World Today

It has been 25 years since Macao's return to the motherland.

Over the past quarter-century, the Macao Special Administrative Region has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once struggling economically, it is now an international free port with one of the world’s highest per capita GDPs and life expectancies.

During a gathering in Macao to mark the anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping says "one country, two systems" is a sound policy that must be adhered to for a long time.

What's behind Macao's success story over the past 25 years? How will Macao continue to diversify its economy and better integrate into China's broader development plans?

Host Zhao Ying is joined by Angus Chu, Distinguished Professor and Head of Department of Economics, University of Macau; Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics at University of International Business and Economics; Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow of the Center for China and Globalization.

①Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Macau to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. What are the details? (00:50) ②China has held its annual Central Rural Work Conference in Beijing. What's been discussed? (16:10) ③China and India have reached a breakthrough in resolving their long-standing boundary dispute, reaching a six-point consensus.(25:10) ④Hamas has indicated that a ceasefire agreement may be within reach following positive talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt.(34:55) ⑤The U.S. Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by 25 basis points, the third consecutive rate cut in this easing cycle.(43:55)

①Addressing a foreign policy symposium in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has vowed to position China as a force for peace, unity, openness, justice and inclusion. What are the details? (00:50) ②Ukraine has claimed responsibility for killing the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops. What will be the impact on the conflict? (14:10) ③European Union regulators said they are investigating whether TikTok failed to deal with risks in Romania's election and breached the bloc's digital rule book.(25:18) ④Honda and Nissan, Japan's second-and-third biggest automakers behind Toyota, are mulling a merger.(31:20) ⑤Our exclusive interview with China's Ambassador to the WTO, Li Chenggang.(43:00)

①German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a confidence vote in parliament. What happens next? (00:42) ②The European Central Bank has cut its key interest rates by 25 basis points.(13:05) ③China has announced a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy. What are the details? (25:03) ④TikTok launches an effort in the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent a ban from going into effect.(34:10) ⑤Chrystia Freeland has resigned as Canada's finance minister.(44:30)

①South Korea's constitutional court says it will hold its first preparatory hearing on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 27th. What's next? (00:50) ②Official data show that the Chinese economy has sustained its recovery momentum since September. What are the details? (12:36) ③China and the United States have decided to extend the agreement on bilateral science and technology cooperation for another five years.(25:16) ④French President Emmanuel Macron has nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new prime minister.(34:42) ⑤The UK's membership in the CPTPP came into effect on Sunday.(44:36)

Chinese leaders have wrapped up a key policy meeting with pledges to roll out more stimulus measures to shore up the world’s second largest economy. This year’s Central Economic Work Conference has promised to adopt a “moderately loose” monetary policy and a more proactive fiscal approach. There is also a pledge to stabilize the property market and boost consumer spending. The annual gathering led by China’s top leader sets the economic agenda for the upcoming year.

In this edition of the program, we discuss the key signals from this meeting and the prospect of the Chinese economy. Host Ding Heng is joined by Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics with the University of International Business and Economics; Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow with Taihe Institute; Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China.

①China's mega water diversion project benefits over 185 million people. (00:44)

②South Korea's ruling party leader calls for supporting President Yoon's impeachment as party stance. (10:30)

③Former FT Editor urges objective coverage of Chinese economy. (24:18)

④China announces nationwide roll-out of private pension scheme. (33:57)

⑤India's opposition launches first-ever impeachment move against vice president. (44:38)

①China, Vietnam vow to maintain high-level exchanges, targeted cooperation. (00:47)

②Syrian caretaker prime minister to lead transitional government amid ongoing conflict. (12:10)

③South Korean lawmakers to vote on second impeachment motion against President Yoon. (24:24)

④Trump mocks Canada’s Trudeau as “governor” of a U.S. state. (36:19)

⑤Sales of China’s new energy passenger cars surge in November. (43:43)

① Chinese economy to gain renewed growth impetus in 2025. (00:47)

② UN says 16 mln people need aid in Syria. (14:14)

③ Zelenskyy asks for "enduring peace" after Trump says US may reduce aid to Ukraine. (24:42)

④ TikTok hires ex-Trump administration lawyer ahead of Supreme Court appeal. (35:23)

⑤ UnitedHealthcare CEO shot and killed in New York. (45:54)

① Russia says Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow as rebels capture Damascus. (00:45)

② South Korean authorities order overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk-yeol. (13:31)

③ Australia and Nauru ink a landmark security treaty amid criticism over sovereignty concerns. (26:28)

④ Trump names former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China. (35:57)

⑤ China now has over 4.1 million 5G base stations. What’s next? (44:31)