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This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shape 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.
Tianlu with you on this Friday, March the 13th, 2026.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China and the United States will hold a new round of economic and trade talks.
As Vice Premier He Lifeng leads the Chinese delegation to France,
China says its newly approved 15th Five-Year Plan is also an invitation to all countries for shared progress.
And in his first public message, Iran's new supreme leader has vowed full revenge for the US-Israeli attack on his country.
In business, China's marine economy grew steadily in 2025.
In sports, China lost to Belgium in their second qualifying game for the FIBA Women's World Cup.
In culture and entertainment, Chinese writers and publishers attend the London Book Fair.
Now checking today's top stories.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry says Beijing and Washington have agreed to hold a new round of economic and trade talks.
Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead the Chinese delegation to France from Saturday to Tuesday.
China says both sides will follow the consensus reached between the two heads of state during their meeting in Busan, South Korea, and their previous phone calls.
Meantime, China says the U.S.
Section 301.
Investigations under the pretext of overcapacity are an act of unilateralism and will severely undermine the international trade order.
China's Commerce Ministry said the United States does not have the right to determine whether a trade partner has excess capacity.
A spokesperson said China is also evaluating US investigations on 60 economies over alleged failure to curb the import of goods produced with forced labor.
Weeks after the U.S.
Supreme Court struck down many of the Trump administration's emergency tariffs.
The White House says it will launch investigations into key trading partners, including China, the European Union and Mexico, a move that could lead to new or higher import taxis.
The announcement comes as the U.S. government says it is making progress on a plan to refund 1%.
$166 billion in tariff payments.
Walter Morris reports from Washington, D.C.
The court filing Thursday, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officials said the government is coming up with a four-part tariff repayment system.
The government will use that system to refund $166 billion in tariffs paid last year plus interest.
And the official says the government is about 40 to 80 percent complete with developing that protocol.
Now that update comes as The Trump administration is taking steps to replace the reciprocal tariffs that were struck down by the US.
Supreme Court in February.
This week, the U.S.
Trade Representative announced it will investigate relationships with several key trading partners.
The administration says it will begin with China Mexico, the EU and more than a dozen other economies.
Officials say the investigations will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the government to impose tariffs on goods imported from nations that engage in unfair trade practices.
Last month, the U.S.
Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration did not have the authority to impose controversial reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Following that decision, Trump imposed a blanket 10% global tariff tax on all imports.
Under the law, those tariffs will expire in 150 days unless approved by Congress.
Senior administration officials say that new investigations will pave the way to impose new, higher tariffs.
Shortly after the announcement, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry weighed in.
China's position on dealing with China-U.S. trade issues is consistent and clear.
It opposes various unilateral tariff measures.
Tariff and trade wars do not serve the interests of any side.
Both sides should resolve issues through consultations on the basis of fairness, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The so-called overcapacity is a false proposition.
China opposes using it as an excuse for political manipulation.
A spokesperson for the European Commission reacted to the move by the US and said the EU will respond to any breach of last year's trade deal with the US.
And the U.S.
Treasury Secretary says he expects tariff to return to pre-Supreme Court ruling levels by August.
That was Walter Morris in Washington.
The European Commission says it will respond firmly to any breach of commitments under the trade deal with the United States.
The Commission says it will seek further clarification from Washington on how the investigation will interact with the framework agreed under the EU-US joint statement.
Coming up.
China says its newly approved 15th Five-Year Plan is also an invitation to all countries for shared progress.
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It's five minutes past the hour.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has described the country's newly approved 15th five-year plan as not only a blueprint for China's modernization, but also an invitation to all countries for shared progress.
Guo Jiakun said China will adhere to high-quality development, expand opening up and achieve greater self-reliance and strengthen science and technology.
He said China's development of new quality productive forces will inject new impetus into the global economy.
The spokesperson added that China will continue to be a force for peace, stability and justice and work with all countries for win-win cooperation.
Zhao Yunfei, who covered this year's two sessions, has more on the highlights of this year's National People's Congress meetings.
At the closing meeting of the National People's Congress, the lawmakers approved the 15th five-year plan for national economic and social development.
This is a long-term plan for 2026 to 2030.
China has set its goal to basically achieve the socialist modernization by 2035, a milestone to reach through three consecutive five-year plans.
It spans from the 14th five-year plan, which began in 2021, to the 16th five-year plan.
The 15th five-year plan in the middle signals a period of transition.
Now, in the 15th five-year plan, China has put out plans to lay a solid foundation for achieving its 2030 goal of doubling its 2020 per capita GDP to over US20000, a level typically of a moderately developed country.
Now the 15th five-year plan focuses on high-quality development, prioritizing innovation, sustainability and making domestic demand a more prominent economic driver.
Let's take a look at the development and the population.
By the end of these five years, China plans to raise the average life expectancy to 80 years, increase the number of practicing physicians to 37 per 1000 persons and improve the permanent urbanization rate to 71.
The NPC is the legislative guarantor of achieving all of these goals.
Also at Thursday's closing session, the lawmakers voted to adopt the Ecological and Environmental Code, the Ethic Unity and Progress Promotion Law and the National Development Planning Law.
That was Zhao Yunfei reporting.
The newly approved outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development says China will continue to expand high-level opening up in the next five years.
The world's first and China's only zero-lack business zone has opened its inaugural large-scale global exhibition.
Bi Ran visited the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone to find out more.
From international touchdown to the exhibition floor is now a seamless reality in Shanghai, thanks to the full operation of the first phase of a new business zone.
With 48-hour advance registration.
Overseas visitors need only a valid invitation and a passport for visa-free entry and a 30-day stay.
A dedicated 20-minute shuttle from Pudong Airport takes them directly to the zone.
Oh, it was really good, it was amazing, and i think it's very convenient.
This is a totally new experience to me.
I've never i've never seen this kind of special zone.
I've never seen it before.
This special area, then?
Good for business opportunity for shanghai.
These visitors are coming for the appliance and electronics world expo, or awe.
This year's expo features a 30000 square meter space inside the zone, alongside the main city area, bringing together 1200 consumer electronics enterprises from home and abroad.
My flight is like in four hours from now, but I decided to still come here because I have to see what's new here.
I feel like many of the innovations are still only in China, you know.
They are not yet expanded to the whole world.
The benefits of the new business zone extend beyond visa-free access.
For foreigners who need to leave the zone and enter downtown Shanghai for visits or business exchanges.
They can complete the registration procedure in advance at the immigration service window within the zone.
Upon entry into downtown, they are eligible to use the fast-track channel, saving up waiting times.
What's more, a new AI and biometrics-driven drive-through inspection has been launched for cargo vehicles to ease the cross-border transfer of exhibition materials.
Faster and easier.
Shanghai is fostering greater international economic and trade engagement by pursuing higher-level opening up.
That was Bi Ran reporting.
This year's two sessions highlighted the next phase of the rural revitalization strategy, a key pillar of China's new five-year plan and development blueprint.
This initiative aims to modernize rural communities, strengthen food security and boost farm incomes.
But its influence now extends far beyond China's borders, especially to developing regions like Africa, where similar challenges exist.
Ikona Asikulia reports on how China's coordinated policy approach is offering valuable lessons for the rest of the world.
In the mountains of southwestern China, Gulu village looks like a picture of rural tranquility.
But beneath the calm landscape lies a story of transformation.
As an African journalist who has covered development across remote communities back home, walking through this village feels both familiar and surprisingly different.
China's rural revitalization strategy aims to ensure villages have what authorities call basic, modern living conditions.
That includes better sanitation systems, improved waste management, stronger logistics networks and reliable internet connectivity.
Lu Yangying Party Chief of Long'an Village, Sichuan Province, says these are changes that are gradually transforming the countryside, making rural life more comfortable and economically viable.
I believe the future of rural revitalization is prosperous living standards for the people.
We have basically achieved this now.
Some villages have already realized lighting, road paving and greening projects.
Across many parts of Africa, rural communities face challenges that are not very different from what China experienced decades ago limited infrastructure, poor access to markets and declining interest among young people to stay in the countryside.
At least this is potato, that one's potato yeah, this one.
But in gulu village i witnessed how coordinated policies and investment are helping reverse that trend.
The village leader here is also a delegate to China's national legislature, the National People's Congress.
We are not only about getting out of poverty, but now we are getting rich.
From poor to rich, from rich to strong, and finally, we will enter the best stage.
Another priority is creating new economic opportunities.
China is encouraging young people to return to the countryside as agricultural entrepreneurs.
These entrepreneurs are combining farming with industries like e-commerce, tourism and food processing.
For Africa, where millions still depend on agriculture, the idea of planning agricultural economies rather than merely growing crops could be an important lesson.
For me, Visiting Gulu Village is a reminder that rural development does not happen overnight.
It requires long-term planning, investment, and the participation of local communities.
Our policy formulation is not just about making data and frameworks from the top level but, more importantly, our grassroots frontline must implement it effectively And we must treat this work as a primary political task of our country and our party, which we must take seriously.
From better infrastructure to modern agriculture and rural entrepreneurship.
China's rural revitalization strategy is still evolving.
But for Africa, where the countryside remains central to economic growth.
Some of the lessons emerging from villages in China could prove valuable in shaping the economic development of an entire continent.
That was Econa Sicolia reporting.
Following the annual two sessions, Feng Yilei spoke with national lawmaker Lu Yan, who has worked to protect China's rainforests, exploring how green practices are translated into legal guarantees.
More broadly, it highlights how China's domestic achievements and development can benefit the world.
As China's 2026 two sessions come to a conclusion, I catch up a highly followed deputy from Hainan.
Her hometown attracts tourists from both China and abroad with its breathtaking natural scenery.
How do you safeguard this beauty?
We're growing orchids and medicinal fungi under the canopy.
We offer rainforest treks and wellness retreats.
When visitors come, they don't just enjoy the scenery but also understand the life secrets of this green kingdom and take home the seed of conservation.
It's about ensuring that lush forests can thrive amid a tourism boom.
Her county's green success story reached the global stage at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference.
And now, decades of practices like this one is becoming law.
China's new ecological and environmental code enshrines decades of wisdom and commitment like this.
This code provides a sense of certainty amid the uncertainties of global environmental governance.
We would like to share more good practices, standards and governance solutions.
This is just one of the key outcomes of this year's political season that demonstrates that China is not only managing its domestic affairs, but also actively participating in global governance.
As suggested in its roadmap for years ahead, China is determined to move beyond the simple movement of goods and capital toward broader institutional opening up.
Public opinions on the bottlenecks in the country's economic and social development.
Issues that are also universal, from ai governance to care for the aging population, are brought to beijing.
There they are transformed into motions and suggestions and are expected to be translated into institutional arrangements that can make a real difference for the country and beyond.
Addressing global challenges is a shared mission, one that requires every nation to act with the same resolve and commitment to international rules.
China's global governance initiative, put forward by President Xi Jinping, has been echoed by over 150 countries and international organizations.
Encouragingly, I have sensed a palpable shift in international attention on two sessions topics this year, moving from seeking flaws to seeking solutions.
And China stands ready to share its solutions and contribute to the building of international systems based on equitable, orderly and predictable rules.
That was Feng Yilei reporting.
Coming up in his first public message, Iran's new supreme leader has vowed full revenge for the US-Israeli attack on his country.
From epic tales of mystery and magic. to accounts of battle and empire.
From the verses of ancient poets, to the masterpieces of our times.
A light on literature brings to life China's literary heritage and a look at the world in a new light.
Now it's 19 minutes past the hour.
The new supreme leader of Iran has outlined the country's strategic direction amid its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
Moshtaba Khamenei issued his first public message since taking office.
He offered condolences to Iranians killed during the attacks, including his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The new leader also vowed to take full revenge.
While people across the country and around the world were expecting him to appear publicly or release a video message, he instead issued a strategic statement on Thursday.
In addition to an ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Khamenei also pledged to continue attacks on US bases in the region and open new fronts in the conflict.
The message was read out on state TV and was structured in seven parts.
It began by offering condolences for the martyrdom of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He addressed the nation directly, acknowledging that during the days without a leader, it was the insight and presence of the people that safeguarded the country's authority.
He also called on the armed forces to stay strong, saying new fronts will open wherever the enemy is vulnerable.
The Supreme Leader expressed sympathy with the families of Iranians killed in recent wars, saying I share your pain, having lost my own father, wife and sister.
We will not rest until we take full revenge for every drop of blood spilled.
The new 56-year-old leader indicated that He intends to follow the same path as his late father and possibly even escalate the conflict.
Shortly after the statement, the naval forces of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced they would strike the enemy with full force at the Strait of Hormuz, a critical point for global energy, especially after Iran's pledge that not a single liter of oil would pass through.
That was Esen Kivani reporting.
In his statement, the new supreme leader of Iran says Tehran will keep the Strait of Hormuz shut as leverage against the US and Israel.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy says it struck a US-owned oil tanker sailing under the Marshall Islands' flag.
The vessel was reportedly hit after ignoring repeated warnings from the Iranian Navy.
It's also attacked ships belonging to Thailand and Japan.
The Israeli military says strikes on Iran are intensifying daily, claiming to have destroyed hundreds of drones and launchers and dozens of launch sites.
Iran says it has launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and US military bases in the region.
China's ambassador to the United Nations has condemned the US action on Iran, which he says violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
Fucun urged the United States and Israel to immediately stop the military operation and prevent the tension from escalating.
He said resolving the Iran nuclear issue must return to a diplomatic path and maintain fairness and justice.
He said China will play a constructive role in reaching a political settlement.
The top US commander in Europe has confirmed to Congress that the American military was responsible for an airstrike that hit a girls' elementary school in southern Iran, killing at least 165 people, most of them children.
Alexis Grinkovich said the strike resulted from a chain of errors and mistakes.
The confirmation comes a day after the New York Times reported that a preliminary Pentagon investigation found a US
Tomahawk missile struck the school on February 28th.
Officials briefed on the probe said officers at United States Central Command generated the strike coordinates using outdated intelligence provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Footage released by Iranian authorities showed missile fragments from the strike bearing the words Made in USA, along with the names of US defense companies.
Iranian President Massoud Pesachkian condemned the attack, calling it inhumane.
A foreign ministry spokesperson says China condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, adding that strikes on schools are a serious violation of international humanitarian law and cross the bottom line of a human conscience.
Beijing expressed deep condolences for the students killed in the airstrike in southern Iran, and they extended sincere sympathies to the victims' families.
The Red Cross Society of China says it will provide US200000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to the Iranian Red Crescent.
The aid will be used specifically to support and compensate the families of the students who lost their lives.
The United Nations says the recent conflict has displaced more than 4 million people across parts of the Middle East and neighboring regions.
UN spokesman Stefan Dereck says the displaced are in Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon and Pakistan.
He cited figures from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which also reports that about 117000 people have crossed borders to seek refuge in other countries.
Drake says the region already hosts some of the world's largest populations in need of humanitarian assistance, and the latest escalation risks worsening civilian suffering and damaging fragile infrastructure.
Despite Iran's denial that it has laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S.
President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran remove all mines or face military consequences.
Meanwhile, soaring oil and gas prices have added to fears of a looming economic crisis.
Owen Faircloth reports.
If the United States is claiming air superiority in this conflict, with its barrage of missiles and bombs to strike Iran, then it's clear Iran is trying to turn this conflict into a battle for maritime supremacy, notably in the Strait of Hormuz, that narrow stretch of waterway responsible for carrying around a fifth of the world's oil and gas.
And the Iran stranglehold on this region has sent the price of crude oil soaring and along with it, the price of gasoline for consumers both here in the United States and around the world.
Iran is trying to leverage this position by making good on its threats to destroy maritime traffic.
Now it's true that at the moment, it's restricted itself to effectively sinking vessels around the Persian Gulf.
Two tankers sunk off Iraq's coastline, along with another in Bahrain, as part of some 16 vessels that Iran claims to have destroyed in recent days.
Iran's strategy is to try and show dominance and leverage over commercial traffic here, to try and put a stranglehold on so much of the world's economic activity.
Iranian authorities have even floated the idea of trying to push the price of crude oil up to around 200 a barrel.
For context, the record was in 2008, when crude oil rose to just under 150 a barrel during the global financial crisis.
So that would give an indication of just how much more difficult it would be for both US consumers and consumers around the world should the price of energy start to rocket even higher than it has done already.
The U.S.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said this was unlikely, although pointedly didn't rule out that kind of price rise.
So as this conflict escalates around the Straits of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf and switches its focus to maritime traffic, one retired US general told the Middle East Institute on Wednesday that Iranian forces hitting just one US warship in this conflict would have huge value, as this conflict now appears to be a test of how much economic pain the US, and indeed much of the world, can take with these increased fuel prices.
That was Owen Faircloth reporting.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon has warned that the country is facing what he calls a perfect storm of unpredictable challenges amid the impact of the Middle East tensions.
Militant group Hezbollah has exchanged attacks with Israel following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Imran Reza says dozens of children died in just the first week of fighting, while hundreds of thousands of people have become displaced.
He adds that many supplies are scarce and expensive amid the surging oil prices.
The official also says humanitarian workers are facing difficulties in facilitating life-saving aid.
We have to be able to get to people that are in need.
People that are in need also have to be able to get to us.
And that means that there is what we call a humanitarian notification system that sort of deals with the warring parties to allow us to have the access that's happening.
And often you need a reminder from key member states on the belligerence in this to help us have that access.
Reza also calls on all parties to put an end to the fighting.
What we need more than anything is, of course, a return to some normalcy, a stop in the hostilities that's going on.
And that, of course, lies in the political realm.
And so we need the political actors to do what they can.
There are no humanitarian solutions, just as there are no military solutions.
A UN official also urged the protection of civilians and the respect of international humanitarian law.
That's 29 minutes past the hour checking the forecast before the break.
Beijing will see light rain with a low of 4 tonight, then cloudy and 10.
Shanghai will be cloudy with a low of 7 tonight, tomorrow sunny with a high of 17.
Chongqing will be overcast with a low of 16 tonight, then light rain and 19.
Nanshan is down to 9 tonight, tomorrow sunny with a high of 24.
Lhasa will see sleet with a low of 2 tonight, then cloudy and 16.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be overcast with a low of 13 this evening.
Saturday will have light rain with a high of 26 degrees Celsius.
Vientiane is down to 18 overnight, then cloudy and 30 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far.
On this hour, China and the United States will hold a new round of economic and trade talks.
As Vice Premier He Lifeng leads the Chinese delegation to France,
China says its newly approved 15th Five-Year Plan is also an invitation to all countries for shared progress.
Tian Liu with you, stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Shh, 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 glaciers.
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?
How are things really going between China and Africa?
What's the narrative of this relationship?
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Hear from African diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, Chinese natives and more.
Get on our wavelength every week to find out what's real with China Africa Talk.
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We'll see you there examining the events that impact and shape 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.
Hello with you on this friday.
Still to come in business, china's marine economy grew steadily in 2025 exports.
China lost to belgium in their second qualifying game for the fiba women's world cup.
In culture and entertainment, Chinese writers and publishers attend the London Book Fair.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our Exca account at cgtnradio.
But first, check in today's headlines.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry says Beijing and Washington have agreed to hold a new round of economic and trade talks.
Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead the Chinese delegation to France from Saturday to Tuesday.
China says both sides will follow the consensus reached between the two heads of state during their meeting in Busan and their previous phone calls.
Beijing says its position of firmly opposing US arms sales to China's Taiwan region is consistent and clear.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said Washington should earnestly adhere to the one China principle and the three China-US joint communiques.
China calls for the stable development of China-US relations, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
China has announced that the foreign minister, the minister of public security and the defense minister will travel to Vietnam to attend the first ministerial meeting of a 3 plus 3 strategic dialogue from Sunday to Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also co-host a meeting on bilateral cooperation.
Transport authorities estimate that China recorded 94 billion domestic passenger trips during the Spring Festival travel rush concluding on Friday.
The record number during the 40-day period, also known as Chunving, marks a 4.3% increase.
More than 90% were road trips, up 4.2%.
China says its Beidou navigation satellite system will undergo an in-orbit upgrade to be able to provide higher-quality services.
BDS currently has 50 operational satellites in orbit.
It provides high-precision positioning, navigation and timing services.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has announced a plan of over 40 billion Canadian dollars, or 29 billion US dollars, to enhance defense and economic development in the Arctic.
The plan includes military infrastructure upgrades and fast-tracking the construction of Canada's first overland link to a deep-water port on the Arctic Ocean.
Carney said Canada is securing its northern territory and unlocking its vast resources.
The Canadian Arctic, covering 40 of the country's landmass and 70 of its coastline, is home to more than 140000 people.
A record 280 political parties have registered to participate in the first general election in Haiti in a decade.
Many newcomers are hopeful for a chance to help ease the country's many crises, largely rooted in gang violence and corruption.
Haitian government officials originally said they expect to hold elections in late August and run off in early December.
The Prime Minister said Haiti would complete the first round by the end of the year.
The Provisional Electoral Council said it will post a final list of political parties authorised to take part in the election by March 26th.
Peru has declared a state of emergency in over 280 districts due to the impact and risks of intense rainfall.
The 60-day emergency covers 20 regions including Lima, Amazonas and Cusco.
Authorities, say regional and local governments will coordinate with national authorities to carry out urgent disaster response and recovery measures.
The Peruvian armed forces have also sent specialized personnel to support rehabilitation and logistics operations.
Industry.
Data shows that one-fifth of Australian teenagers under 16 still use social media two months after the country banned platforms from allowing minors access.
The figure is among the first to show the effects on youth online behaviour, since Australia introduced a measure which is being copied by governments around the world.
A spokesperson for the Internet regulator said authorities are aware of the reports and will continue to monitor for any systemic failures that may amount to a breach of the law.
Scientists at Monash University in Australia say climate change could sharply reduce global fishing yields.
The research published in the journal Science analysed nearly 3000 fish species and projected future yields for 43 major fisheries.
The findings suggest that, while fish may evolve to survive rising temperatures, they are likely to grow faster but mature earlier.
This adaptation reduces their maximum size, resulting in smaller catches for fisheries.
Coming up in business, China's marine economy grew steadily in 2025.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
36 minutes past the hour, turning to business, here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Tianlu.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Friday.
The Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.8%, while the Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.6%.
Markets struggled for traction amid uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index dropped nearly 1%, while in Japan, the Nikkei fell about 1.2%.
China's marine economy grew steadily in 2025, surpassing 11 trillion yuan, or around 16 trillion US dollars, rising 55 from the previous year.
It accounted for roughly 7.9% of GDP.
The country is also a global leader in shipbuilding, marine engineering equipment, offshore wind power and marine fisheries.
China is an early signatory to the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction agreement and has signed blue economy cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries and international organizations.
Total assets of China's financial institutions had risen to 538 trillion yuan by the end of last year.
That equals around 78 trillion US dollars, up 8.7% from a year earlier.
The liabilities of the financial institutions totaled 492 trillion yuan, up 9%.
China has unveiled its roadmap for the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, with advanced manufacturing and technological innovation high on the agenda.
One example of this can be seen in the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, where thousands of robots work alongside human beings in a new generation of smart factories.
The combination of AI, big data, automation, and human input raises efficiency and quality.
Wu Yunliu takes a look.
What does it look like when people work alongside more than 3,000 robots?
In modern smart factories, human-machine interaction is evolving.
In some processes people and machines work separately, like traditional robotic arms used in stamping and welding.
In others they share the same space, such as the AGV vehicle's moving materials across the workshop.
And, in more advanced scenarios, humans and robots work side by side, combining machine procession with human judgment.
In many stations across the Ceres Super Factory, AI systems inspect vehicles in seconds, while workers verify the results.
Gap and flushness exams AI station there.
That four robots will exam all the gap and flushness of this vehicle, you know, the surface.
And all the results will be transferred immediately to the pad here.
Right now, we have more than 50 examination stations here.
Robots alone do not make a smart factory.
Data does.
At the highest level of collaboration, humans and machines work in integration.
AI analysis information predicts risks and supports decisions.
At the heart of the factory is the Digital Operations Center, or War Room, where real-time data powers efficiency, quality and safety.
The data in this factory is much, much more than the traditional factory.
Everything, what we can see in this factory, just like the conveyor line, just like our AGV, and also the air conditioning, the lights, all this data can be transferred by our 5G technology to our database within one second.
Everything, including data and images, can be transmitted in real time.
And if we go to the final assembling line, we can witness the birth of brand new cars, one after another.
Efficiency is only part of the story.
The factory also places strong emphasis on sustainability with green solutions such as rooftop solar panels generating renewable electricity.
Factories like this are becoming more intelligent, greener and more integrated, a direction China has highlighted as it builds a modern industrial system for the years ahead.
That was Wu Yunliu reporting.
US tech giant Apple has announced it will cut its commissions on in-app purchases on the Chinese mainland.
The change will take effect on Sunday, which marks World Consumer Rights Day, and will apply to transactions on the Chinese mainland storefront of the App Store.
The standard commission on in-app purchases and paid apps will drop to 25% from 30%.
For developers in Apple's small business and mini-apps partner programs.
The commission on in-app transactions will fall to 12 from 15.
Hainan province in southern China saw its duty-free policy for imported consumer goods generate 53 million yuan, or about US770000 in sales, during its first month.
According to Haikou Customs, 28,000 purchases were made between February 11 and March 10.
The first duty-free shops opened on February 11 in Haikou, Sanya and Danzhou.
Eligible buyers include Chinese nationals with a Hainan ID, local residents or social security cards, and overseas personnel with valid permits living and working on the southern island.
The Western Balkans will host a special expo for the first time.
Belgrade is gearing up for Expo 2027 from May to August.
The Power Construction Cooperation of China has been selected as the event's contractor.
Expo director Danilo Jerenic highlights the cooperation between Serbia and China on this project.
I am really happy with the construction dynamics that we have now.
We have made a huge progress in the last 8 to 12 months.
We work with full speed.
Every day we have more than 4,000 people at the construction site.
On average, we have between 400 and 500 machines that work every day at the construction site.
Our general construction contractor is Power China.
We are really happy to work with them.
Our Chinese friends are very open, very cooperative.
And when we talk about China, It is really a big country, rich in tradition, rich in culture.
I think they really have a lot to show here in Belgrade when it comes to sports, when it comes to music, when it comes to games.
Our central theme is actually games.
I think China can show us a lot when it comes to technology and the innovations that await us in the future.
I think it will be today, when artificial intelligence has already become the present, not the future, not only in Serbia, but all over the world today.
On the other hand, we expect a lot of activity from them when it comes to business, that a lot of their companies will come, which will potentially open cooperation with companies from Serbia, as well as with companies from the region.
I think this is a really big chance for Serbia and also a big chance for the whole region.
That was Danilo Jerenic, director of Expo 2027 Serbia.
The U.S.
Treasury has issued a 30-day license allowing countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products already at sea, in a move to stabilize global energy markets.
Earlier this week, Washington eased some restrictions on Russian oil, especially for major importers like India, to help offset the impact of the war in Iran.
Brent crude rose above 100 a barrel for the second time this week, but slipped after the Treasury's announcement.
Brazil has grabbed diesel import taxes and imposed a new levy on oil exports.
Authorities say the temporary measures aim to ease pressure on domestic fuel markets caused by volatility linked to the Middle East war.
Brazil has introduced a 12% tax on crude oil exports and a 50% levy on diesel shipments.
Malaysia has warned that its airlines may have to suspend some flights if the Middle East war drives fuel costs sharply higher.
The transport ministry said jet fuel accounts for nearly half of airline operating costs.
The minister met with airline executives, airport operators, fuel suppliers and aviation authorities to coordinate the country's response to the US-Australia conflict with Iran.
The Office for National Statistics says the UK economy showed no growth in January, with GDP flat on the month, missing expectations of a 02 increase.
Capital economics had earlier forecast growth of 1 for 2026, but now sees it ranging between 01 and 06.
The services sector was also flat in January, with employment activities falling 57 from the previous month after four months of growth.
The Bank of England will hold its next policy meeting next week.
China lost to Belgium in their second qualifying game for the FIBA Women's World Cup.
Sideline Story brings you all things sports related.
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Now it's four to six minutes past the hour.
Turning to sports, here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Tianlu.
Starting with basketball.
In Wuhan, host China lost to Belgium 82-65 in their second qualifying game for the FIBA Women's World Cup.
After scoring 11 points in the opening quarter, China went without a point for four and a half minutes entering the second period and never truly recovered from that.
Compared to Wednesday's opening win over Mali.
China made one change to its starting lineup, with Liu Yiru replacing Chen Minglin to form the Twin Towers with Han Xu.
Belgium forward Antonia Diglaire made 7 three-pointers for a game-high 27 points.
For China.
18-year-old Zhang Ziyu had one of the highlight moments on the international stage in her young career, going 10 of 15 from the field for 20 points and 11 rebounds.
China center Li Rui said the team needs more time to rebuild chemistry.
We continue to play this two-tar lineup and for this lineup we have, When we put two centers on the court, we were struggling on defense, especially facing a team with many playmakers.
This is a challenge for us.
Some of us just returned to the team, so we need more time to communicate and build chemistry.
The game is fast-paced and we need to adjust quickly.
In other games, Camila Cardoso had a big double-double in Brazil's 94-79 victory over South Sudan.
Mali led most of the game on the way to a 77-64 victory over the Czech Republic.
Belgium leads Group A with two wins from as many matches, while Mali China, the Czech Republic and Brazil all have one win and one loss.
South Sudan sits at the bottom with two losses.
For men's basketball in the CBA, the Ningbo Rockets came back from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to edge the Guangzhou Long Lions 84-83.
The Qingdao Eagles crushed the Fujian Sturgeons with a 1-14-84 victory.
Chinese winger Zhang Lingyan says the team is aiming to raise its level as the AFC Women's Asian Cup enters the knockout stage.
Zhang says the three straight wins in the group stage are now behind them, and the squad's immediate target is to reach the semifinals.
After beating North Korea in its final group match, defending champion China will face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Zhang says the team was pleased with the victory over North Korea, but has quickly turned its attention to the next game.
In other quarterfinals, Australia will face North Korea, South Korea will play Uzbekistan and Japan will meet the Philippines.
The four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The four losing quarter-finalists will compete in playoffs for the remaining two World Cup places.
In table tennis from the WTT champions.
Chongqing top seed and reigning title holder, Wang Chuqing defeated Patrick Francisca in straight games to reach the quarterfinals.
The Chinese player stressed his ability to stay composed under pressure.
Honestly, my heart was beating a bit faster than usual.
I think I played better than I expected.
Some of those points were small opportunities and missing them made my emotions fluctuate a little.
I felt that I was able to put a lot of pressure on my opponent with the score and that seemed to affect his mindset.
The more composed I stayed, the more confident I became in my techniques.
In other men's action, China's Wen Reibo delivered the biggest upset of the day.
The rising star defeated Sweden's World No.
2 truce Morigot 3-1 to advance to the men's quarterfinals on Thursday.
Facing Morigot for the first time in a WTT event, Wen recovered from an early deficit to claim victory in the round of 16.
In the women's draw, China's Kuai Man also advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Brazil's Bruna Takahashi 3-1.
In action from the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics.
Alpine skier Liu Zitong claimed the bronze after the women's giant slalom.
Sitting final.
Liu was China's flag bearer for the opening ceremony and clinched her fourth bronze at the Games.
Meanwhile, China's wheelchair curling mix team advanced to the semifinals in second place from the round-robin stage, after beating Slovakia 7-4.
The semifinals lineup sees China facing Sweden and Canada taking on South Korea.
And finally, in tennis, from the main side of the BNP Paribas Open, Yannick Sinner continues his bid for a first Indian Wells title.
He swept past Lina Tian in straight sets to reach the semifinals.
The Italian player reached the back-to-back Indian Wells semifinals in 2023 and 2024, losing to Carlos Iacris both times.
He is now aiming to complete the set of titles at all six Hardcourt Masters 1000 events and has looked in solid form so far in the California desert.
Next up for the four-time major champion is Alexander Zverev.
The German player says he is looking forward to the semifinal showdown with Sinner.
We had quite tight matches.
Even the last few were very tight, except the one in Paris where I was hurt.
So it's always a challenge.
He's been one of the two best players in the world the last two years and him and Carlos won all the Grand Slams and all the big events.
Of course it's a challenge, but it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to.
On the women's side, both No.
1 arena.
Sabalenka got past Victoria Mboko in straight sets to advance to her third Indian Wells semi-final.
She reached the final in 2023 and last year.
The four-time Grand Slam champion's quest for her first title in the desert will continue against Linda Noskova.
Thank you very much.
That was Yang Guang with sports.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming up in culture and entertainment, Chinese writers and publishers attend the London Book Fair.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
It's 53 minutes past the hour turning to culture and entertainment.
Each spring, the London Book Fair turns Olympia in West London into a marketplace of ideas where publishers scout new authors and search for the next global bestseller.
This year's event has brought together more than 30000 publishing professionals from over 90 countries.
Among them are Chinese writers and publishers hoping their stories can reach readers beyond China's borders.
Li Jianhua has more.
Another year at the London Book Fair.
Another three days of buzzing activity at Olympia in central London.
From best-selling novels to academic research.
This is where books are introduced to new markets.
Publishers negotiate rights and literary minds exchange ideas.
China, widely considered the world's second largest publishing market, is bringing thousands of titles to the fair covering politics history, fiction and culture.
International publishers are also paying closer attention to Chinese voices, especially in genre fiction.
Head of Zeus, which published the sensational Chinese science fiction Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, has been expanding his partnerships with Chinese authors, including the acclaimed author Mai Jia.
Why do I think that Ma Xia and Cixin Liu might be particularly important?
I think that their literature carries with it some fundamental human truths.
There's a lot of Chinese literature, history colour in the text, but ultimately their appeal is because they ring true to people all around the world.
There is something about humanity as a whole, some secret that these authors manage to reveal to you in their writing and that, I think, makes them universal.
Some science fiction authors have made the breakthrough, but for decades one challenge remained how to connect Chinese literature with readers beyond China.
That was Li Jianhua reporting.
Shanghai's Gluten Park is welcoming early cherry blossoms as part of the ongoing Cherry Blossom Festival in the city.
The event offers a month-long spectacle of 120 cherry varieties, as well as nighttime viewing sessions and cultural performances.
Tang Xiaofan has more.
Despite the lingering cold, the cherry blossom season is upon us.
At Guten Park, the early cherry blossoms are in full bloom, bringing the first breath of spring to the city.
According to Park staff, the combination of warmer than usual temperatures and plenty of sun during the spring festival have created the right conditions for early blossoms to be five to seven days ahead of schedule compared to previous years.
This, of course, is attracting folks to come on down and snap some photos.
The 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival will be held at Gusun Park from March 9 to April 9.
More than 16000 cherry trees featuring 120 different varieties will bloom in waves during the month-long event, making folks feel as if they are gazing upon a pink sea.
The park will open nighttime viewing sessions in accordance with the blooming periods of different cherry tree varieties during the festival.
That was Tang Xiaofan reporting.
An exhibition has opened in New York City honoring one of the greatest performers of Peking opera from the 20th century.
The show at the China Institute in Manhattan revisits a landmark moment in cultural history Mei Lanfang's groundbreaking tour of the United States nearly a century ago.
In 1930, the legendary artist embarked on an ambitious tour of six American cities, from New York to San Francisco.
He introduced US audiences to the mesmerizing art form of Peking opera, blending intricate singing, dance and dramatic performance.
Now an exhibition titled the dancing goddess, meilanfang in america is celebrating that historic journey.
Now it's fifty seven minutes past eight hour.
Checking the forecast for the day beijing will see light rain with a low of four tonight.
Saturday will be cloudy with a high of ten.
Shanghai will be cloudy with a low of seven tonight, then sunny and seventeen.
Chongqing will be overcast with a low of 17 tonight, then light rain and 19.
Nanchang is down to 9 tonight, then tomorrow sunny and a high of 24.
Lhasa will see sleet with a low of 2 tonight, then tomorrow cloudy with a high of 16 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour Making News Today.
China and the United States will hold a new round of economic and trade talks.
As Vice Premier He Lifeng leads the Chinese delegation to France,
On behalf of the stars.
This is Tian Liu in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour and open the window to the world together.
Find the Beijing Hour at precisely 6 p.m.
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, is 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 a 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.
