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Coming up, Xi Jinping calls for concerted efforts to build a beautiful Xinjiang.
China's Premier Li Qian pledges not to seek new special treatment in World Trade Organization negotiations.
Russia denies violating NATO airspace warning against the accusations that creates tensions.
And South Korea's leader vows to put an end to the vicious cycle with North Korea.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Urumqi to attend events marking 70 years of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The Chinese leader has encouraged people from all ethnic groups and various sectors in the region to work together to build a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of Chinese-style modernization.
Xinjiang has prioritized people-centered development over the past seven decades.
Compared to 12 years ago, per capita disposable income in the region nearly doubled in urban areas and rose by 60 in rural areas last year.
The region has also reported a completion rate of more than 99 for 9-year compulsory education, higher than the national average.
In the meantime, the average life expectancy in the region has surged from 30 years in 1949 to the current 77 years.
So for more joining us now.
On the line is Sultan Khali, a China affairs observer and retired Air Force officer and author in Pakistan.
So thank you very much for joining us today, Mr. Khali.
First of all, what do you think are the key messages from President Xi Jinping by attending in person those events marking this key milestone of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region?
Thank you very much.
It makes it more relevant for me to respond because recently I was visiting Xinjiang and I am a witness to what all has happened.
So President, Xi Jinping's attendance at the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region was a carefully choreographed assertion of political intent, national unity and ideological continuity.
Now some of the key messages that were embedded in his presence and the remarks you see.
First of all is ethnic unity as national strength.
She revived the metaphor of ethnic groups as being pomegranate seeds, closely bound and inseparable, to reinforce the idea that diversity must serve unity.
Now, this message is central to China's ethnic policy, harmony through integration, not autonomy.
Only when all ethnic groups live in solidarity and harmony can there be a prosperous country, a stable society and happy people.
This is what Xi Jinping said.
The second aspect is legitimizing governance through development.
The exhibition she visited showcased 70 years of progress and change, attributing it to the Communist Party of China's leadership and national support.
This narrative reframes criticism of repression and a misunderstanding of China's development model.
Infrastructure, poverty elevation and social programs were highlighted as proof of benevolent governance.
And lastly, strategic defiance of global scrutiny.
By attending personally, Xi sends a message to international critics that China stands firm.
His visit is a symbolic rebuttal to Western accusations of human rights abuses, reframing Xinjiang as a region of harmony and success.
So, in the context of China's bigger modernization process, what do you make of the significance of building, in the words of President Xi Jinping, building a beautiful Xinjiang?
Brother, the phrase building a beautiful Xinjiang is far more than poetic.
It is a strategic narrative device embedded in China's modernization blueprint.
President Xi Jinping's repeated emphasis on this ideal during his recent visit.
It signals a multi-layered agenda that blends ideological control, developmental ambition and geopolitical messaging.
Now, when he talks about modernization with Chinese characteristics, Xi's vision of a beautiful Xinjiang is tightly woven into the project, project of Chinese style modernization, a model which provided is social stability as a prerequisite for development, ethnic integration over pluralism and state led in economic transformation.
This frames Beijing to present Xinjiang not as a troubled region but as a success story of national rejuvenation and then strategic geography, strategic messaging.
Xinjiang is China's gateway to Central Asia.
It is a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative.
By showcasing its transformation, Xi is sending a message to the world.
China can modernize its frontier regions without Western models.
The development and control are not contradictory.
They are mutually reinforcing.
So actually in the world today, we are seeing many cases in which a region resided by multiple ethnic groups is troubled by intergroup tensions or conflicts.
But in the case of Xinjiang, why do you think in general we're seeing ethnic unity over there?
And what is your take on China's efforts in preserving the cultural identity of the Uyghurs while at the same time emphasizing that they are part of this community of the Chinese nation?
Well, you see, that's a very sharp and timely question.
In Xinjiang.
The narrative of ethnic unity is both a product of deliberate state engineering and lived community experience.
Now let's look at the various layers.
Why ethnic unity appears to prevail in Xinjiang?
Because it is a state-orchestrated integration.
The Chinese government has invested heavily in ideological education, ethnic carder training and Mandarin language promotion to foster a unified national identity.
Now policies like the sinicization of Islam, relocation for labor and cultural exhibitions are framed as tools for harmony, although critics argue that they suppress distinct identities.
But that is not true.
Then there is community level interaction in places like Urumqi and Takcheng.
The residents from diverse ethnic groups Han Hui Uyghur Kazakh, Tatar.
They report everyday acts of solidarity, shared festivals, mutual aid and inter-ethnic friendships.
These grassroots bonds, while encouraged by policy, often emerge organically from decades of cohabitation and shared experience.
Then there is the historical memory of instability.
Many locals recall the violence and the unrest, which was in the past decades.
And this collective memory fosters a strong desire for peace and stability.
Now ethnic unity is seen not just as a political goal, but as a social necessity to avoid repeating history.
Now Chinese government.
The Communist Party of China deserves credit for engineering stability through development, education and security measures.
And Xi Jinping has called ethnic unity the lifeline of all ethnic groups, framing it as a party achievement.
Then the residents themselves, the local communities, especially in the multi-ethnic neighborhoods.
They play a crucial role in sustaining harmony through daily gestures of respect and care.
And these micro level interactions often transcend policy and they reflect genuine social cohesion.
So, looking at those accusations regarding the so-called human rights violations in Xinjiang, such as forced labor or cultural suppression, etc.
Why do you think they are overwhelmingly coming from the West, rather than say, Muslim-majority countries?
Now, that's a deeply revealing question, and one that touches on the intersection of geopolitics, economic dependency and narrative diplomacy.
The overwhelming criticism of Chinese policies in Xinjiang, especially regarding forced labor and cultural suppression, has largely come from Western governments and institutions who are totally biased.
Now, here's why the Muslim majority countries have remained conspicuously restrained.
Now, let me share with you.
I'm a Muslim and I belong to a country where Islam prevails.
And I am also a regular visitor to the Middle East where Islam prevails.
But why we have not ever criticized China?
That is because many of these Muslim majority countries, they are deeply embedded in China's Belt and Road Initiative, from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia.
Infrastructure investment, trade deals and diplomatic support, which all hinge on looking at facts for what they are.
Instead, it is driving them into the main line to the front line of prosperity.
And then there is the non-interference doctrine.
China promotes a doctrine of mutual non-interference which resonates with many of the global South nations.
And Muslim majority governments often avoid criticizing internal affairs of any states.
And this aligns with China's own diplomatic posture, sovereignty.
Xinjiang is the starting point of the China-Pakistan economic corridor.
So what does the stability and prosperity of Xinjiang mean to Pakistan?
Okay, the stability and prosperity of Xinjiang are not just regional concerns.
They are strategic imperatives for Pakistan.
As the northern gateway of China-Pakistan economic corridor, Xinjiang's trajectory directly shapes Pakistan's economic security and geopolitical future.
And let me tell you why it matters.
Because CPEC's lifeline begins in Xinjiang.
Xinjiang is the launchpad for CPIC, connecting Kashgar to Pakistan by the Hojra Pass and onwards to the coastline of Goa.
And a stable Xinjiang ensures uninterrupted trade, energy flow and infrastructure development, which are critical for Pakistan's long-term growth.
Then there is the security synchronization.
Both China and Pakistan face threats from extremism and separatism.
China's efforts to stabilize Xinjiang.
However, you see, they have been achieved.
They are framed as part of a shared counterterrorism agenda.
And Pakistan's cooperation with China on security, especially in its northern areas, reflects a mutual interest in border stability and safe transit corridors.
Then the economic spillover and regional integration.
Xinjiang's transformation into a hub of agriculture, livestock and emerging industries opens doors for cross-border collaboration in these sectors.
The special economic zones in Gilgit Baltistan are being positioned to benefit from Xinjiang's prosperity, creating new opportunities for local employment and industrial growth.
Then there is, lastly, the geopolitical leverage.
A prosperous Xinjiang strengthens China's western frontier and enhances its connectivity with Central and South Asia.
For Pakistan, This means deeper integration into regional supply chains, greater diplomatic clout and enhanced strategic relevance within the Belt and Road Initiative.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Sultan Ali, a China observer and retired Air Force officer and author in Pakistan.
Coming up, China's premier pledges not to seek new special treatment in WTO negotiations.
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I'm Ding Hen in Beijing.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang says China will not seek any new special treatment in the current and future World Trade Organization negotiations.
He made a remark in a high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative hosted by China on the sidelines of the general debate of the ongoing UN General Assembly.
Premier Li Qiang pledged that China will launch another 2000 livelihood projects in developing countries over the next five years.
He also said China will carry out 200 marine cooperation projects during this period to support small island developing countries, enhancing their capacity for sustainable development.
So joining us now on the line is Professor Qu Qiang, fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center with Mingzhu University of China.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Thank you.
So let's begin with this pledge that China will no longer claim new benefits available to developing countries at the World Trade Organization.
WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has actually welcomed this particular decision by China, calling it a culmination of many years of hard work and thanking China's leadership.
What is your understanding?
Well, my understanding is that it shows that China, as a very responsible big nation in the whole world and the second largest economy, are willing to shoulder more of the responsibilities and to show more of the kindness in the international trade governance.
This SD actually is an entitlement by the WTO to give to all the developing nations developing members to help them to have a longer turn of the development.
For example, a small nation in Africa or an agricultural nation in Latin America, if they open fully 100 to the big nations in this area, probably their market is going to be flushed, as the local industry, the local farmers, local SMEs will be flooded by those heavy industrialized countries.
So WTO would like to give them more of the help, to give them a lower opening up promises and give them longer time in the interim and give them more of the technical aid.
So China used to be the developing nations and we have been enjoying a lot of this kind of the good conditions which helped China to grow very fast in the past 50 years.
And now China decided to give up and waive all this kind of the new treatment to help to move further in the multilateral trade systems, to proactively respond to the international community, especially the Western countries' questions about whether China should still enjoy this kind of the special treatment.
And I think that China's good gestures is not only helping the WTO's reform, but also try to ease the tension in the geopolitical conflicts and also helping China to have more of the say in the international trading systems.
But of course I don't think China is trying to stand on the high ground so they can have all this kind of advantage in the morality.
But China is trying to, you know, turn this outside pressure into the domestic reform drives.
Okay, we're going to open up more further to the outside world.
We know there's going to have more competition.
We know there's going to be pressure, but it's time for us to transform all this other pressures into institutional bonus, to shift from a dome, from the short-term benefit to the long-term vision, and to lock down the new round of the globalization rules.
Because if you stay in this weak position and I try to have more of the favorable conditions given by the other big nations, so you wouldn't have the chance to dominate or the lead this kind of the new round of the globalization.
So I think this is also a very important strategic move.
Yeah, So whether China should get access to those benefits at the WTO actually has long been a point of contention between the US and China.
So do you expect China's latest gesture we're talking about here to bring about any breakthrough in terms of the economic and trade negotiations between Beijing and Washington?
And also, are there potentials for a China-U.S. agreement on reforming the World Trade Organization?
Oh, yes.
I do think to some extent that can help with this current situation between China and America.
You know trade negotiations.
Well, in America there is always a you.
You know, in the Congress and the political arena that they are saying that China has already become a developed economy, should not enjoy this kind of special treatment.
But actually, if you take a look at the real data in China, for example, like the GDP average, GDP per capita, for example, like the gap between the different regions, I think China still have a solid reason to stay in the category of the developing nations.
But I think China this time make this proactive move, try to wave up all this kind of the special treatment.
It's actually one reason is to create more of the space for the negotiations on WTO agenda, on WTO reform agenda, with America, and also to create more space in China-American tariff negotiations.
And I think this is one way to restore our mutual trust in a high-level economic and trade dialogue, especially by the year 2026.
We're going to have the 14th ministerial conference in WTO.
And by that time, I think China and America are still going to talk about a very wide range of issues besides of the tariffs, like the fishery subsidies e-commerce, investment vehicles.
And all that will have a better understanding if China right now takes these gestures.
So I think yes, it will create more of the mutual trust and have more space for China and America to discuss about the issues in the WTO framework.
So in this high-level meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, The Chinese premier emphasized pursuing development continuously as the ultimate solution to many problems in global governance today, including this ongoing rise in protectionism, for example.
So why do you think In the eyes of China, development is the solution to many problems.
And actually we know many of those development projects announced by the Chinese premier this time around in this meeting are known as small and beautiful projects.
Why do small and beautiful matter for the developing world?
Well actually, if you hear very clearly and thoroughly of the Premier Li in the United Nations, he always reiterated about China's solution and initiative, about focusing on the development.
Because focusing on the development is actually one of the most important key to solve this barrier of the protectionism and to solve the problem of the geopolitical conflicts.
And this is always Chinese core idea because with the development, we will be safe.
With the development, we can have all kinds of the good governance in our society.
With the development, we can have this peace relations.
If everybody are focusing on their own business, focusing on their livelihood and family, if focusing on their own enterprises, who will have this extra anger and energy to fight against each other?
No, so make the cake bigger is the real key to solve this.
Zero sound gain, not try to cut the bigger cake for yourself.
So i think this is a whole logic for china.
So China will say okay, we will give up this kind of so-called better footing and we will try to compete with each other on the same starting point.
But the whole point is that let's start to make the cake, but not focusing on competing or even fighting against each other.
That's the reason why China has been helping lots of the global South nations with this kind of a small and a beautiful program.
All like the clean kitchen, like the water project in the rural area, like the photovoltaic supply in the rural area and the low cost of housing.
And all these countries who have been embracing this idea, you will find out that the living standards has been upgraded and the the local conflicts and the domestic war has been much reduced.
Just go to rwanda, just go to many other africa countries or asian nations smaller ones, you will find out this idea really work.
That's the reason why we've been reiterating this idea and we hope it can be heard.
The final question before we let you go, and briefly on green energy we know two figures shared by the Chinese premier is that over the past one decade, China has actually helped lower the cost of wind power and solar power by 60 and 80 respectively.
So how has this contributed to the global green transition?
Well, everybody wants to have their modernization, every country wants to have their digitalization.
If i want to get rich, they have to go through this past.
But they do not have technology, they do not have energy.
Ai is very expensive, it's an electricity guzzler and also the other manufacturing, smart manufacturing especially, but they don't have the oil on a gas.
So what's the solution?
Try not give them a solution.
The solar panel is the.
Solar power is free, wind power is free.
If they can get access to very affordable solar farm, wind farm, they will deal with this kind of the energy self-sufficiency issues, so they can start to produce by themselves and then they can upgrade their economy from the agriculture to the low, from the low-end manufacturing to the smart making, to the ai technology, and to achieve their own version of modernization for every global South nations, who are always underprivileged.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Professor Qu Qiang, fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center with Minzu University of China.
Coming up, Russia denies violating NATO airspace, warning against acquisitions that create tensions.
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I'm Dinghan in Beijing.
We'll be back after a short break.
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I'm Ding Hen in Beijing.
A senior figure with the Lesotho government says China's global governance initiative offers hope to the countries that are often sidelined internationally.
In an exclusive interview with my colleague, Xu Yaowen, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Sapan Sita Masana said that the Global Governance Initiative promotes a global order where all nations, large or small, can participate in global decision-making.
She has also highlighted Lesotho's long-standing ties with China in health, education and infrastructure, calling for deeper cooperation to drive economic growth and reduce unemployment.
Mrs. Messina, it's a pleasure having you today.
We know recently China proposed this Global Governance Initiative.
It's a new initiative which is built on sovereign equality, respect for international rule of law multilateralism, people-centered approaches and taking concrete actions.
What's your assessment of the GGI and how do people in Africa receive this initiative?
I think the Global Governance Initiative.
It's really a well appreciated initiative because it talks to the consideration of everybody as equal human beings.
And it talks to governance at an international level, but that considers everybody at a multilateral level.
For me, that is a big one.
Coming from a very small nation, my country, and knowing that power is normally perceived as economic and it's also sometimes, in fact, also perceived as population.
We don't have both.
So that says normally we find ourselves feeling that we are at the back end of decision making.
So the Global Governance Initiative definitely talks to us.
Despite your size, your economy, we see you as people that can be considered for what you feel is important.
We see you at the table and we see you as equal partners.
So that resonates very well with us.
Granted, Lesotho has been part of the, I can say the international order that considers multiple nations part of the United Nations, for example, which we can safely say.
The Global Governance Initiative is not necessarily coming up as a fairly new concept but it comes with different dimensions of that multilateralism.
You just mentioned about the UN.
Actually, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
So, in terms of the global governance and the global order, what achievements under the framework of the UN stand out to you and also what are some pressing issues in global governance affecting Africa today?
Well I can say for one we can talk about the fact that the UN was established.
For me, that stands out as saying at least there's been some recognition and the fact that we have space to converse on global issues and to even have our voices heard to a certain extent on issues that affect us as a continent, because we sometimes, I suppose, have to lean on our bigger brothers and sisters to make our voices heard.
And the UN has established offices in our countries, my country.
We have a UN office and they are doing quite a number of programs that are advancing us economically, that are advancing us socially and otherwise.
And I think that is the cooperation that I can talk to about the establishment of the United Nations for the fact that we have that space where our countries can be considered when there are international challenges, even continental, talking of Africa and even regionally.
So you know, issues addressing health education, the United Nations, governance.
Mostly it is in our countries and it's helping a lot to try and assist or facilitate in making sure that we engage as a nation towards solving our internal problems.
Yeah.
Have you thought about implementation of the Global Governance Initiative?
Like.
What concrete actions can be taken to ensure that nations, like you said, developing nations or in Africa and also countries in the Global South, can be equally represented when shaping solutions?
Well, that's what I should really commend China for.
For example, there's the issue of the Silk Road.
For me, that is an initiative that says who is where, let's find them and let's get them on the boat and let's travel together.
So i think that's an initiative that needs to be strengthened and and really it needs to be infused in all of us.
It starts here, but then it talks to everybody along along the road.
So for me, that is something that needs to be really strengthened.
Uh, to make sure, or to to bring everybody along the initiative.
But now talking about my country, we have what we call Boutu.
And in the Southern African context, we say Ubuntu.
And Ubuntu says, when we do whatever we're doing, let's feel for each other.
Like, where are you?
In my culture we first of all try to appreciate who you are like.
You know where have you been, how is the weather, how is everything?
And that says where is this person, what is she feeling right now, such that when you start interacting with the person now on the major issues that you are dealing with, you know exactly where i am coming from.
You know what is frustrating me, or at least you have a better sense of it, Because that says you now decide how to interact with me better informed than if you did not ask such questions.
So, once again coming back to the global governance initiative, for me it depicts exactly the same scenario.
It says we don't just move because we are in this fast-paced world and we want to achieve this and this, but we need to move along, understanding where everybody else is.
And that, for me, is the Ubuntu principle that I would say the Global Governance Initiative has to consider as it moves along.
And lastly, we know China and Lesotho have established these long-standing diplomatic ties and close cooperations, saying trade education, health and etc.
What's your assessment of our two countries' bilateral relations going forward, and in which areas of cooperation do you expect to see?
Well, I would say for one, you're right.
We have a long-standing relationship, our two countries.
That relationship has grown from strength to strength.
We see a lot of support that is provided by the People's Republic of China in our country in terms of hospitals, the health sector you mentioned.
We have entertainment or recreation facilities through China.
We have the energy processing plant, the sun salt processing plant, and that is through the relationship that we have with China.
And much as this is highly, highly appreciated, but there's still so much that can be done.
Having been here for this few days, I am enthused by what China is and has become in a very short period of time.
And there's a lot of intention to move forward and to advance the country.
There's a lot of discipline.
And you see everybody there like excited about this China that we see.
I must say, I'm saying this China, Because outside, you hear a different story.
The safety here is exceptional.
It's clean.
The food is good and everything like that.
But now let me get back to the question that you were asking.
I think in Lesotho, we need to advance exactly like China has advanced.
Well, it's not going to be easy.
There's a lot of innovation around China, but I think we are in a very good position to leap, as a country, from being a third world country and maybe not necessarily the first world, but advancing to way beyond where we are.
If China could consider trying some of its innovations in our country.
That is a gap that I think can be really a go-getter for us.
But the other one is there are industrial parks that China has implemented in different countries.
And for me, that is one key area for job creation in our country.
So it would be good if China could consider really expanding our economic base through engaging with us with more and more industrial parks.
Why?
Because we have a lot of youth at home.
Unemployment rate is high and the reason it's high is because we are really not yet export-led, export-led community.
So the economy in our country is really struggling.
We import almost everything from South Africa and yes, from other nations.
But it would be good to reverse the gear and import just a little and a lot, such that we grow our economy.
Sapan Sita Masana, Deputy Speaker of the Lesotho Parliament, talking with my colleague Xu Yaowen.
Coming up.
Russia denies violating NATO airspace.
Warning against the accusations that creates tension.
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Hello, I am Dr Digby James Wren, a political analyst and international relations scholar specializing in China area studies.
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NATO has issued a warning to Russia against what the military alliance calls violation of its member states' airspace, adding it will employ military and non-military measures to defend itself.
The warning came after Estonia claimed that its airspace had been violated by Russian jets.
The Baltic country has called a meeting of the UN Security Council to file its allegations against Russia.
Moscow has denied the allegations, warning that countries making such accusations will risk escalating tensions.
So joining us now on the line is Dr George Zagopoulos, Senior Research Fellow with CIFE, a France-based European research organization.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Thank you for having me.
So, of course, earlier this month we also saw this case, in which Poland made some similar acquisition regarding violation of airspace against the Russian side.
So what is your main takeaway from this latest round of Acquisition counter-acquisition, acquisition and denial between NATO and Russia?
To what extent is this development related to the war in Ukraine?
Well, to start with, the main problem is the war in Ukraine and the continuation of the war in Ukraine, despite the efforts by US President Donald Trump to mediate.
So in this context, misunderstandings between Russia and some NATO member states, especially in the eastern flank of NATO, have been part of the everyday media agenda.
This is a very bad thing, I would say, taking into account that tensions between Russia and NATO do not help.
Anyway, Russia is the neighbour of Europe and Europe is the neighbour of Russia, which means that the two have to coexist.
So the more that kind of misunderstandings are taking place, the more dangerous it becomes for the future evolution of the relationship between the two.
I hope that tensions can be managed.
It's not...
These incidents are not particularly serious, but do not help in a period where wars are taking place.
As I said, the most important war is now continuing in Ukraine.
So, honestly speaking, is there a possibility regarding the eruption of a major aerial military clash between NATO and Russia?
I think that every scenario can be discussed and preparations are made in both Russia and NATO for every possibility.
But I wouldn't consider such a likelihood very high.
And the main reason is that neither NATO nor Russia are prepared to engage in such a very, very dangerous conflict.
So that type of tensions are certainly important to mention.
But again, I would say that rational behavior will hopefully prevail in the end because, as I said before, the two, NATO and Russia, have to coexist despite the existing problems and despite conflict.
So I wouldn't be concerned about a serious likelihood for the tensions to lead into an open scale conflict.
We know, Poland actually closed its border with Belarus after saying that its national airspace had been violated by Russian drones.
So in your observation, why has Poland decided to reopen the border now?
Well, there are two main reasons which can possibly explain the decision of the Polish government to reopen the border.
The first is that the military drills that had been conducted in the area have now finished and, against this backdrop, Poland has no security reason to keep the border closed.
And the second and perhaps more important reason is the fact that, due to the closure of the border, trade had been seriously influenced, especially trade between China and Europe, taking into account the importance of the Belarus corridor for this trade to be conducted.
So the economic consequences in that regard had been carefully studied by the Polish government, which decided to reopen the border.
So these two reasons, in my opinion, can explain the decision.
Yeah, trade is really the elephant in the room because each country needs to have access to trade.
They have realistic economic needs, that's for sure.
So in the meantime we know Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
And after their meeting, President Trump said Kiev can quote win all of Ukraine back in its original form unquote.
Does this mark a major shift in terms of Mr. Trump's position on Russia or the war in Ukraine?
Why or why not?
Well, I'm normally very careful and modest in commenting on what President Trump is saying.
And I'm mentioning that due to different comments the U.S. president is making.
So I think that we need more time in order to understand whether a policy swift is to be monitored Or this comment is just an effort by the US president to exercise pressure on Russia.
Six weeks, if I remember well, have already passed since the important Alaska meeting where President Trump met President Putin.
It was a very important meeting, but we see that no real progress in the battlefield has been made.
So perhaps the comment can be related. to the failure in bringing hostilities to an end.
But again I would say that we need to place the US policy into context and wait a few weeks more before we reach a comment suggesting that a policy swift is being monitored.
Thank you very much for joining us and for your fair observation.
Dr. George Zagopoulos, Senior Research Fellow at CIFE, a European research organization.
Coming up, South Korean leader vows to put an end to this vicious cycle with North Korea.
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South Korean President Lee Jae-moon has vowed to work to end the vicious cycle of tensions with North Korea.
Speaking at the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York, President Lee said South Korea reaffirms that South Korea respects North Korea's current system, adding that it will not pursue any form of unification by absorption.
Li's approach marks a strong contrast in tone from his predecessor, Yong Suyou, who advocated pressure on Pyongyang.
So joining us now on the line is Zoom Ahmed Khan, research fellow with the Center for China and Globalization.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Thank you.
Thank you for having me.
So, first of all Zoom, do you agree with this idea that there has been this vicious cycle of tensions between South Korea and North Korea?
No, there's absolutely no doubt that the Korean Peninsula remains one of the, you know, longstanding unresolved political security challenges that the world faces.
To be honest right.
And of course, you know from what I understand.
Of course, personally I'm from West of Asia, South of Asia, but looking at the situation and trying to read it, I think definitely South Korea has reached a point where that recognition becomes increasingly important, because the consistent lack of safety security, lack of dialogue, which should be a necessary prerequisite to build trust between both sides, has sort of never panned out.
We obviously saw some developments.
We know that for South Korea as well, their relationship with the United States remains, and has remained for decades, very strategic, very important, but also increasingly, the region matters to the country.
China is an important partner.
And I think we all observed what happened during the card crisis almost a decade ago.
But last year the coup attempt by the previous president was definitely a critical point to recognize that trust needs to be prioritized between both sides.
So from what I understand, It is a situation that has been cyclical, that has remained unresolved.
Attempts have been made and the political will needs to be there to begin with.
So I think this recognition is definitely a positive step in the right direction.
So why do you think the South Korean president is now offering a perceived olive branch to the North?
Look at the world.
I mean i think we need to um read into the global situation.
That and and that has implications for south korea.
So, number one, you know um, i think they realize that they need to be.
They need to address longstanding security and strategic issues, maybe for political reasons as well, as I mentioned.
From what I understand, you know, the coup attempt last year and the relative polarization within the country is maybe serving as an incentive for the current president to realize that they need to take the situation more in their own hands.
They need to be able to think towards solutions and they need to stop.
I was reading an interview recently by him in which you know he clearly stated that denuclearization and unification reunification are just simply unachievable goals.
So to have more pragmatic goals is definitely an olive branch, and it seems to be something achievable.
Secondly, I mean you know the current Trump administration's approach We saw at the UN General Assembly and even prior.
You know he talks about.
He wants to resolve conflicts.
He wants to be someone who ends these longstanding conflicts.
That, I think, is an opportunity.
But at the same time we know that the current Lee administration and President Trump's administration have not been very successful in some ways with each other when it comes to trade talks and tariff deals.
That is still an ongoing process.
And even you know what happened in Georgia recently, where many Korean workers who were legally there were somehow, you know detained under false pretext, according to the Korean government.
I think all of that shows that the Korean government needs to recognize that this American presidency is is not the presidency that's just going to, you know, provide a safety or or you know the kinds of safeguards, and they need to somehow utilize its motivations, its incentives, to resolve conflicts in order to make themselves more secure.
I think this is a very important backdrop.
They need to think about how they can make their existence, their presence, more sustainable, more safe.
That's one, i think that's a very important backdrop to recognize um, and I also think you know the current, because one of the things South Korea needs to do is also they have deep economic ties with China.
They are part of the region, the Eurasian region.
And because of that, they say it's a tightrope.
But actually I think they need to understand that they need to have a more balanced, a more pragmatic and a more reasonable approach for the long term benefit of their own people.
So why, do you think, despite the new South Korean leader's outreach to the North, Pyongyang has so far demonstrated no intention regarding sitting down with President Lee Jong-un?
And actually instead, we saw North Korean leader Kim Jong-un voicing openness regarding a meeting with President Donald Trump.
Why do you think?
What is your observation?
My observation, very candid, is that the, the trust is simply not there.
Um, it's.
I mean, this is my reading, and i think many people looking at the situation would say the same sitting with the south korean president may not necessarily, you know, provide the same guarantees, the same um, you know um, the same certainty.
Let's say that perhaps, sitting with the American president and then, through that, talking to the South Korean side.
And I think that is the lack of trust.
That is sort of what President Lee has also pointed towards.
There is a massive trust deficit and the autonomy with which the current South Korean administration can actually approach regional complications is maybe being questioned by the North Korean side.
Whether or not it's legitimate, this seems to be the perception.
So I think they feel a direct dialogue with the Trump administration, with President Trump, followed by maybe the South Korean side, could be a more reliable way forward.
So, realistically speaking, I mean the final question before we let you go.
Realistically speaking, do you think another Trump-Kim meeting is likely to happen in the foreseeable future?
I will say 100% yes for now.
This is my reading.
It's happened before.
There is a precedent and the Trump administration wants to be seen.
President Trump personally wants to be seen as someone worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.
If he is able to create the room for a South North Korean political truce really to improve this relationship, I think it would make his chances for that higher.
I think this is this is a core mandate for the president himself, if not his entire administration.
So I think It is possible and I hope it happens soon to really achieve some long-term trust between both the peninsulas.
I think this is a long-standing issue.
We need solutions, and I hope the region entirely becomes part of that trust-building effort.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Zoom American Research Fellow was the Center for China and Globalization.
That's all the time for this edition of World Today.
A quick recap of today's headline news.
President Xi Jinping calls for concerted efforts in terms of building a beautiful Xinjiang.
China's Premier Li Qian pledges not to seek any new special treatment in World Trade Organization negotiations.
Russia denies violating NATO airspace.
Mourning against the accusations creates tensions.
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I'm Dinghan in Beijing.
Thank you so much for listening.
Bye for now.
