This week on World Beat, we’re sipping on a story that blends global diplomacy with a strong caffeine kick.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang recently visited Indonesia and Malaysia, attending high-level talks and a major summit in Kuala Lumpur. But alongside the handshakes and speeches, another connection is brewing -- coffee.

From bean exports and booming cafe culture to surprising flavor fusions, coffee is becoming an unexpected bridge between China and Southeast Asia.

Timeline:

00:44 – China’s growing coffee trade with Indonesia and Malaysia

01:51 – Coffee brands crossing borders: Luckin, Kopi Kenangan, and more

03:22 – What’s driving the surge? China’s booming coffee market

04:18 – Flavor innovation: Luckin x Kweichow Moutai’s viral latte

05:23 – Aiwei’s trip to Yunnan and a chat with a coffee farmer in Pu’er

07:04 – Changing tastes: The rise of coffee culture in China

08:29 – Yunnan coffee goes global -- now exported to nearly 30 countries