Beijing hosts Merz as Berlin seeks stronger trade, strategic independence

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on a two-day visit to China, which comes amid rising transatlantic tensions and increasing calls across Europe for greater strategic autonomy (01:04). U.S. President Donald Trump has delivered the annual State of the Union address, lashing out at the Supreme Court over a recent tariff decision (14:04). China marks the fifth anniversary of the elimination of extreme poverty in the country (23:50).

Beijing has added 20 Japanese entities to an export control list to curb Tokyo's attempts at re-militarization and acquiring nuclear weapons (01:08). The U.S. is reportedly considering new tariffs, while warning trade partners against reneging on deals after the Supreme Court ruled most of the previous duties illegal (07:43). China saw strong growth in travel and consumer spending over the Spring Festival holiday period, with railway traffic and box office revenue surging (21:54).

China urges the U.S. to lift unilateral tariffs on trading partners (02:01). Oman says the next round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place in Geneva on Thursday (06:48). The 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games have concluded with the Chinese delegation achieving best result in overseas participation (18:34).

The Spring Festival shopping season has been strong, with strong spending on shopping, dining, and travel across China (01:05). The US president is reportedly considering a limited strike against military and government targets to pressure Iran into a new nuclear deal (13:39). Former President Yoon Suk-yeol has apologized to the South Korean public after his conviction and life sentence on insurrection charges (23:06).

The latest trilateral talks on the four-year Ukraine conflict have come to an end without any breakthrough reported (01:04). A court in South Korea has sentenced the country's former president to life in prison on insurrection charges (10:34). Travel numbers in China, including visits by foreign nationals, continue to surge over the Spring Festival holiday (19:01).

The Chinese president has exchanged New Year greetings with his old friends in Iowa as part of the ongoing holiday festivities (01:00). The second day of trilateral talks among Ukraine, the United States and Russia has concluded in Geneva (18:08). And China has earned a historic medal in a men's speed skating event at the Olympic Winter Games in Italy (23:54).

The Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. negotiators including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have held another round of talks, with tensions running high following an Iranian military drill and the deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers (13:06). Spring Festival celebrations are taking place across China and beyond with world capitals and major cities sharing the holiday spirit with cultural activities (01:04). And Gu Ailing has doubled her medal haul at Milano-Cortina 2026, adding another silver medal for China in women's big air (26:23).

Hundreds of millions of Chinese people are taking advantage of a long Spring Festival holiday, reuniting with family or traveling, as festivities across the country heat up on Chinese New Year’s Eve (01:13). Iran and the United States are preparing for a new round of talks in Geneva although stark differences remain (14:15). And Japan’s economic growth fell well short of expectation in Q4 2025 amid weak business spending and faltering exports (21:43).

China has stepped up measures for the holiday rush, upgrading rail services, expanding highway EV charging, and adding airport self-service and security facilities to ease congestion (01:06). World leaders are attending the Munich Security Conference, which warns of "wrecking-ball politics" and a Trans-Atlantic rift (11:22). Grief and calls for accountability fill Minneapolis memorials as Governor Walz urges vigilance during the federal ICE drawdown (23:52).

China has forecast over 2 million daily cross-border trips during Spring Festival, a 14% rise from last year, as more foreign visitors are joining the celebrations (01:02). Iran's foreign minister says a nuclear deal with the U.S. is achievable, while President Trump insists Washington will continue talks to reach an agreement (11:12). China's agricultural machinery is gaining ground in Brazil, boosting productivity from coffee plantations to family farms (24:07).