversity of these cartons is driving changes in automated sortation system design.Ben Ames reports that it's no surprise  that robotics technology is taking on a larger role in how supply chains operate. We've also seen for some years now that many of the Asia-Pacific nations are leaders in that category, both in building robots and in using them for applications like manufacturing. But we saw a report this week about exactly how China sees that sector developing in coming years. This comes from China's latest Five-Year Plan, which is China's blueprint for operating its economy. And sure enough, the country said it will continue to place robotics at the heart of its industrial system, along with artificial intelligence. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:LogicbrokerSortation Report: Pushing the limitsChina places AI-powered robots at the center of its five-year planVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Chinese companies operating in the United States remained largely profitable last year despite geopolitical tensions, according to a recently released survey report, which also indicated improved expectations for China-US economic relations this year.近日发布的调查报告显示，尽管存在地缘政治紧张局势，去年在美经营的中国企业总体上仍保持盈利。报告还显示，受访企业对今年中美经济关系的预期有所改善。The 2026 Annual Business Survey Report on Chinese Enterprises in the United States was unveiled on Monday in Washington, DC, by the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA and the CGCC Foundation.美国中国总商会与总商会基金会于本周一在华盛顿发布了《2026年在美中资企业年度商业调查报告》。The event brought together business leaders, industry experts and others to discuss the survey findings, which revealed remarkable operational resilience among Chinese companies and a pivot toward cautious optimism for the coming year.此次活动汇聚了商界领袖与行业专家，共同探讨调查报告结果。数据显示，在美中资企业展现出卓越的经营韧性，并对未来一年持谨慎乐观态度。According to the report, 81 percent of surveyed Chinese companies in the US remained profitable in 2025, while the share of enterprises with pretax profit margins above 15 percent rose sharply from 7 percent to 21 percent over the past year.报告显示，2025年，81%的受访在美中资企业保持盈利。在过去一年中，税前利润率超过15%的企业占比从7%大幅上升至21%。The report noted that the outlook of surveyed companies for China-US relations in 2026 has improved. "In economic and trade relations, expectations of 'moderate deterioration' fell by 24 percentage points from the previous year, while expectations of 'modest improvement' rose sharply to 36 percent," it said.报告指出，受访企业对2026年中美关系的展望有所改善。“在经贸关系方面，预期‘适度恶化'的比例比上年下降了24个百分点，而预期‘略有改善'的比例大幅上升至36%，”报告称。The CGCC, which was founded in 2005, is the largest independent chamber representing Chinese business interests in the US.美国中国总商会成立于2005年，是美国最大的代表中资企业利益的独立商会。Speaking at the event, Zhang Jianyu, chairwoman of the CGCC, said the chamber's member companies have cumulatively invested more than $140 billion in the US economy, directly creating over 230,000 jobs and contributing to more than 1 million positions nationwide.美国中国总商会会长张建宇在会上表示，商会会员企业已累计对美国经济投资超过1400亿美元，直接创造超过23万个就业岗位，并为全美超过100万个就业岗位做出了贡献。Qiu Wenxing, minister and deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in the US, who delivered a keynote address, underscored the need for deeper integration of the world's two largest economies.中国驻美国使馆公使邱文星发表主旨演讲，强调了全球两大经济体深化融合的必要性。Referring to the investment and employment statistics quoted by the CGCC chairwoman, Qiu said: "That is the contribution Chinese companies have already made. We can do more to help America achieve even better lives for its people."邱文星在引用该会会长所引述的投资和就业数据时表示，这是中国企业已经作出的贡献。他说：“我们可以做得更多，帮助美国人民过上更加美好的生活。”He urged US business leaders to be "quick and agile to seize the opportunity presented by China's development", particularly through the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which offers expanded market access for international investors.他敦促美国商界领袖“要敏锐果断地抓住中国发展带来的机遇”，特别是通过“十五五”规划（2026-2030年）所扩大的国际市场准入来抓住机遇。Qiu called on both Chinese and US business communities to "do the right thing instead of the politically correct thing", advocating for deeper engagement and more objective dialogue.邱文星呼吁中美两国工商界“做正确的事，而不是政治正确的事”，主张更深入的接触和更客观的对话。The relationship between China and the US is inherently mutually beneficial, and that characteristic could form the foundation for shared prosperity, he said, emphasizing that the two countries must find a common path based on "mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation".他强调，中美关系本质上是互利共赢的，这种特性能够成为共同繁荣的基础。两国必须在“相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢”的基础上找到共同的相处之道。"The world depends on a stable, sound and sustainable relationship," Qiu said, adding that efforts made by the two governments to stabilize ties are injecting "positive momentum" and certainty into business operations.“世界需要一个稳定、健康、可持续的中美关系，”邱文星说。他补充道，两国政府为稳定关系所做的努力，正为企业的经营注入“积极动能”和确定性。Pin Ni, vice-chair of the CGCC and president of Wanxiang America Corporation, said that any "decoupling" between China and the US would be disastrous for the US due to its inflationary impact.美国中国总商会副会长、万向美国公司总裁倪频表示，任何中美之间的“脱钩”都将给美国带来灾难性的通胀冲击。Amid the expectations of improved economic ties, the survey report highlighted some significant hurdles. Tariff policies remain the primary source of pressure, it said, negatively affecting 79 percent of respondents through rising costs and supply chain disruptions. Geopolitical tensions have also become a "structural ceiling" for brand building, it added.在对经济关系改善有所预期的同时，调查报告也突出了几个重大阻碍。报告称，关税政策仍是压力的主要来源，通过推高成本和扰乱供应链，对79%的受访企业造成了负面影响。报告还称，地缘政治紧张局势已成为品牌建设的“结构性天花板”。Ni stressed that successful long-term growth in the US requires a deeper commitment to localization and human capital. "Localization is not just about investing in a company; it is about investing in the local people," he said.倪频强调，要在美国实现长期成功增长，必须更加坚定地推进本土化并投入人力资本。“本土化不仅仅是对企业的投资，更是对当地民众的投资，”他说。The strategic goal of Chinese companies in the US is to become a permanent and contributing part of the local economy, he added.他补充道，在美中资企业的战略目标是成为当地经济持久且贡献的一部分。Monday's event included a panel discussion on the global rise of Chinese brands. The speakers noted that while Chinese companies make high-quality products, they need to improve their "narrative capability" in order to extend their reach.当天的活动还包括一场关于中国品牌全球崛起的专题讨论，讨论指出，尽管中国企业能生产出高质量的产品，但若要拓展全球影响力，则还需提升“叙事能力”。Crisis management and storytelling should be combined to successfully navigate local challenges, the speakers added.并且补充道，中国企业应将危机管理和讲述品牌故事相结合，以成功应对当地挑战。geopolitical tensions /ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈtenʃənz/地缘政治紧张局势China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC) /ˈtʃaɪnə ˈdʒenrəl ˈtʃæmbər əv ˈkɒmɜːs juː ˈes ˈeɪ/美国中国总商会agile /ˈædʒaɪl/敏锐的，果断的decoupling /diːˈkʌplɪŋ/脱钩navigate challenges /ˈnævɪɡeɪt ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/应对挑战

His coach told him to keep the guns in the holsters. Ryan Lamb never listened. The cult Gloucester fly-half who helped light up the Premiership at just 20 years old joins Alex and Tins for a GBR classic. From locking a teacher in a cupboard to calling Stuart Lancaster "Steve", Lamby holds nothing back. He relives the iconic Bristol promotion playoff, his love-hate relationship with Dean Ryan, why he thought Premiership rugby was "quite easy," and what it's like running Plymouth Albion on their promotion charge. Honest, hilarious, and completely unfiltered - this one's not to be missed. 00:00

The Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, introduced 38 new undergraduate majors that will be available for recruitment through the 2026 national college entrance exam, or gaokao, expanding opportunities for students to pursue cutting-edge fields.教育部4月28日（周二）发布，新增38个本科专业，将纳入2026年全国高考招生，进一步拓宽学生攻读前沿领域的机会。The newly added majors align with national strategies and emerging industries. They include energy science and engineering and deep-earth science and engineering for strategic needs; transportation and energy integration engineering and agricultural robotics for upgrading traditional industries; biotechnology manufacturing and brain-computer science and technology for future industries; digital culture and tourism and commercial artificial intelligence for the service sector; and digital trade and digital finance for the intelligent economy.此次新增专业紧密对接国家战略和新兴产业。精准对接国家战略需求，增设能源科学与工程、深地科学与工程等专业；服务传统产业优化升级，增设交通能源融合工程、农业机器人等专业；推动新兴产业和未来产业创新发展，增设生物制造、脑机科学与技术等专业；立足服务业扩能提质，增设数字文旅、商业人工智能等专业；聚焦打造智能经济新形态，增设数字贸易、数字金融等专业。The ministry also added embodied intelligence as a new major, with nine top universities — including Harbin Institute of Technology and Beihang University — authorized to offer it. The program aims to integrate next-generation artificial intelligence with the real economy.教育部同时增设了“具身智能”新专业，哈尔滨工业大学、北京航空航天大学等9所顶尖高校获准开设，旨在推动新一代人工智能与实体经济深度融合。For the first time, the "interdisciplinary studies" category includes 15 programs, including four new majors such as embodied intelligence and brain-computer science and technology. The full catalog now covers 883 majors.交叉学科门类首次设置15个专业，其中包括具身智能、脑机科学与技术等4个新专业。至此，本科专业目录总数达到883个。During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Chinese universities added 10,200 undergraduate program slots while cutting or suspending 12,200. The annual adjustment rate exceeded 10 percent for the first time this year.“十四五”期间，全国高校新增本科专业布点1.02万个，撤销或停招1.22万，年度专业调整比例首次超过10%。Shen Yi, former vice-president of Harbin Institute of Technology and dean of the School of Aerospace Innovation, said the university is launching a new undergraduate major in embodied intelligence to meet national strategies, technological progress and industrial demand.哈尔滨工业大学原副校长、航天学院院长沈毅介绍，学校正开设具身智能本科专业，以服务国家战略、科技进步和产业需求。"The major moves artificial intelligence from the digital world to the physical world," Shen said. "Embodied intelligence is not just about humanoid robots — it is about enabling machines to perceive, interact with, decide and act in real-world environments."他说：“这个专业将人工智能从数字世界带到物理世界。具身智能不仅仅是人形机器人，更重要的是让机器在真实环境中实现感知、交互、决策和行动。”He said the program will train students to work in areas such as smart manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace and energy.该专业将培养学生在智能制造、医疗健康、航空航天、能源等领域工作。"Graduates will combine embodied intelligence with specific fields, like embodied intelligence plus aerospace, or plus energy, becoming versatile talent that society urgently needs," he said.沈毅表示：“毕业生将具身智能与具体领域结合，比如具身智能+航空航天、具身智能+能源，成为社会急需的复合型人才。”Shen added that the major emphasizes project-based and active learning.他补充说，专业强调项目制学习和主动学习。"Students will learn by doing, not just by taking notes," he said. The first batch of about 50 to 60 students is expected to enroll in September.“学生通过动手实践来学习，而不是仅仅记笔记。”首批约50至60名学生预计于今年9月入学。"Like automation or computer science decades ago, embodied intelligence will become a foundational tool across all sectors," Shen said. "Those who master it will drive progress in their fields."沈毅认为：“就像几十年前的自动化或计算机科学一样，具身智能将成为各行各业的基础工具。掌握它的人将推动所在领域的进步。”According to Shen, embodied intelligence is inherently interdisciplinary.他指出，具身智能天然具有交叉学科属性。"It integrates perception, decision-making and physical action. Core courses include systems and control, intelligent sensing and processing, and the integration of AI with physical systems," he said.具身智能融合感知、决策与物理执行，核心课程包括系统与控制、智能感知与处理、人工智能与物理系统集成等。He also noted that the training model goes beyond traditional classroom teaching.他同时指出，培养模式也超越传统课堂教学。"We give students real projects and goals. They learn by identifying weaknesses and seeking knowledge actively, not by passive memorization. That is how we prepare them to design and deploy embodied intelligent systems in the real world," he said.“我们给学生真实的项目与目标，让他们在发现短板、主动求知中学习，而不是被动记忆。这样他们将来才能设计和部署真实的具身智能系统。”Ming Dong, vice-president of Tianjin University, said the newly approved undergraduate major in brain-computer science and technology aligns with the university's first-level interdisciplinary doctoral program in the field, enabling it to establish a comprehensive bachelor's-master's-doctoral training system for brain-computer interface talent.天津大学副校长明东表示，新获批的脑机科学与技术本科专业，与该校已有的脑机接口一级交叉学科博士点相衔接，可构建起脑机接口人才的本硕博完整培养体系。Ming said brain-computer interface technology, prioritized as a future industry under the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), holds significant application potential.明东说，脑机接口技术已被列为国家“十五五”规划的未来产业，应用潜力巨大。In response to national strategic needs and industry demand, Tianjin University's program aims to cultivate high-level talent capable of advancing intelligent human-computer interaction.面向国家战略需求和产业需要，天大的这一专业旨在培养能推动智能人机交互发展的高层次人才。Under the system, students will systematically master the full technology chain of brain-computer interfaces — from devices and chips to algorithms, systems and applications — beginning in their first year. Core courses include the "brain talker" research program, along with a wide range of electives, enabling students to build a solid theoretical foundation and develop practical skills to solve complex engineering problems.学生从大一开始，系统掌握从器件、芯片到算法、系统、应用的脑机接口全链条技术。核心课程包含“脑语者”研究计划，同时提供丰富的选修课，使学生在掌握扎实理论基础的同时，练就解决复杂工程问题的实践能力。cutting-edge fields /ˈkʌtɪŋ ɛdʒ fiːldz/前沿领域biotechnology manufacturing /ˈbaɪəʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒi ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ/生物制造技术embodied intelligence /ɪmˈbɒdid ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/具身智能versatile talent /ˈvɜːsətaɪl ˈtælənt/复合型人才brain-computer interface /breɪn kəmˈpjuːtər ˈɪntəfeɪs/脑机接口human-computer interaction /ˈhjuːmən kəmˈpjuːtər ˌɪntərˈækʃən/人机交互

Further opening-up seen key to driving high-quality growth of fast-rising sector进一步开放是推动这一快速增长行业高质量发展的关键所在。China will intensify efforts to upgrade its fast-growing services sector, aiming to foster an open, competitive and high-quality ecosystem that benefits both Chinese consumers and global providers, experts and executives said.多位专家和企业高管均表示，中国将加大力度推动快速发展的服务业提质升级，旨在打造一个开放、竞争、高质量的生态系统，使中国消费者和全球服务提供者共同受益。To achieve this vision, the State Council — China's Cabinet — unveiled on Tuesday plans designed to steer producer services toward "greater specialization and higher positions in the value chain", while making consumer services "more quality-oriented, diversified and convenient".为实现这一愿景，国务院于周二发布了一份政策文件，旨在引导生产性服务业向“专业化和高端价值链延伸”，同时推动生活性服务业“向高品质、多样化、便利化发展”。China's services sector has grown steadily over the years, accounting for 57.7 percent of GDP in 2025, and it is expected its total scale will surpass 100 trillion yuan ($14.67 trillion) by the end of the decade — a 23 percent increase from current levels.多年来，中国服务业持续稳步增长，2025年占GDP比重达57.7%。预计到2030年，服务业总规模将突破100万亿元人民币（约合14.67万亿美元），较当前水平增长23%。Further opening-up is seen as key to advancing the high-quality growth of the services sector this year and beyond, evidenced by the Government Work Report's call to "orderly relax market access restrictions in the services sector" and the 15th Five-Year Plan's pledge to "expand high-level opening-up of the services sector".进一步开放是今年及未来推动服务业高质量发展的关键。《政府工作报告》提出“有序放宽服务业准入限制”，“十五五”规划纲要承诺“扩大服务业高水平对外开放”，均印证了这一点。After years of dismantling market access restrictions for foreign investors in manufacturing, China is now setting its sights on the services sector, where experts said the barriers remain relatively higher but the potential rewards for both the domestic economy and foreign firms are larger.在多年逐步取消制造业外资市场准入限制之后，如今，中国将目光投向服务业。专家表示，服务业的壁垒仍然相对较高，但对国内经济和外资企业而言，潜在回报也更大。Unlike manufacturing, services have long been a relative laggard in China's opening-up drive, constrained by complexities that "go far beyond simple market access", said Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics.对外经济贸易大学国际贸易教授崔凡指出，与制造业不同，服务业长期以来在中国对外开放进程中相对滞后，其制约因素“远不止简单的市场准入问题”，而是更为复杂。Cui said it involves the cross-border movement of data, capital, technology and talent, as well as rules covering environmental standards, intellectual property and professional qualifications.崔凡表示，这涉及数据、资本、技术和人才的跨境流动，以及涵盖环境标准、知识产权和职业资格等方面的规则。"This means that the future focus of services sector opening will be more about aligning domestic rules with international norms," Cui added.他补充说：“这意味着未来服务业开放的重点将更多放在国内规则与国际标准的对接上。”The accelerated opening-up comes as many economies retreat into protectionist shells. China has instead chosen to widen access, particularly in areas such as value-added telecommunications, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, according to the Cabinet's Tuesday policy document.当前，许多经济体正退回保护主义的“壳”中，而中国却加速推进对外开放。根据国务院周二发布的政策文件，中国选择进一步放宽市场准入，特别是在增值电信、生物技术、外商独资医院等领域。The country will also improve the management system covering the cross-border services trade negative list, and strengthen capabilities in data outbound compliance assessment and security certification as highlighted in the document.文件还强调，中国将完善跨境服务贸易负面清单管理制度，并加强数据出境合规评估和安全认证能力建设。Greater openness will speed the inflow of global quality services resources and advanced concepts, driving domestic services to upgrade their technology, business models and standards to align with international best practices, said Xu Shaofeng, senior vice-president of Schneider Electric.施耐德电气高级副总裁徐韶峰表示，更大程度的开放将加快全球优质服务业资源和先进理念的流入，推动国内服务业升级其技术、商业模式和标准，与国际最佳实践接轨。For foreign firms engaged in the services sector, they could gain access to a market of 1.4 billion people, including a middle-income group of 400 million that is projected to reach 800 million over the next decade.对于从事服务业的外资企业而言，它们将有机会进入一个拥有14亿人口的市场，其中包括一个4亿人的中等收入群体，而这一群体预计在未来十年将增至8亿人。"China's continued efforts to open up its services sector and its policies to boost services consumption have greatly enhanced our confidence in the market," said Mao Yibing, president of Marriott International Greater China.万豪国际集团大中华区总裁毛怡冰表示：“中国持续推进服务业开放以及促进服务消费的政策，大大增强了我们对市场的信心。”"Chinese consumers are paying increasing attention to experience," Mao said. "We can clearly see the strong potential of China's leisure travel market, with themes such as weekend getaways, family trips, cultural exploration and sports entertainment becoming key areas of focus."毛怡冰说：“中国消费者越来越注重体验。我们可以清晰地看到中国休闲旅游市场的巨大潜力，周末短途游、家庭出游、文化探索和体育娱乐等主题正成为重点关注的领域。”Marriott will continue to focus its expansion on first-tier and emerging first-tier cities, popular tourist destinations, and various business and leisure travel scenarios, to capture a larger share of one of the world's fastest-growing services consumption markets, she added.她补充说，万豪将继续把扩张重点放在一线及新兴一线城市、热门旅游目的地以及各类商务和休闲旅游场景上，以期在全球增长最快的服务消费市场之一中占据更大份额。Poh-Yian Koh, president of Fed-Ex China, an express transportation service provider, said that as China pushes to open its services sector wider, a more inclusive and sophisticated ecosystem is taking shape.快递运输服务提供商联邦快递中国区总裁许宝燕表示，随着中国推动服务业进一步扩大开放，一个更加包容、成熟的服务业生态系统正在形成。"The enabling development climate in China has been a key reason for the company's steady growth here, and it has further strengthened FedEx's confidence in long-term investment and in growing together with the Chinese market," Koh said.许宝燕说：“中国有利的发展环境一直是联邦快递在中国实现稳健增长的关键原因，这也进一步增强了公司长期投资、与中国市场共同成长的信心。”diversified /daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪd/多样化的dismantle /dɪsˈmæntəl/逐步取消，拆除opening-up drive /ˈəʊpənɪŋ ʌp draɪv/对外开放进程cross-border movement /ˈkrɒs ˈbɔːdə ˈmuːvmənt/跨境流动intellectual property /ˌɪntəˈlektjʊəl ˈprɒpəti/知识产权protectionist /prəˈtekʃənɪst/保护主义的

A sharp acceleration in infrastructure spending has emerged as a key pillar of China's investment stabilization drive, offsetting a persistent decline in the property sector and helping overall investment return to positive growth in the first quarter, officials and economists said.随着基础设施建设支出显著提速，我国稳投资格局初显成效。在房地产开发投资持续探底的背景下，基建领域的强劲增长有效对冲了行业下行压力，带动一季度整体固定资产投资重回正增长区间。The rebound came after authorities vowed late last year to halt the investment downturn, following a 3.8 percent contraction in fixed-asset investment in 2025.此番回暖发生在此前投资增速持续承压之后。数据显示，2025年全年固定资产投资曾收缩3.8%，有关部门于去年底明确释放了遏制投资下滑的政策信号。According to the National Bureau of Statistics, fixed-asset investment reached 10.27 trillion yuan ($1.51 trillion) in the first quarter, up 1.7 percent year-on-year. Beneath the headline figure, however, lies a sharp divergence. Infrastructure investment surged 8.9 percent, while property development investment plunged 11.2 percent.国家统计局最新公布的数据显示，今年一季度，全国固定资产投资达10.27万亿元，同比增长1.7%。尽管总量增长温和，内部结构分化却极为显著：基础设施投资同比大增8.9%，而房地产开发投资则同比下降11.2%。Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said that infrastructure investment — the area where the government has the most direct leverage — has ramped up significantly at the start of the year.东方金诚首席宏观分析师王青指出，基建投资作为政府宏观调控最直接有效的抓手，在开年即展现出强劲的拉升势头。"The pace of growth in the first quarter exceeded what the market had anticipated," Wang said.“一季度的实际增速已超出此前市场普遍预期。”王青表示。China has not disclosed the scale of its infrastructure investment in recent years. However, a report by China Galaxy Securities suggests that the proportion of infrastructure investment within total fixed-asset investment has been rising, estimating it at about 45.3 percent as of end-2023.近年来官方虽未单独披露基建投资的绝对规模，但据中国银河证券研报测算，基建投资在固投总额中的占比呈逐年抬升趋势，截至2023年底，该比例约为45.3%。Last year, the sector faced significant headwinds. Due to a combination of fiscal constraints and a high base of comparison, infrastructure investment saw a rare year-on-year decline of 2.2 percent for the full year, according to the bureau.回顾2024年，该领域曾面临不小的增长阻力。受制于财政紧平衡与高基数效应的叠加影响，国家统计局数据显示，全年基础设施投资罕见录得2.2%的同比降幅。Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, said the robust first-quarter growth accelerated by 8.3 percentage points from the full-year 2025 level and contributed 2.7 percentage points to overall investment growth.粤开证券首席经济学家罗志恒分析称，一季度基建投资增速较2025年全年大幅回升8.3个百分点，对整体投资增长的贡献率高达2.7个百分点。"Infrastructure spending countered the drag from the prolonged property downturn and served as the key factor behind the turnaround from negative growth last year," Luo said.“基建支出的放量，有效对冲了房地产长周期调整带来的拖累，是推动固投由负转正的决定性力量。”罗志恒指出。As 2026 is the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30),"Local governments have strong incentives to create economic activities in the first year to set the foundation for the next five years of development."2026年作为第十五个五年规划的开局之年，这一加速增长具有更强的导向意义。分析认为，地方政府在五年规划首年普遍存在“抢先抓早”的能动性，意在通过重大项目落地为后续发展筑牢根基。The NBS said that in the first quarter, investment in projects with planned total investment of 100 million yuan or more rose 4.5 percent year-on-year, indicating that large-scale construction is accelerating.国家统计局数据同时显示，一季度计划总投资亿元及以上大项目投资同比增长4.5%，表明大型工程项目正处于加速建设周期。Funding has followed the projects. Luo said fiscal resources were deployed early and aggressively in the first quarter.资金的保障为项目推进提供了坚实支撑。罗志恒表示，一季度财政资源体现出了明显的“靠前发力”特征。Public bond issuance data show that in the first quarter, local governments issued about 3.1 trillion yuan in bonds, an increase of about 9.3 percent from the same period last year. Newly issued special bonds directly tied to infrastructure project construction reached about 1.2 trillion yuan, up about 25 percent year-on-year.债券发行数据印证了这一判断。一季度，各地累计发行地方政府债券约3.1万亿元，较去年同期增长约9.3%。其中，直接用于项目建设的专项债券规模约1.2万亿元，同比增幅高达约25%。The shift is not just about spending more — it is about spending differently, according to analysts.在分析人士看来，此轮发力不仅体现在投入总量的增加，更体现在投向结构的优化。While traditional rail, road and airport projects remain important, new infrastructure areas including computing centers, 5G and 6G networks, electric vehicle charging piles, and low-altitude flight infrastructure are becoming the new growth drivers, said Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank.中国民生银行首席经济学家温彬认为，在传统“铁公基”项目保持稳定投入的同时，算力枢纽、新一代移动通信网络、新能源充电设施及低空经济配套等新基建领域，正加速成长为驱动投资增长的新引擎。"The government is using infrastructure investment not just to stabilize growth in the short term, but to shape China's transition to a digital, green and innovation-driven economy for the future," Wen said.“当前的基础设施投资已超越单纯的短期逆周期调节功能，更多承载着推动经济向数字化、绿色化、创新驱动转型的长远战略意图。”温彬称。Entering the second quarter, with the peak of project launches coming to an end and special bond issuances normalizing, Luo cautioned that infrastructure growth may slow marginally.展望二季度，随着项目集中开工潮逐步退去，加之专项债发行节奏趋于常态化，罗志恒提醒，基建投资增速或有边际放缓的可能。"Local governments face a dual squeeze from debt servicing and falling land income. Whether infrastructure can continue to play its role as a ballast for investment will depend on policy support from the central level."“现阶段地方政府面临化债支出与土地出让金下滑的双重压力。未来基建能否持续发挥‘压舱石'作用，将在很大程度上取决于中央层面转移支付及增量政策的接续支持力度。”property sector /ˈprɒpəti ˈsektə(r)/房地产行业 halt the investment downturn /hɔːlt ðə ɪnˈvestmənt ˈdaʊntɜːn/遏制投资下滑 divergence /daɪˈvɜːdʒəns/分化；背离 plunge /plʌndʒ/暴跌；骤降 turnaround /ˈtɜːnəraʊnd/扭转；好转 inaugural year /ɪˈnɔːɡjərəl jɪə(r)/开局之年 public bond /ˈpʌblɪk bɒnd/政府债券；公债 ballast /ˈbæləst/压舱石；稳定器

In 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao warned that China's growth model was unbalanced between supply and demand, over-reliant on investment and exports. More than 20 years later, the imbalance is smaller — but China is vastly larger. What its economy produces and exports now moves global markets. The argument about China's external surplus is no longer just a spat between Beijing and Washington.Yiping Huang, Dean of the National School of Development at Peking University, has written a chapter in the fourth Paris Report, published jointly by CEPR and Bruegel, examining China's structural imbalances from the inside. His argument: the same policies that powered 45 years of growth also suppressed household income and consumption. Factor market distortions, especially artificially low interest rates, kept the cost of capital down and subsidised state-owned enterprises; decentralised GDP-target competition pushed local governments toward investment and industrial expansion rather than services and household support.The result was a powerful supply side with a persistently weak domestic demand side. When you produce more than you can sell at home and you are a small economy, you export the rest. When you are the world's second largest economy, the world notices. China's consumption share of GDP rose from around 50% in 2010 to 57% in 2024, still well below the mid-seventies average of comparable economies, and two fresh crises complicate the path. The property market has been contracting since mid-2021 and it is now a drag on local government finances, household wealth, and bank balance sheets. Local government subsidies have created overcapacity in new industries such as electric vehicles and batteries. Huang's conclusion is that rebalancing is necessary and achievable, but it requires the government stepping back from direct resource allocation, the private sector and market taking on larger roles in innovation, and a significant strengthening of social protection to give households both the income and the confidence to spend.The report discussed in this series of episodes:Rey, Hélène, Beatrice Weder di Mauro, and Jeromin Zettelmeyer (eds). 2026. The New Global Imbalances. Paris Report 4. CEPR Press and Bruegel. Free to download at cepr.org.The chapter discussed in this episode:Huang, Yiping. 2026. "Rebalancing of the Chinese economy: Challenges and policy options." In Rey, Weder di Mauro, and Zettelmeyer (eds), The New Global Imbalances. Paris Report 4. CEPR Press and Bruegel. To cite this episode:Phillips, Tim, and Yiping Huang. 2026. “Rebalancing the Chinese Economy”. VoxTalks Economics (podcast).Assign this as extra listening. The citation above is formatted and ready for a reading list or VLE.About Paris Report 4The fourth Paris Report, The New Global Imbalances, is a joint publication of CEPR and Bruegel. It was edited by Hélène Rey (London Business School and CEPR), Beatrice Weder di Mauro (Geneva Graduate Institute and CEPR, and President of CEPR), and Jeromin Zettelmeyer (Bruegel and CEPR). The report examines how, in a high-debt and fragmented world, excess savings, rising surpluses, and rising deficits pose a risk to stability and undermine the global trading system. It is free to download at cepr.org.About the guestYiping Huang is Dean of the National School of Development at Peking University. [verify URL before publishing] He is one of China's leading macroeconomists, with research spanning China's economic transition, financial reform, and the political economy of development. He has advised Chinese policymakers and international institutions including the IMF and the Asian Development Bank on issues of growth, financial reform, and structural change.Research cited in this episodeAsymmetric liberalization is Yiping Huang's term for the approach China took when reforming its economy from the 1980s onward. Rather than the shock therapy adopted by former Soviet economies — privatising state-owned enterprises overnight and hoping markets would fill the gap — China used a dual-track approach. It opened the economy to private firms and foreign investors while maintaining state-owned enterprises in parallel, accepting some inefficiency in exchange for stability in output, employment, and growth. To subsidise the SOEs without direct fiscal transfers, the government kept factor markets, particularly financial markets, partially distorted: deposit and lending rates were held below market-clearing levels, reducing funding costs and effectively transferring income from savers and households to producers. The result was a very strong supply side and a structurally weak domestic demand side, which Huang identifies as the root cause of China's persistent external surpluses.Involution (Chinese: 内卷, nèijuǎn) is a term in wide use in China to describe a particular form of competitive overextension: effort that intensifies without producing proportional gains in quality, efficiency, or welfare. In the economic policy context Huang uses it, involution refers to the overcapacity problem in China's newer industries, including electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels. Local governments, motivated by GDP targets and decentralised competition, have subsidised capacity expansion in these sectors without requiring corresponding advances in technology or product quality. The result is high-volume, low-margin competition that can suppress prices globally while leaving firms unable to earn sustainable returns domestically. Huang distinguishes this from the property market crisis, which has a different structure and cause.New quality productive forces is the term used in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 to 2030) to describe the supply-side transformation the government is aiming for: a shift away from labour-intensive, low-value-added manufacturing toward high-technology, innovation-driven sectors. It reflects the recognition that the industries China dominated in its first decades of reform — low-cost assembly, commodity manufacturing — are no longer competitive given rising domestic wages and costs, and that the next stage of growth has to be driven by productivity and technology rather than factor accumulation.The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 to 2030) is China's current medium-term planning document. Huang identifies two key anchors: the development of new quality productive forces on the supply side, and a shift toward domestic demand — particularly private consumption — on the demand side. The plan signals a different role for government, more focused on providing social infrastructure, basic research, and protection for households, and less focused on direct resource allocation and industrial project selection. Huang describes the two anchors as a circuit: if supply-side innovation and demand-side consumption can be connected efficiently, the Chinese economy can sustain growth for much longer without relying on external demand.The Japan comparison is used by Huang to set expectations for China's consumption rebalancing. Japan's private consumption share of GDP was at its lowest in 1970 and did not reach the average of comparable advanced economies — around the mid-seventies — until around 2010: a process of roughly forty years. China's consumption share is currently around fifty-seven percent, still well below that average. Huang acknowledges the parallel but expresses hope that China can close the gap faster than Japan did; the point of the comparison is that raising household consumption is a structural, decades-long process, not a policy lever that can be pulled in a single plan cycle. It requires sustained growth in household income and improvement in the social safety net to reduce precautionary saving.China's current account surplus peaked at 9.8% of GDP in 2007, immediately before the global financial crisis. Huang notes that significant adjustment has already taken place: the average surplus between 2018 and the mid-2020s was below two percent of GDP, and the investment share of GDP fell from a peak of forty-seven percent in 2011 to forty-one percent in 2024. The surplus rose to 3.7% of GDP in 2024 partly as a result of weak domestic demand following the property market correction. Huang's argument is that the external imbalance and the internal consumption shortfall are the same problem viewed from different angles; fixing one requires fixing the other.More VoxTalks Economics episodesThis is the third episode in our series on Paris Report 4. In the first episode, Maurice Obstfeld of the Peterson Institute for International Economics examines the history of global imbalances and what previous episodes can teach today's policymakers. In the second episode, Gilles Moëc, Chief Economist at AXA, explains why the US government is so keen to promote stablecoins and the risks they may pose to the financial system.For an interview with two of the report's editors, Beatrice Weder di Mauro and Jeromin Zettelmeyer, on the problem of global imbalances, listen to The Sound of Economics, Bruegel's podcast. Available at bruegel.org.

Economic historian Adam Tooze returns to Sinica fresh from the China Development Forum and his second extended visit to Beijing in under a year. In this wide-ranging conversation, Adam and I cover the 15th Five-Year Plan — what it signals about Beijing's development priorities and whether it represents a genuine shift away from investment-led growth — and the extraordinary scale of China's renewable energy buildout, which Adam argues may be bringing us to the global peak of CO2 emissions right now.They discuss the concept of the “big green state,” why Western analysts keep dancing around the role of the CPC in driving China's environmental transformation, and what the “Chinamaxxing” phenomenon says about a slow but real reckoning in Western public consciousness. From Europe's evolving posture toward China — caught between EV anxieties and transatlantic rupture — to China's role in the Global South's energy future, the conversation moves through coal transitions, Indonesian nickel zones, African microgrids, and the collapse of the flying geese model.The episode closes with a frank exchange on the Iran war, the postponed Trump-Xi summit, the stunning political silence on American campuses, and what Beijing is most likely doing: sitting pretty and waiting it out. Adam also offers a preview of his forthcoming book on the energy transition — which turns out to be another massive one — and recommends Tim Sahay and Wang Hui as essential reading.02:44 – Adam's Chinese language study: HSK3, the Confucius Institute curriculum, and the joys of chasing characters09:41 – The jìhuà/guīhuà distinction and what the shift in nomenclature from the 11th Five-Year Plan onward actually signals12:01 – The 15th Five-Year Plan: green energy tinkering, sci-tech ambitions, and the human development dimension18:10 – Does Beijing genuinely mean to shift from investment-led growth? Reading “high quality development” and “common prosperity”22:38 – The Great Reckoning: has Western intellectual and policy consciousness actually moved on China?29:45 – Environmental authoritarianism, the CPC as mobilizing institution, and why Xi's “petty bourgeois environmentalism” deserves to be taken seriously33:39 – Persistent misperceptions of China in Western discourse; the “jaundiced American” trench perspective39:16 – European neuralgia: EV overcapacity, Ukraine, and whether transatlantic rupture opens a window for China45:02 – China and the Global South: the end of the flying geese model, African microgrids, Indonesian nickel zones, and BRI record lending59:32 – Mark Carney's “age of rupture”: does the framing capture something real, or does it flatter the West?01:05:18 – What Beijing sees from its windows: Iran, Venezuela, the postponed Trump-Xi summit, and a five-point plan for Chinese hegemony (that won't happen)01:14:55 – Preview of Adam's forthcoming book on the energy transition and the “second world” thesisPaying It Forward: Tim Sahay (PolyCrisis / Phenomenal World)Recommendations:Adam: Wang Hui's The End of the RevolutionKaiser: The Chinese series Shēng mìng shù (Born to Be Alive)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Deep Dive for Episode 285.5 explores how patience has become a defining weapon in modern AI, privacy, and security threats. State-backed actors like Red Menshen are quietly compromising telecom infrastructure with stealthy kernel-level implants, turning networks into long-term surveillance platforms while remaining almost invisible. Social engineering is evolving too: campaigns like ClickFix prove that attackers no longer need exotic exploits when they can simply coach users into pasting malicious commands themselves. At the same time, the AI software ecosystem is showing its fragility, as the LiteLLM supply-chain scare demonstrates how a single compromised package can ripple across countless downstream systems.On the frontier-model side, Anthropic's leaked “step change” system underscores how rapidly capabilities are accelerating while governance and operational controls struggle to keep pace. Research on AI essay grading highlights a similar misalignment, showing that LLM-based evaluators often reward surface polish over genuine understanding, raising serious concerns for any high-stakes use of automated assessment. Governments are moving to assert control: the US Department of Defense is driving AI vendors toward a single baseline that prioritizes military requirements, while China's latest Five‑Year Plan positions AI as an instrument of national power, emphasizing large-scale deployment, self-reliance, and ecosystem-level strategy. Finally, the Meta–Manus standoff illustrates how cross-border AI deals sit at the intersection of innovation, capital, and state control, turning corporate decisions into geopolitical flashpoints. Taken together, this episode illustrates that we are not just watching a tech race, but a slow, methodical restructuring of global power through technology, one that rewards deep security, thoughtful governance, and a healthy respect for the risks of quiet, patient adversaries.

Episode 285.  This week, we uncover some long-term offensive strategies that show the virtue of patience can have a negative impact on the victims.A China-aligned threat group is quietly weaponizing telecom infrastructure with kernel-level backdoors, turning carriers into long-term strategic listening posts.A low-tech but highly effective social engineering campaign is turning everyday users into their own worst enemy by coaching them to execute the attacker's commands.A popular AI gateway narrowly avoided a cascading supply-chain breach after compromised packages exposed just how fragile modern dependency chains have become.A leaked cache of internal documents has forced Anthropic to confirm a powerful new model, spotlighting both its rapid progress and the operational risks of secrecy at scale.New research shows that AI graders systematically diverge from human judgment, rewarding polish over depth and raising red flags for automated assessment in high-stakes settings.The US Defense Department is pushing AI vendors onto a single contractual and ethical footing, signaling that military requirements will increasingly define how models can be used.China's latest Five-Year Plan elevates AI from a growth priority to a full-spectrum instrument of national power, blending industrial policy with geopolitical strategy.And finally.. The Meta–Manus deal has evolved into a geopolitical flashpoint, illustrating how cross-border AI acquisitions can collide head-on with state control and national security anxieties.You don't even have to be patient with these discoveries.  Let's go!Find the full transcript to this podcast here.

Laurent and Gerard speak with Dr. Michal Meidan, Head of China Energy Research at the China Energy Research Programme at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, about the profound transformation reshaping China's energy system. At the heart of the discussion is the country's pivot from “molecules” to “electrons” — a structural shift from fossil fuels toward electrification powered by renewables, batteries, and electric mobility. This transition is not just about decarbonization; it represents a broader industrial and technological reconfiguration with global consequences. At the same time, China remains central to fossil fuel markets: it is the world's largest fossil fuel importer and is set to maintain that position for the rest of this decade and beyond.  Still the recent events in the Strait of Hormuz have vindicated China's energy policy of diversification, investment and strategic storage.  China's approach reflects a distinctive “dual track” model in which command-and-control planning coexists with market dynamics. Central government frameworks, including the recent 15th Five-Year Plan, set strategic direction, while provinces interpret and implement policy with varying degrees of alignment or competition. At times collaborative and at times antagonistic, the relationship between Beijing and local authorities shapes how targets are pursued and reported. China often reframes its narrative retrospectively, particularly where electric vehicles and battery production have dramatically surpassed official expectations, highlighting the interplay between state ambition and private-sector execution.  At the same time, the transition has been propelled by powerful entrepreneurial forces. Leaders such as Robin Zheng of CATL and Stella Li of BYD embody the “animal spirits” that have driven innovation and scale in batteries and electric vehicles. In many cases, private firms have exceeded policy goals, complicating simplistic narratives of top-down control and demonstrating how state guidance and commercial dynamism reinforce one another.  Energy security remains a central pillar of this strategy. The current Hormuz crisis as well as the power shortages of 2020–2022 have exposed vulnerabilities in China's system and reinforced the leadership's determination to build integrated domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imported fuels and critical materials. Industrial policy and energy policy are deeply intertwined, with electrification, renewables, and advanced manufacturing serving both resilience and competitiveness objectives. The drive for clean technology is therefore as much about strategic autonomy as it is about environmental stewardship.  Finally, the episode also addresses persistent misconceptions in Europe and the United States about China's system, challenging both exaggerated fears and wishful thinking. Understanding China's energy transition requires grappling with its internal tensions, strategic pragmatism, and the scale of its ambitions.  Oxford Institute https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/disruption-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-implications-for-chinas-energy-markets-and-policies/  Carbon Brief and Lauri Myllyvirta    15FYP coverage https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-what-does-chinas-15th-five-year-plan-mean-for-climate-change/  Latest on China emisisons https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-co2-emissions-have-now-been-flat-or-falling-for-21-months/  Impact on GDP https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-drove-more-than-a-third-of-chinas-gdp-growth-in-2025/

China's new development roadmap is shaping global opportunities in a time of uncertainty. What does China's next phase of growth mean for the world economy? And how can international partners engage in these emerging opportunities? In "China's Development Opportunities for the World," the special roundtable of The Hub, CGTN host Wang Guan sits down with Zhou Xing, head of Public Affairs at PwC China; Zhou Mi, senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Zha Daojiong, professor at Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development, at Peking University's School of International Studies; and John Milligan-Whyte, chairman of the America-China Partnership Foundation, to examine the global economic landscape as China advances its 15th Five-Year Plan, focusing on high-quality growth, stronger domestic demand, and the rise of new quality productive forces.

The 2026 China Development Forum has opened in Beijing. The forum highlights China's role as a key engine of global development as the country begins its 15th Five-Year Plan.

The China Development Forum is highlighting China's role as a key engine of global development as the country begins its 15th Five-Year Plan.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng says China's measures at opening up and high-quality development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period will bring international companies vast market opportunities.

The new draft of China's five year plan is here, and the news isn't all good for climate advocates. Although China vows to expand its gigantic “clean energy bases” in the plan, it has actually walked back some of its biggest climate goals since 2021. The new plan also contains a mysterious — and politically convenient — change to one of its most important emissions estimates.On this episode of Shift Key, Rob is joined by Lauri Myllyvirta, the lead analyst and co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and one of the world's top experts on Chinese emissions outside China. Rob and Lauri discuss whether China is creating a new kind of energy hegemony, what really drives the country's energy strategy, and how the new war in Iran could affect its plans.Shift Key is hosted by Robinson Meyer, the founding executive editor of Heatmap News.You can find a full transcript of the episode here.Mentioned:Previously on Shift Key: Have China's Emissions Already Peaked?China's 15th Five-Year Plan — Implications for climate and energy transition, by Lauri Myllyvirta and Belinda SchäpeChina Can't Decide If It Wants to Be the World's First ‘Electrostate'--This episode of Shift Key is sponsored by …Accelerate your clean energy career with Yale's online certificate programs. Explore the 10-month Financing and Deploying Clean Energy program or the 5-month Clean and Equitable Energy Development program. Use referral code HeatMap26 and get your application in by the priority deadline for $500 off tuition to one of Yale's online certificate programs in clean energy. Learn more at cbey.yale.edu/online-learning-opportunities.Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Neil Thomas, Fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis. They discuss the significance of China's recent "Two Sessions," where the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference come together with great pageantry to announce new policies. Neil unpacks the state of China's elite politics and purges, the highlights of the 15th Five-Year Plan, President Xi's conservative approach to policymaking, and who might rise to important roles during Xi's fourth term. 

During a speech at a dialogue on China's development opportunities for the world, China's ambassador to the United States Xie Feng noted that 2026 is a big year for bilateral relations, and urged the U.S. to walk with China in the same direction, manage differences, and promote cooperation.

China has released a new five-year economic plan that projects GDP growth of around 4.5 percent in the coming year. That would be the country's slowest growth rate since its era of reforms began in the 1980s. Adam and Cameron dig in. Also on the show: The economics of St. Patrick's Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On 12 March 2026, China approved its 15th Five-Year Plan, setting the country's economic and strategic direction through 2030.  In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Yuyun Zhan and Alicia García-Herrero sit down with Bert Hofman for a first assessment of the plan. They discuss its key priorities — from industrial policy and export-led technology growth to social policy and redistribution — and examine what Beijing's new blueprint means for the European economy. This episode is part of the ZhōngHuá Mundus series of The Sound of Economics. ZhōngHuá Mundus is a newsletter by Bruegel, bringing you monthly analysis of China in the world, as seen from Europe. Sign up now to receive it in your mailbox!

The US and Israeli attack on Iran coincided with what was already an eventful week in China, especially with the conclusion of the Two-Sessions of the National People's Congress and the publication of the draft 15th Five-Year Plan (15FYP) Outline. In today's podcast, Michal Meidan and Anders Hove dig into the implications of the new […] The post OIES Podcast – China, Iran and the Five-Year Plan appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

We discuss how Ankara will position itself as regional attacks continue and hear from Iranians fleeing to Turkey. Then: China’s annual Two Sessions gathering begins in Beijing and Nepal prepares for its first election since youth-led protests toppled the government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil markets are rattled, Trump is escalating, and China is speaking out. In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is responding after Trump's strikes on Iran — and what soaring oil prices mean for Beijing's energy security and global strategy. Is this about principle, protecting its oil lifeline, or quietly capitalizing on U.S. distraction? Then they turn to China's next Five-Year Plan and its aggressive push into AI and advanced manufacturing. Is Beijing accelerating economic decoupling for good? And finally, a fatal crash involving a Chinese EV sparks a nationwide safety rethink. Does this dent China's global EV ambitions — or make them stronger? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave is so bullish on the Giants, that he believes a Super Bowl will be won in the next five years. Do you agree with him? Plus, an edition of Cuddle, Marry, Trash! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave has a five-year plan for the Giants to get back to glory. Also, we run through the final Football Frenzy of the season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MAO'S XENOPHOBIC REVOLUTION AND THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD Colleague Professor Sean McMeekin. Moving to China, McMeekin explains that Mao Zedong's ideology was a "bizarre melange" of Marxism, class envy, and intense xenophobia. Unlike European communists, Chinese communism was driven by a deep resentment of foreign imperialism. The conversation analyzes the catastrophe of the Great Leap Forward, where Maoattempted to surpass British economic output by collectivizing agriculture and creating "industrial armies"—an idea taken directly from the Communist Manifesto and Stalin's Five-Year Plans. This experiment resulted in the death of 40 to 45 million people. McMeekin notes that Mao ignored warnings from Soviet advisors to avoid their past mistakes, driven instead by a competitive desire to outdo the Soviets and a "fantasmagorical" hatred of foreign influence. NUMBER 5