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China vows to support reunification forces and go after separatists on the Taiwan question.
South Africa's Syria Ramaphosa supports efforts to put an end to the Ukraine war and cowards Vladimir Putin.
Epstein survivors are calling for a full release of relevant documents.
President Trump is threatening to block opening of a new U.S.-Canada bridge.
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A senior official of the Communist Party of China has called for steady efforts to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait ties and advance national reunification.
Wang Huning made a remark at a war conference on Taiwan affairs in Beijing.
He emphasized the need to uphold the one China principle and the 1992 consensus, combat Taiwan's separatist forces and oppose interference by external forces.
Wang stressed the efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and support Taiwan compatriots, especially the younger generation, who seek to study, work and live on the Chinese mainland.
He also pledged the support for Taiwan enterprises and businesses on the Chinese mainland, so that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can share the benefits and opportunities of the Chinese modernization.
So for more.
Joining us now on the line is Dr Liu Kuangyu from the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
So thank you very much for joining us today, Dr. Liu Kuangyu.
At this meeting, Wang Huning stressed offering foreign support to patriotic, pro-reunification forces in Taiwan and a striking heart against the separatists.
Why is the Chinese mainland justified to do so?
Well, I think the justification for offering firm support to patriotic pro-renification forces while striking hard against the separatists is clear and compelling, and they are interconnected.
First we see the Chinese government stance is founded on the one China principle, which is a universally recognized norm.
Both the United Nations and the overwhelming majority of nations acknowledge that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.
So this principle forms the bedrock of cross-strait relations, of any discussion of Taiwan's future, and also our support for the reunification forces.
And this support is, i think is a natural expression of our commitment to the national unity.
We know that these forces, those people, they represent many taiwanese who cherish their chinese identity.
They aspire to the shared future and peaceful development of the with the motherland taiwan, the motherland, and also strengthen this patriotic front.
Their economic, cultural and social ties and legal protection is crucial for creating an environment conducive to an eventual reunification.
And conversely, the Chinese mainland is fully also justified in striking hard against the separatist elements, especially the DPP authorities, who resistantly push for Taiwan independence.
We see their actions altering the status quo, colluding with foreign powers and inciting hostility pose a a direct threat to the national sovereignty and regional peace.
And so firm countermeasures are a necessary deterrent to prevent a dangerous slide towards the dual dependence.
And also, like I said, these two actions.
They are interconnected because we see that pro-Taiwan independence forces are cracking down, are suppressing the pro-reunification groups on the island.
So in fact frankly, we don't see any actual or effective protection that we can see from the political groups or the society that they can protect those for reunification forces.
So they need help.
They need justice.
So that's why the Chinese mainland is providing this justice.
In terms of opposing external interference on the Taiwan question.
President Xi Jinping said in a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump that Taiwan is the most important issue in China-US relations.
Why do you think the Chinese leader sends this particular message to his U.S. counterpart?
I think this expression reflects the non-negotiable centrality of this matter to China's core interests and the stability of global geopolitics.
We see first Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.
So any US or any other country's interference, whether through arms sales or Official or sub-official contacts or strategic so-called ambiguity, directly violates this foundation and challenges China's sovereignty.
So by labeling it the most important issue, I think President Xi is underscoring that Taiwan is China's red line and crossing the world to stabilize relations with the US, relations with China directly.
Even irreparably.
And second, I think we can see recent US moves, such as escalating military aid or sales to Taiwan or hollowing out the one China policy.
In their so-called strategic reports or files documents, they have heightened tensions.
So President Xi's message served as a clear warning China would not tolerate attempts to use Taiwan as a pawn to so-called constrain China's rights.
It also signals Beijing's resolve to defend our reunification, aligning with domestic consensus that the national sovereignty overrides any other thing else.
And third, I think this framing prioritizes crisis prevention.
By making taiwan status explicit, presidency aims to steer washington away from we can see the miscalculations or misjudgments that could trigger conflict, urging adherence to the five notes, commitments to their own one china principle.
So ultimately, i think this message reinforces the healthy china us relations, especially in this year.
We have strategic dialogues.
We have a lot of many other issues we need to talk about.
So we need a healthy and manageable China-US relations.
And I think that's what the Chinese side is emphasizing.
Now, Taiwan's Lai Jingde recently asserted that the island's must look to the so-called fellow democracies, not the Chinese mainland, for trade and economic cooperation.
So, at a time when Taiwan's DPP authorities and their policies are guided by such a mentality, what can the Chinese mainland do in terms of providing support to Taiwan compatriots who seek to study, work and live on the mainland, as well as Taiwan enterprises that seek to do business on the Chinese mainland?
Yes.
Actually, the legend is rhetoric is the so-called separatist or secessionist policy road.
That is on the economical part.
Also, we can see during recent years, more and more the Chinese support, Chinese mainland support for Taiwan, competitors and business remains unwavering, which is grounded in the principle of, We can say, cross-strait kinship.
We are one family.
This sort of spirit and our shared development.
For Taiwan students, workers and residents, the Chinese mainland has long implemented policies like 31 measures and 26 additional measures and so on, which ensures equal access to, for example, like education, like employment and public services.
Recent upgrades include streamlined residence permits and digital services.
I think all these measures are fostering a sense of so-called belonging, I think.
And for enterprises from Taiwan, Chinese mainland, offers equal treatment and bigger opportunities under laws such like foreign investment law, with tax incentives, with financing support and market access, and also enhancement or upgrade of industries to make them more open, more widely open to participate initiatives such as the Belt and Road and RSET, and also industrial parks we see recently proposed by Fujian, by Xiamen.
I think in the future they will more facilitate technology collaboration and supply chain integration, which will help the business tap into the vast Chinese mainland market and upgrade their competitiveness.
So, by the way, last month, we know the United States and Taiwan signed a so-called trade deal.
And the two sides are also holding discussions surrounding cooperation in artificial intelligence tech and drones, etc.
Do you believe Taiwan's trade and economic cooperation with the United States has a bright future?
Personally, I think in essence, this deal is a deal that set out Taiwan and played out Taiwan and trying to abandon Taiwan.
And well, actually we can call it a very dangerous gamble that undermines Taiwan's own interests and regional stability.
First, such cooperation violates the one China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, which form a political foundation of China-US relations.
Because the US is trying to use Taiwan as a pawn to contain China's rights, while Taiwan's DPP authorities are relying on the US for independence.
And so turning economic ties into a tool for geopolitical confrontation.
So this legal act will only escalate cross-strait tensions and invite perhaps retaliatory measures.
So this is the first part.
And second, this so-called cooperation, this deal, is actually extremely unequal and risky.
We can see everywhere, the US has prioritized its own strategic interests, like imposing political conditions with very high taxes, very high investments from Taiwan to the US and also the transfer of the high-end semiconductor industry chain and so on.
Like what I said, this is all trying to hollow out Taiwan.
And for Taiwan's enterprises, relying on the US alone means sacrificing the vast majority of the Chinese market and also their self-determination and also their other large trading partners.
So becoming entangled the China-U.S. competition and facing potential sanctions of market exclusion.
That is all the risks, that's all the potential risks of the Taiwan enterprises may face if they tie more closely with the US alone.
And also we see the Taiwan tech sector through, although they are advanced right now, but they cannot thrive in like so-called isolation.
The Chinese mainland offers enormous strengths and genuine win-win opportunities to policies like what, like i mentioned.
So in contrast, in the us, so-called their bet in this deal is transactional and very conditional, so this will leave taiwan very vulnerable to us exploitation.
I definitely take your point.
So the final question before we let you go, Dr Liu why do you think the Chinese mainland has made it so clear that its development opportunities, the achievements of the Chinese modernization, can be shared with Taiwan?
First, I think this is because this is a natural extension of our national unity.
We share this opportunity because this reflects our belief that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation must include all compatriots, regardless of where they live.
And second, this is rooted in practical benefits for Taiwan.
We see the Chinese mainland has a vast market and have very complete industrial chains and policy support which will offer the Taiwan business and individuals tangible advantages.
And the third is that this serves a greater goal of our national rejuvenation.
We see a divided China weakens its global standing, while a united, integrated nation can better leverage complementary strengths.
We see the taiwan's tech edge and chinese mainland skill.
Where they can together, they can enhance our general competitiveness.
So, in essence, sharing opportunities is not charity, but it's actually a strategic choice for mutual benefits across the straits.
Thank you very much for joining us.
That was Dr. Liu Kuangyu from the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
This is World Today.
Stay tuned.
You're listening to World Today.
I'm Ding Hen in Beijing.
According to Caixin, some provinces in China failed to meet their economic growth targets for 2025.
Guangdong, China's largest provincial-level economy, grew by 3.9% last year.
The Jiangsu province, narrowed the gap with Guangdong, expanding by 53 to reach a GDP of 142 trillion yuan, or 2 trillion US dollars.
And several other major provincial economies, including Shandong and Zhejiang, posted a growth of 55 or higher, helping stabilize overall economic performance.
Why has how fast the Chinese economy grows becomes less important than how well it is growing for the current stage of the Chinese development?
My colleague Zhao Yang spoke with Dr. Yan Liang, professor of economics with Willamette University.
So Yan, thank you very much for joining us.
China's GDP expanded by 5% last year, but some provinces like Guangdong missed their targets.
So is that a sign of economic weakness, or is that a signal that the province is shifting its priorities or transforming from old to new engines?
Well, I think that we need to look at this in a very balanced perspective, right?
So, first of all, for the context, Guangdong province remains to be the highest GDP provincial economy within China.
So it has been the top economy province for a while now.
And so it GDP was 14.7 trillion yuan, which accounts for 10% of the total national GDP.
And the economic size of Guangdong is pretty much surpassed the size of Australia or South Korea economy.
So you know, when you think about such a big economic size, even with a, you know, less than 5 growth rate, it is still enormous growth.
And so, as we also know right, for a large economic size the growth is going to be harder because again, you already have such a large economic size to be able to.
You know, increase by 5 or 10 is much harder than if your economy is more sort of lagging behind and that gives you more headroom to grow.
So I think that is important to understand.
And secondly, and I pretty much echo with what you asked, which is that we're seeing a transition right.
We're seeing that Guangdong province used to really rely a lot on, for example, real estate sector.
The property market was a big part of the Guangdong economy.
And so I think now, with the transition away from the kind of real estate sector into the more tech-driven, advanced manufacturing-driven kinds of economy, So with that transition I think it does slow down the speed a little bit, but I think it's much, much more important to emphasize the quality of the growth right.
The industrial upgrading, the improvements in terms of economic structure that I think it's more important to achieve, the more sustainable growth.
And again, one thing that I think is important to note is that Guangdong province's RD spending reached 535 billion yuan, which represents 49 growth year on year.
So again, I think this is still a very dynamic province and it is making its way towards a more sustainable and more tech driven and more sort of advanced manufacturing centered kinds of economy.
And Yan, so Guangdong's GDP grew by 3.9% last year.
I know you are from Guangdong.
So how should we interpret this number in the context of economic transition rather than pure expansion?
Right.
I think this is really mirrored by the national development strategy, right?
China used to have this, you know, almost double digit growth rate year after year for a while.
But it's when it's in, for example, in 2017, that this idea of high quality development, this kinds of strategy, was put forth.
So I think that high growth rate is important for certain developmental stage, right?
When you're starting from a very low place, you do want it to have fast expansion of the economy.
But now I think the Chinese economy and the Guangdong province economy is reached a very important economic size.
And so at this point, it's not the matter of just to pursue high speed growth.
It is more important to emphasize the high quality growth for the very simple reason, right?
The past growth could be very resources intensive, could also be less sustainable.
So to be able to move from, for example, a middle income level to a more high income level, you really need to have more intensive growth, more productivity driven growth.
So that I think is important to see Guangdong's sort of relatively slow down you know 39 of growth is because again the economy has reached a size where you can't just rely on the old model to grow, which is very resource intensive.
Real estate sector, you know, driven the kinds of investment-driven growth.
And so it needs to transition to the more technological development, the more productivity-driven growth.
So I think that is important not only for Guangdong, but also I think for the entire country.
So when you look at, for example, Guangdong's policy priorities for 2026, they talk about advancing the next phase of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macau, greater bay area integration, reinforced manufacturer manufacturing sector, accelerate technological self-reliance and also foster joint development of various forms of ownership, while stabilizing external trade and promote development of a unified international market.
So again, it is very clear that you know guangdong province is in transition And that again is, I would say, really conform to the national strategy, the national sort of development agenda.
And as you mentioned, in the 15th Five-Year Plan, China has emphasized the high quality growth.
So what exactly do we mean by high quality growth?
And why does it matter more than headline GDP?
Right.
So the high quality growth, again, is different from the high speed growth, right?
So this high quality growth is really to rely on, you know, fostering the so-called new quality productive forces.
Again, that means on the one hand, there is the dependence on technological innovations.
And then, on the other hand, to apply these new technologies into the traditional industries and upgrade the industries.
So it is important to have the productivity driven growth because you can't just rely on, you know, simple sort of resource driven growth.
And so that is the key for a country like China, right?
Which already passed that middle income sort of rank, to be able to move up and really escape the so-called middle income trap right.
So that means you need to rely a lot more on the productivity driven growth.
And so that is part of the high quality development.
And in addition to that, I think what is important also is in terms of sustainable development.
So you need to develop it in a way that does not sacrifice the environment, the ecosystem.
And I think that China has been doing very well in terms of developing new energies, renewable energies, and also the NEVs, the new energy vehicles, solar panels, batteries and so on and so forth.
So this not only helped to push the economy to a more sustainable path, but it really also cultivate a lot of technological developments and breakthroughs.
And last but not the least, I think this high quality development emphasizes on inclusive growth, which is that this is a more people centered approach that you wanted to have not just expansion of the GDP, but really bring higher standard of living and provide better sort of life styles for the people.
And provinces like Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang posted stronger growth last year.
So could you tell us more about Jiangsu and Zhejiang?
What are they doing in terms of industrial structure and policy focus?
Right.
So Jiangsu province again, it's a very important, I would say, manufacturing superpower within China.
So when you looked at, for example, the top 500 industrial enterprises, Jiangsu hosts 54 of them.
And Jiangsu has the advanced manufacturing clustering of 14.
So 14 of these advanced industrial clusterings.
And so it's basically top at the national level.
And in recent years, Jiangsu really continued to build their industrial supply chain.
They have 16 advanced manufacturing clusters that focus on high end equipment, new materials, biotech.
And they're also now cultivating and leading 50 these industrial supply chain that are really sort of tech driven, such as integrated circuit, new energies and so on and so forth.
So, in other words, I think Jiangsu has been really making headway to develop the strategic new emerging industries and future industries.
And moreover, I think Jiangsu has really helped to.
It, has really integrated itself into the Changjiang Delta River area.
So it's able to cooperate with other cities, other provinces to really get both in terms of supply chain but also the fundings and talent, And so it helps to build this sort of a very synergetic model where you have Shanghai that is very centered on research and development, then you have advanced manufacturing in Jiangsu.
So, in other words, I think this kinds of regional integration, the kind of regional coordinated development pattern has also helped Jiangsu to become so successful.
And I think Zhejiang has very similar you know, growth development path as well.
It is now top four in the national, you know, provincial GDP ranking.
And again, it has been able to cultivate some of the emerging and advanced manufacturing and industry sectors and also, you know, develop in a very coordinated way with other Changjiang River Delta cities and provinces.
So I think you know there are similar, I would say patterns, right for these high growth areas in China.
Dr Yang Liang, professor of economics with Willamette University, talking with my colleague Zhao Yang.
You're listening to World Today.
I'm Dinghan in Beijing.
We'll be back after a short break.
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed support for Moscow's efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The two leaders have also discussed the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in economic areas within the framework of a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
Both sides acknowledge the importance of continued coordination in key areas such as the BRICS and G20.
So for more.
My colleague Xu Yaowen spoke with Dr He Wenping, African expert and a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Dr He, in your recent phone call, South African President Ramaphosa not only voiced support for Russia's efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, but also the two leaders agreed on practical steps to help bring South African citizens home from the conflict zone.
What do you make of the timing of this call and what signal does it send?
I think We all understand now the background is the Ukraine crisis.
Now is also has been pushing forward by the United States, by the Donald Trump administration.
Given this critical time Russia Ukraine, now they all want to negotiate for a settlement of this conflict.
So that is why, even when talking about South Africa and those fighters also, it's the time to bring them home, because it's not saying this conflict will be escalated higher and higher.
Now it's getting lower and lower, the tension building.
By the way, also it's another background is South Africa and the United States.
Tension building now also getting tense and tense.
We all know American government boycott the G20 summit held by South Africa at the end of last year.
And also now a lot of pressure again coming to South Africa.
So that is why South Africa also needs to unite with Russia to defend this solidarity of BRICS country together and also, like G20, also needs Russia's support.
President Ramaphosa and President Putin.
They agreed to deepen trade, economic and investment cooperation under the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
And this comes at a time when Russia is seeking economic space amid Western sanctions, while South Africa faces potential risks such as secondary sanctions and a potential reveal of US tariffs preference.
Against this backdrop, in which sectors?
Do you see the greatest potential for expanded cooperation between the two countries?
Yes, the economic cooperation also is a very critical component during this President's talk.
South Africa and Russia.
As we know, Russia now has been under the sanction given by the United States and also the Western countries at large.
So South Africa and Russia, they need to unite together to embrace each other to handle all those pressures coming from united states also, like western countries, some other countries.
So you see, russia has a advantage in the natural resources like oil gas, and also plus those military technology, they remain military, this power country, And also South Africa.
Their advantage is they have a lot of mineral resources, even those very critical ones.
And also the geolocation in the southern part of the continent and also has a lot of the seashore and Cape Town like join the part from Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
So we have noticed that when the Red Sea facing some crisis even now Donald Trump also talk about like Greenland they also want to put in there, you know, under their charge, that also eyes on this transportation around the North Pole.
So, given the South Africa this strategic position, so when other those like international trade road, has been in danger, but the roads across Cape Town are becoming very much important and alternative for sure.
So that is why both countries have their own different development advantage, so they can join together to push each other's economic development forward.
Dr He.
Both leaders also emphasize the continued coordination within the BRICS and the G20 on major global and regional issues.
So could your closer ties help shape a more unified BRICS voice on issues such as the Ukraine conflict.
And what does this suggest about the growing influence on the Global South in global governance?
Yes, now Global South is not saying some blocks you can ignore.
On the contrary, Global South now is developing its strengths and its consolidality and also make its voice being heard in the world, not only saying economic cooperation, and also to those like a big uh, this international issue, for example, when we talk about russia ukraine, this crisis, actually even south africa had made this diplomatic, you know, move at the very beginning, even four years ago, south africa they playing the leadership role, united the other african country and the travel to moscow and the travel also to ukraine to play the shuttle diplomacy and also put forward their own initiative.
By now, even when the Israel, you know, bombing the Gaza and the global south country, like the BRICS country, also had immediate this summit, even Online, sometimes.
Online sometimes is, you know, meet together, also put forward.
Global South countries like BRICS, all those countries their opinion about how to resolve the Gaza, this crisis.
By the way, South Africa, also playing the leading role, even bring this Israel bombing Gaza issue to the International Justice Court.
Uh, you know the even come out the criticism to the easter are saying this is a kind of genocide.
This is exactly one of the major reasons that the united states teamed up with the easter now giving a lot of diplomatic pressure to south africa.
So all those information i just shared is to show that the global south country now is not just a stay behind, also like keep silence about all those big international issue.
Now they stand up and to come out with their voice and even put forward their initiative to deal with all those big issue now in the world.
And lastly, Dr He.
Some Western governments have criticized the countries like South Africa for maintaining a neutral stance while continuing engagement with Russia.
How significant is the international pressure facing South Africa and other global South nations that refuse to take sides?
And how are they balancing their neutral diplomatic position with these external pressures?
Well, not to mention South Africa or, like Turkey in the Middle East area, even Canada.
This traditionally very strong allies for the United States and also in the Western countries as a whole.
So we all noticed that Canada Prime Minister Ghani.
He made a very powerful speech in the recent meeting.
He said the middle power like Canada now also should make their own voice.
You know, in the world cannot be like being bullied by the United States.
Given those situations we have witnessed ever since Donald Trump took the power, you see, he kidnapped Venezuela's president Maduro, the couple of Maduro, also threatening using the force to Iran.
So, one by one, all this is nothing.
Now you have this diplomatic way to deal with those international relations.
No, he said that whose fist is bigger, who has the more speaking power.
So that is why South Africa being the top one or two economy in Africa and also the only African country in the G20.
So of course, they want to show their independence.
Uh not saying, given the pressure from the white house, and then south africa immediately keep silence.
Uh towards this israel bombing gaza?
Not at all.
Uh, even those pressure coming more and more.
Uh even teamed with this trade, the tariff, all of that.
Uh even boycott g20.
But we have witnessed clearly that south africa remains, stands firmly there.
So nowadays, i don't think those uh hegemonism to do international things just by force and by this game of jungle it can effective to deal with all those international issues.
Actually, that's a dead end.
Dr He Wenping, African expert and a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, talking with my colleague Xu Yaowen.
Coming up, Epstein survivors call for a full release of documents.
This is World Today.
We'll be back.
You're listening to World Today.
I'm Ding Hen in Beijing.
In the United States, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse are renewing their calls for the full release of government files tied to Epstein's sex trafficking network.
During the recent Super Bowl, multiple survivors released an advertisement demanding that US authorities disclose all remaining files.
The U.S.
Department of Justice was required by law to make all the files public in December.
However, only some have been released.
Many was redactions.
Last month, a poll conducted by CNN showed that about half of Americans were not satisfied with the US government's handling of the Epstein document release.
So joining us now on the line is Dr Joseph Siracusa, professor of global futures with Curting University.
Thank you very much for joining us, professor.
So is there still a chance for the full release of the Epstein files?
No, I don't think so.
I heard today that there were some key members of Congress who went over to the Department of Justice who were assured they can see the unredacted files.
But they complained that some of it was redacted anyway.
That is stuff that was turned over to the Department of Justice, was redacted when it was in Florida and places like that.
So we're never going to get the full redaction or the unblocked out version, because they're still trying to protect the name of survivors and the like.
And I think a lot of people are just sort of covering themselves.
I mean, a lot of this is politically motivated.
There are three and a half million pieces of information.
Can you imagine that?
Three and a half million pieces about Jeffrey Epstein's antics.
And we're never going to see the full picture.
And who's got the time to look at all of them anyway?
But there are a lot of people who will be upset about this, particularly the survivors.
They wanted a full disclosure.
But even then, if we had a full disclosure, many of the crimes, the statute of limitations is over.
In other words, there isn't any way to prosecute some of these people anyway.
All you can do is shame them.
Yeah.
So what do you make of the main culprits leading to this deep sense of frustration on the part of those Epstein survivors?
Look, Epstein is an individual, but he represents, I think, the symptom.
And that is you know.
He started doing these things in 1996 when some young lady complained to the FBI and they didn't do anything about it.
He represents a system that favors the super rich.
It's sort of a billionaire's club.
And a lot of Americans today complain that it was a two-tier system of justice.
You can be assured that if Jeffrey Epstein were black or brown or an American Indian, He'd have been thrown in jail for the rest of his life.
But this guy got off the hook.
He had a sweetheart deal.
That is, he got out, got off very lightly in 2008, 2009.
And then he continued to do these things.
But can you imagine?
He is cultivating and interacting with the top layer of American society, the politicians, the captains of industry and all the rest of it.
While he is a registered sex offender, he's still wearing an ankle bracelet on his his ankles so he doesn't stray too far on probation.
I mean it just.
It just boggles the mind uh, what this guy thought he was doing, and of course he had uh, no lack of support.
He attracted royalty, the diplomatic corps, entrepreneurs, money, politicians.
I mean the list that goes on, and he's going to, I think, going to cause great deal with the British monarchy, the Norwegian monarchy and everybody else who was foolish enough to come to his rescue or to deal with him after he was convicted.
So, talking about this CNN poll that I mentioned earlier in my intro part, I mean Professor, this is not the first time that we see a scenario in the United States where, on a certain issue, there is a huge gap between the public expectation and the actual government policy or the actual government action.
What do you make of the root cause of a scenario like this?
For the past 30 years, the Peer Research Foundation has conducted research on what the American people think about Congress, that is, the president, and the courts and the executive branch and all the rest of it.
And only 20% of the people in the United States think that Washington will do the right thing.
I mean, I think a lot of American people have lost trust in what comes out of Washington.
Anyway, this sort of explains the rise and rise of Donald Trump and people who are on the fringes who managed to get themselves elected and bring in independent voters at the end of the day,
So I think there hasn't been a lot of trust in Washington. in the last 30 years.
And of course, there have been, and I regard this as a catastrophic moral failure.
In 2008 we had all kinds of major corporations stole money, did terrible things to individual investors and nobody went to jail.
The big firms that did it were considered too big to fail.
Then we had Bernie Madoff, who stole billions of dollars from the American people.
He got caught, of course, but he was also like Epstein, was able to move in the highest circles in American life education, government and all the rest of it.
And then we had, you know, people like Harvey Weinstein, who was doing the same thing in Hollywood.
That is, he was making his own rules as he also was becoming a convict in his own lifetime.
In other words, this is a catastrophic failure, moral failure, on the part of a America's elite, the politicians, et cetera, to put a stop to this.
I mean a whole lot of people have gotten away with all kinds of terrible things in the past 20, 25 years.
And I think, the American people, whether it's Republican or Democrats, they're the ones who are pushing this full disclosure, as they want some kind of accountability now.
And they're not going to get it.
Because President Trump, for whatever reason, I mean, we know that President Trump knew this guy pretty well.
Whether or not he committed a crime isn't the point.
What is the point is that he and everybody else knew what was going on.
And so, you know, they sort of tolerated this kind of, and it's criminal behavior.
I mean, with this guy and all of his friends.
And then he's blackmailing people, too, along the way.
I mean, it's a racket.
So Professor, I mean in the United States judicial system there seems to be some good mechanisms to try to ensure procedural justice.
So, in this case of Epstein scandal, why do you think, like you said earlier, this kind of procedural justice provided by the judicial system has not been translated into actual societal justice?
Well, because the actual indictments have to come from the state authority in Florida and then later on with the federal government.
And whosoever in the White House is able to control this, as a matter of fact.
And, you know, the people who became before Trump, they weren't special either.
I mean, even Joe Biden gave himself a pardon.
The son of pardon, everybody else pardons me.
These people are looking after themselves.
And so there's this perception that the procedural justice doesn't work so well.
But I think in the end, these people will be accountable one way or the other.
They may not go to prison or the rest of it.
But look, this is a failure on the part of the American government, the American elites, over the past 30 years.
I've said on your show the opioid crisis, the failure of individuals in the top government to deal with drugs properly, the failure of the banks that deal with these people properly.
You know, in America, as you know, children kill children with guns and yet there are no gun laws to keep these guns out of the hands of these children.
I mean, or their parents, as a matter of fact, no real laws.
So Americans, they tolerate.
The problem goes on and on.
But thank you very much for joining us.
We have been speaking with Dr. Joseph Syracusa, professor of global futures with Curting University.
You're back with World Today, I'm Ding Hen in Beijing.
U.S.
President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a new bridge between the United States and Canada.
President Trump is demanding that Canada turn over at least half of the ownership of the bridge and agree to other US demands over cross-border trade issues.
The construction of this Gordai-Hawai International Bridge across the Detroit River has been paid for by the Canadian government.
It had been expected to open in early 2026.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, says he has held a candid conversation with Mr Trump, reminding the US leader that Canada paid for this project.
So for more.
Joining us now on the line is Professor Shending Li from the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University.
Thank you very much for joining us.
Thank you.
So, first of all, in your observation Professor, does this bridge provide a powerful leverage for President Donald Trump to argue with the Canadian side over trade and other bilateral issues?
Well, I think it's ridiculous to use the opening of such a win-win serving bridge as a weapon against Canada.
U.S. may have a reason to share some benefit from the servicing of this bridge.
But to demand 50% to 50% probably is too demanding and not reasonable.
So what will the U.S. stand to lose if the Trump administration does not allow the bridge to open?
That's almost impossible to happen because Trump is asking 50 to 50 sharing of the ownership of the bridge.
I'm not sure that Canada must refuse.
But if Canada refuses, that only gives America a reason to continue to negotiate, while exerting pressure against Canada.
I think eventually the two countries would strike out a deal that Trump would not get all he wanted and Canada may make more concessions to America.
That would be the most likely outcome that I would imagine.
Actually, with regard to trade issues, one specific matter over which we know Trump is taking issue with is actually Ottawa's recent move, or Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent move, to try to reset his country's ties with China, largely for the sake of Canada's trade and economic cooperation with China including, for example, on electric cars.
So do you think Canada is sovereign enough to pursue a kind of independent China policy?
Trump complains a lot.
In order to show his displeasure against Canada, he used many excuses.
For instance, Canada is not giving enough ownership of this bridge to the US.
Canada is not reducing enough tariff on the US export to Canada.
And Canada is building its more strong economic and trade partnership with China.
He complains.
But as you suggested, Canada is sovereign enough.
Canada has a right to do whatever it wants to do.
It has a right to trade with China as long as it would benefit both China and Canada.
The US can suggest how Canada may revise its policy on China, but the US has no say to say that Canada must do this and must not do that.
I think Trump only should unleash his displeasure, but not use this particular issue China-Canada trade as a weapon on this opening of the bridge.
In the meantime we see, for example, on the Canadian side in some local supermarkets there is some boycott of American goods as a sort of reaction towards Washington's pressure campaign against the Canadian government.
Let's put it this way.
Do you see this kind of occurrence as a natural outcome of the recent developments?
Traditionally, U.S., Canada have maintained a very friendly relationship.
They even don't.
They have a border, but they don't station national guards and troops around the line of the border to show that they are unprepared that the other side would launch an invasion or an aggression.
But now, with the Americans threatening, use economic means the tariff as a weapon to threat Canada.
So Canada should reduce the tariff on the US and US would lift its sanction, doubling and sometimes maybe even more, increase its tariff.
That hurts the feel of Canadian people on the U.S.
And is that to make them to elect Prime Minister Kearney and that may make them to feel they should live in another way that Mr Kearney has spoken fiercely?
We are now entering a new world order and the middle power like Canada should spearhead such a new world order.
That would not make Canada more dependent upon the US.
So Canadians are outrageous.
They want to show their anger against the US and they pressurize their prime minister not to give concession, or at least not to give too much concession to the US.
President Trump has actually blamed his predecessor, Barack Obama, for approving this particular bridge project, although the project was actually negotiated by a former Republican Michigan governor back in 2007 or 2008, I guess.
So Professor, as you see this happening, do you see elements of partisan politics in Trump's fury with the program or with the project?
Probably there is some partisan factor which has played a certain role.
Especially Trump has his argument.
He is unhappy with whatever Barack Obama, Joe Biden has done.
He would undo this as they have undone what Trump 1.0 used to do.
And for this particular case, I think he has uttered his view more along his marker making America great again.
America should not play a kind of spiritual, moral role to give more benefits to other country.
America should be an equal among all allies.
So if America give me something, you should return something to US.
This make America an equal among a group of allies.
I think this is the heart of Mr. Trump.
So he think Barack Obama agreed with this bridge without making it clear that the US and Canada should share equal parts of this ownership is wrong.
And if the state of Michigan has agreed with Canadian federal government that both parties would share, with some agreement of sharing But without reaching or co-sharing 50 to 50, Trump would be unhappy.
So he thinks the U.S. is not more moral, and you should not ask the U.S. to be more moral.
You should not have economic bandwagon policy with the U.S., always taking benefit from the U.S.
I think this is his idea.
But I think the bridge gives benefit to both the U.S. and Canada.
Yeah, your point is well taken.
Unfortunately, our time is limited.
But thank you very much for joining us.
Professor Shen Dingli from the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University.
That's all the time for this edition of World Today.
I'm Dinghen in Beijing.
Thank you so much for listening.
Bye for now.
