Global firms bet on China as Beijing hosts key economic forum

The two-day China Development Forum has wrapped up in the capital, with Beijing reaffirming its commitment to providing certainty and advancing high-standard opening-up (01:05). China has warned of an unmanageable situation in the Middle East if the war continues to escalate (16:02). Global markets are on edge as the raging Middle East conflict fuels sharp swings across assets (21:54).

The WTO warns that prolonged high oil and gas prices will further slow trade growth (01:13). The Japanese PM has met the U.S. president at the White House, as Tokyo pledges to invest heavily in the American energy sector (12:41). China's second large cruise ship has undocked in Shanghai, nearing trial voyages and delivery as the country expands its cruise tourism sector (19:30).

China calls for strengthening cooperation with Turkmenistan in natural gas, trade and other areas during the Turkmen national leader's goodwill tour (01:03). Iran says Israel has struck the South Pars gas field and Tehran has retaliated on a number of regional targets (11:39). Beijing says killing Iranian leaders and attacking civilian facilities are unacceptable, while urging an immediate halt to the military operation (31:42).

The Chinese president has met with the Turkmen national leader and chairman of the People's Council in Beijing (01:04). Iran has struck Israel with missiles carrying cluster warheads in retaliation for the assassinations of two top officials, including security chief Ali Larijani (10:21). The Chinese mainland says businesses from the Taiwan region will see more fresh opportunities in the years ahead (20:59).

China's International Trade Representative Li Chenggang says the country and the U.S. have reached preliminary consensus on certain issues after talks in Paris (01:03). Beijing and Hanoi have held their first 3+3 strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense, and public security (10:08). China will offer emergency aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq in the hope of easing the humanitarian plight faced by local people (24:56).

High-level economic and trade talks between China and the U.S. continue, with Beijing pledging to support the stability of the global trading system (01:01). China's economy has gotten off to a robust start in 2026, with major indicators posting a notable recovery (11:05). Protests have erupted across many Western countries opposing U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran (19:52).

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead a delegation to France for economic and trade talks with the United States (01:16). Beijing says the newly approved 15th Five-Year Plan is a blueprint for modernization and an invitation for shared global progress (05:46). The Red Cross Society of China will provide 200,000 U.S. dollars to aid the families of students who died in a strike on a school in southern Iran (23:15).

China's National People's Congress has concluded its annual session after approving several key laws and documents including the 15th Five-Year Plan (01:06). The China-Europe Railway Express handled over 3,500 freight trips in the first two months of the year, up over 30 percent (37:17). More merchant ships have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran issues conditions for ending the war (21:03).

China's top political advisory body has concluded its annual session adopting key reports and resolutions, after more than 2,100 members met for a week to deliberate on state affairs (01:02). The Chinese foreign minister says U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran violate the UN Charter, urging all sides to halt military operations and return to dialogue (24:06). Global oil prices have swung sharply, following the latest Middle East conflict and a possible historic IEA oil release (36:47).

China's foreign trade jumped 18.3% in the first two months of 2026, with strong gains in exports and trade with ASEAN and the EU (37:20). China's draft Five-Year Plan calls for boosting grain output, consolidating poverty alleviation gains, and advancing reforms, including extending rural land contracts (01:07). The Chinese foreign minister has spoken with his counterparts from Kuwait and Bahrain over the Middle East crisis, underscoring China's commitment to peace while calling for a ceasefire and respect for national sovereignty (22:31).