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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 week day.
Now here's your host. Shane Bigham with you on this Wednesday, May 14th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China and Colombia have signed a cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China says people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should work together to safeguard the right to development and uphold national dignity.
The US president signed billions of dollars of deals during his ongoing trip in the Middle East. In business, Chinese enterprises report increased sales revenue for April.
In sports, China's record -setting performance is at the Asian Weightlifting Championships.
and culture and entertainment, exploring the long history of a famous style of Chinese cuisine.
Now checking the day's top stories.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has called on Colombia to take its formal accession to the Baltimore initiative as an opportunity to upgrade bilateral cooperation.
President Xi was speaking as he was meeting his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, who was in Beijing for a ministerial meeting of the forum between China and the community of latin american and caribbean states.
The chinese president called for the expansion of bilateral cooperation into wider areas including wind energy new energy vehicles and the digital economy.
2025 marks the 45th anniversary of our two countries diplomatic relations from this new historical starting point china is willing to deepen ties with columbia to benefit our peoples.
President Petro said Colombia will work closely with China in safeguarding international fairness and justice and protecting the common interests of developing countries.
After their meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a joint cooperation plan on the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Chinese president also met his Chilean counterpart, Gabriel Boric.
President Xi called on the two sides to build a role model of South -South cooperation.
He also said the two countries should enhance multilateralism and rather amid rising protectionism.
China and Chile are firm supporters of multilateralism and free trade.
The established international order is now facing significant challenges.
This makes our enhanced cooperation all the more exemplary.
President Buri said countries should stick to free trade and win -win cooperation.
He said Chile is willing to join China in defending international justice.
Officials from Latin American and Caribbean countries have spoken highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China Sea -Lac Forum.
Olorinano Ortega -Mariro is the advisor to the Nicaraguan president on investment trade in international cooperation.
He says the five programs President Xi proposed in the speech will contribute to win -win development.
We have carefully listened to President Xi's speech and are delighted to embrace the five major programs he proposed to promote cooperation between China and the community of Latin American and Caribbean states.
These constructive initiatives, as President Xi said, will surely make greater contributions to the win -win development, cooperation, and peace of the people of our countries.
This fills us with optimism and hope, and will also boost the technological development of our countries, bringing us closer together and enhancing mutual understanding." Former Guyanese Foreign Minister Clement Rohi says President Xi's vision offers optimism for China -Latin America cooperation in the future.
Suggestion that was made by President Xi or the vision, I should say, that was provided by President Xi, is one that holds great optimism for the future of China -Latin American cooperation.
We have to have a world that is based on true governance, that is based on multilateralism.
Multilateralism is becoming something of the past. And the part or the pathway that China is suggesting, that is to say, a system of governance based on justice and equality.
Peruvian Congressman Edgar Teo says bilateral cooperation generates opportunities for both sides.
The leadership of President Xi Jinping is of great significance to the development and progress of each country.
It enables the natural resources of Latin American and Caribbean countries to complement the technology of China, which will generate more job opportunities and stimulate the economy.
The fourth ministerial meeting of the China -CELAC forum was in Beijing on Tuesday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the partnership between China and Latin America rejects bloc confrontation and champions openness and mutual benefit.
He made the remarks while presiding over the 4th Ministerial meeting of the China -CELAC Forum in Beijing.
Dai Kayi has more. Marking the 10th anniversary of this official launch, the China -CELAC Forum has sent a message of unity and cooperation.
Officials from countries under the forum's framework have gathered in Beijing to discuss shared development goals and work toward building a China -Latin America community with a shared future.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the past decade has seen frequent high -level exchanges, building a strong consensus on unity and development.
He said this has guided relations into a new phase defined by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, and openness while delivering tangible benefits to the people.
Over the past decade, the forum has grown into a mature mechanism.
It's now a vital platform for equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Latin America.
It has added new meaning to our comprehensive cooperative partnership and injected fresh momentum into building a community with a shared future.
Speaking about strengthening solidarity between China and Latin America, Wang said the two sides will firmly support each other's core interests, deepen economic cooperation, promote peace and security and continue to enhance cultural exchanges and mutual learning, while jointly defending international fairness and justice.
He said the two sides have set a new example for global relations and have driven greater collaboration across the global south.
I'm very optimistic and excited based on what I've heard. It shows the collaboration, cooperation of all the member countries that we intend to strengthen our bilateral arrangements with China.
And I think that with all the trade wars and the tariff wars that we are seeing, This is extremely important for all the countries of the meeting here today.
What is very important is we recognize China.
When we say we, we talk about the 33 countries that are here, we recognize China like a serious partner in which we can work together very concrete.
The meeting witnessed the adoption of two key documents, the Beijing Declaration reaffirming both sides' commitment to peace, development and cooperation and a joint action plan outlining specific initiatives in areas such as technology, trade, investment, infrastructure and belt and road cooperation.
The forum is the first multilateral platform to bring together China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Attending officials believe this meeting represents a significant milestone in their cooperation as they continue to seek common goals in their development moving forward. That was Dai Kyei reporting.
China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for 16 years with bilateral trade reaching over 180 billion US dollars last year.
South American countries seeking to become a major beef exporter to China.
Paulo Cabral has more.
After the Chinese disqualified more than 100 American meat packers from exporting to China.
Brazil is hoping to fill the gap.
During a recent meeting of agriculture ministers from the BRICS group countries in the Americas, the US -China tariff war became an important topic of discussion, contrary to plans made last year.
The host, Brazil's agriculture minister, said his country is ready to supply China with the beef it will no longer buy from the United States.
I don't like to celebrate during times of tragedy or instability like the moment we are living now, but without a doubt it becomes an opportunity.
This trader says Brazil does have extra beef available to export, but will need to address infrastructure challenges to make the most of this opportunity.
After the pandemic, when the domestic market weakened, the sector had to reinvent itself, prospecting new markets, especially abroad.
So China's interest comes at a good time.
The sector is prepared and ready, but logistics are a point of attention.
Some operation bottlenecks at Brazil's main ports could become a threat.
Brazil is a major producer and exporter of beef, but also a major consumer.
The local industry says it's ready to increase exports without creating shortages in the domestic market.
Currently Brazil's beef exports account for roughly one -third of the country's total production of around 10 million tons per year.
The rest is consumed domestically.
The president of Brazil's beef exporters Association says foreign customers, particularly in Asia, are not after the same beef cuts preferred in the Brazilian market.
We sell mostly some parts of the cattle, of the cow and the beef that we do not use in Brazil.
Just by culture. It doesn't mean that it's better or it's worse.
It just means that we are not used to eating this here in Brazil.
We only export around 30 percent of our production so we can support and supply every country in the planet that needs more beef.
There is concern in Brazil about the potential negative impacts of the American tariff war, but some industries are poised to profit from it.
Now as Paulo Cabral reporting.
For more on trade relations between China and Latin America, Pan Deng spoke to professor Chu Chang with the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China.
As we all know, trade is supposed to be mutually or even multilaterally beneficial.
And a good example is the trade between China and sea -like estates.
Last year the total volume exceeded $500 billion for the first time.
Now after this time's agreements and action plans, do you think the volume and momentum can go even beyond that?
Yes, I do think so.
The China is a very large economy, 1 .4 billion population, second largest economy of the whole world, number one manufacturing power of the whole world.
and also for Latin America you're looking at the a region with 34 countries and totally with 300 million population in the middle income class are growing very very fast. You know demographic structures are very very young and I think both sides fully understand how important this bilateral trade relation is between two sides and I think number one it really helps the local local market of improved infrastructures to build all kinds of the connectivities and to link the whole regions as just a one and also create hundreds and millions of the jobs within the local market, creating lots of the walls
for local countries.
So this is very important from the Chiang Kai Port to the Cross Ocean Railways to the windnows and wind farms in the Argentina to the Alifian Battery Factory in Bolivia.
And I think that these kind of cooperation has really been benefiting both of the continent, both of the regions.
And secondly, I think beyond the basic of the structures and capacity, I think what we're aiming at is the future, the vision, because we understand that as a global south nation, we're not only trying to shake off poverty, we want to develop ourselves.
We understand that the Latin American countries have very ambitious goals of the modernization.
They want their nation, they want the whole region to be more modernized, to be more and more operating in the global supply chain.
So that's the reason why China would like to jump in.
We have technology, we have digitalization, we have renewable energies, and we are more than ever willing to share this technology with our global development partners.
And I think that's very important.
And also after all, through all this development we will nurture our talents, young people together so that in the future, our younger generation will work together and to push forward our country and our nations, our regions to develop together.
So I think eventually this is going to be a better, stabler supply chain for the whole world and a bigger market for all the service and products of providers for the whole world.
That was Professor Chiu -Chiang at Mins University of China sharing his insights on China -Latin America trade ties.
Coming up, China's call to defend the right to development and uphold national dignity.
It's a deal, but not a done deal.
The temporary tariff agreement reached between China and the United States has brought a glimmer of positivity to a world shrouded in Washington's tariff war.
What immediate impact will the deal have on the course of two -way trade?
Does the agreement have any implications for other countries currently in talks with the U .S.?
How may Beijing respond if Washington backtracks?
What may we expect after the three -month pause expires?
Check out this week's Chat Lounge, wherever you listen to podcasts and CGTN Radio.
Fourteen minutes past the hour, a Mainland spokesperson says Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should stand together to safeguard the right to development and uphold national dignity.
Chen Binhua is a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
He made the remarks following reports concerning the sharp appreciation of the new Taiwan dollar, which public opinion on the island suggests may be linked to the tariff talks with the United States.
In the face of the US tariff bullying and extreme economic pressure, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have raised a white flag and fallen to their knees.
Their so -called negotiations with Washington are nothing more than political theatre which will only embolden the US to press even further.
Chen added that the mainland remains concerned about the difficulties facing industries and businesses in Taiwan and that it welcomes those willing to invest and grow on the mainland.
World Trade Organization Secretary Jimball Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala says that US tariffs pose a serious challenge to world trade.
trade. She made the remarks on meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaiya in Tokyo.
Trade is facing very challenging times right now.
It's quite difficult.
But I also feel that there are many important opportunities in trade that we need to look forward to.
And we should try to use this crisis as an opportunity to solve the challenges we have and take advantage of the new trends in trade.
China and the United States have agreed to remove most of the tariffs on each other's goods following high -level talks in Geneva.
A number of global financial institutions are raising China's economic outlook following the tariff agreement between the world's two largest economies this week.
JP Morgan's upgraded China's GDP forecast for this year, expecting annualized quarterly growth of three per cent from the second quarter to the fourth quarter.
Morgan Stanley suggested China's second quarter GDP may exceed current estimates.
Other major banks have also revised growth projections upward. Washington's flip -flopping tariff policies have caused disruptions in supply chains, affecting small businesses in the US that rely on imports.
Itis Tianchan spoke to the owner of one of the oldest toy stores in Los Angeles who expressed concerns over the uncertainty.
is glued to the screen w news about tariffs as he rising cost of his next s toy store his family has years, how much attributable everything is going to go be smart of what I buy and mean, I try to carry ever going up, I mean, I try t the lowest price possible to raise my prices, which could impact what his cus or able to buy.
Well, def bit. Probably because you be a little hard because high, but it still won't loyalty may only go so far at this long -time neighborhood store.
This is the local one that I always came to as a kid and that it's still open means a lot to me, because you can always buy toys on Amazon and stuff like that.
But finding vintage toys that you can't find on the internet is one of the best places you could come to, and it's awesome because it's still holding up.
Families have been coming here for generations.
that it survived the competition with e -commerce as well as the supply chain issues faced during the Covid -19 pandemic.
But if the current tariffs remain in place for the long term, many are worried that small businesses like this one may not survive.
Luis is lucky to have some old inventory to be able to weather the storm in the short term, but longer projections are uncertain.
I think that's the one thing that I'm worried about if we ever do close because of this, which hopefully won't happen.
I'm going to miss the interaction with people and how they come in here and they see their childhood.
I mean, that's honestly, that's what I'm going to miss the most. Recent years have already been a struggle for some small businesses, but the latest tariffs could turn into a make or break for some of the remaining neighborhood stores.
That was Yis Tien Shan reporting.
U .S. tariffs have disrupted trade across the Pacific and beyond.
A shoe factory in East China is coping with the loss of orders from the United States.
Chen Mengfei visited the factory in Wenchou to find out more.
Chinese factories make around 60 percent of the shoes sold in the U .S. Trump's tariffs have brought much of that trade to a standstill.
Our entire warehouse is packed with U .S.-bound goods.
Hundreds of thousands of pairs.
Due to the tariff hikes, exports are now frozen, so everything is just sitting here in storage The pressure was immense to find new clients and keep payroll flowing for the company's 3 ,000 factory workers.
Teams worked overtime to develop new designs while the boss took to livestreaming to promote their own brand domestically.
Within a month, things began to turn around.
We're now fully back to normal.
We're actually working overtime to keep up with orders.
It's been a pleasant surprise just how many new orders have come in.
I don't really know why either.
Maybe it's about where we put our energy.
In the past, we focused on the US and we got a lot of orders from there.
But now I've redirected my resources to Europe and other countries like Australia.
So now business is coming in from there too.
The general manager admits not all companies can pivot so quickly, But his has been making conscious adjustments for years.
The 2018 trade war forced them to diversify their overseas client base.
Then the pandemic pushed them to create their own brand for the domestic market.
Now they're looking to expand even further globally.
The Belt and Road Initiative has also been a tremendous help to businesses like ours.
You really need a vision to plan something like this.
Honestly, in the past, we didn't quite understand the Belt and Road.
but looking at it with today's situation, it's a completely different perspective.
When it comes to the company's American clients, who once made up 30 % of its sales, the general manager says some long -term partners have stood by them while a few others fell short.
It's like when we dealt with that one U .S. client.
We hope to be equal in our communication.
It's not acceptable that you see our inventory as stuck and then ask us to sell it at half price.
Mr. Zhang hopes a deal will come through.
but only if it's one made on equal terms. That was Chen Mengfei reporting.
Coming up, Donald Trump's ongoing trip to the Middle East. Dive into news like never before with Deep Dive, the podcast from CGTN radio.
Join our global reporters for captivating stories and thought provoking conversations.
Search Deep Dive on your favorite podcast platforms and get ready to dive in.
22 past the hour. US President Donald Trump is on a three -nation visit to the Middle East. The first major overseas tour of his second term.
He received a royal welcome in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Riyadh and Washington have announced hundreds of billions of US dollars in investment.
Trump also announced he'll remove US sanctions against Syria.
Adel Elmaruki has more from Riyadh.
On the first stop of President Trump's Middle East tour here in Saudi Arabia, hundreds of billions of dollars have been pledged by Saudi Arabia of investments into the United States.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, vowed to not only meet an earlier pledge but to push it up further within the next four years.
Today we hope for investment opportunities worth $600bn, including deals worth $300bn that were signed during this forum.
We will work in the coming months on the second phase to complete deals and raise it to 1 trillion dollars.
The US -Saudi relationship has been a bedrock of security and prosperity.
Today we reaffirm this important bond and we take the next steps to make our relationship closer, stronger and more powerful than ever before.
This comes as the two countries expand their strategic economic partnership to include sectors like space, energy, trade, health, as well as many other sectors including an MOU signed between the two countries in the defense field, where the United States has vowed to support and expand Saudi Arabia's military capacities with a US $145 billion deal signed in that regard. During the past two days, the boost in U .S. and Saudi economic cooperation has been quite significant but also on the political stage.
The United States has provided a lot of what Saudi Arabia has been demanding including lifting all the sanctions on Syria and supporting the Sunni led government backed by Saudi Arabia and Turkey to give a chance for this government to prosper according to President Donald Trump.
Trump also vowed to stand against Iran's aspirations to acquire nuclear arms saying he will stand against that which is a reformation and a comfort to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to one of the most concerning issues it has here in the Middle East. At the same time, President Trump said that he desires to see Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords, which normalizes ties between Israel and Arab nations.
But he said he will give Saudi Arabia all the time it needs to take this step when it sees fit and let it make the decision on its own pace." That was Adel al Maruki reporting.
Our reports indicate that Israel targeted Hamas leader Mohamed Sinwar in a strike on a hospital in Gaza.
It came months after the death of his brother Yahya Sinwar.
The Gaza Health Ministry says an Israeli airstrike killed Palestinian journalist Hassan Asli, who was recovering from an injury at a hospital.
Israel has accused Asli of links to Hamas and having a role in the attack of October, 2023.
Rami Al Maghari has more from Gaza.
Actually, what we can know, what I can tell you about this is that this is the second time that the Israeli army targets a particular journalist called Hassan Islayeh, who is a very famous and well -known journalist here in Gaza.
The second time he claimed the life of this Palestinian journalist who is very well -known here in the community.
And along with the killing of Islayah, there was another person killed by that same strike at the Nasir Hospital in Hanyounis.
He is a commander within the interior ministry that belongs to Hamas, a police commander.
And the Israeli army statement suggested that the Israeli army attacked a control and command Center, for Hamas, right at the Nasser Hospital, something that has been refuted by the local authorities, including Hamas.
And also, let us here note that the Palestinian journalist community here in the Gaza Strip, along with other journalist groups worldwide, condemned the Israeli killing of Islayeh as a flagrant violation of the press freedoms and the territory, which comes on top of more than 200 Palestinian journalists killed during the past period of the conflict.
As Rami Amaghary reporting, the UN Food Agency's country director for Gaza says a quarter of Gaza's population is at risk of famine, even though enough food to feed everyone sits in nearby warehouses.
Antoine Renard says warehouses in Israel, Egypt and Jordan, less than 40 kilometers away, are stocked but aid isn't reaching those in need.
There is no issue on logistical capacity.
There is no issue related to routing and what needs to be done.
There is no issue in terms of stocks.
Sometimes we lose perspective.
The food is so close to the people and we can't access them.
He says the World Food Programme warehouses in the Strip remain empty.
The agency is cut back from feeding one million people to just 250 ,000 meals a day.
Rennard is calling for urgent international action seeing the time to prevent mass hunger is now.
Russia and Ukraine are set to hold crucial negotiations in Istanbul on Thursday.
The meeting could pave the way for peace talks if they go ahead.
A Kremlin spokesperson says Russia is preparing for talks with Ukraine adding that it'll announce the members of the Russian delegation at an appropriate time.
Mihael Bardavid has more from Istanbul.
The idea of holding direct peace talks in Istanbul on May 15th was originally proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He did not confirm whether he would attend personally.
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi accepted the proposal and said he would travel to Istanbul, making clear he expected a one -on -one meeting with Putin himself that public stance has now put pressure on Moscow to respond.
European powers have also ramped up pressure demanding Russia implement a 30 -day ceasefire or face new sanctions.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump now on a Gulf tour in Saudi Arabia told reporters he was considering joining the Istanbul talks.
Good things can come out of that meeting Trump said emphasizing the potential for progress.
Turkish officials say they've held phone calls with both Russian and Ukrainian counterparts and that Ankara is ready to host the talks, though no further details have been released.
Turkey has maintained positive ties with both Kiev and Moscow throughout the conflict, making it a credible host for such high -stakes negotiations.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Beijing's at 15 degrees overnight Wednesday evening.
It'll be sunny and 29 on Thursday.
Nanchang's down to 24.
That's followed by moderate rainfall and 25 degrees.
Elsewhere in Asia, now Islamabad's at 20 this evening, then sunny skies in 42.
Vientiane's down to 24, then moderate rainfall in 34.
Phnom Penh's at 24 overnight then a slight rain in 34.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting a slight rain and 23 degrees on Thursday, Phnom Penh is down to 20 followed by a slight rain in 23.
It's time for a short break so far this hour.
China and Colombia have signed a cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China says people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should work together to safeguard the right to development and uphold national dignity.
The US president signed billions of dollars of deals during his ongoing trip in the Middle East. Shame big on with you, stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Shh listen up, can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
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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?
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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. Shane Bigum with you on this Wednesday.
Still to come in business, Chinese enterprises reporting crease sales revenue for April in sports.
China's record -setting performances at the Asian weightlifting championships in culture and entertainment.
Exploring the long history of a famous style of Chinese cuisine to contact us, you can email radio at cgtn .com or follow our ex account at CGTN radio.
But now with the check of the day's headline news, here's Tian Thank you, Shane.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Colombia to take its formal accession to the Belt -and -Road Initiative as an opportunity to upgrade bilateral cooperation.
President Xi was speaking when meeting his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro, who is in Beijing for a ministerial meeting of the Forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
The Chinese president called for the expansion of bilateral cooperation into wider areas, including wind energy, new energy vehicles and the digital economy.
2025 marks the 45th anniversary of our two countries' diplomatic relations.
From this new historical starting point, China is willing to deepen ties with Colombia to benefit our peoples.
President Per Tureu said Colombia will work closely with China in safeguarding international fairness and justice, and protecting the common interests of developing countries.
After their meeting, the two head of state witnessed the signing of a Joint Cooperation Plan on the Belt and Road initiative.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yiz's fourth ministerial meeting of the China -Silak Forum was a success amid the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and a Joint Action Plan.
China -Latin America cooperation holds great promise, development is our shared right.
China will stay open and share the opportunities of Chinese modernization.
Latin American countries are advancing diversified growth strategies.
Together, we can build a supersized market of two billion people, creating new engines for our own growth and fresh opportunities for global prosperity." China and Latin American and Caribbean countries have agreed to cooperate in over 100 projects over the next three years.
China has also announced 20 new initiatives to support Latin America's development.
The Chinese Defence Minister has highlighted the importance of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts.
Dong Jun reaffirmed China's support for the UN's central role and its core position in global security governance.
He met UN Secretary -General Antony Guterres in Berlin while attending the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025.
Guterres expressed appreciation for China's long -standing support for the United Nations, describing the country as an important pillar of multilateralism.
Top UN humanitarian official Tom Fletcher has urged the Security Council to act decisively to prevent genocide in Gaza, warning of deliberate Israeli restrictions on aid.
Israel is deliberately and unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.
For more than 10 weeks, nothing has entered Gaza, no food, medicine, water or tents.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have again been forcibly displaced and confined into ever shrinking spaces, as 70 percent of Gaza's territory is either within Israeli militarized zones or under displacement orders." Fletcher said aid is ready at the borders but Israel continues to block access.
The food and agriculture organisation says Gaza's agri -food systems have collapsed while food prices have soared.
Palestinian UN ambassador Riad Mansour said nearly a million children face famine due to what he called engineered starvation.
93 percent of Gaza's children, 930 ,000 children, are at critical risk of famine.
Not because there is no food, food is there, a few meters away, rotting instead of reaching those who desperately need it.
But because Israel has been openly and brazenly blocking humanitarian aid for over two months now.
This is engineered starvation.
It is the most inhumane form of torture and killing." Israeli Ambassador Danny Dannan denied the claims. We will not accept a humanitarian mechanism that props up the terror organization that butchered our people.
We will not sit idly by as food, fuel and funds meant for civilians I funneled into the Hamas terror machine.
We will never allow our morality to be weaponized against us again." Israel said it won't resume aid until it installs a new distribution platform, replacing the UN -led operation in place during the 19 -month war.
On Tuesday the Israeli military said it struck a Hamas command centre beneath the hospital in Hayunas.
Gaza's health ministry said it was the second hospital hit that day, with six killed and 40 wounded.
Israel also struck NASA hospital earlier, saying militants were operating inside without identifying them.
Several Western nations, including the U .K. and France, condemned the aid blockade and called on Israel to lift it immediately.
They warned that humanitarian aid must never be used as a political or military tool.
Thank you very much. That was Tian Lu with headlines.
Coming up in business, Yes, Chinese enterprises report increased sales revenue for April.
The Beijing hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
37 past the hour with Businessnow here's Tianyu.
Thank you, Shane. Chinese mainland markets ended higher on Wednesday hitting their highest levels in over a month.
The Shanghai Composite rose 0 .8 % while the Shenzhen Component added 0 .6 % supported by strong performances in the technology and financial sectors.
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hong -Seng Index surged 2 .3%, while Japan's Nikkei slipped 0 .1%.
Chinese companies reported a 4 .3 % increase in sales revenue in April compared to the same month last year.
The state taxation administration said the figures reflect a steady upward trend in growth that's been continuing since the fourth quarter.
Industrial enterprises saw sales revenue rise by 3 .7 % in April, with the manufacturing sector posting a 4 .4 % increase.
Meanwhile, domestic sales by Chinese exporters rose 4 .7%.
The share of domestic sales in their total also increased.
Among 31 major manufacturing categories, exporters to the United States in 21 of those sectors reported a higher share of domestic sales than during the same time last year.
Key industries seeing that shift included FER, footwear, computers, and communication equipment.
The central banks of China and Brazil have signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic financial cooperation.
As part of the deal, the two sides agreed on a bilateral currency swap worth 190 billion yuan or around 26 billion US dollars.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years and can be renewed by mutual consent.
In a separate move, the People's Bank of China and Brazil's Ministry of Finance signed another memorandum to boost broader financial cooperation.
Chinese electric -vehicle maker BYD was the top -selling car brand in Singapore in the first quarter overtaking long -time market leader Toyota.
BYD sold more than 3 ,000 vehicles during the period, accounting for about 20 % of all car sales in the country.
In 2024, Toyota sold more than 7800 cars, compared to BYD's sales of nearly 6 ,200 vehicles.
Meanwhile, BYD is also growing its presence in Hungary.
Pablo Guterres has more.
Second Hungary is known for its culture and history, but now the arrival of Chinese EV giant, BYD, is rewriting its future.
BYD brings something new, adding diversity to this agriculture -focused city.
Industry like this has a ripple effect.
Creating opportunities, it's a big step forward. BYD's multi -billion dollar factory will be the first multinational investment in segment transforming the city into an industrial and economic hub.
Experts say that since the announcement in 2024, housing demand has tripled, and property prices have increased by 12 % over the past year.
When the factory starts to work and starts to produce electronic cars, there will be a huge demand from the workforce as well for housing opportunities.
And it will also increase the home's price in terms of homes for sale and in terms of homes for rent.
Real estate agents in this city of 170 ,000 people say there are enough rental homes to satisfy the current demand, but that could change as more workers move to the city.
The BYD factory is set to open later on this year, initially producing about 150 ,000 vehicles annually and employing between 3 to 4 ,000 people in the future.
It could employ up to 10 ,000 workers.
Second chamber of commerce says BYD's factories could attract suppliers and tech startups, boosting the city's economy.
For real estate agents like Silvia Daica, who is helping BYD secure housing for future employees, the transformation of the city into a major business hub is already here.
Currently, contractors are focusing on building traditional apartment buildings in the city.
There hasn't been much of a residential building boom, but we expect that to change soon.
From creating jobs to driving investment and reshaping its future, experts say, BYD's factory has put Sega on the map.
The city's journey as an economic hub is just getting started.
That was Pavel Guterres reporting.
Agribusiness consultancy AgResource warns that U .S. soybean exports could decline by much as 20 % and prices paid to farmers may plunge if the trade dispute between the United States and China remains unsolved.
While a temporary truce has reduced tariffs on U .S. soybeans from 145 % to 10%, at resources, the current breed rate is still too high for American soybeans to remain competitive in the Chinese market.
China has been a vital customer for U .S. farmers, accounting for more than half of all U .S. soybean exports in the most recent marketing year.
U .S. consumer prices rose at a slower than anticipated rate in April but remained slightly above the Federal Reserve's target level.
Karina macho has more.
CPI for the month of April came in with the rise of just two tenths of one percent.
That's both on the headline number and the core number.
Both were looking at estimates of a rise of three tenths of one percent.
So the headline number year over year comes in at two point three percent.
The core number stays flat at 2 .8%.
Let's take a look at where some of the price declines showed up in the report.
Food at home was one big area.
Think about groceries in that capacity.
That saw a drop of 0 .4%.
That is the largest decline since September of 2020, according to the data, helped primarily by a sharp decline in egg prices, down by almost 13%.
Now meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetable also down.
apparel used cars and airfares were down as well.
Airfare is down by 2 .8 % month over month.
Now on the flip side energy prices rose by seven tenths of 1 % even though gasoline prices fell ever so slightly.
Shelter prices accounted for more than half of the gains they were up by three tenths of one percent.
Now categories that you would expect to see a rise in due to tariffs didn't offer any big surprises.
Household furnishings, items up only modestly new cars were up by just one tenth of one percent.
Toys were up by three -tenths of one percent so some economists say it is too soon for the impact of tariffs to show up.
That could come in the next report.
Overall though this was a very strong report so I asked one expert to weigh in about does this give any impetus for the federal reserve to move quicker on cutting rates?
Take a listen to what he had to say.
This report is probably one of the toughest for the Fed to sort of digest because it wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold, we're right in the middle.
And that doesn't really give them any new good information to depend on.
And so what we're likely to see is that they'll continue to wait and watch and monitor the data as it comes through over the next few months.
Now, you went on to say that ultimately it will be a case of wait and watch for the Federal Reserve, but nobody should hold their breath and expect to see any rate cuts in June or July.
He expects to see the first one if it does come this year to happen in September.
One thing we know for sure, President Trump will be very pleased with his report because he did campaign on lower grocery prices, egg prices in particular, and lower gas prices as well.
That was Karina Metro reporting.
Germany's inflation rate eased slightly to 2 .2 % in April, The figure released by the Federal Statistics Office confirms earlier preliminary estimates and marks a small drop from the rate in March of 2 .3 percent The latest data signals a modest but continued cooling of inflation in Europe's largest economy And finally Microsoft has announced it will lay off around 3 percent of its workforce or around 6 ,000 employees The layoffs will span all levels and geographies and will be the largest reduction since Microsoft laid off 10 ,000 employees in 2023.
The decision comes after Microsoft reported stronger than expected growth in its cloud computing business and impressive results in the most recent quarter.
However, the costs associated with scaling its AI infrastructure have weighed on profitability, with Microsoft cloud's margins narrowing to 69 % in the March quarter down from 72 % a year ago.
Microsoft has allocated 80 billion U .S. dollars in capital spending for this fiscal year with most of it focused on expanding data centers to address capacity bottlenecks for AI services.
All right, thank you very much. That was Tianyu with business.
Coming up in sports, China's record -setting performances at the Asian Weightlifting Championships.
Carlos Ancelotti's sharp move to coach Brazil has fans asking, can the club legend end Brazil's 25 -year World Cup drops?
This week on Sideline Story we unpack Ancelotti's bold leap into international management, and why superstar club coaches often falter on the global stage, including former Guangzhou boss Marcello Lippi's rocky stint with team China.
For our fiery analysis and bold predictions, subscribe to Silent Line Story wherever you get your podcasts.
47 past and turning to sports.
Here's Yang guang. Thank you Shane.
First in weightlifting, China's women lifters delivered world -class performances at the 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jiangshan, Zhuzhan Province.
Yang Shou Shou thrilled the home crowd in the women's 71 kilo by setting a new world record in the snatch. After a tense duel with North Korea's Seong Kwa -hyun, Yang lifted 122kg 1kg above the previous record. Though Seong claimed that clean and jerk and total world record with lifts of 155kg and 276kg, Yang earned silver in both, finishing with a total of 262kg.
In a 76kg division, world champion Liao Guifang was unstoppable.
She set a new snatch world record at 125, followed by a 154kg Klingon Jerk giving her a world record total of 279.
Despite a missed attempt at 157kg, Liao swept all three golds.
Hu Yan added to China's dominance in the 81kg category, winning gold in all lifts.
Her 116kg snatch and 147kg Klingon jerk gave her a commanding total of 263 kilograms, well ahead of the competition.
In the women's footstyle Asian Cup in Hoheat, China swept Indonesia 6 -0 to advance to the semi -finals and more importantly stay on course to qualify for the World Cup.
In the 13th minute substitutes, Zhang Zhewen fired in a powerful shot to give the team a 1 -0 lead.
Two minutes later in the second half, Zhou Yianlan's long -range effort was denied, but Fan Yuqiu's follow -up made it 2 -0.
Three minutes later, Zhang Ruiqui made it 3 -0.
Goals from Zhang Xiaoyu, Yu Ting and Xiong Jin in the last 10 minutes made it 6 -0.
Midfielder Fan Yuqiu says she believes the team will qualify for the World Cup through consistent performances.
How many chances do we get in our life?
And I'm not as youthful as the others anymore.
So I think this competition is really important.
We're aiming for the World Cup and I think as long as we perform well, there won't be a problem.
China is the only team that won all group stage matches.
The team will meet Thailand in the semi -finals with the two finalists and the third place play -off winner reaching the first ever World Cup in the Philippines in November.
Still in football, Carlo Ancelotti says he wants to remain fully focused on Real Madrid in his final two weeks in charge before turning attention to his new job with five -time World Champion Brazil.
The Brazilian Football Federation announced Italian as the national team's new boss and he will leave the Bambel as one of the club's most successful managers.
Ancelotti says his memories from Real Madrid will last forever.
What should I regret?
I don't have any regrets.
As I have said I had a fantastic time here and I want to continue enjoying my last 15 days here.
I think I have done the best I could have done for myself.
I gave my best and the title is to reflect that.
I never had any problems with the club and I will never have any problems with the club.
I have said it so many times, it is a club that will be forever in my heart and it will remain like that even if my time here is about to finish.
One day it hadn't happen and it is happening until six years in total.
We have had a great time and we've won lots of titles and we have those memories forever in my life." Real Madrid's is seven points behind Barcelona in La Liga with three matches remaining.
The club's last two league matches will be at Sevilla on Sunday and against Real Sushidate next week.
Ancelotti said he will give his all to help the team finish well in the league even though the club only has a slim chance of defending the title.
Former Real player Xavi Alonso is widely expected to take over after confirming his leave -in by Leverkusen, but there is yet to be an announcement.
In the NBA, Shae Guiljes -Alexander scored 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder searched late to beat the Denver Nuggets, 1 -12 to 1 .05 in Game 5 of the Western Conference taking a 3 -2 series lead.
Trailing by 9 with under 9 minutes left, OKC closed the game on a 34 -19 run, fueled by clutch defense and hard shooting from Lugand's thought, who nailed three triples.
Denver went over seven minutes without a field goal during the stretch. Jaylon Williams and Chad Holmgren made key plays down the stretch, while SGA and Williams hit back -to -back threes to seal it, after Nikola Jokic tied the game at 98 with a fadeaway triple.
Elsewhere, Tarius Hollywoodton scored 31 points and Pascal Siakam added 21 and the Indiana Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year with a 114 -105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Alright thank you very much that was Yang Guang with sports.
Just ahead in culture and entertainment exploring the long history of a famous style of Chinese cuisine.
Experience the musical classics of the East. Mingle with the masters of Chinese music.
Music talks. Witness the sound of antiquity and modernity.
53 minutes past the hour, turning to culture and entertainment.
A hot pot isn't just a meal in China, it's a cherished ritual where friends and family gather to cook, share and savor.
This old practice is as much about connection as it is about cuisine.
Archaeological findings suggest that hot pot dates back over 2 ,000 years ago to the Han dynasty, where the first signs of this tradition began to shape.
Shen Li has more. At the Nanchang Relic Museum for Haiwon Principality of Han Dynasty in Nanchang Jiangxi province, a remarkable browns artifact has captured the attention of visitors.
This Brown's Dean vessel dating back over 2100 years has a round shape with a copper tray beneath it indicating it was used for cooking.
This vessel was discovered in the kitchenware section of the Tomb of Liu He, the Marquess of Haikun.
When they examined it, experts immediately thought it resembled a metal port for cooking hot pot.
Along with the Din, another key artifact was unearthed, a furnace used for heating sauces and ingredients.
Researchers believe this was used to heat sauces, into which cooked food could be dipped before serving.
People in ancient times often ate food with sources.
As Confucius famously put it, I won't eat without the right source.
The pot allowed for heating and the heated food was dipped in the source before it was consumed.
At the Nanjing museum, we discover another ancient vessel, the divided copper cauldron from the Western Han Dynasty.
Different from the famous Chongqing nine -cavity hot pot, this artifact has five sections.
This bronze vessel is divided into five sections.
It functioned as a cooking vessel where different ingredients were placed in separate compartments, much like modern hot pots.
Discovered in the tomb of Liu Fei, the older brother of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, this cauldron is the only known example of its kind in China today.
The five sections might not only serve to cook different dishes simultaneously, but also promote health through medicinal food therapy.
In ancient China, food was not only about nourishment but also about balancing the body's internal energy and promoting wellness.
What we are looking at now is the scene from over a thousand years ago, during the Liao dynasty where the Catan people enjoyed hot pot.
This image painted on a tomb mural discovered in Shifeng in Mongolia is the earliest known depiction of people enjoying hotpot in China.
As we trace the origins of this tasty broth, we can see that this communal dining experience has been cherished for over two millennia, proving that some traditions never fade.
That was Shen Li reporting.
Puyuan fashion week is kicked off in eastern china under the theme weaving without borders.
For five days the town in Zhejiang province will be a dynamic stage for fashion art and lifestyle experiences.
Organizers opened the event with a runway show that featured over 50 iconic pieces from past Paris fashion weeks.
International collectors brought French a couture to the spotlight, celebrating its timeless elegance and craftsmanship.
Throughout the week, designers staged a series of vibrant showcases, including international and domestic brand shows, cross -border collaborations, and trend -setting live events.
Local talents from Tongxiang, alongside established global designers, brought a unique blend of tradition and innovation to the runways.
Liu Hongqiao stood out with a show that used lighting effects to transform fabric colours.
This week also marked the opening of the Puyuan Knitwear Selection Center.
We're at 57 minutes past the hour.
Check in the forecast before we go for the day.
Beijing is down to 15 degrees on Wednesday evening.
Thursday is sunny, the high is 29.
Nanchung is at 24 overnight, then moderate rainfall in 25.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is down to 20, followed by sunshine in 42.
Tien is at 24 overnight, then moderate rainfall in 34.
But on pens 24 this evening and then it's followed by a slight rain and 34 degrees in Africa the Robies getting some rain and 23 on Thursday.
Compattle is down to 20 followed by a slight rainfall and 23 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of The Beijing Hour.
Making news today China and Colombia have signed a cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative.
And the US president signed billions of dollars of deals during his ongoing trip in the Middle East. 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.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time.
We meet you on podcast and on air every weekday.
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 nine percent 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 boatman 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 you
