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Now here's your host, Shane Bigham, with you on this Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, the Law of Foreign Southern China's examined how to strike a balance between AI application and governance.
Days of talks in Saudi Arabia on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine have ended without a joint statement.
The US National Security Advisor has taken full responsibility for an embarrassing security leak involving attack plans in Yemen.
In business, China's expanded Visa Free Policy for foreign visitors marks 100 days.
In sports, China's road to the FIFA World Cup next year just got a bit harder in Culture & Entertainment, a UN dynasty exhibition at the National Museum of Classic Books in Beijing.
Now checking the day's top stories.
Striking a balance between AI applications and governance has topped the agenda at the ongoing Bao Forum for Asia in southern China.
Participants are discussing the latest developments and artificial intelligence as well as increasing the technology's application.
They also proposed setting technical standards and called for international coordination to address the potential risks and challenges of AI.
A data shows East Asia led international patent filings in 2023 accounting for more than 62 % of the total.
A separate set of data from the World Intellectual Property Organization showed that in the past decade, China's filed the world's most generative AI patents six times more than the United States.
And second, Lily Liu has more at the Boao Forum.
The energy inside the conference hall is just electric, especially when executives of technology firms draw in swarms of journalists the moment that is stepping into the venue, which is a clear sign of how AI has taken center stage here.
Now, if we read into one of the 2025 annual session topics strengthening AI application and governance for innovation -driven development, this resonates differently from previous years.
as discussions we are not only focused on the pure technological advancements itself but governance frameworks and sustainable growth engines.
Now the excitement here is palpable especially when discussing breakthroughs like Deep -6 viral AI model and those showstopping humanoid robots from China's spring festival gala and in a panel discussion is what stands out is Asia's distinctive collaborative role meaning government officials debating alongside with tech CEOs and academics, they're all seeking that crucial balance between innovation and governance.
Actually, there are more agreements than disagreements, so during the forum on AI governance, participants from government, industry, and academia agreed on the need for a multipolar, inclusive, and bottom -up global institution involving diverse stakeholders.
However, questions remain about its structure, its funding and implementation.
Professor Zhang Xiaojuan of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences emphasized market -driven mechanisms. She said that the market would naturally weed out inefficient players or substandard products, and other panelists advocated for a dedicated agency, with the UN receiving the most votes during the session.
And a proposal was also made for a technical regulatory body, something similar to the ITU, and an economic policy framework, which was suggested by former Finland Prime Minister and Escal Ajo, but funding remains a key challenge.
And there was a collective call for private sector involvement to establish such an institution to lay the foundation for future AI governance.
That was Lilly Lu reporting.
At the Forum, there was a collective call for private sector involvement to lay the foundation for future AI governance.
Former Finnish Prime Minister Escal Ajo and Jeffrey Saks at Columbia University were there.
We have good reasons to be optimistic.
So we are going to get huge benefits for companies, for governments, for governmental institutions, thanks to AI.
It will improve productivity.
But then, at the same time, the fact is that it's very difficult to predict what the consequences of AI will be.
And I think we need some proper rules what we can do with AI.
How these rules will be created, how to achieve common understanding of limits of AI.
I hope that the urban union, China and the United States, the biggest three players, will be able to work together because it's a benefit for all that these kind of common rules will be designed.
China is innovating many systems when it came to AI and large language models the United States thought well we are many many years in advance and then deep -seek came along out of nowhere I would say and so this was a tremendous breakthrough for the whole world because suddenly it put AI not in the hands of Microsoft or Metta or a couple of or OpenAI a few giants but now available for everybody.
So now China is becoming the basis of worldwide open source AI not proprietary and that's a quite stunning idea.
Not only the innovation of deep -seek but the fact that it's open -source has changed dramatically, but I did always say the United States would not maintain its lead uniquely against China.
Now it's Professor Jeffrey Sachs at Columbia University.
Earlier we asked Chinese AI model deep -seek where tech investment is going.
The result shows that money is pouring into AI that creates content and helps programmers.
Global investors are keen on putting money on the chips and data centers that power these AIs.
Specialized AI products for fields like health care and finance are also drawing attention.
In the meantime, DeepSeek says within 10 years, AI won't just be a helper but a real partner in our lives and will need to need new global rules to make sure that humans and machines work together safely.
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing global trade dynamics with businesses exploring ways to harness its potential for market analysis and improve deficiency.
At this year's Bao Forum for Asia, there are discussions focusing on the role of AI in boosting economic growth.
For more on its impact on global trade and China's evolving strategy, Tian Lu had an interview with former Undersecretary of State Michelle Garacci at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.
At this year's Bao Forum, there is a strong focus on innovation and technology.
So how is AI currently impacting global trade?
So this is a new development, like all the new AI applications.
We are still in the confusing period of development.
We have a good initiative like Ypsik, Quame, and others that are showing what the AI could do.
But we are almost at the beginning, like in the internet time 20 years ago.
That the company was starting.
And we need to then understand which will be the application that will be successful.
But in terms of trade, I think the application of AI, what I'm using is to give analysis.
So I use TipSik and others to do analysis of my trade very fast. With Asia playing an increasingly vital role in global trade, what unique opportunities or challenges do you see for Asian economies as they adopt AI technologies to boost trade growth?
Like all new technologies, as I said in the beginning, it's an opportunity by the source to be disruptive.
For example, we need to see the impact on jobs.
I tell you, many trade analysts could be replaced by AI.
That's one aspect. AI is the advantage of raising the quality of the information.
And when there is more information, companies are more willing to trade with each other.
How do you see China leveraging AI to enhance the trade efficiency and drive innovation in international markets?
Chinese companies, if they start to use AI, China now has a problem of weak demand in Europe.
So the AI can help the Chinese exporter to shift into the growth markets, which are the BRI markets, South Asian countries and Africa.
So the AI, I think it's a tool that would be should be used for them to learn what to do with their markets.
That was Tian Liu speaking with Michelle Garacci on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in Southern China.
Coming up, talks in Saudi Arabia on a Ukraine ceasefire have ended without a joint statement from negotiators.
The US is attempting to revive its shipyards, not with innovation, but with tariffs.
A hefty 1 .5 million US dollar fee on China -made bulk ships could shake global shipping.
Will it backfire on the US?
Can America rebuild its industry, and will business pressure sink the plan before it sets sail?
Check out this week's chat lounge wherever you listen to podcasts.
And I'll see you tn radio.
Ten minutes past the hour now, three days of talks in Saudi Arabia on a possible Ukraine cease fire have ended without a joint statement.
Russia, Ukraine and the US shared mixed views on the discussions and it's unclear if an agreement will follow.
Nadia Swan reports from Riyadh.
After three days of intensive negotiations in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, between the United States and teams from Russia and Ukraine, the United States has announced a breakthrough in partial ceasefire talks.
The White House says it has reached separate agreements with both countries to ensure safe navigation for shipping vessels in the Black Sea.
It also said the two sides agreed to, quote, develop measures for implementing a ban on airstrikes on each other's energy facilities.
The agreements could be the opportunity that the United States has been looking for to bring about a more comprehensive peace deal for the conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky speaking at a conference in Kyiv said he would rely on the United States to enforce the deals, but raised questions about the consequences evidences of the agreement being violated by Russia.
It doesn't say in the statement what happens if someone violates the agreement.
I understand why. Because the American side really wanted all this not to fall apart.
These are the first agreements.
They don't want them to fall apart.
This is why they did not want to go into many details.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also insisted on clear guarantees to hold the Ukrainians accountable for any breaches.
Some of the key points include a commitment from the United States to help restore Russian access to markets for its agricultural exports, with the Kremlin insisting that many international sanctions against Russia need to be lifted.
They will be looking at them, and we're thinking about all of them right now.
about five or six conditions.
We're looking at all of them.
Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umarov, said any Russian military vessels outside the eastern part of the Black Sea would be considered a violation and Ukraine would have the full right to self -defense.
As part of the agreement the United States has vowed help bring about the return of Ukrainian children forcibly displaced to Russia, implement prisoner swaps and the release of civilians.
Ukraine's European allies are concerned that U .S. President Donald Trump may agree to deal with his Russian counterpart that sidelines Europe and threatens its security.
The United States' ambitions for a more comprehensive ceasefire to cover the whole of Ukraine may be somewhat further down the line.
As Nadia Swan reporting from Riyadh, Reuters reports that the U .S. has agreed to help lift sanctions on Russian food, fertilizer and shipping companies in exchange for a Black Sea security deal.
Dachet Chernyshova reports from Moscow.
We finally have the statement from the Kremlin, which suggests that indeed, Moscow and Washington have agreed to ensure the implementation of the so -called Black Sea initiative, which includes ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, the nonuse of forests and the prevention of the use of commercial vessels for military purposes while organizing the appropriate control measures on those vessels.
Moscow also says that there has been the agreement with the United States that Washington will help restore Russia's access for agricultural and fossilizers markets, however, both of those clauses could only come in force only after there is some lifting of sanctions, and that means the restoration of the swift -to -swift payment system for Russia's Rosilhosbank, that's the bank that is mainly used for the agricultural exports, as well as some other financial institutions that are involved in the exports of food from Russia and other trade moments here, including the trade of fertilizers, opening
of the necessary correspondent accounts.
All these issues have to be resolved for the implementation of that Black Sea initiative.
We're also hearing that some other financial operations have to be no longer under the international sanctions.
Moscow has been saying before that those were indeed the sanctions sanctions that prevented Russia from normal trade that have resulted in additional cost and that was not beneficial for the market.
We also understand that Moscow will be looking for the lifting of the restrictions on servicing of its vessels in ports and many, many other sanctions.
And only after those sanctions are lifted or at least somehow eased, Moscow says for clauses that provide for the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative could actually be enforced.
will also understand that they will be working on the mechanisms to withdraw from these great partial ceasefire or to extend it for longer than 30 days.
Now it's Dasha Chernasova reporting.
Moscow and Washington agree on the need for Black Sea peace.
But it's unclear how Europe will react.
Poppy and Putin reports from Washington, DC.
Europeans of course in recent weeks have been very clear that Ukrainian sovereignty is their priority.
and that the defense of Europe is absolutely critical, not just for Ukraine, but for all of Europe.
So they're going to demure as it relates to these sanctions.
It's notable that while the US has committed to assisting Russia gain into world markets again and help assist with some of these sanctions being lifted, I should say, it's not entirely in control of how Europe reacts.
facts, many sanctions, are Europe led.
And so there's some confusion about how much leverage the U .S. could possibly have. But of course, we do know that in terms of contributing arms and financial resources, the U .S. has been critical for Ukrainian defense in this ongoing conflict.
And while the Europeans have said that they are building up their own defense force and they have gathered this coalition of the willing, they are still in need of what they call that U .S. backstop.
So they're going to be trading a very fine line in terms of following suit where the U .S. is concerned while still maintaining their perspective that U .S. defence is of critical importance.
That was Poppy Imputing reporting.
With more we have Li Dong -ning speaking with chair Professor Rong Ying at Sichuan University.
The talks in Riyadh represent so far the clearest sort of progress being achieved.
The issues on the table are very much complicated and it looks like they are interrelated, linked to each other, difficult to entangle, but that is exactly the way technical expert level negotiations that has been supposed to be.
So the conditions now on the ground and solutions would have to be formed.
I think the United States is going to certainly face the test about its capabilities and the negotiation skills to bring these differences together to the final sort of completion, kind of complete ceasefire and leading to the end of this conflict.
Mr Rong, let's take a look at the Russia's preconditions for black sea security maritime security deal which includes the lifting sanctions on food and fertilizer and also some shipping restrictions would you make those demands do you think they're going to be met well it's difficult to say whether they're going to be met or not but I think it definitely it's a reasonable and understandable for Russia to make After all, I think these issues, the conditions that have been laid out by Russia, are not new.
It has been there ever since the beginning of this conflict, but mostly importantly I think it has very much contained there in the failed U .N. Broghead Black Sea Game Initiative back in July 2022.
So I think for Russia, they understand, I mean, putting these conditions on the table and to push for, kind of it as exchange for ceasefire is reasonable.
I think the lower, or the lowest hanging fruits for this conflict regarding ceasefire, regarding peace deal is its impact and negative impact, certainly to Russia and Ukraine, but also to the world at large.
Remember, both Russia and Ukraine are the largest, I think, two of the largest exporters of food, of grain and fertilizer.
So it was certainly very much helpful for Russia and Ukraine, and Russia has made the point of the condition.
And Ukraine, too, to have some sort of relaxation or lift of restrictions or disruptions in and that, that will very much help them economically.
That was Rongying at Sichuan University.
In Haiti, violent clashes continue in Port -au -Prince.
Raising fears the capital could soon fall into the hands of armed gangs.
The past month alone saw over 60 ,000 people forced to flee their homes.
A US Special Envoy says, Washington's developing a strategy to support the Caribbean Nation's police forces.
Haitian police and international security groups have been able to fend off gangs from some areas, but they're far from containing the violence.
Harold Isaac reports from Port -au -Prince.
Haiti is in the grip of one of its worst crises in recent history.
Arm groups have tightened their control over large parts of the capital of Port -au -Prince and beyond, leaving millions trapped in a cycle of violence, displacement and economic despair.
The political landscape remains fragile, with the Transitional Presidential Council struggling to assert its authority amid infighting and public distrust. The United Nations says the security crisis has forced over one million people in total to flee their homes with a sharp increase in displacements seen last year.
Humanitarian agencies say about half of the population is facing acute food shortages.
Many displaced citizens have sought refuge in makeshift shelters with little access to food, water or medical care, and yet gang violence continues to escalate with kidnappings, extortion and killings pushing the country especially the metropolitan area of Port -au -Prince further into turmoil.
For now, many Haitians are left to fend for themselves, inflation is soaring, basic services are collapsing and food insecurity is worsening.
This and the uptick in gang violence taking place despite the presence of UN backed international forces led by Kenya, millions here wonder.
when sustainable relief will ever come.
We have nowhere to go.
All of us sleeping at the gas station have nowhere to go.
I just have one thing to say to the government— They have to do something for us.
Help. The government of my country helps.
We can't run anymore.
The government of my country does something.
Haiti today stands at a crossroads, grappling with a deepening security crisis, political uncertainty and a humanitarian catastrophe.
The road ahead remains uncertain, but for many, the urgency for change has never been greater.
That was Harold Isaac on the worsening security situation in Haiti.
Coming up, Trump's national security advisor takes the blame for an embarrassing security leak.
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Round 23, past the hour, the Trump administration is under sustained pressure over a national security breach. Top security officials discussed war plans against Yemen's Houthis in an online group chat that accidentally included a journalist. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has taken full responsibility for the leak, calling it embarrassing.
Democrats are demanding the resignation of Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Jim Spellman reports from Washington, DC.
The story is sending shockwaves through Washington.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor -in -chief at the Atlantic magazine, revealing that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz inadvertently included him in a private group chat discussing military plans on the commercially available encrypted app, Signal.
Why would they do it on Signal?
Why would they do this on a messaging app?
And why would they invite the Editor -in -Chief of the Atlantic to watch?
The chat included more than a dozen national security officials including Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President J .D.
Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The topic plans to launch attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
After the U .S. missiles hit their targets in Yemen, the text thread included congratulations and emojis.
The White House has confirmed the authenticity of the messages.
Since the article was published Monday, Trump Administration has been in damage control mode.
At a Senate hearing, Gabbard and Ratcliffe argued that Signal is an approved app for some nonclassified uses.
My communications, to be clear in a signal message group, were entirely permissible and lawful and did not include classified information.
Hey, Seth denied wrongdoing and attacked Goldberg.
Nobody was texting war plans.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Thank you. No, that's a lie.
He was texting war plans.
He was texting attack plans.
I continue not to publish it because it felt like it was too confidential.
to technical and I worry, honestly, that sharing that kind of information in public could endanger American military personnel.
It's bad enough that a private citizen was added to this chain.
But it's far worse that sensitive military information was exchanged on an unauthorized application.
You can't have it both ways.
These are important jobs, this is our national security.
The chat also included divergent views about attacking the Houthi rebels, with Vance pushing for restraint and others backing the attacks.
Democrats and other critics of the Trump administration are calling for National Security Adviser Mike Walts to be fired, saying his actions were reckless.
Some Republicans are wondering why Walts had Jeffrey Goldberg's cell phone number in the first place.
But President Trump says Walz put learned a lesson and the White House still supports him, at least for now.
It wasn't classified information, so this was not classified now, but classified information, it's probably a little bit different.
But I always say, you have to learn from every experience.
I think it was very unfair the way they attacked Michael.
He's a big person. That was Jim Spelman's report on the aftermath of the security breach in the United States.
and the leaked messages of also shed light on the escalating discord between the US and its long term allies across the Atlantic as top Trump aides openly accused Europe of freeloading.
Earlier, pandong spoke with Unter Tangan at the Taia Institute in Asia narrative sub stack.
They discuss the seriousness of Washington's security blunder and how it might affect relations with US allies.
This is a major security breach. Uh it breaks many laws including about this disclosure and transparency, you know, it lays bare internal divisions within the cabinet between Vance and the president then back chatting like this is certainly not going to go well with Donald Trump and it's another blow to transatlantic relations which were already teetering very very badly and it calls into question Trump and his appointees ability to govern Well, Miss Teng, it looks like this is also a wake -up call for the Europeans, because from the report published by the Atlantic magazine we can see some quite
harsh words against Europe in that group.
Chad, for example, officials call them freeloaders.
They debated making them pay the US for strikes on a Yemen.
What do you make of the possible ripple effect across the Atlantic, if not a tsunami in the intelligence circle?
So, basically the EU, separate from Europe as a whole, is divided.
You know, their options are pretty small.
They can appease Trump and wait for four years and hopefully, you know, something changes.
But, you know, there's this real issue about the United States and its reliability.
This does not help.
Or, the other option is take the on the economic and military risk of separating from the United States, but that will take time, a whole lot of money, at a time when the EU and Europe are struggling with the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine and a slowdown in their ability to produce.
So there's a real breakdown in trust. It's really hard to imagine how Europe can recover from this.
They might say, as I said before, they can outweigh Trump.
and, you know, Americans are very concerned about anyone coming in, very isolationist, very nativist. And you know, Trump is taking it even further.
Europe looks at what happened to Canada and they're horrified.
Here's a nation that, you know, literally almost blindly follows the U .S. in every kind of foreign escapade war, et cetera, that has been a trusted ally and friend, a trade partner.
and it's treated like it's some sort of pariah.
So you know if they treat your closest ally and neighbour like this, Europe does not have any sense that it will in fact be treated any differently.
That was Aynal Tankin from the Taiha Institute.
We're at 29 past the hour, Beijing down to nine degrees Wednesday evening.
It'll be overcast and 14 on Thursday.
N music's down to 23 then thunder showers in 31.
Elsir in Asia, Islamabad's 14th overnight, then a slight rainfall in 30 on Thursday.
Byen Tien's 23 this evening, then some clouds in 39.
Phnom Penh's down to 25 degrees and then a slight rainfall in 34.
In Africa Nairobi will see a slight rain and 24 degrees on Thursday.
Compatible down to 20 then a slight rain in 26.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, the Boyao Forum in southern China has examined how to strike a balance between AI application and governance.
Days of talks in Saudi Arabia upon a possible ceasefire in Ukraine have ended without a joint statement.
The U .S. National Security Advisor has taken full responsibility for an embarrassing security leak involving attack plans in Yemen.
Shane Begum with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
Listen up. Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers, from the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of pleasures.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet.
Right there in the midst of all, beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
Ever wondered what's actually going on in Africa through the perspective of an African?
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Find this on your favorite podcast. We'll see you there Examining the events that impact and shaped China and the rest of the world This is the Beijing hour one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday now Here's your host shame nigga with you on this Wednesday still to come business China's expanded visa -free policy for foreign visitors marks 100 days In sports, China's Road to the FIFA World Cup next year just got a bit harder and called sure an entertainment a UN dynasty exhibition at the National Museum of Classic Books in Beijing.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn .com or follow our X account at cgtnradio.
Now checking the day's headline news.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Shui Xiang is calling on Hainan Free Trade Port to develop into a gateway that leads China's opening up in the new era.
During an inspection tour in the southern province, Ding visited an airport in Harbour to learn about preparations for the independent customs operations of the free trade port.
Hainan's hosting the Boa Al Forum for Asia annual conference.
This year's gathering reflects efforts in Asia to promote multilateralism, boost development and jointly respond to global challenges.
The Forum has released its Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress annual report, which projects Asia's GDP to expand by 4 .5 % this year.
Senior Chinese diplomat, Wang Yi, says, the country is willing to carry out dialogue and consultation with the US in the spirit of equality and mutual respect to address reasonable concerns.
He made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Evan Greenberg, Executive Vice -Chair of the National Committee on US -China Relations.
One called on the two sides to strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding, avoid miscalculation, and manage differences.
You also express hope that the National Committee on US -China Relations and People From All Walks of Life in the US will make new contributions to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral ties.
Greenberg said the US -China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world.
He said the two sides should utilize their experience and wisdom to enhance understanding, expand cooperation, and live in harmony.
An official from China's central government has blasted the Democratic Progressive Party authorities claim that the mainland is obstructing freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.
The spokesperson from the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said both sides of the strait are Chinese territory and there are no so -called international waters in the region.
He noted that China respects all navigation rights in accordance with international and Chinese laws, but firmly opposes illegal activities that undermine China's sovereignty and security under the guise of freedom of navigation.
Forestry authorities in South Korea say wildfires in the country southeast have killed at least 20 people.
The blazes have scorched 14 ,000 hectares of land.
Strong winds and dry conditions are hindering firefighting efforts.
An appeal court in South Korea has acquitted opposition leader Lee Jmyeon of an election law violation.
The Seoul High Court overturned a lower court's ruling, saying the chief of the Democratic Party made no false statements during the last presidential campaign.
In November the sole central district court handed Lee a suspended prison term on charges of dissemination of false information during the 2022 presidential election.
Prosecutors had sought a two -year jail sentence for him.
The White House says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a Black Sea ceasefire came after the United States held separate talks with Kiev and Moscow.
The US says they'll ensure safe passage for commercial shipping and stop military strikes in the waterway.
The Kremlin says Russia's approved a list of energy facilities spared during a 30 -day partial ceasefire.
Moscow and Washington also agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky says this country did not reach any agreements with the United States or Russia regarding territories.
U .S. and Ukrainian delegations had a second round of discussions in Saudi Arabia following US talks with Russia.
Zelensky said Washington's delivered a new proposal on minerals in Ukraine.
U .S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz says he's taking full responsibility for the inclusion of a journalist in an online chat about military plans in Yemen.
But he denied knowledge of how it happened and promised an investigation.
Waltz and several high -ranking officials of administration under U .S. President Donald Trump have been under fire after the potential breach of national security protocols.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is urged protesters to stay within bounds, after six nights of protests calling for the release of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekram Emmelu.
I invite everyone to know their limits, maintain moderation and not across the line between seeking rights and insult and vandalism.
Those who spread terror in the streets and want to turn this country into a fire have no destination.
The path they take is a dead end.
In Malolu is the president's main rival, and he is in jail on corruption charges.
Protesters have called the arrest political.
But the government says the courts act independently.
This is Shane Bingham in the Chinese capital.
Coming up in business, China's expanded visa -free policy for foreign visitors marks 100 days.
Thank you, Shane. Stock market is on the Chinese mainland close lower on Wednesday, the Shanghai composite remained almost flat, while the Shenzhen component lost around 0 .1%.
Pet care and home appliances led the gainers.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market had ended higher, with the Hangsan index up almost 0 .6%.
Meantime stocks in Japan also gained a little with the Nikkei up over 0 .6%.
China is marking 100 days since its updated visa -free transit policy went into effect.
The policy allows eligible foreign nationals to stay in the country for up to 10 days.
Zhou Yang takes a look at how this move has boosted travel.
March 26 marks the 100th day since China extended its visa -free transit policy, providing travelers with up to 10 days of visa -free travel in designated areas.
So today we are paying a visit to the Beijing International Airport to see how the policy is boosting international tourism and business activities.
it's better for us and for people from other countries to see your country have a problem and travel with Visa because it's waste a lot of time to create the visa and right now it's quicker yeah yeah under a term passport visa -free it's the best super convenient yeah and super super attractive last December China further optimize these visa -free policy for foreigners in transit from 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany and more.
Under the new policy, visitors from these countries who transit through China to a third country or region can enter through visa free if they stay for no more than 10 days.
And during this day, they can engage in tourism, business and family visits.
As of March the 26th, the policy has been implemented for 100 days.
From last December the 17th to March the 26th, the Beijing General Station of Immigration Inspection handled over 1 .3 million trips of passengers' entries and access, among which 310 passenger trips were coming under the 240 -hour visa -free transit policy, an increase of 150 year a year.
The gross momentum of cross -border tourists is significant.
Meanwhile, authorities have also taken several measures to facilitate the procedures for foreigners to go through border inspection.
For example, designating a special zone for passengers arriving under the visa free transit policy, allowing foreigners to acquire temporary entry permits and going through border inspection at the same counter as well as providing multilingual services.
With the implementation of the new visa -free transit policy, we have also established a multilingual duty team to provide onsite Q &A, consultation, and guidance services for passengers.
Just like the multilingual duty team I am in, police officers can speak 10 different languages, such as English, Russian, German, French, Italian, and other languages.
With China continuing to boost the openness and expanding its circle of friends, China Travel has become a buzz phrase on global social media platforms. And data released by the National Immigration Administration shows that last year, over 20 million foreigners entered China under its visa -free policy up more than 112 % year on year.
China Travel just pick up and go.
There was You Yang reporting.
For more on this, Lincoln Humphreys also spoke with Du Jia -Yi, a research fellow at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
It's been 100 days since China implemented the 240 -hour, 10 -day visa -free policy.
How has this policy performed in terms of increasing economic consumption and cultural people to people exchanges?
Oh yes, the policy is already showing great signs of success, not just in food traffic But in spending power and cross -cultural exchange, international visitors now have the opportunity to encounter everyday China beyond the headlines.
These encounters often leave lasting impressions.
By linking cultural exploration with everyday spending, the initiative offers a blueprint for how soft power and economic vitality can reinforce each other in a globalized area.
The policy forced genuine people to people exchanges, conversations between travellers and locals, whether in a tea house or a high -speed train or a museum, built people to people bridges.
To what extent has this policy enhanced the global perception of China's openness to the rest of the world?
Yes, the policy has delivered a powerful symbolic message.
China is open, accessible, and welcoming.
It is an invitation to experience China's rich cultural experience first -hand.
It signals that China is actively inviting dialogue into action and first -hand experience.
Global airlines and the tourism bureaus have embarrassed messaging opportunity using the policy to promote multi -city travel routes through China.
This reinforces the idea of China as a connector, not just in trade or infrastructure, but in global human exchange.
We can see comments on international social media platforms review a consistent theme, present surprise.
Visitors speak of China's efficient airports, help for locals and vibrant cities by giving travelers the opportunity to form their own impressions.
The visa -free policy is helping enhance China's image not through grand statement, but through the quiet power of everyday encounters.
There was Du Jiayi at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities say they will increase the number of duty -free shops and streamline tax refund procedures for international visitors to stimulate consumer spending.
The new measures combining tourism and retail development aim to unlock greater spending potential.
The plans include special promotions for green smart and healthcare products to boost sales.
Official figures show China's social retail sales grew 4 % on a yearly basis through the first two months, signaling a steady recovery in the consumer market.
China's C919 aircraft will begin operation on a new route, Linking Xi 'an in the northwest with Guangzhou in the south on March 30.
years. China Eastern Airline says that their new services will be the third domestic air route from Xi 'an using the C919.
The others are from Xi 'an to Beijing and Shanghai.
China Eastern Airline started using the C919 for regular flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong in January.
This airline was the first in the world to receive the Chinese aircraft and put it into operation in May 2023.
US food prices continue their upward climb for the month of February.
Food prices were up 2 .8 % from the same period of last year.
Retail ag prices surged almost 60 % due to ongoing bird flu outbreaks.
Prices for supermarket food purchases were up just under 2 % and while rent -strand purchase prices were nearly 4 percent higher than last February.
Official data shows American consumer confidence has plunged in March to its lowest level in more than four years.
It said that US households are worried about recession and higher inflation from the Trump administration's tariffs.
The recession fear in the US is also evident in the latest quarterly CNBC CFO Council survey, According to the report, around 60 % of the chief financial officers the U .S. economy will go into recession in the second half of the year.
Rating agency Moody's has already warned that Trump's SPARIFs could make it difficult for the U .S. to cope with rising debt in a higher interest rate environment.
German automaker BMW has announced a launch of a 360 -degree 4 chain artificial intelligence strategy in China.
The strategy aims to accelerate the integration of AI across its operations in the country.
According to the German automaker, the strategy has three main pillars including enhancing user experiences, empowering business processes and fostering supply chain cooperation.
The German company says it will launch the first China -made next -generation model in 2026.
The new model will integrate AI -powered large -language models and intelligence systems, which can enhance the seamless interaction between cars and drivers.
With research and development centers in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang, BMW has established its largest R &D network outside of Germany in China.
Since the year 2010, the company's investment in its Shenyang production base has totaled US $160 billion or around US $60 billion, making the northeastern city home to its largest production facility worldwide.
After losing automatic spots for the World Cup next year with two brutal qualifier losses, analysis, Team China now faces another crossroad.
Is this the end of the road?
Put a spark for historic comeback.
This week on S sightline story, we decode the Chinese team's prospects for 2026.
Subscribe to S sightline story wherever you listen to podcasts.
For our unfiltered analysis and fiery debates about Chinese football's win or go home moments.
47. Pass the hour of the sport.
Here's Yang Guang. Thank you, Shane.
We begin with the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
China's already slim chances of reaching next year's finals took another turn for the worse, with a 2 -0 defeat to Australia in Hangzhou.
Two goals in the first half left team – China at the bottom of Group C with two games left and minus 13 goal difference.
China must earn wins over Indonesia and Bahrain in June to keep the World Cup dream alive.
Head coach Branko Ivankovic said the next two matches are the key.
In my first pre -match press conference of this stage of the World Cup qualification, I said our goal is to finish top four in the group.
For the next few months, our players need to find their match rhythm in the league and we will be back for the last two matches in June.
Those two matches are the key.
The results of the match will decide if we can finish top 4 in the group.
Australia solidified its grip on second place in Group C with 13 points, after Dwayne and is looking to following the footsteps of already -qualified Japan.
In Group A, leaders Iran skewed the qualification for what will be their seventh World Cup next year following a 2 -0 draw with Uzbekistan.
Defending champion Argentina has skewed the berth in next year's FIFA World Cup by cruising to a 4 -1 home victory of our tribal Brazil.
Julian Alvarez, Anso Fernandes and Alexis Macalister scored the first half goals for Argentina before Gigliano Simioni added the fourth.
Matthias Cunha scored only goal for Brazil.
Argentina coach Liano Scaloni praised his side's teamwork.
This is a team victory we played as a team and that's why we minimized Brazil.
It's The only way to be able to beat them, this team, these players, by playing as a team.
And I couldn't tell you if it's the best victory.
I think we have played great matches, we have done a lot of good things in other games.
The important thing is to know what we need to do in each game and the guys interpreted it very well." The result leaves Group leader Argentina with 31 points from 14 qualifiers.
8 points ahead of second -placed Ecuador.
door. Brazil is 4th in the 10 -team South American zone standings with 21 points.
Still in football, well, the senior squad doesn't have much to shout about right now, China's under -22 team had cause for celebration.
The hosts won an international -friendly competition in dian cheng thanks to a 1 -all draw with Vietnam.
China almost took the lead in the 28th minute, one Kwai Juen was denied by the bar.
Just before break, Vietnam's Uwanko VR saw his first touch go right into the bottom corner, giving he signed the lead against the run -off play.
But the hosts had a chance to get level in the second half, a high boot called Mataplii Imichari.
The referee pointed to the spot and Captain Nafear Din Oskiya Cooley converted the penalty.
China finished unbeaten in the round -robin tournament including a goalie's draw with Wuth -Bagestan and a one -year victory over South Korea.
Turning to tennis, top seed arena Sabalanka has skewed her spot in the Miami Open semifinal for the first time in her career.
She defeated ninth seed Zhengxin winner of China in straight sets in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Sabalanka cruised through to the open sets, breaking Zheng twice to take it 6 -2.
However, the second set turned into a tense battle, with both players struggling on serve.
Sabalanka managed to seal the set 7 -5.
The victory extended Sabalanka's dominant head -to -head record against Cenan to 6 end O.
Sabalanka will next face sixth seed Jasmin Paolinio of Italy for placing a final.
Also on Tuesday, China's Zhang Shui and Alice Mertens of Belgium faltered in the women's doubles quarterfinals.
They lost 4 -6, 7 -5, 10 -8 to Japan's Miu Kato and Cristina Busca of Spain.
On the man's side, Novak Djokovic bounced to the Miami Open quarter -finals after a dominant performance against the 15th seed, Lorenzo Mosetti.
Djokovic will face Sparsian Kuda in the last eight, as he looks to add another Masters 1000 title to his collection.
And finally, in basketball news from the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is taking blood -thinning medication after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.
The bugs provided updates on the 7 -time all NBA guard status without offering a target date for his potential return.
Lillard has missed the last three games for the bugs.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside the blood vessel.
Lillard is the second high -profile player to be sidelined this season because of the condition.
Victor Vembanjama of the Antonio Spurs was diagnosed with it in his shoulder after he returned from the All Star Game last month and was quickly ruled out for the season.
He is also on blood -thinning medication but doctors have assured the experts that there is no concern for Wenban Yamas' long -term health.
Such cases have affected NBA players before including Hall of Famer Chris Barsch, whose career was cut short after he was diagnosed with blood clots while playing with Miami.
Thank you very much. That was Yongkwa with Sports.
Coming up in culture and entertainment, a Yuan Dynasty exhibition at the National Museum of Classic Books in Beijing.
Experience the musical classics of the East, mingle with the masters of Chinese Music, Music Talks.
Witness the Sound of Antiquity and Modernity.
It's 53 past the hour, turning to Culture and Entertainment.
China's National Museum of Classic Books is displaying cultural relics from the Taoist Yongle Palace in Shanxi Province.
Located in Yunqiang, the Yuan Dynasty complex is famous for its breathtaking murals.
One of the relics on display is a Qiuen, a roof ornament on ancient Chinese buildings.
High with the Shanxi Institute of Ancient Architecture explains the heritage of this relic.
Since the Yuan Dynasty, Qiuen has utilized glazed edges, greatly enhancing the artistic quality of architecture.
This tradition has been passed down through the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the glazed forms we see today in structures like the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City are a testament to this legacy.
The exhibition blends precious artefacts with cutting -edge digital technology offering an immersive experience that brings the artistic charm of Yongle Palace to life.
The exhibition will run until the end of August. the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute is hosting the touring exhibition of the 60th Venice International Art Biennale, China Pavilion.
A highlight of this digital documentation of 100 ancient Chinese paintings currently housed or is the digital documentation of 100 ancient Chinese paintings currently housed overseas.
One of the paintings is Night Shining White by Han Gan of the Tang Dynasty.
It depicts a fiery, tempered steed of Emperor Xuanzong.
Wang Xiaosong from the School of Art and Archaeology in Zhejiang University is the curator of the exhibition.
Most of this featured Chinese paintings spent from the pre -Qing period to the Han, Tang and Qing dynasties.
The paintings had been almost fully restored, close to more than 90 % of their original color.
90 % in white has been studied by nearly hundreds of western scholars.
In terms of the relationship between man and nature, between man and society, which convey the values of harmony and beauty rooted in Chinese culture.
The display is part of a larger digital collection amassed over 20 years from home and abroad.
The exhibition also showcases the creations of seven Chinese contemporary artists.
It'll run until April the 10th.
Nejia II, the highest grossing animated film of all time, has premiered in Cambodia.
Legend Cinema, Cambodia's leading movie theater, was the first to screen the film which was dubbed in Chinese.
It scheduled 139 screenings of the Chinese animated blockbuster in its over 10 cinemas across Cambodia on Tuesday.
Based on a 16th century Chinese myth with bold reinterpretation, the film has captivated global audiences with its stunning visuals and well -crafted storytelling.
Legend Cinema said the film is set to have over 100 screenings per day across Cambodia next week.
The Nezha animated film franchise has grossed over 20 billion yuan or roughly 2 .8 billion US dollars in total box office revenue.
The latest installment, Nezha 2 has generated over 15 .3 billion yuan as of Sunday afternoon.
Well, its 2019 predecessor contributed an additional five billion.
Released during Chinese New Year, the film currently ranks fifth on the worldwide box -office chart.
The Afghan government says the country has restored 40 historical monuments and facilities that were at risk of destruction over the past three years.
The Ministry of Information and Culture said Afghanistan's formed a special police security unit to protect ancient artifacts and historical sites.
The ministry said about 8 ,200 foreigners visited the country's historical monuments in 2024.
Online, on air and on your phone.
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From politics and the economy to business and technology.
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Beijing's down to 9 degrees Wednesday evening.
It will be overcast in 14 on Thursday.
Nanschung's down to 23, then thundershowers and 31 degrees.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's down to 14, then a slight rainfall in 30 on Thursday.
Bai Ntian's 23 overnight and then it's cloudy in 39 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, the Bao 'ao Forum southern china's examined how to strike a balance between ai application and governance in days of talks in saudi arabia on a possible cease -fire in ukraine have ended without a joint statement on behalf of the staff this is shane bigham in the chinese capital hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing hour and open a window to the world together Found the Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time.
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The Beijing Hour – your window on China, and the rest of the world.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made the living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much. The Yellow River, the second -longest river in China ...
regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy, and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 % of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters, and what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river and what has drawn others back.
Could the fading fishing community revive in the time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024, our reporters visited the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yellow River, talked to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen, and eco -activists, who share a close bond with the river and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos, or in our 12 part series, the Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
