China is paying greater attention to the growing local government debt that has reached critical levels. In 2024, central authorities allocated 1.2 trillion yuan to tackle the issue, while a dozen heavily indebted provinces and municipalities have suspended infrastructure projects. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Guo Yan joins us to examine the root causes of this mounting debt and explore potential new economic drivers that could help these regions reduce their reliance on...

This past National Day holiday was more than just a busy time for tourism. China's real estate market also saw a remarkable surge in sales following a slew of stimulus packages. How likely will the growth maintain its momentum? CGTN reporter Sun Ye joins this episode to discuss the recent surge in China’s property market.

Fear has gripped Lebanon after thousands of pagers, walkie-talkies, and other electronic devices were turned into explosives. While conspiracy theories swirl about how these everyday products were weaponized, a deeper, more widespread concern is emerging—one that extends beyond Lebanon's borders. Once trust in the global supply chain is broken, how secure can people feel when making international procurements?

South Korean police are investigating hundreds of cases involving deepfake pornography, where the faces of real women and girls are digitally superimposed onto other bodies without their knowledge or consent. This week, reporter Lee Jungjoo from South Korea’s largest English-language daily - The Korea Herald joins us to delve into the rising fears surrounding deepfakes in the country, the devastating effects the case is having on minors, and what steps can be taken to prevent such violations...

Amid growing global uncertainty, the Xiangshan Forum convened in Beijing, bringing together 1,800 experts and military representatives from over 100 countries and international organizations to discuss solutions to some of the world’s most pressing security challenges. In this episode, CGTN reporter Zhao Yunfei joins us to explore the impact of the forum and to unpack the Chinese philosophy on security that underpins these discussions.

This year, the launch of the latest iPhone coincided with a new product release from another tech giant—Huawei. Despite nearly 90% of smartphones sold in China being from domestic brands, Apple continues to hold over half of the market share for smartphones priced above $600, though with a slight decline in the 1st and the 2nd quarter this year. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Feng Yushun joins us to discuss strategies for global tech giants to secure a foothold in China’s expanding...

In 2022, Africa's external debt reached $655.6 billion, with less than 10% owed to China. Despite this, Western lenders—who account for over 35% of Africa’s debt and typically charge double the interest rates—are often left out of the narrative. Instead, Western media continues to blame Chinese investments for a so-called "debt trap". But what’s the real story behind China's involvement in Africa? CGTN Radio reporter Gao Junya, who spent five years working across the continent, shares...

As one of the most highly anticipated games of the year, Black Myth: WuKong – China’s first AAA video game – has achieved remarkable success, selling 10 million copies within just three days and positioning itself to become one of the best-selling video games of all time. Host Li Yunqi is leading the conversation for this episode to share his perspective on why it took so long to see a AAA game from China, and the impact of Black Myth: WuKong to the world’s gaming industry.

China has launched a significant crackdown on what it describes as "toxic" celebrity culture while celebrating its athletes' best performance at an overseas Olympic Games. The focus is on aggressive fans who took to social media to attack and spread rumors about the nation's Olympians during the Paris 2024. In this episode, Sideline Story host Fu Yu joins us to delve into the rise of China's sports fandom, how it spiraled into harmful behavior, and what steps can be taken to cool it down.

The U.S. has cast a shadow over Chinese swimmers, raising yet unproven allegations of doping. But new questions are surfacing about the integrity of U.S. athletes and their own alleged use of banned substances. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Xu Yawen uncovers the truth behind the U.S. doping narrative.

Despite challenges like doping allegations amplified by the U.S., Team China achieved its best-ever results at an overseas Olympiad. More importantly, the new generation of Chinese athletes showcased something that the nation has long awaited. Sideline Story host Fu Yu joins Deep Dive to explore the spirit and style young Chinese athletes have presented and discuss how the country can build on its recent successes.

Japanese pharmaceutical giant Kobayashi is at the center of a health scare with over 100 deaths reported potentially linked to its health supplements with red yeast rice, or beni-koji. CMG Tokyo correspondent Xin Lei joins Deep Dive to unravel the causes of Kobayashi’s “death scandal” and what it tells us about Japan’s manufacturing.

When homes are destroyed and starvation is prevalent, an English teacher has built schools on top of the rubble in war-ravaged Gaza, turning parachutes from aid drops into classroom shelters to ensure that local children can continue their education. In this special episode, Ahmed Riziq, founder of an education project Gaza Great Minds, shares his story from the north of Gaza.

What is it like to raise and harvest fish and shrimp on the breathtaking altitudes of Xizang, also known as Tibet? CGTN reporter Guo Tianqi visited a fishing farm in Linzhi City and shares the story of how this remote region is cultivating top-quality shrimp and fish with the assistance of Guangdong Province along with her observation about China’s Pairing-up Assistance Program.

Here is a chance for a glimpse into the development path of the world's second-largest economy in the years to come. The world is watching the 3rd plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and its communiqué mapping out the country’s blueprint. CGTN Radio reporter Dou Hongyu brings first-hand information of China’s reform agenda and economic policy as well as their far-reaching impacts on the country and beyond.

The U.S. alleges it has been targeted by a “China-backed Volt Typhoon” hacking group, while China has dismissed it as another lie by Washington to deceive its own Congress and taxpayers. In this episode, CGTN reporter Han Peng unravels what the U.S. tries to achieve with their Volt Typhoon action.

In a world where some are served by AI home appliances while others have never used the Internet, a question is too big to ignore: can the least developed areas have their fair share of AI? As this year’s World AI Conference is set to open in Shanghai, Dou Hongyu speaks to a young Tanzanian devoted to his country’s AI development and joins Deep Dive to unravel the African country’s ambitions for AI.

A century ago, Kuliang in southeast China emerged as a hub for early cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. Today, it continues to inspire cross-cultural interactions between the two countries. In this episode, CGTN Radio reporter Liu Yushan shares heartfelt stories from both the past and present, highlighting how these narratives foster mutual understanding and strengthen the bonds between the two nations.

When Team China struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the village super league in Rongjiang, Guizhou province in southwest China continues to prosper. Surrounded by farms and mountains, the grassroot tournament has become a national sensation for over a year. In this unique tournament, winners take home livestock instead of trophies. CGTN reporter Li Jingjing joins this episode to share the excitement of these amateur-level football games and how the league's fame has transformed...

The number of marathon events is growing rapidly in China, yet still cannot keep up with the even faster-growing number of runners. CGTN Radio reporter Jiang Tao explores the rising popularity and economic impact of marathons in China, the future prospects of this burgeoning sport, and whether it can sustain its rapid growth.

After restoring the habitat and population of wild Asian elephants, villagers in Xishuangbanna in South China have adapted to live peacefully with wildlife, sometimes even returning parts of their homeland to nature. Ahead of World Environment Day, CGTN Radio reporter Heyang recounts her safari journey to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, sharing her observations of local efforts to restore the environment and pursue harmony with nature.

In May, the US government quadrupled its import duties on Chinese EVs, but the question remains: is this measure sufficient for America to close the gap in the electric vehicle race? In this week’s episode, commentator and comedian Lee Camp offers his insights into the challenges hindering the development of the US EV industry.

A dark chapter in the history of Xizang, or Tibet, is still remembered. What kind of life did an overwhelming majority of local people have to endure under a near-slavery system? In this episode, CGTN reporter Mi Sutong shares the poignant stories of two serf families from the roof of the world.

Long before the Paris Olympics kicks off, groundwork for the mega sports event is already underway in the city of Yiwu in eastern China, also known as “the world’s supermarket”. In this episode, content creator Rafael Saavedra shares his travel experience in Yiwu, shedding light on how the seemingly insignificant trinkets not only influence major global events but also weave into the fabric of our day-to-day lives.