China, ASEAN sign protocol for Free Trade Area 3.0

The upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area covers nine new sectors such as the digital economy and green economy that the two sides are hoping to work on together for regional prosperity (01:06). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about developing one of the world's most important bilateral relationships (11:03). And China's central bank has resumed trading treasury bonds in the open market (36:52).

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has highlighted the economic resilience and vitality in East Asia, and pledged to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with ASEAN (01:06). China and the United States have reached a basic consensus on arrangements to address each other's trade concerns after talks in Malaysia (09:01). And major industrial firms in China have reported a 3.2 percent rise in profits in the first nine months (38:10).

China is prioritizing innovative trade and improving the business environment among efforts at further opening up under the 15th Five-Year Plan (01:21). China's Shenzhou-21 spacecraft is at the launch area awaiting liftoff (31:40). And the European Union has failed to agree on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance new loans for Ukraine (24:39).

China's major goals for the next five years include achievements in deepening reform and strengthening national security, as the country marches toward socialist modernization (01:15). China continues to share opportunities from its opening up at Phase II of the Canton Fair, and ahead of the China International Import Expo (14:10). Trade delegations from China and the United States will begin talks in Malaysia on Friday (31:38).

U.S. and Russian officials have decided to postpone a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Hungary after their foreign affairs chiefs spoke on the phone (01:05). Airbus has opened a second assembly line in China, capitalizing on the nation's push for high-level opening up under the 14th Five-Year Plan (07:38). And a UN report has condemned U.S. strikes against Venezuelan vessels as "extrajudicial executions" (19:01).

Sanae Takaichi has unveiled her cabinet including two female ministers and 10 new appointees after winning parliament's approval as Japan's first female prime minister (01:07). The U.S. government shutdown is affecting more than a thousand workers at the agency responsible for safeguarding the nuclear stockpile (21:28). And Chinese movies have raked in one billion yuan in overseas markets so far this year (52:19).

Official data shows that China's economy expanded by 5.2% in the first three quarters, and remains on track to meet the annual growth target of around 5% (01:06). Top Chinese leaders are discussing a development plan for the next five years at the fourth plenary session of the CPC's 20th Central Committee (03:14). And Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the Gaza ceasefire after a brief exchange of fire that killed more than 40 people (13:08).

The 2025 Beijing Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference is showcasing cutting-edge AI, smart mobility innovations, global collaboration, and China's leadership in ICV technology (01:08). Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin plan on meeting in Hungary to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict (09:50). Hamas and Israel trade accusations over truce violations, with disputes over returned bodies and commitments under the Gaza agreement (17:28).

China recorded over 7.2 million foreign visits in Q3, up 48% as expanded visa-free policies drive inbound travel growth (01:03). As the world marks World Food Day, a UN official warns of mounting challenges to global food security (11:28). A federal judge has temporarily halted U.S. government layoffs as the shutdown disrupts industries and food aid programs (21:17).

Hainan Province in southern China is set to launch island-wide independent customs operations, introducing zero tariffs on 74% of imports - a major milestone during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (01:05). China's consumer prices stabilized in September, with core inflation hitting a 19-month high, driven by strong consumer and industrial demand (36:25). And the U.S. government shutdown is impacting the economy, with federal layoffs, flight disruptions, and closures of major tourist attractions (21:12).