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This is World Today. Hello and welcome to World Today, I'm Zhao Ying.
Coming up, as China celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Shizhong Autonomous Region, would take a closer look at how the region has developed and prospered over the past six decades.
Foreign ministers of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan have met in Kabul to strengthen security and economic cooperation.
We explore the significance of this trilateral mechanism for regional stability and development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has attended a grand gathering in Lhasa in celebration of the 60th founding anniversary of Shizong Autonomous Region.
President Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrived in the region, also known as Tibet, on Wednesday. for the anniversary celebration activities.
He listened to a work report from the regional party committee and government urging the region to advance high-quality development based on local conditions.
He also called on local authorities to build a modern socialist Shizhen that is united, prosperous and beautiful.
President Xi also met representatives from all sectors and encouraged them to work together to achieve the goals of Chinese-style modernization on the plateau.
For more, we are joined by Einer Tengen, Senior Fellow of Taihe Institute and Chairman of Asia Narratives Substack.
While Xizhang's GDP has grown 154 times since 1965, reaching over 276 billion yuan in 2024, So what have been the key drivers behind this remarkable economic growth?
Well, yeah, I mean, it's even going to go better this year.
They're estimating 300 billion yuan by the end of this year.
Massive central government investment and policy support, sustained strategic investment from the central government, includes direct financial transfers, subsidies, policies designed to integrate Xizhang's economy into the rest of China,
An example, they put 400 billion yuan into major infrastructure projects since 2021.
And this is the kind of thing that goes.
And there's also strategic infrastructure development.
The focus has been on Overcoming the geographical isolation of this huge area, the development of extensive network of roads, 183 routes connecting 78 cities, high speed trains, expressways, reduced logistics costs, facilitated trade and unlocked economic potential.
It's also led to a thriving tourism sector which is unbelievably, I mean, in 2024 they had 68 million tourists generating a massive amount of revenue.
Poverty alleviation, obviously they've extended it to there.
There's basically very little They've ensured that all townships and villages have road access and as well as electricity and Internet.
So it's really improved people's lives. Well, yeah, how has this economic progress translated into improvements in people's daily lives?
Well, it's continued to extend people's life.
It's now double what it was when Xi Jinping was liberated, literally double.
It was 35.5 years was the expected life expectancy.
Back then, today it's over 72. And having the access to clinics and healthcare, having roads, this is absolutely essential.
So, I mean, their absolute poverty is gone, isolated communities, as I said, are now connected.
And the fast infrastructure networks means that people can travel more easily for work, education, as I said, healthcare. and proved roads and air links connected remote areas to modern amenities and also the rest of the world.
Imagine you were living in these very remote areas.
What are the chances are that you're going to go somewhere, especially, you know, the rest of China?
Very, very, very difficult. So they have essential services, this electricity, and hardened roads.
I mean, this is an area of very, very severe weather.
So having a hardened road means that you don't get, it doesn't get washed out when there are rains and it's still, you can plow it and go there, use it during the wintertime.
Well, President Xi has stressed the need to balance growth with environmental protection.
So how is this principle being put into practice on this fragile plateau ecosystem.
Well, it's 45% of Xi Jinping's land is now under some form of environmental protection.
This is one of the highest rates in the entire world.
And this shows this commitment to having a balanced vote.
And they decided not to go for heavy industry.
This is the rooftop of the world. A lot of people say these are, you know, uh the lungs of the world um and they're taking it very very very seriously so They've gone towards things like ecological protection and the tourism that that brings with it, as well as the kind of Tibetan, you know, past the history, which attracts a tremendous amount of people, as I said earlier, unbelievably over 68 million people in one year visited an area where I think it's about 3.7 million occupants.
So you can understand just how great an impact this would be.
Yeah, and rapid urbanization and modernization are often discussed alongside efforts preserve the traditional culture in Xizan.
So how effective has this balance been so far?
Well, I mean, cultural tourism is now a huge attraction.
You saw 23.8% growth in the industry value in 2024.
They have sites like the Potala Palace, which are very well maintained, and they have a big performance of Princess Wencheng. which has become a commercialized success, creating revenue streams for everybody.
But on top of that, you have state-led preservation. is sponsoring the restoration of monasteries and documentation of intangible cultural heritage And this means that the cultural expressions of the area are being maintained and also utilized.
It's an evergreen type of experience. uh cycle uh you preserve these things so you know this isn't going to be news to a lot of people outside who have some idea that you know this is a repressive place where people are are very sad and you know all the religious places are being torn down that's That's the propaganda that's being put out there.
And everything in terms of the urbanization and infrastructure projects incorporate the traditional styles.
So they're trying to blend modern conveniences with the cultural aesthetics of the area.
Yeah, and talking about religion and culture, actually President Xi also called for deeper exchanges in economy, culture and personnel between Xi Jinping and the rest of China, and for Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.
How should we understand this? Well, Xi's directive should be understood as a comprehensive strategy for integration and stability.
So the deeper exchanges promote economic cultural exchanges designed to strengthen xi zhang with the rest of China.
I remember this is extremely remote area.
And as I said earlier, without roads, how are you going to get to anywhere else?
And this builds mutual understanding, facilitates economic growth.
And false is a shared sense of national identity.
You know, remember, this was an area where 95 percent of the people were serfs before they were liberated.
So the government is adapting Tibetan Buddhism into the country's socialist framework and legal system.
And this is very important. There are those outside who are trying to use religion as a destabilization effort. and there's a lot of narratives out there that's saying people are being repressed.
I think people who are listening to this should go to And then they'll understand that this is a thriving community which has gone leaps and bounds since it has been liberated.
Okay, and China has begun building what could become the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yalongzongbo River.
How significant is this project for Shizong's role in China's energy transition and carbon neutrality goals?
Well, it's huge. I mean, obviously, you know, hydro power plants are one of the low cost providers of energy because the energy is really coming from the water itself.
China is supposedly going with what they call a run of the river approach.
It's actually Not one dam, it's five dams over about 50 miles where there's a massive drop.
And they'll use tunnels. in order to capture water as it's going down.
It's not a big reservoir, very different from the Indian dam, which is going to hold about a billion cubic meters of water in a reservoir, as well as taking out a bunch of villages and things like that.
And, you know, we're talking, I mean, it's incredible to think, I mean, the Three Gorges Dam, remember we talked about that, is huge.
The mega project. This is three times the size of that.
It's going to generate 60 gigawatts of power.
And that's three times a gorgeous dam. And it represents it could electrify six million households.
So you're talking about something that people just, it's really hard to wrap your head around.
So it's stable, clean electricity, but it could also be pushed to other regions.
And it depends on, you know, how many households there are up there.
And like I said, this is not meant for heavy industries.
It's really about taking it to the people.
But the river flows downstream into India and Bangladesh.
So how does China make sure the project does not negatively affect the environment or the energy and water security of these downstream countries.
Well, that goes to the design of it. I mean, you're not caging the river.
All you're doing is you're diverting it into tunnels that turn turbines that allow The energy be captured as a water runs naturally.
As I said, very, very different from what is being proposed and has been done in other areas.
It's very different from the Three Gorges Dam.
But China's also engaged in technical, dialogues and data sharing with downstream neighbors like India and Bangladesh.
There's an existing framework called the Langkang-Mekong Cooperation Model, Although there's not really a specific treaty for the Bahramta.
That's the Indian name of the river once it gets past China.
But it's there. China is trying its best to make sure.
They're not in a situation where they're going to protect that territory. have green energy and projects as their priority and then do damage to a very sensitive area. by being irresponsible.
And China's proven itself time and time again in terms of these types of areas.
China intends to adhere to all the environmental standards that it has.
And according to everything that I've read, rigorous scientific planning, environmental impact assessments, that look at prosperity issues.
So they're really trying to be a good neighbor.
And this could be very beneficial for everybody.
And like I said, India is doing the same thing on their portion of the river.
And this idea that somehow the Himalayas are the source of water is wrong.
The Indian government says it's, You know, the Chinese size generate about 7% of the water.
I've seen other scientific studies that says as much as 15%.
The fact is that when the warm air hits the Himalayas, it acts as a vapor barrier.
Because as the air rises, it releases water because it hits the cold air.
And as a result, you have areas where they have 454 inches of water a year. the most heavily rained on area, but it's outside of the Chinese border.
And that's really where the majority of the war comes from.
So there's a lot of myths out there that people are pushing different agendas.
Maybe they don't like China. Maybe they just want a question about what they should be getting out of this deal.
But I think this is really something that's time has come.
It's going to be transformational. and hopefully result as a project that can be a model for other countries.
The designer Tianjin Senior Fellow of Taihe Institute and Chairman of Asian Narratives Substack.
This is World Today. Stay with us. You're listening to World Today.
I'm Zhao Ying. and jointly boost regional peace, stability and prosperity.
The agreement came following the sixth trilateral foreign ministers' dialogue among the three countries in Kabul.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the three countries to expand cooperation, trade and investment. and boost interconnectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
He also called for joint efforts against terrorism.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the three sides to further advance cooperation in trade, belt and road and interconnectivity. and strengthen joint efforts against terrorism to achieve common development.
Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki expressed hope to deepen friendship with China and Pakistan and further boost trilateral cooperation.
For more, we are joined by Dr. Wang Jin, Associate Professor at Northwest University in Xi'an, China.
Dr. Wang, thanks for joining us. It's my pleasure.
So this was the first time this trilateral foreign minister's dialogue was held in Kabul since the Taliban took power. why does this location make the meeting particularly significant?
I think actually every meeting that's concerning Afghanistan or Pakistan would be very important because now the situation in Afghanistan attracts attention all across the world.
I think one of the major reasons why the location suggested its importance is that it shows the confidence of China and Pakistan over the stability of the political order inside Pakistan. inside the Afghan Taliban.
We know that during the past two or three years, there was still a lot of unrest.
There was still a lot of turbulence inside Afghanistan, particularly with some kind of terrorist attacks against the civilians. including Chinese, from some of the terrorists there.
But the problem is that On the one hand, the Afghan Taliban government is trying to pacify the tension, and on the other hand, China and Pakistan are showing more and more confidence the hope that the tension could be uh controlled and we are confident that the future uh social and political order would be more stable So that's why I think it's suggested the importance of confidence from China and the Pakistan government towards Afghanistan's situation.
And on the other hand, we cannot forget that Afghanistan as well as Pakistan now they're suffering some kind of the political problems including the border control and their attitudes towards different so-called terrorist organizations.
So that's why when the trilateral meeting again were organized inside Kabul, it's suggested that the possible break through a possible warming back of the bilateral relations between Afghanistan as well as Pakistan.
So that's why I think the location is important, the timing is important, and the meeting, the charlatan meeting itself should be understood as very important.
Okay, and it occurred Actually, right ahead, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit.
So how do you see this trilateral dialogue fitting into broader regional frameworks like SCO?
Well, I think, of course, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will be very important because it's actually one of the major political events. internationally.
So before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit was held, the summit I mean, try to make it more organized.
Some people might try to link. there must be some linkage or some connections between the two meetings.
I mean, on the one hand, I don't think there were direct connections.
It might have some indirect connections, particularly we know that Shanghai Corporation organizations the members, most of the members concentrating on what is happening in Afghanistan, most of the members have the views to try to solve the problem of Afghanistan, to try to classify the tension inside Afghanistan, try to establish ties with Afghanistan, government and try to control and manage the expansion of the terrorist networks. inside Afghanistan or the neighboring countries.
But we cannot say there were some kind of direct connections.
Because not all the countries, the SEO members, they have the same ideas of the the Afghanistan issue, and not all of them are actually concentrated very closely what is happening. but some of the members, including China, focus on what is happening inside Afghanistan, and some of the SCO members we hope that the african state attention could be pacified so i'll give you this backdrop the osm connections and this connection should be focused but not should be very much exaggerated.
Well, China has played a role in easing the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including facilitating the ambassador exchanges.
How has Beijing positioned itself as a mediator in the region and what motivates this involvement? on the one hand is also and would be also influenced by his attention between – I mean, the natural tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
So when some of the border management issues erupted and then turned into the regional crisis, between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It not only hurts the people inside of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also it hurts and might negatively influence the border management and national safety of China.
So that's why China focuses on this very closely.
And also, on the other hand, China hopes to provide a new platform for the original dialogue, for original peace. between the different its neighboring countries particularly between Pakistan and Afghanistan because as we just mentioned these two countries relations means a lot for Chinese national security.
Also, Chinese willingness and the capabilities to provide this kind of the platform for the dialogue, for the kind of exchanges and messages, including the exchanges and embassies, would be very important for the coming back of the normal relations between the two countries.
So that's why I think China is a very important peacemaker and also China would continue to play the very actively and important role for bridging the ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the future.
Well, Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for strengthening security dialogue and combating terrorism How effective do you think this trilateral approach can be in this regard?
And just how feasible is it for Afghanistan's Taliban-led government to align with China and Pakistan on counterterrorism efforts.
I think not only China, but also Afghan neighboring countries, including Pakistan, including the Central Asian states, or maybe even maybe not the very direct neighboring country, but Russia.
They always have a strong kind of motivation to to persuade Afghanistan government to doing more. for comparing terrorism or restricting the expression and activities of terrorist organizations.
So actually during the past four years after Afghan Taliban assumed the power inside the country, actually many things have changed. the expansion trend of the so-called IS-IS has been to some extent managed. and the terrorist attacks still continues, but the numbers or incidents numbers or the scope has been minimized.
So that's why we should say we have already succeeded in doing something.
But of course, there should be something doing more. for the Afghan Taliban and Afghan new government because we know that China still have the concerns over the uh some powers the organizations with the close connections uh of taliban still they are still actively uh motivating and trying to act inside Afghanistan.
And also there are some other organizations with terrorist networks still working there. so that's why i think on the one hand china hopes that china's claims and china's voices has been heard by afghanistan taliban and actually they are trying to do them do the best and on the other hand i think afghan taliban and that government should do something more and should do something more not only on the exception of China but also on the on the kind of the agreement of the other neighboring countries.
So that's why I think maybe Afghanistan would work together with its neighboring countries, with the international community to further manage the terrorist networks at home, inside their own territories.
Yeah, and also Wang Yi called for expanding trade investment and network connectivity, including potential extension of the China-Pakistan economic corridor into Afghanistan.
So very briefly, what do you think this would mean for Afghanistan's economy?
I think it means a kind of prospect, a positive prospect, because actually we know that when we are talking about the economic things, it means a very important foundation for the political trust and bilateral relations.
So actually, when Wang Yi gave up this kind of a plan and outlook, I think, on the one hand, will bring everybody inside, and more trust will be enhanced between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
On the other hand, I think, the relative and trilateral relations were further enhanced, and particularly the economic close ties will be turned into the political tropics. and become further solid foundation for the trilateral relations.
Okay. Thank you, Dr. Wang Jin, Associate Professor at Northwest University in Xi'an, China.
This is World Today. Stay with us. You're listening to World Today.
I'm Zhao Ying. Russia has warned that any attempt to resolve security issues relating to Ukraine without involving Moscow is a road to nowhere.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow will accept security guarantees for Ukraine. that are provided on an equal basis with the participation of countries like China, the US, the UK and France.
The comments came two days after Trump hosted Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy alongside prominent European leaders at the White House. and days after Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Ukraine has dismissed the idea of a role for Moscow in the security guarantees, For more, we are joined by Dr. Cui Hongjian, professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Thanks for joining us, Dr. Cui. So Lavrov has insisted that any security guarantees for Ukraine must include Moscow.
How should we interpret this position? And do you think this is meant to be a negotiating tactic or an uncompromising stance from Moscow?
I think one side, yes, it's a kind of tactic for negotiation. uh for Moscow because as we know now uh you know clearly that from Ukraine and even European countries they do have a very very different understanding about this so-called security guarantee for ukraine because uh still i think that Ukraine and Europe regarded Russia as a major security threat.
So what's the target for this security guarantees for Ukraine?
Certainly is try to stop any further or any other military operation from Russia.
So, yes, I think it's a kind of a tactic for Russia and try to you know, have some more involvement of United Nations, especially Security Council.
Another, I think, of course, not only a tactic and also maybe a long-term consideration from Russia As we know, yes, there will be a result of NATO once the security guarantee will be provided by Europe or some other member states of NATO.
So it will be out of the interest of Russia.
So try to introduce some other players, especially China or some other.
I think it could be an advantage for Russia to find out, a more favorable environment to touch the issue of security guarantees.
Yes. Yes. Sergey Lavrov, he actually suggested involving China alongside the US, UK and France so that they can discuss this Ukraine's security guarantee.
But how realistic and feasible is this multilateral approach?
I think there will be some maybe different approaches or maybe different stages. for this realistic or variable solution from multinational arrangement for security guarantee for Ukraine.
Firstly, I think it is a need to maybe take some time. for the gaming between Russia on one side and the European country and Ukraine on the other side.
I think it will give a very big debate between two sides.
And secondly, one see a very, very big possibility to have this security guarantee provided from member states of the Security Council of the United Nations.
I think it also depends on How could the Security Council accept this arrangement?
Because so far, as we know, since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, to a large degree, the Security Council, didn't play a very very active because as we know yes because Russia as one of the permanent members of the Security Council. uh he it is in the conflict and finally yes i think uh perhaps there will be some uh you know um uh response from other institutions of united nations including the assembly so i think Yeah, it's a practical approach, but I think still a lot of issues, a lot of problems.
Okay, well, President Trump has claimed a game-changing breakthrough.
He said Putin agreed to Article 5-like guarantees, but Lavrov's comments kind of suggest no real concession.
So how would you assess this gap between US optimism and Russian rhetoric?
Yes, still there are a lot of misunderstanding between two sides.
And even because we don't know what happened, for this talks between Russia and the United States.
And even if there is any, I mean, very, very individual personal exchange between President Putin and President Trump.
But so far I think that it will be very very difficult for Russia to accept this kind of so-called Article 5-like guarantees from United States.
But even now, I don't think that At the very beginning, the United States will likely to provide this kind of Article 5. like guarantees, because once something happens that way, certainly there will be a very, very big risk for the United States will be involved into the further conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
How do you think Russia's position might further complicate Trump's efforts to push for a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin and a potential trilateral summit afterward?
So far, we can find that still very clear stance from Russian side Russia is still in the pressure to have a step-by-step process.
And before the meeting between the leaders, Russia and Ukraine, Russia is still trying to get a kind of a more, uh operational uh meeting and by some uh you know uh officials so i think still a lot of uh difference but of course from American side, especially Mr. Trump, he also tried to get a very, very earlier solution for this conflict.
So there's kind of a uh you know exchange or talks between ukraine and russia will be on the operational level or on a leader's level and i think still It's a gaming between three sides.
Well, security guarantees for Ukraine are often seen as zero-sum game because Strengthening Kyiv's security is often perceived as a threat by Moscow and vice versa, perhaps.
But does Russia have a legitimate point in insisting a role in these guarantees?
And is there a way to break this zero-sum dynamic?
Yes, certainly so far the security guarantee issue has become another point of gaming between all of the stakeholders, especially between Ukraine and Russia.
As we know, according to the traditional process, United Nations, the Special Security Council, will take very big responsibilities to help peace and any kind of security guarantees.
But now, yes, there are some very, very different situations.
How about the result of Russia? As we know, because of the conflict with Ukraine Now it's difficult for Russia to express its concern about the security issue of Ukraine as a real member of the Security Council in the United Nations.
So I think now very, very big issue for every stakeholders try to break out this difficult situation is before people are talking about a Security Council issue.
I think there will be some process. for a confidence building between firstly Russia and Ukraine, and then Russia and the European countries.
So I think because of the Americans' interference into this, I think now the situation becomes more and more complicated.
Thank you, Dr. Cui Hongjian, professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
You're listening to World Today. We'll be back.
You're listening to World Today. I'm Zhao Ying.
Israel has announced that it is moving ahead with plans to take over Gaza City, defying international criticism.
The Israeli military says an additional 60,000 reservists would be told to report for duty in September. noting Israeli troops have obtained operational control over 75 percent of the Gaza Strip.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has approved a new settlement project of 3,400 housing units in the West Bank.
World leaders have quickly condemned the announcements on Gaza City.
For example, French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Israel's planned military offensive can only lead to disaster for both peoples and risks plunging the entire region into a cycle of permanent war.
Joining us now in the studio is my colleague Jin Heng.
Thanks for being here. Hello, Zhang Yin.
So what does this mean to the ongoing ceasefire efforts?
Because as we know, Hamas has just accepted a truce proposal, so could the Israeli attacks affect its position?
I think to say the least, Israel's announcement regarding the Gaddafi city is raising questions, a lot of questions about a prospect of this new ceasefire proposal announced by Qatari and Egyptian mediators earlier this week.
What we see right now is that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly given his position on this particular proposal.
But the new proposal on the other hand is, in my opinion, is more like a partial deal rather than a complete deal.
It would not, for example, immediately release all the remaining hostages held by Hamas It would also post upon discussions about ending the war, including the issue of disarming Hamas.
Those are all key issues to the Israeli side.
So, it's not really surprising if Israel is not interested in this proposal despite It's mounting domestic protests, calling for a hostage and a ceasefire deal. with the Israeli side signaling that the military operation towards the Gaza city will begin soon. there is really no optimism that the proposal could move forward.
But is the Israeli military capable of taking over the Gaza city?
Israeli troops have already reached the Gaddafi city's outskirts.
What we do know is that the city and including the city's surrounding neighborhoods remain a stronghold for Hamas fighters and the Hamas-run government, The Israeli military plans to extend into the areas of the city where Israeli soldiers previously have not been during the war.
There are also some media reports suggesting that the Israeli military plans to first of all encircle the city while allowing the local civilians to leave, to move south.
And then the troops would move in with force.
So my sense is that Israel could possibly take over the Gaddafi city.
But a longer-term occupation of the city is probably very much unsustainable because...
On one hand, Israel can't rule out the Hamas, and under An Israeli occupation, there will be persistent Hamas launched attacks targeting Israeli troops, Israeli forces.
The cost of maintaining an Israeli presence in the city will be very high.
I mean let's just think about Israel's 2005 troop withdrawal from Gaza Strip.
If Israel occupies the Gaza city, By and large, history will repeat itself.
And in the meantime, I think Prime Minister Netanyahu is actually well aware of this reality, which is why he has openly said that Israel is not interested in the governance of Gaza.
Why do you think Israel is at the same time moving ahead with settlement construction in the West Bank?
Well, I think this is largely because the international community's attention is now much focused on this devastating war in Gaza.
So the Israeli government probably sees a good timing in terms of moving ahead with the settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
Let's keep in mind that the settlement project that has been given final approval now was actually delayed for more than two decades, and now the Israeli side wants to push ahead with this program.
Israeli settlement expansion is generally considered by the international community in general to be illegal and being the obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Even the United States had previously pressured Israel to reject the settlement expansion.
So I also see the latest development as Israel's reaction to this growing international support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. if we think about the recent statements by Britain, France, Canada, Australia, et cetera,
I think by and large, Israel is doing everything it can, everything possible. to undermine or to curtail the prospect of a Tuesday solution.
To what extent do you think the domestic political pressure is affecting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policy decisions?
Well, there is every sign that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is bending to the ideologies of the far-right extremists. in his coalition government in order to remain in power even though This is leading to the isolation of Israel internationally.
The far-right hardliners in his coalition, they have had a pressure campaign.
They threatened to quit the coalition If Netanyahu accepts this latest ceasefire proposal that we mentioned earlier, Israeli Finance Minister Benzalel Smoltrek has told led this pressure campaign.
He has openly said that the idea of a Palestinian state is being erased from the table.
I think in the eyes of those hardliners, far-right hardliners, defeating Hamas, um is should be prioritized over the value of returning those remaining hostages even But on the other hand, we know this kind of ideology is not really in line with the overwhelming public opinion in Israel.
Why do you think the impact of growing international outcry and criticism is kind of limited on Israel's actions?
Yeah, that's of course true. Of course, I think the elephant in the room is really the American support for Tel Aviv.
For example, when we talk about the Tuesday solution, while the United States has for years endorsed a Tuesday solution in in principle or in general, Washington has actually blocked recent efforts at the UN level to recognize a faux Palestinian statehood,
That's undeniable. In the meantime, although the United States had pressured Israel to reject settlement expansion like I mentioned earlier, Still, I think the Trump administration by comparison has been far less critical of the Israeli settlement in the West Bank than most of the international community.
So, My understanding is that as long as the American support for Israel continues, the Netanyahu government is really in a position where it does not care about being isolated internationally and does not care about Israel's relations with the Arab world, for example.
This is a sad reality. Okay, thank you, Jingheng.
You're listening to World Today. Stay with us.
You're listening to World Today. I'm Zhao Ying.
Many dramas from China and their overseas adaptations are finding a big audience abroad. especially in the United States.
Often called micro dramas or vertical dramas, These soap operas pack suspense, romance and even touches of Chinese culture into one- or two-minute episodes designed for mobile viewing.
Some US viewers are watching locally produced versions adapted from the Chinese originals.
Others are hooked on the original series themselves offered with English dubbing. the format is booming worldwide.
Short drama apps generated nearly $700 million in revenue in the first quarter this year, that's four times more than a year earlier downloads also surged past 370 million The United States is the biggest overseas market, accounting for more than 60% of revenue.
Their core audience is women aged 45 and above.
So how are Chinese mini-drama finding a home in the West?
For more, my colleague Shi Yaowen spoke with Amanda Zhao, president of the China Denmark Film and Culture Association.
Amanda, first of all, can you help us understand how popular Chinese made vertical drama shows are overseas nowadays? and what type of shows are more popular abroad?
They are very popular now. In the first quarter of 2025, Apps for short drummers were downloaded more than 370 million times worldwide, almost six times more than last year.
In North America, short dramas have become part of everyday entertainment.
Audiences overseas especially like stories with fast twists, and strong emotions, such as billionaire romance, revenge, or time travel. every minute have a cliffhanger.
So people cannot stop watching compared with domestic dramas about like families or daily life.
Overseas versions usually focus more on luxury, status, and strong conflicts.
There are three main ways these dramas go abroad.
Remake with local actors, co-produce original stories with local teams. or simply translate Chinese dramas with subtitles or dubbing.
Reports suggest that the vertical drama market is expected to reach a significant size in the future with the potential global market value of $36 billion.
And among them, as you also mentioned, the US market leads both in terms of downloads and app revenues.
It has also created many job opportunities for producers, scriptwriters and actors in America.
So what do you think are the key factors driving the US market to take the lead in these areas?
I think there are three reasons. First, the US has a huge number of internet users. and long experience with streaming and gaming. people are used to paying for content.
So the first episode's free, then pay to unlock model works very well.
And second, US users have strong spending power.
They not only pay but also spend more money per person, which makes the business model healthy.
And the third is after strikes and changes in Hollywood.
Many actors and crew joined short drama production.
This created a flexible and fast team base.
Plus, platforms use data and advertising very effectively, which help US grow quickly.
Some industry experts believe that the global recognition of Chinese short dramas is largely due to international audiences appreciating the core elements of Chinese culture.
For instance, platforms like Real Short produce short dramas overseas with local actors, settings, and storylines. yet still maintain themes rooted in the logic of Chinese micro dramas.
So what's your take on that? I think the key stress of Chinese short dramas is storytelling logic.
Faster pace, many twists and strong hooks at the end of each episode.
This style was tested in China. in Chinese market and works very well.
When local actors and backgrounds are added, audiences feel closer to the story. but strong narrative style remains.
This mix reduces culture barriers and still keeps the power of Chinese short drummers.
Amanda, as the president of the China-Denmark Film and Culture Association, in your view How will these Chinese-made vertical drama shows and films help bridge cultural gaps and allow foreign audiences to better understand a real China?
Short dramas can show how Chinese people tell stories and what values they like. but they are often very dramatic and not always realistic.
So understand the real China, audiences also need films and documentaries that go deeper.
At Danish Chinese Association for Film and Culture, we combine both.
Every month, we screen Chinese films and invite directors or scholars to talk with audience.
For example, this month we will screen two documentaries.
One is the Four Seasons and another one called Tough Out to discuss Chinese memory and urban culture.
So I think short dramas bring attention while films and documentaries build depth.
So together they can help reduce stereotypes and show a fuller picture of China.
And lastly, what untapped opportunities do you see for vertical drama overseas and what kind of relationship do you think they will have with the traditional movies moving forward?
There are many chances. For example, more audience groups like older viewers, second generation immigrants, or certain jobs like nurses and truck drivers. and new trends like new regions such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and Middle East.
Yeah, and new chances like Shopping inside the store, clothes or products from drama can be sold directly.
And very important is you can use short dramas as a test.
If a story or character is very popular, It can later become a long series or even a movie.
I think short dramas will not replace films. they're more like the front door, fast light and testing ideas.
And films are a like the main hall, deep, long, and cultural.
So together, they form the complete system.
There is Amanda Zhao, president of the China-Denmark Film and Cultural Association, speaking with Xu Yaowen.
And that's all the time we have for this edition of World Today.
I'm Zhao Ying. Thank you so much for listening.
See you next time.
