hello. i'm sumi somaskanda. we start wih russia's leader concluding his two—day visit in china. there were smiles, handshakes and warm words from both xijinping and vladimir putin as both countries pledged to deepen relations. this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of china—russia diplomatic relations and both agreed to combat, what they say are �*destructive and hostile�* us policies. the us is urging china to stop supporting russia's war in ukraine — saying it cannot seek to improve ties with the west and continue to support moscow. but there's been little sign mr xi had heeded those words, and trade between china and russia has surged since the invasion. the kremlin leader said he appreciated china's objective and flexible position on the conflict. our china correspondent laura bicker has more on these developments.

if the west wants to stop russian advances in ukraine here is one place they can do that. asian is not supplying moscow with weapons but the west believes it is supplying russia with components that it can use in its war machine. the us has a raft of new sanctions at the ready to target chinese banks so president xi has a decision to make. live now to gary locke, former us ambassador to china from 2011 to 2014. putin really wanted to play up the significance of their deepening partnership and said he and xi are as close as brothers. do you think xi sees it that way? certainly china wants to form closer relations with russia simply because they want a

strong partnership in opposition to the united states and the western allies. especially given the stance of the united states towards china in terms of tariffs and restrictions on exports of high—tech goods, semiconductors and machinery to make these things. and of course our resistance and pushback on their activities around the taiwan straits. russia is bristling at the sanctions and the alliance of the united states and european union against russia because of its invasion of ukraine. and so the two countries are forming a stronger partnership because they have big criticisms of us and western policies towards each country. d0 and western policies towards each country-— each country. do you think china sees _ each country. do you think china sees this _ each country. do you think china sees this as - each country. do you think china sees this as an - each country. do you think china sees this as an even | china sees this as an even playing field between these two leaders? it appears that vladimir putin was coming to beijing with half a hand out asking for financial support. china is in the stronger position because russia badly

needs money to pay for their war effort. they have not been able to sell as much oil and gas as they used to do when they supplied europe and so they supplied europe and so they are looking for customers, namely china and they are eager to have china by more goods from russia to help pay and provide the funds for russia to continue its war effort. as well as trying to get components for military weapons. so china is really in the negotiating seat, the stronger hand in these negotiations and discussions. what does the deepening of this relationship mean for europe and the united states? the two countries will _ and the united states? the two countries will be _ and the united states? the two countries will be aligned - and the united states? the two countries will be aligned in - countries will be aligned in terms of votes in the united nations and any type of resolution dealing with the conflict in israel and the gaza strip and all other hostilities around the world. china and russia normallyjoined together

in their vote at the un security council but at the same time they are trying to curry the favour of non—aligned countries, countries in africa, latin america, southeast asia to lessen the impact and influence of the united states. for instance, china is offering huge amounts of foreign aid and foreign assistance to developing countries, trying to developing countries, trying to develop stronger diplomatic and cultural ties with these countries and trying to pull these countries away from america and the west. we see that in the _ america and the west. we see that in the global _ america and the west. we see that in the global south, - america and the west. we see that in the global south, don't| that in the global south, don't we? ambassador you served as ambassador to china and it was ambassador to china and it was a different time in china's relationship to the us. do you think that the us failed to anticipate the rival that xi jinping and china would become and is now? jinping and china would become and is now?— and is now? many people have been disappointed _ and is now? many people have been disappointed in _ and is now? many people have been disappointed in the - and is now? many people have been disappointed in the way l been disappointed in the way that xijinping has been disappointed in the way that xi jinping has led the country. he has become a lot

more authoritarian and injecting the communist party into the affairs of companies and the crackdown on human rights censorship, the treatment of the uighur people and the list goes on. certainly the hostile acts, aggressive acts towards taiwan. so it is not surprising that relations between the united states and china have really worsened over the last several years and while both the united states and china want to stabilise the relationship we know that the biden administration will continue to impose a very strategic targeted tariff or restrictions on us goods going to china and tariffs on chinese goods coming into the united states. ~ ., goods coming into the united states. ~ . ., states. we have about 45 seconds _ states. we have about 45 seconds left _ states. we have about 45 seconds left but - states. we have about 45 seconds left but could - states. we have about 45| seconds left but could you states. we have about 45 - seconds left but could you tell is how strong you see president xi at the moment and how much she has been able to consolidate his position in china and on the global stage? he has been able to consolidate authority within china. we change the constitution so he can actually be ruler for life

and he has used prosecutions against people to send a signal, do not oppose my policies because i can find some sort of dirt on you and bring you up on charges and have you in prison. be very quiet and just go along with what i am trying to do. he has nullified and dampened opposition to his policies and at the same time he has become at the same time he has become a lot more authoritarian. bier? a lot more authoritarian. very aood to a lot more authoritarian. very good to have _ a lot more authoritarian. very good to have you _ a lot more authoritarian. very good to have you on - a lot more authoritarian. very good to have you on bbc- a lot more authoritarian. very good to have you on bbc news tonight. thank you for your analysis. here in the us, tensions with china were further strained, after president biden unveiled new tariffs on billions of dollars worth of chinese imports on tuesday. biden said china's trade practices are cheating, not competing, and harm key american industries like clean energy and electric vehicles. his new policy triples, and even quadruples tariffs on some goods. like electric vehicles. china vowed retaliation, warning the move would, quote: "seriously affect the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation." beijing and washington have

faced tense economic relations since the trump administration's sweeping tariffs on china. mr biden�*s latest policy maintains — and expands on — those levies. for more on this, i spoke to congressman seth moulton who sits on the house select committee on china. i want to ask you about the tariffs like the ones that president biden is imposing on china. in the past they have led to higher consumer prices and the us international trade commission said in 2023 that us importers for nearly the full cost of the tariffs put in place by the trump administration. the us is still struggling with inflation. do you think this is the right time for these types of tariffs? if time for these types of tariffs? , , tariffs? if they were 'ust tariffs? if they were 'ust tariffs across * tariffs? if they were 'ust tariffs across the h tariffs? if they were just tariffs across the board | tariffs? if they were just j tariffs across the board i would say no but these are specifically targeted tariffs that address industries that are important to the united states and that china is manipulating. you just cannot have private sector companies competing to make electric vehicles when china offers

massive massive state subsidies that distort the market. we have to do something about that and this is what these tariffs address. �* , ., , address. are you mostly concerned _ address. are you mostly concerned about - address. are you mostly concerned about electric vehicles when you talk about oversupply, for example, distorting the market? there are a few _ distorting the market? there are a few things. _ distorting the market? there are a few things. steel- distorting the market? there are a few things. steel is - are a few things. steel is another issue and we have a lot of concerns about semiconductors. but if you go through the list it is a very targeted set of tariffs, interacting at places where we know the chinese are manipulating the market using illegal state subsidies and violating international trade rules so this is not something thatis rules so this is not something that is across—the—board. rules so this is not something that is across-the-board. china is still one _ that is across-the-board. china is still one of— that is across-the-board. china is still one of the _ that is across-the-board. china is still one of the us's - is still one of the us's biggest trading partners are you worried about any possible retaliation from china? it is alwa s retaliation from china? it is always a — retaliation from china? it is always a concern _ retaliation from china? it is always a concern but - retaliation from china? it is always a concern but we - retaliation from china? it 3 always a concern but we were very transparent about why we're doing this and have also said clearly that of china will stop manipulating the market we will engage in fair trade practices and we can remove the tariffs. ., ., ., , , .,

tariffs. none of the tariffs to this point — tariffs. none of the tariffs to this point seemed _ tariffs. none of the tariffs to this point seemed to - tariffs. none of the tariffs to this point seemed to have i this point seemed to have changed chinese behaviour. it appears to be the opposite. just heading towards a larger trade war?— trade war? these new tariffs have rrot _ trade war? these new tariffs have not had _ trade war? these new tariffs have not had any _ trade war? these new tariffs have not had any time - trade war? these new tariffs have not had any time to - trade war? these new tariffs l have not had any time to have effect so we will see if they have any effect on the road. i think they are significant. this is notjust 5% or 10% here and there. they are significant and there. they are significant and absolutely designed to change behaviour. at the end of the day what we want is to have good fair trade with china. frankly they should want to have fair trade with us. also want to ask _ have fair trade with us. also want to ask about _ have fair trade with us. also want to ask about the - want to ask about the motivation of these tariffs because a number of asked about them have said it comes to economic growth in the us they may not really make much of a difference and it may be more about politics, appeasing voters in important battleground states in an election year. what do you think of that?— election year. what do you think of that? i've not read all the economic _ think of that? i've not read all the economic analysis. | all the economic analysis. there are times when tabs do not work well and i generally support free trade but the issue here is that china is not

practising free trade. they are not practising fair trade. at a fundamental level we don't want to put these tariffs in place, we want a free trade system but china needs to abate by the rules. —— abide by the rules. meanwhile, the justice department and tiktok have asked an appeals court to fast—track its ruling on a law that would potentially ban the app. the bill alleges tiktok poses a national security risk due to its links to china, and requires it to divest from its chinese—owned parent company — orface a ban. it's the latest legal development in a series of suits filed relating to the law. taiwan will enter a new era on monday — as president tsai ing—wen hands over power. she's served two terms in office — and in that time, has faced growing pressure from beijing, which sees taiwan as a rebel province. chinese president xijinping has said that what he calls �*reunification�* must be fulfilled — and that taiwan has effectively become more dependent on support from the us to ensure it continues to self—govern.

0ur correspondent rupert wingfield—hayes sat down wih president tsai — and asked her about her legacy it is hard to imagine a famous drag act being invited to perform for the communist party leadership and their compound in beijing. that is exactly what president tsai did this week at the presidential office building in taipei. in her eight years in power he softly spoken former law professor has turned taiwan into arguably the most progressive society in asia. same—sex marriage is now legal here and taipei host asia's largest pride festival. asia's largest pride festival. as she prepares to step down on monday we sat down with her at her home in taipei and asked her home in taipei and asked her why she chose this particular fight. her why she chose this particularfight. you her why she chose this particular fight. you were well ahead of any other country in asia in pushing through that legislation. why was that such an important part of it for

you? it an important part of it for ou? , ., an important part of it for ou? , . , ., an important part of it for ou? , you? it is a test of society here to — you? it is a test of society here to see _ you? it is a test of society here to see what - you? it is a test of society here to see what it - you? it is a test of society here to see what it would | here to see what it would accept, they can move forward with their values. it was very difficult journey. with their values. it was very difficultjourney. i am difficult journey. i am actually difficultjourney. i am actually rather proud that we managed to overcome our differences.— managed to overcome our differences. one difference tsai has failed _ differences. one difference tsai has failed to _ differences. one differencej tsai has failed to overcome differences. one difference i tsai has failed to overcome is that with china. during her eight years in office patient�*s military intimidation of taiwan has dramatically increased. tsai says she does not think an attack on the island is imminent.— attack on the island is imminent. ., .,~ imminent. the cost of taking over taiwan _ imminent. the cost of taking over taiwan is _ imminent. the cost of taking over taiwan is going - imminent. the cost of taking over taiwan is going to - imminent. the cost of taking over taiwan is going to be i over taiwan is going to be enormous. chinese leadership has to make a good calculation as to whether they are prepared to pay the cost. we need to do is increase the cost of an invasion. is increase the cost of an invasion-— is increase the cost of an invasion. despite being a thrivin:

invasion. despite being a thriving democracy - invasion. despite being a thriving democracy of. invasion. despite being a thriving democracy of 23 | thriving democracy of 23 million people, only 12 countries now formally recognise this place down from 22 countries when tsai came to power. she said pressure from china must not be allowed to we raise the reality of taiwan's existence. raise the reality of taiwan's existence-— raise the reality of taiwan's existence. china will say we are art existence. china will say we are part of _ existence. china will say we are part of them. _ existence. china will say we are part of them. it - existence. china will say we are part of them. it is - existence. china will say we are part of them. it is for. existence. china will say we l are part of them. it is for the people to interpret what taiwan represents at this moment in time. the most important thing is that we are on our own and we area is that we are on our own and we are a democracy and we enjoy freedom and democracy and progressive values and we are a group of people who are very proud of ourselves. fin group of people who are very proud of ourselves. on monday the mantle _ proud of ourselves. on monday the mantle of _ proud of ourselves. on monday the mantle of power _ proud of ourselves. on monday the mantle of power will - proud of ourselves. on monday the mantle of power will pass l the mantle of power will pass from tsai to a vice president. if anything, william lies disliked by china even more than she is and the people of taiwan, things are not about to get any easier. a number of topics to talk about with my guests tonight. with me now is michael hirsh,

journalist and columnist at foreign policy, michelle giuda, former assistant secretary of state for global public affairs under mike pompeo & ceo of krach institute for tech diplomacy at purdue. and bonny lin, director of the china power project at the centre for strategic and international studies. she also served as the senior adviser to the department of defence in both the 0bama and trump administrations. very good to have all of you with us tonight in the studio to talk about this issue and michael i would like to start with you to talk about the president putin visit to china. we saw those very warm images and we saw xi jinping we saw those very warm images and we saw xijinping and president putin both saying that this is an important relationship and that they are deepening the relationship as well. it does not look like mr she is really taking much of the pressure from washington on board when you see those images did know, he is not and i think the visit to harbin and the

technology institute there, it was a deliberate rebuke to the united states and antony blinken, the us secretary of state was just there in april. he delivered a tough comment about all the technology help that china has been giving to russia in its war against ukraine. i think this was president xi's way of saying i am not about to be bullied by the united states. there were a lot of signals to that effect. michelle, what did you make of some of that symbolism and what michael referred to as the visit to harbin and the defence technologies he was visiting? it is important to know that while — it is important to know that while putin and president xi jinping _ while putin and president xi jinping were furthering their partnership and alliance the united _ partnership and alliance the united states and its partners and allies have also been responding appropriately to make — responding appropriately to make sure we're leaving in critical _ make sure we're leaving in critical and strategic sectors as well— critical and strategic sectors as well as emerging technologies. of course the united _ technologies. of course the

united states increased tariffs on several strategic chinese industries including ev's as well— industries including ev's as well as— industries including ev's as well as semiconductors and other— well as semiconductors and other critical industries but it is— other critical industries but it is not— other critical industries but it is notjust us. the eu was also — it is notjust us. the eu was also enacting its own anti— subsidy— also enacting its own anti— subsidy study to understand whether or not china is also using — whether or not china is also using unfair trading practices. australia _ using unfair trading practices. australia recently increased its own _ australia recently increased its own defence budget by $50 billion_ its own defence budget by $50 billion to invest more in nuclear— billion to invest more in nuclear submarines and invest more — nuclear submarines and invest more in — nuclear submarines and invest more in critical and emerging technologies with the united states— technologies with the united states and with the uk as part of the — states and with the uk as part of the gap was a deal. japan increased its own alliances with — increased its own alliances with the _ increased its own alliances with the united states. so partners and allies across the word — partners and allies across the word our— partners and allies across the word our eyes wide open on what the reality— word our eyes wide open on what the reality and thread that china _ the reality and thread that china and xijinping the reality and thread that china and xi jinping present to the free — china and xi jinping present to the free world for economic prosperity security and values and that — prosperity security and values and that was only proved further— and that was only proved further putin's visit this week _ further putin's visit this week. ~ . ., ., week. we will come to the question — week. we will come to the question of _ week. we will come to the question of tariffs - week. we will come to the question of tariffs bonnie l question of tariffs bonnie onward to come back to you now

with the question of russia's warring ukraine and what that means to china. a moment ago michael mentioned antony blinken �*s trick recently, the secretary of straight trip to the region and he sat down with our correspondent and spoke specifically about china's support of russia.- specifically about china's support of russia. this play that clip now. _ support of russia. this play that clip now. they - support of russia. this play that clip now. they want. support of russia. this play that clip now. they want a i that clip now. they want a better relations not only with us but with countries in europe cannot do that while at the same time helping to fuel the biggest threat to european security since the end of the cold war. is security since the end of the cold war-— cold war. is this a binary choice for _ cold war. is this a binary choice for xi _ cold war. is this a binary choice for xi jinping? - cold war. is this a binary i choice for xi jinping? does cold war. is this a binary - choice for xi jinping? does he choice for xijinping? does he see it as a choice between the west and russia here on this war? ., ., , ., g , war? no he does not. xijinping ist in: war? no he does not. xijinping is trying to _ war? no he does not. xijinping is trying to have _ war? no he does not. xijinping is trying to have his _ war? no he does not. xijinping is trying to have his cake - war? no he does not. xijinping is trying to have his cake and i is trying to have his cake and eat it — is trying to have his cake and eat it to _ is trying to have his cake and eat it to. what we saw before putin — eat it to. what we saw before putin came was xi jinping tour of europe _ putin came was xi jinping tour of europe and throughout the tour— of europe and throughout the tour he — of europe and throughout the tour he thought he would go to countries — tour he thought he would go to countries that would be more

sympathetic to china or that he would — sympathetic to china or that he would he — sympathetic to china or that he would be able to make the chinese _ would be able to make the chinese case. what we see now with _ chinese case. what we see now with this — chinese case. what we see now with this visit to china is that— with this visit to china is that in— with this visit to china is that in the joint press statement we do see language about— statement we do see language about ukraine and we see language there that the chinese side said — language there that the chinese side said that both sides agree to a political settlement and both — to a political settlement and both countries are opposed to a drawnout — both countries are opposed to a drawnout conflict. so one way china — drawnout conflict. so one way china is — drawnout conflict. so one way china is playing this and trying _ china is playing this and trying to balance its relationship with russia as well— relationship with russia as well as— relationship with russia as well as a relationship with the west— well as a relationship with the west is— well as a relationship with the west is to encourage russia to try to — west is to encourage russia to try to end _ west is to encourage russia to try to end the conflict as soon as possible. china recognises that— as possible. china recognises that as — as possible. china recognises that as long as the ukraine conflict _ that as long as the ukraine conflict is ongoing it will have _ conflict is ongoing it will have to _ conflict is ongoing it will have to face the issue about its relationship with russia without _ its relationship with russia without antagonising the west. it is important to point out how much pressure xi jinping it is important to point out how much pressure xijinping is under right now. his economy has been tanking on the trip to europe was something of an

embarrassment compared to his last trip in 2019 and he visited serbia and hungary and had a brief tete—a—tete with the president of france. but there were no deliverables, so—called, just as there were no real deliverables in this visit was xijinping no real deliverables in this visit was xi jinping which to say no programmes were announced. the thing that putin really wants is a pipeline, the siberia pipeline which there was no news about at all so it is not clear that anything is happening there. the point is that xijinping is in a tough spot. he wants to be seen in the signals are positive with the signals are positive with the smile and a hug at the end but there is not really a great deal happening other than some technological assistance going to russia right now.— to russia right now. could i follow no — to russia right now. could i follow no on _ to russia right now. could i follow up on that? - to russia right now. could i follow up on that? you - to russia right now. could i - follow up on that? you authored an essay in foreign policy entitled know this is not our cold war yet why is the threat being exaggerated and you look at how the pundit industrial complex has propagated the stand—off with china. what do you intend to say here? that china is not as much of a rival

to the us as we perceive it to be? if to the us as we perceive it to be? , ., be? if you compare this to the first cold war _ be? if you compare this to the first cold war you _ be? if you compare this to the first cold war you do - be? if you compare this to the first cold war you do not - be? if you compare this to the first cold war you do not have | first cold war you do not have a great power trying to create an entirely alternative international system is the soviet union once did. xi jinping has wanted to do that. he has programmes, the belt and road initiative and others that they are not doing well. in many cases they are backfiring. my many cases they are backfiring. my point would be that this is a dangerous situation, i'm not trying to play it down, particularly over the issue of taiwan but it does not have to be a cold war. it can be a cold piece which is what i think it still is to some degree, two rival nations competing but not necessarily mirella terribly. it does not have to go in that direction. it does not have to go in that direction-— direction. michelle, do you auree direction. michelle, do you agree with _ direction. michelle, do you agree with that _ direction. michelle, do you i agree with that assessment. direction. michelle, do you - agree with that assessment. you wrote about the fact that you see the need for tariffs to be in place before the us to actually play on the offensive. when it comes to the china threat you do not have to take pundit�*s words for it, you have to take xijinping's pundit�*s words for it, you have to take xi jinping's word for it and he has been clear that

china wants to dominate critical and emerging technologies including ai. there initiative makes clear they have a set of standards for strategic industries. these are not leaders or countries that you want setting standards for strategic industries that matter to our economic prosperity as well as a national security and values like freedom and rule of law. so it is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact. the question is what will we do about it and we have to be less concerned or maybe less concerned with how we are responding to china. these tariffs are a good example but more concerned with what are we doing to go on the fence and compete and win, to make sure we are innovating faster, smarter and better than china and other authoritarian adverse areas because we need to be setting the norms and standards for how these industries and technologies shape our lives. in order to win the competition you have to recognise you are in one and we are in one. i

want yourtake on in one and we are in one. i want your take on this, bonnie? in all statements recently including _ in all statements recently including in— in all statements recently including in the _ in all statements recently including in the most- in all statements recently . including in the most recent china — including in the most recent china russia _ including in the most recent china russia joint _ including in the most recent| china russia joint statement references— china russia joint statement references the _ china russia joint statement references the us _ china russia joint statement references the us cold - china russia joint statement references the us cold war. references the us cold war mentality _ references the us cold war mentality but _ references the us cold war mentality but i _ references the us cold war mentality but i think- references the us cold war mentality but i think they l references the us cold war. mentality but i think they talk about— mentality but i think they talk about the _ mentality but i think they talk about the cold _ mentality but i think they talk about the cold war _ mentality but i think they talk about the cold war mentalityl about the cold war mentality you have _ about the cold war mentality you have to— about the cold war mentality you have to reflect _ about the cold war mentality you have to reflect and - about the cold war mentality i you have to reflect and believe that they — you have to reflect and believe that they are _ you have to reflect and believe that they are also _ you have to reflect and believe that they are also bleeding - you have to reflect and believe that they are also bleeding in i that they are also bleeding in this mentality. _ that they are also bleeding in this mentality. when - that they are also bleeding in this mentality. when you - that they are also bleeding inj this mentality. when you talk to chinese _ this mentality. when you talk to chinese scholars _ this mentality. when you talk to chinese scholars as - this mentality. when you talk to chinese scholars as well i this mentality. when you talkj to chinese scholars as well as chinese — to chinese scholars as well as chinese officials _ to chinese scholars as well as chinese officials i _ to chinese scholars as well as chinese officials i think- to chinese scholars as well as chinese officials i think xi - chinese officials i think xi jinping _ chinese officials i think xi jinping himself— chinese officials i think xi jinping himself probably. jinping himself probably worries— jinping himself probably worries and _ jinping himself probably worries and has - jinping himself probably worries and has pretty l jinping himself probably. worries and has pretty dark assumptions _ worries and has pretty dark assumptions of— worries and has pretty dark assumptions of what - worries and has pretty dark assumptions of what us . assumptions of what us intentions _ assumptions of what us intentions are _ assumptions of what us intentions are for- assumptions of what usj intentions are for china. assumptions of what us i intentions are for china. so when — intentions are for china. so when china _ intentions are for china. so when china says _ intentions are for china. so when china says that - intentions are for china. so when china says that we i intentions are for china. so i when china says that we have intentions are for china. so - when china says that we have a cold _ when china says that we have a cold war— when china says that we have a cold war mentality— when china says that we have a cold war mentality i— when china says that we have a cold war mentality i think - when china says that we have a cold war mentality i think theyl cold war mentality i think they actually— cold war mentality i think they actually have _ cold war mentality i think they actually have their— cold war mentality i think they actually have their own - cold war mentality i think they actually have their own cold i actually have their own cold war— actually have their own cold war mentality— actually have their own cold war mentality and - actually have their own cold war mentality and they - actually have their own cold . war mentality and they believe to some — war mentality and they believe to some extent _ war mentality and they believe to some extent that _ war mentality and they believe to some extent that we - war mentality and they believe to some extent that we are - to some extent that we are already— to some extent that we are already in— to some extent that we are already in a _ to some extent that we are already in a cold _ to some extent that we are already in a cold war - to some extent that we are i already in a cold war period. i already in a cold war period. would just say, i do not disagree with most of what you say, i would just say that first of all in terms of maintaining the trump tariffs, biden has done that and added the additional 18 billion we just heard about. jake sullivan

the national security described it as a high fence around a small yard by which he means most of the us china trade is still going on. they set a record again last year. so you have all this economic integration and at the same time you have tough policy of protecting us high—technology stock biden has set up an industrial policy to do that. as well as a very aggressive policy including coming closer than any president has before and pledging to defend taiwan. you have a president who is putting forward a tough policy. i cannot believe i will ask you all about taiwan with only a minute left but let's go around quickly in or 30 seconds each do you see this is the biggest danger in the relationship? it certainly is but it is important to note that a delegation that biden is sending for the inauguration of the president on monday is the same as what he sent. former officials not current officials so as not to be too provocative towards china.— towards china. michelle? i would say _ towards china. michelle? i would say that _

towards china. michelle? i would say that this - towards china. michelle? i would say that this is - towards china. michelle? i would say that this is a - towards china. michelle? i. would say that this is a multi- would say that this is a multi— front— would say that this is a multi— front relationship and the contest _ front relationship and the contest with china with authoritarianism in general is military— authoritarianism in general is military economic diplomatic and cultural and technologies at the — and cultural and technologies at the crossroads of that so the more _ at the crossroads of that so the more that we can compete and worry— the more that we can compete and worry about what the united states _ and worry about what the united states is — and worry about what the united states is doing to lead versus what — states is doing to lead versus what china is doing in the nature _ what china is doing in the nature of our relationship, the more — nature of our relationship, the more well—placed we will be to answer— more well—placed we will be to answer on _ more well—placed we will be to answer on security and prosperity. answer on security and prosperity-— answer on security and prosperity. answer on security and --roseri . prosperity. bonnie, your view on the taiwan _ prosperity. bonnie, your view on the taiwan aspect - prosperity. bonnie, your view on the taiwan aspect of - prosperity. bonnie, your view on the taiwan aspect of this? j prosperity. bonnie, your viewl on the taiwan aspect of this? i do not expect the new president to say— do not expect the new president to say anything _ do not expect the new president to say anything provocative - do not expect the new president to say anything provocative in i to say anything provocative in the inauguration _ to say anything provocative in the inauguration speech - to say anything provocative in the inauguration speech but. to say anything provocative in l the inauguration speech but the ball the inauguration speech but the hall is— the inauguration speech but the hall is in— the inauguration speech but the ball is in china's _ the inauguration speech but the ball is in china's court _ the inauguration speech but the ball is in china's court as- the inauguration speech but the ball is in china's court as to - ball is in china's court as to how— ball is in china's court as to how much— ball is in china's court as to how much they _ ball is in china's court as to how much they want - ball is in china's court as to how much they want to - ball is in china's court as to. how much they want to react ball is in china's court as to - how much they want to react or overreact — how much they want to react or overreact to _ how much they want to react or overreact to what _ how much they want to react or overreact to what he _ how much they want to react or overreact to what he may - how much they want to react or overreact to what he may say . how much they want to react or| overreact to what he may say in coming — overreact to what he may say in coming days _ overreact to what he may say in coming days hie _ overreact to what he may say in coming days-— overreact to what he may say in coming days. we have run out of time but an _ coming days. we have run out of time but an interesting - time but an interesting discussion with all of you. thank you so much forjoining us tonight. and preparations are under way for the final us zoo with pandas in it.

with pandas in its care to say goodbye to its four bears this fall. zoo atlanta says parents lun lun, yang yang and their american—born twins will return to china after their 25—year loan agreement expires. china has a history of gifting the giant bears as part of panda diplomacy. some observers have used the cuddly creatures to unofficially gauge this state of us china relations and various us zoos have returned their best to china not all hope is lost, a new set of hand that make pandas arrive in san diego as soon as possible. that is a special programme. thank you for watching and stay with bbc news. hello there. it was another day of contrasts across the uk on friday, with some of the bluest of the skies, the highest of the temperatures across northern scotland — 2a celsius in altnaharra. compare that to just 13, 1a degrees for some north sea—facing coasts, plenty of fret and haar lasting

for much of the day and a cool onshore breeze, too. now, there will be more mist and fog forming through the weekend, a weekend of sunny spells and some showers. but there will be plenty of dry weather, with a large area of high pressure out in the atlantic starting to nose in. low pressure over the near continent, and that's going to send some rain tracking westwards across southern england as we head through saturday morning. otherwise, a dry start to the day. it's mild. there'll be plenty of mist and fog, general murk and some sea fog, too, out towards those north sea coasts. now, all of that is going to be burnt back by the warm, strong may sunshine. plenty of that throughout the day, lots of dry weather, too. the rain in the south will gradually clear away, but some heavy, thundery downpours perhaps developing for western areas. more isolated showers further east. here, it should stay largely dry. and it's cloudier and cooler across northern ireland and northern scotland. still cool again for those north sea—facing coasts, maybe 2a degrees for the central belt of scotland. 0therwise, temperatures just slightly above the seasonal average —

high teens, low 20s. and all of that mist and murk, sea fog willjust reform again as we head through saturday night into sunday morning, a slightly fresher feel to the morning. and again, that mist and the fog first thing is going to start to burn back with all of the sunshine developing. again, it's quite cloudy, i think, towards parts of northern scotland. some of that mist and fog could gradually sink southwards down towards parts of northeast england as we head throughout the day. but there will be a lot of sunshine around, a scattering of showers again, perhaps towards the south of england and again across southwest scotland. once again, it's cooler and cloudier for northern scotland. should be some sunny spells developing across northern ireland. monday is looking largely dry for most. again, some mist and fog, some isolated showers, but then this area of low pressure is going to start to move in from the near continent as we head through tuesday and wednesday. so through the middle parts of next week, it could turn rather unsettled and a little cooler again, but temperatures building again perhaps by the end of the week.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. preparing for a long flight. this plan can stay up in the air almost indefinitely. how?

sunshine- —