Get the unmissable news stories of the day.
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 use your hopes.
I'm Shane Baker with you on this Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese Capitol on today's program, Russia has agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Israel is warned of more attacks in Gaza after airstrikes that have killed over 400 in the enclave in recent days.
China's marking the 14th anniversary of a freight service connecting with Europe.
In business, China updates standards for after -sales services and today we have the final part of the Yellow River Mosaic series, telling stories of people whose lives are intertwined with the famous Chinese waterway.
Today the pilgrimage of a a veteran journalist along the Yellow River.
Now checking the day's top stories.
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin's agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
It follows a phone call between Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Trump described the call as good and productive.
He said they agreed the three year conflict needs to end with lasting peace.
The White House says the US and Russia will launch technical negotiations on conducting a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
The Kremlin's statement insists that the key condition for peace is a complete cessation of Western military and intelligence support for Ukraine's military.
It also emphasized that Kiev could not rearm or mobilize during any ceasefire.
US Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff has also confirmed that further negotiations between American and Russian officials will take place in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, Nathan King reports from the White House.
So, the headline is no full 30 -day ceasefire, but the Russians have agreed to a 30 -day ceasefire when it comes to targeting energy and infrastructure.
That means Ukrainian cities not being here in power, not going out in civilian casualties as a result but still fighting on the front lines Moscow has also said that in any ceasefire going forward it would not want any weapons coming from the US or Western allies going to Ukraine that they shouldn't be able to mobilize fresh troops either they agreed on a prisoner's swab as well and to set up teams to negotiate a full ceasefire and a permanent peace on the Russian and the US side to start negotiating in the Middle East as soon as possible.
We have a White House statement here and also negotiating maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea as well.
So no full ceasefire just yet, but definitely a step forward. That was Nathan King following up on the phone call between Putin and Trump.
The Kremlin's emphasized Russia's key condition for peace, which is a complete cessation of Western military and intelligence support for Ukraine, Dasha Chernyshova explains.
The Kremlin said the sides continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine, with Putin confirming a commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Moscow says a complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence to Kiev is the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means.
The Kremlin insists there are also serious risks associated with inability to negotiate with Kiev's government, accusing it of sabotaging and violating the agreements reached.
As a gesture of good will, Moscow will transfer to Kiev 23 seriously wounded servicemen who are being treated in Russia.
And on the 19th of March, Russian and Ukrainian sides will exchange 175 prisoners each. Moscow and Washington agreed to create expert groups to assist on the Ukrainian settlement.
That was Dasha Chernyshova in Moscow.
President Vladimir Zelensky says Ukraine is prepared to support an agreement with Russia.
But Ukraine must be part of the negotiations.
Zelensky accused Russia of rejecting proposals for a complete ceasefire and called for pressure on the Russian leader.
He says a Russian strike on civilian infrastructure involving more than 40 drones is proof that Putin is trying to drag out the conflict.
We will support any proposals that lead to a sustainable just peace, but for this, we must understand what is at stake.
What are the details?
Because there are two sides in this war, Russia and Ukraine.
Trying to negotiate without Ukraine, in my view, would not be productive.
Some European leaders have also reacted to the talks between Putin and Trump.
Germany and France have reaffirmed that any peace negotiations must fully involve the Ukrainian government.
During a meeting in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Schulz and French President Emmanuel Macron underscored their support for Kyiv.
Schulz said the halt to attacks on energy infrastructure is an important first step, but he stressed the need for a full ceasefire as soon as possible.
Macron said the Trump -Putin talks are a step in the right direction.
He affirmed Europe's continued support for Ukraine to ensure a stable and lasting resolution.
UK Prime Minister Kere Starmer reiterated his country's support for Ukraine in a meeting with Zelensky on Tuesday night.
He welcomed the progress towards a ceasefire saying negotiations must lead to a just and lasting peace.
Beijing says it's advocated using dialogue and negotiations to end the Russia -Ukraine conflict all along when When asked about China's view on Putin and Trump's call, the Foreign Ministry says it welcomes all efforts toward establishing a ceasefire, which it sees as a necessary step to bring about peace.
Trump's return to the White House in late January ushered in a marked shift in U .S. policy toward the Ukraine conflict.
Here's a recap. On February 12, Trump had his first call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, agreeing to launch immediate negotiations.
Trump pledged to pressure Kiev into concessions including halting NATO expansion, while Putin demanded Ukraine give up Crimea some Eastern regions and restrict its military.
A few days later US and Russian delegations held talks in Saudi Arabia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Russians were ready to engage and no one would be sidelined.
However, senior Russian officials expressed dissatisfaction with the US proposed ceasefire plan arguing it merely provides Ukraine's military with breathing room.
In mid -March, U .S. special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, visited Russia and met Putin in Moscow.
After that, Trump praised talks with Putin as productive while urging Russia to spare thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk.
Putin conditionally accepted the ceasefire, but demanded Ukraine limit its army.
On Monday, right before the second call between Trump and Putin, White House National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, said Washington did not rule out sanctions.
Officials from the U .S. and Russia emphasize that there were still challenges to be worked out before Russia could agree to a ceasefire or a final peaceful resolution of the war.
Ruthmore, Li Dongning spoke to Rongying at Sichuan University.
The professor acknowledged some positive developments in the peace process.
Has the phone call between Putin and Trump made real progress here?
Well, I think the short answer is yes.
I first and foremost, I think a conversation between President Trump and President Putin lasting 2 hours and a half is not an insignificant development.
As a matter of fact, I think it is certainly a very much send us very strong signal of the commitment and I think readiness to work along the line, working together for sort of a peace deal.
Secondly, I think despite the fact that Russia has not accepted the complete ceasefire, 30 days proposed by the United States, I think it did agree that kind of ceasefire stopped attacking the energy infrastructure.
And also they agreed to look at the possibility of maritime ceasefire, Black Sea.
Last but not least, I think the conversation, I mean, kicked the start, a very important process of normalization of the relation between Russia and United States, not only at the bilateral level, economic cooperation, and we even talk about the hockey tournament but the most important thing on regional and global issues.
So I think the first step, but it's a significant step towards peace deal.
Professor, another complex situation is that Ukraine says it must be part of any peace talks, but there is no indication through face talks with Russia.
What might be the next steps?
The next step certainly will continue to be, I think, mediate or led by the United States since President Trump certainly has put a lot of stake, his personal and also political stake in this process.
And in the end, I think fair, just, and effective agreements that is binding and except of all the parties cannot be imposed by anybody.
It has to be bring all the parties concerned at the appropriate time.
So face -to -face talks between Russia and Ukraine will come at a time that is appropriate to the dynamic that we are talking about.
That was chair professor Rong Ying at Sichuan University.
European Commission presidents calling for stronger military capabilities to ensure Europe's security amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
During a speech in Copenhagen, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must have a strong defence posture by 2030.
If Europe wants to avoid war, Europe must get ready for war and Denmark is acutely aware of its own security and threats, not least because of its unique strategic geography, but also because of recent events.
I'm, of course, talking about the ongoing war conflicts and other theatres.
EU leaders are already planning significant increases in defence spending, following warnings from the US that Europe must look after its own security, including Ukraine, in the future.
The EU chief also referred to attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and ongoing jostling for influence in the Arctic region.
In the meantime, the German parliaments approved a massive spending boost for the national defense budget proposed by Chancellor and waiting Frederick Murs.
Dubbed a cash bazooka by local media, the increase could mean Germany spends €1 trillion over the next 10 years.
Murs argued that tensions in Europe stemming from the fight in Ukraine have made it necessary to take the first major step towards a new European defense community.
Uncertainty about the US commitment to NATO since Trump took office has also fueled the decision.
This marks an unprecedented move for Germany which has kept its defense spending at a minimum level since the end of World War II.
Berlin's also expected to approve an additional 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine.
Coming up, Israel warns of more attacks in the Gaza Strip.
China's economic growth is outperforming expectations, but questions remain.
When will the property slump end?
Can consumer confidence keep up?
And how much will U .S. tariffs bite?
Siving all these and more at this week's chat lounge, wherever you listen to podcasts, and on CGTN radio.
Now 12 minutes pass the hour.
Israel is warned of more attacks to come after launching airstrikes that killed over 400 Palestinians in Gaza.
Tuesday's strike shattered two months of relative peace since the first phase of a ceasefire took effect in January.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he ordered the strikes because Hamas' rejected proposals to extend the ceasefire.
A mediating country's Egypt and Qatar condemned the Israeli assault.
However, the US says Hamas is solely to blame because it chose war instead of a truce extension.
Hamas accused Israel of jeopardizing efforts toward a permanent end of the conflict, but is not threatened to retaliate.
Authorities in Gaza are still working to remove bodies from the rubble.
Ramy Almagari has more from Gaza.
In Gaza city, rescue operations have been crippled, have been impeded, because of the fact that heavy missionaries have not entered the Gaza Strip based on the ceasefire agreement reached between the mass and Israel by mediation in late January.
That's the situation.
We have spoken to people earlier and they told us that there are people trapped under the rubble, dead people or maybe injured, maybe dead, maybe alive, and they were not able to rescue them or to take them out.
That is the scene here, hundreds of people have been killed, many others have been raped under the rebel because of the fact that the lack of the machineries and their truckloads and other actual equipment needed for the Palestinians to take out these bodies out of the rebel.
Yes, that is regarding this and this for the past 10 days.
Israel has closed the border crossings, and have blocked the entry of those essential supplies into the territory.
That was Romi Amagari reporting on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that the overnight strikes on Gaza are just the beginning and future negotiations with the Massel take place only under fire.
Hundreds of Israelis have gathered in Tel Aviv to protest the renewed bombings in Gaza.
Jonathan really sources be it the Prime Minister's office, the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Staff, they are all saying Israel has now began what will be a military operation in steps, meaning this is the first step, and as long as Hamas does not go back to the negotiating table in order to move forward the Whitcoff plan, which would allow the release of 11 living hostages and 16 hostage bodies, if that does not happen, Israel will go into the next step and basically escalate the operation and that means that more people will have to be evacuated.
Israel is saying this is just the first step and more steps harsher steps will follow if Hamas does not return to the negotiating table but not for the second phase of that original ceasefire deal but for the Whitcoff plan this is what Israel is aiming for.
So if we look at the international community strong support from the United States and the American ambassador to the United Nations, saying loud and clear that the collapse of the ceasefire should be blamed only on Hamas.
This is due to the fact that Hamas refused to move along with the Whitcoff plan.
This is when we're speaking about Washington.
But other powers, even close to Israel such as the United Kingdom, such as Germany, they're careful to put blame on Israel.
But they're saying that they're very concerned and that ceasefire should be implemented.
The ceasefire should be put back on track as soon as possible.
Other countries such as Turkey, of course, are strongly blaming Israel.
And as far as the Israeli society, just like every other thing, it seems that the Israeli society is very much divided on this issue.
That was Jonathan Regev reporting from Tel Aviv.
At a U .N. Security Council meeting, Israel has defended its decision to attack Gaza.
UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher briefed the Security Council on Tuesday as the Gaza situation escalates amid Israel's new strikes.
Jodie Jacobs reports from New York.
The overnight airstrikes on the Gaza Strip by Israel are Security Council members concerned.
The United Nations, too, warning that the gains made during the two -month ceasefire are being destroyed.
The return to hostilities overnight must cease.
The suffering of the people of the region must end.
A renewed ceasefire is the best way of protecting civilians in Gaza, in the OPT and in Israel, releasing hotages and detainees and allowing aid and commercial supplies in.
Tuesday's meeting was supposed to focus on Israel's blockade of aid into the enclave. But the fresh wave of attacks took centre stage.
Israel has defended its actions.
We stand firm in our commitment to return the hostages and defeat Hamas, and it is time for the international community to take our commitment seriously.
We will bring home every last hostage.
Hamas has refused to release our hostages and repeatedly rejected all the offers both by the US and the mediating countries, even for the period of Ramadan.
And thus, the return to fighting is a necessity.
Israel also sought to minimize its two -week blockade of aid deliveries to the enclave. And ETS says claims that an electricity cutoff has plunged Gaza into humanitarian collapse are greatly exaggerated.
But the United Nations reports otherwise.
The world body insists that ETS' ability to deliver assistance and basic services is becoming harder.
According to the Palestinian health authorities, more than 400 people were killed during this fresh wave of violence.
The Palestinian representative to the UN, calling on the Security Council yet again to take action and force Israel to adhere to the ceasefire.
Help us, act. We want peace.
We have a plan, we have an alternative.
We have options. It is crystal clear.
Help us, act with us to make peace is the option of the world and make war not acceptable and need to be stopped and ceasefire to prevail.
As the calls for adherence to the ceasefire increase, China too has urged Israel to renounce what it calls it's obsession with the use of force and to immediately seize its military operations in Gaza.
It says the collective punishment of Gazans must stop.
That was Jodi Jacobs reporting from the UN headquarters.
Yemen's Huthiron media has reported fresh US strikes on Sana 'a and Hadidah.
In the meantime, the group claims they have struck Israel's Nevadim airbase with a hypersonic missile.
The Israeli military says the strike was intercepted before reaching its territory.
On Tuesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al -Huthi warned that if a renewed Israeli assault on Gaza continues, escalation against Israel will resume at the highest levels.
Turning to Africa, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda avoid support for a ceasefire in the eastern DRC as they met for talks mediated by Qatar.
As the conflict continues, M -23 rebels have chased people away from their villages in Goma.
They'd previously allowed the villagers to return to their homes.
The rebels gave the internally displaced persons a three -day deadline to comply.
Sjern Berunga has more.
One month ago, internally displaced persons in eastern DRC found shelter and safety in the neighborhoods of Mugunga and La Cue Vat in Goma.
But the camps are now empty.
The Mgunga camp had approximately 100 ,000 internally displaced people living in this space of at least 500 square meters.
There is nothing left of it, all the tents have been destroyed, and the last ones are being pulled down by locals after the displaced persons left. The M23 rebels had asked them to return to their homes, but later reversed that decision.
The people affected are from the villages of Tuonane, Karenga and Kamambo in Macissi territory.
I don't know what our problem was.
I also went home but after a week, they asked us to leave the place.
They chased us out of our home.
We had nothing else to do but save our lives.
They didn't tell us our problem, they just gave us a time to leave and we left. Let them allow us to go back home, or somewhere else we can go.
We don't have a home of our own.
A little further in Sake, about 30 kilometers west of Goma, the Kamuransa Primary School compound is struggling to host nearly 300 families that fled Karinga.
The area is under M23 control.
I don't know how much, I'm already very old, I stay at home.
It was young people who had gone to Solango, who brought us the message, saying that the M23 had asked us to leave Karinga.
I wondered what the problem was.
I saw people start destroying their tensing hearts into Onane, Kamamboo, and Karenga.
We all fled out of fear, and that's why we are here.
Without humanitarian aid, the internally displaced persons face difficult days ahead.
Many of them had hoped to resume rebuilding their lives when they arrived home after the fall of Gohma but now they face uncertain times after being chased away by M23 rebels.
M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral -rich eastern DRC, near the Buddha with Rwanda.
The conflict has created one of the world's most serious humanitarian crisis, with thousands killed and millions displaced.
Efforts to bring to end the fighting in the region are ongoing and for many of the families struggling just to get by, as the violence rages on, that peace cannot come soon enough.
That was Sharon Barangat reporting.
Coming up, Chinese freight connection with Europe marks 14 years of operation.
Buckle up for the Chinese Groundbreak.
On the sideline story, we are breaking down F1's 2025 season, the F1 Academy's groundbreaking debut in Shanghai featuring all -female drivers, Max Verstappen's rivals closing in, and Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari gamble.
Plus, can Joe Grenier race back onto the grid?
Subscribe now to Sightline Story, where we keep the engines running.
At 23 past the hour, Wednesday marks the 14th anniversary of Freightrain service connecting southwestern China and Germany.
The Chongqing -Duzberg route is one of several lines on the China -Europe Freightrain network.
Since 2011, these routes operated more than 16 ,000 trips across Asia and Europe.
The value of the goods transported is reaching nearly 600 billion yuan or 83 billion US dollars with an average annual growth rate of 30 percent in exports -oriented industries.
Xu Yi has more. Since its inception in 2011 as part of the Belt and Road initiative, the China Europe Railway Express has become a vital link in China Europe economic cooperation and Lehman broke down some figures.
And by the end of 2024, it had completed over 100 ,000 trips transporting more than 11 million TU of goods valued at over 420 billion US dollars.
The extensive network connects 125 Chinese cities with 227 European cities across 25 countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asia countries spanning Eurasia.
And China Europe Railway Express has significantly boosted trade volumes by offering a fast and reliable transportation option for a diverse range of products.
Over the past 50 years, the China -EU economic and trade cooperation has grown steadily, with trade volumes increasing from $2 .4 billion to $760 billion, and investment rising from nearly zero to almost $260 billion.
And the types of goods transported have expanded to 52 major categories and over 50 ,000 varieties, with the rising proportion of high -tech and high -value added goods.
The express also has driven regional economic development, transforming cities like Chongqing, Chengdu and Zhengzhou into export -oriented hubs with average annual rates of about 30 percent.
As it surpasses the 100 ,000 -trip milestone, the China -Europe railway express has proven itself a powerful engine for promoting economic cooperation between China and Europe, contributing to regional development and enhancing people's well -being.
Now at Shui Reporting, an earlier Lili Lu spoke with Vasilis Trigas, a visiting assistant professor at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University.
What do you think is the greatest contribution of the project to regional economic and trade development?
Do you think it has really transformed the traditional trade models?
Yes, I think it has a very positive contribution, both to regional trade and also Eurasian trade connecting the two edges of Eurasia, Europe with China, and this is because of two dimensions.
Number one is the speed which has been revolutionized by the railway.
Usual transportation, when it comes to maritime logistics, takes about 40 days to connect Chinese ports to European ports like Piraeus or Hamsburg.
But when it comes to railway transportation, the time is cut to about 15 days.
So that's a very important particularly for just in time just on time industries, maybe automobile industries and other industries that need to optimize logistics.
So that's an efficiency and effect on speed.
The second effect is supply chain resilience.
And this is a very important in our geopolitical era.
We all know there are many crisis in the world right now that has affected maritime logistics in the sweat on the Suez Canal and on the Red Sea, for instance.
And so the chalk point, the maritime chalk point, are very vulnerable when it comes to geopolitical crises.
But railways, particularly railways going over land, are much safer.
And I think that second effect has really advanced supply chain resiliency and provided alternatives in an increasingly more geopolitical world.
So that's another very positive impact of the railway link between Europe and Asia.
And actually, beyond enhancing China and Europe trade, the railway has also spurred economic growth in countries and regions along its route.
So how can this project better integrate with the Belt and Road Initiative to foster deeper regional economic integration?
Well, yeah, I think the data here are very clear there are cities, inland cities in China like Xi 'an, Chengdu, and Chongqing that are now connected.
They've become basically port cities that are connected with the European inland cities like Duisburg in Germany, or cities in Poland, which have also become inland ports.
And that's very, very important for bilateral trade.
As I said earlier, the geopolitical crises are not going away.
So the, the future of the railway built on smart data, and sustainability, to optimize resilience supply chains, it's also something that can increasingly advance its long -term sustainability and make the railway a supplementary logistic line to the maritime logistics.
That was Veselas Trigas at Schwartzman College, Tsingwha University.
At 28 past the hour, Beijing down to five degrees, Wednesday evening.
It'll be sunny and 22 on Thursday.
Nansheng's down to nine, then clouds in 23.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's 12 this evening, Thursday has sunshine in 30.
Vientian's down to 18, then cloudy in 31.
but on pens 23 overnight.
Then overcast in 33.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting a slight rainfall and 26 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
It's time for a short break.
So far, this hour, Russia's agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Israel is warned of more attacks and gasm after airstrikes that have killed over 400 in the enclave in recent days.
In China, marks the 14th anniversary of a freight service connecting with Europe.
Shane big a Step with us here on the Beijing Hour.
The best military commander is not he who fights a hundred battles and winks every one of them.
The best military strategy does not lead to a desiccation of the enemy's capital city.
Decoding the art of war will help you understand why there's no art in war, and how seems the State undefeatable using the science of war with fun stories and insightful breakdown of famous battles, find Decoding the art of war wherever you listen.
long journey with CGTN radio's latest offering, Echoes of Coolia, a gripping audio -drama series inspired by real -life tales.
From unexpected encounters to heartfelt reunions, immerse yourself in a narrative of love peace and enduring It is a piece of my lost childhood!
Listen to Echoes of Coolia, on radio .cgtn .com and all major podcast platforms. Bing An.
Bing. Bing An. Bing An.
Examining the events that impact and shake 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 hope.
Shane Bigum with you on this Wednesday.
Still to come. In business, China updates standards for after -sales services.
And today we have the final part of the Yellow River mosaic series, telling stories of people whose lives are intertwined with the famous Chinese waterway.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn .com or follow our X account at cgtnradio.
But first, with a check of the day's headline news, here's Tambur.
Thank you, Shane. The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
It follows a phone call between Putin and his U .S. counterpart Donald Trump.
Moscow insisted that the key condition for peace is a complete cessation of Western military and intelligence support for two Ukraine's military.
The White House said the U .S. and Russia will launch technical negotiations on conducting a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelensky said his country will consider supporting the plan to stop strikes on energy sites.
He also expressed a readiness to speak with Trump about the details of his discussions with Putin.
Meanwhile, Beijing says it welcomes all efforts toward establishing a ceasefire, which it sees as a necessary step to bring about peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has returned to fighting with full force and troops will escalate their renewed assault on Gaza.
He added that Israel launched the surprise attacks because Hamas rejected proposals to free hostages and extend Phase One of the ceasefire.
Gaza Health authorities said that airstrikes have killed more than 400 people.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire that took effect in January.
Officials in India have ordered an indefinite curfew in the central city of Nagpur after violent clashes broke out between Muslim and Hindu communities.
Rival groups of protesters have set vehicles on fire, vandalized the stalls and thrown stones at each other, prompting police to fire warning shots and detain several people.
The unrest comes after radical Hindu groups staged a protest to demand the demolition of the tomb of a Muslim ruler of the Mughal Empire.
Members of the Muslim community have filed complaints alleging that Hengdu protesters have burnt copies of the Quran during the demonstrations.
NASA astronauts Butch Willem have returned to Earth after being stuck in space for over nine months.
Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast on Tuesday evening, ending their prolonged mission.
The pair had originally launched on Boeing's Starliner capsule in June, but technical issues forced NASA to send Starliner home empty and transfer the astronauts to SpaceX. Delays with SpaceX's replacement capsule further extended this day.
While Wilmore and Willem stressed that they didn't mind spending more time in space, they admitted it was tough on their families.
Steve Stitch is NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager.
Again, I want to congratulate the entire NASA commercial crew program, the SpaceX team.
In many ways, if I step back to last year, this has been nine months in the making and I couldn't be prouder of our team's versatility, our team's ability to adapt and really build for the future of human spaceflight and looking at different ways to launch a crew and then bring back the crew in a different vehicle.
NASA says it will decide by summer whether Boeing or SpaceX will handle future crew US President Donald Trump has honoured his campaign promise by releasing previously classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F.
Kennedy. He said the new files contained roughly 80 ,000 pages.
Shortly after taking office in January, Trump signed an order to declassify and release any remaining documents related to Kennedy's killing, as well as the assassinations of Robert F.
Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Archives and Records Administration uploaded the documents.
The archives said it has now released all previously classified records, though some have yet to appear online.
Kennedy's murder has been attributed to a Seoul Government Lee Harvey Oswald.
The Justice Department and other federal government bodies reaffirmed that conclusion in the intervening decades, but polls show many Americans believe his death was a result of a conspiracy.
Seoul's Korea plans to mobilise all available riot police on the day when the Constitutional Court decides whether to impeach President Yeon Suk -il over his botched imposition of martial law.
Yeonhap News Agency reported that police will issue the highest level emergency order and deploy about 20 ,000 riot policemen across the country for expected protest and crowd control.
Of the total, about 14 ,000 riot police well -being Seoul, where the Constitutional Court is located.
A final verdict from the Court is widely expected this week.
Outgoing International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has emphasized enduring values of the Olympic movement in his address to the IOC session in ancient Olympia.
Bach is stepping down in June after serving for 12 years.
The event in Greece will elect a new IOC president on Thursday.
The seven candidates include World Athletics' President Sebastian Koh and the son of former President Juan Antonio Semirang.
Stock markers on the Chinese mainland closed slightly lower on Wednesday.
day, the Shanghai composite was down 0 .1 % while the Shenzhen component lost over 0 .3%, stocks of passenger cars and commercial banks led the gainers.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market ended higher with the Hsang index up 0 .1%.
Meantime stocks in Japan close this trading day with a bit of a loss, with the Nikkei down nearly 0 .3%.
The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation has unveiled an updated national standard for after -sales services, effective from the first day of May.
The revised standard enhances provisions for delivery, extended warranties and product recycling, while prioritizing data privacy protection and digital service methods.
It strengthens requirements for service providers including manufacturers, sellers, and authorized agents, mandating a clearer collaboration among after -sales service organizations.
The standard also specifies response timeframes for service requests and real -time updates, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.
For more, Lily Liu spoke with Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer at Novum Arcade Technologies.
Regarding this updated set of rules on after -sales services, what do you think is the most significant as a significant aspect in the context of the internet economy.
How will it affect Chinese consumers and businesses?
For this new document regarding the requirements for after -sales service, it has put a lot of new methods that use the internet technology and AI to conduct the after -sales service.
You know, in the past, a large obstacle for after -sales service is that it costs too much time and effort.
For the products that don't have much value, many consumers just gave up the after -sales service.
But with the help of Internet and technology, the after -cell service can be more convenient and efficient.
For example, with big data and possibility calculation, companies can quickly distinguish between a real after -cell service and a fake one, so that they can actually respond much quicker.
With the help of Internet and new delivery systems, logistics centers, the after -cell service can be completed much quicker, and this will bring better service to the consumers, which will finally stimulate the overall consumption.
In Yeshua, with rapid development of smart technologies, how do you think businesses should balance technological innovation with improving service quality?
Overall speaking the internet economy has helped out a lot with completing the after -sell service, but they are still short born, and this requires the joint efforts of companies, governments and, you know, this kind of the media.
And if you look at the internet economy, many of the information has been given to the businesses.
So, the question is really how to use them, and businesses have to use this information very well in order to provide service to the consumers.
So, they have to invest a lot of money.
So, if you look at this Internet economy to the businesses, definitely it's helping the businesses.
There is no question about that.
The question is, how much money are you willing to invest?
And that's also causing the problem of competition between businesses, that if you invest too much money and your competitors are not investing that much money, then you can increase your cost. But if you don't invest enough money, the consumers might not like your company.
So, this really creates a problem, so businesses really have to consider this.
That was Chen Jiahe at Novem Arcade Technologies.
Multiple foreign institutions have expressed optimism about China's market.
According to Goman Sachs, the country's stock market has had its best start to this year, driven by breakthroughs in AI and strong policy support for technological advancements.
HSBC has also upgraded its forecast for Chinese GDP growth to 4 .8 % from the previous 4 .5 % after the government announced more decisive policy support to boost domestic consumption.
Additionally, a Deutsche Bank survey shows 54 % of Chinese respondents feel that the economy has improved compared to last year, signaling a boost in consumer confidence.
Meantime, foreign investment in China stocks and bonds surged in February, with net purchases reaching $12 .7 billion, as global investors increasingly turned their attention to China's growing market.
And finally, Chinese brand Zikr has unveiled a new SUV with autonomous driving technology.
The Zekir 9X comes fitted with L3 -ready capabilities, which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel but requires them to stay steady to intervene.
Zekir will debut the new SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show next month with deliveries slated for the second half of the year.
The company says Zekir 9X will be equipped with a new G -Pilot system, which uses artificial intelligence to avoid obstacles and locate empty parking lots.
The Chinese automaker BYD has also recently announced that it would introduce advanced self -driving technology for nearly all of its cars.
Thank you very much, that was Wang Zihang with Business.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour, just ahead we have the final part of the Yellow River Mosaic series telling stories of people whose lives are intertwined with the famous Chinese waterway.
From the headwaters to the river mouth.
From the mainstream to its tributaries.
He has been carrying out few trips of the Yellow River almost every year since 1997.
You are so beautiful.
I don't know. Maybe I was born to connect with the river.
From its geology to its history, from the locals' livelihood to their culture, and from environmental challenges to wildlife protection, he explores along the Yellow River and pushes for its protection.
He is Huang Cheung -de, an old friend to many folks who live along the river.
Crazy guy. He keeps doing it even with such a bad path problem.
He's stubborn, but he has bad respect.
In this episode we introduce to you Huang Chengdu who has been recording the changes to the Yellow River for over two decades and contributing to its conservation.
Stay tuned for the last episode of our 12 part series, the Yellow River mosaic.
Kilgrimage of a veteran journalist. 43, past the hour.
You're listening to The Baging Hour and it's time for our special series, The Yellow River Mosaic.
Today we bring you the final episode, Pilgrimage of a veteran journalist. Huang Chengde has conducted field trips along the Yellow River nearly every year since 1997.
From the river source to its estuary, he's explored almost every part of the river and encouraged many people to join him in the collective effort to protect the Yellow River.
Here's Ujia. August 6, 2021, at Kar Jue, ahead water of the Yellow River in Southern Baianha mountains at Qinghai lucky town at all.
It was Wang Chengde who inspired me to travel along the Yellow River.
Departing from his hometown in South Western Square -Jo, province, the 67 -year -old veteran journalist travels north to the Yellow River every year.
Over the past 25 years he has repeatedly travelled the entire river system and contributed to its protection in his own way.
I join him both at the headwaters and the middle beaches in 2021 and once again in early 2024.
Crossing shallow lakes, marshlands and grasslands, our car was running on a pair of tire tracks in the middle of nowhere.
It was about 4 ,800 m above sea level, deep in the Baianhar mountains.
Ochunder, who was at the Wille, was looking for a monument at Karche, one of the three headwaters of the Yellow River.
He stopped the car and before I could realise what was happening, Huang had nailed down and bowed to a stealing with the Chinese characters Kaju engraved on it.
It's our mother river.
I want to pay my respects.
It was his second visit to the headwaters of the Yellow River in 12 months.
I travel along the river almost every year.
While I can't claim to have stepped on each and every inch of the river system, I believe I could safely say about 80 % of it, including each of the river banks, the four lakes, and the 30 canyons along the river.
I traveled more in recent years because the government has been pushing ahead legislation to enhance protection of the river.
I'd like to offer some down -to -earth advice.
Hong Chengdu made his first trip to the Yellow River source region in the winter of 1997 on a motorcycle.
Snow submerged half of the wheels.
It was mainly gravel road at that time.
road for two days from Xilinx to get there.
On this trip with us, Huang was driving his fourth SUV after wearing out three others and nine motorcycles as a result of his arduous Yellow River trips.
I called for Yellow River protection in the 1990s, when little attention was paid to its environment deterioration, now people have realised its importance and are taking actions.
I make follow -up trips to see if there's more I can do.
Wearing a photographer vest, blue jeans and sneakers, Hong Tung -ge walked along the river holding a camera in his right hand.
He used his left hand to support his back, which suffers from chronic back pain.
As he talked to us, his eyes kept searching for things worthy of note.
He moved fast and click the shutter quickly when he spotted a target.
He has taken millions of pictures over the years, revealing changes in the river landscapes.
I've taken a number of photos today to call on people to act on climate change.
The permafrost here is a thawing due to global warming.
Whatever the locals do to address the problem is not enough.
It takes the whole world to tackle climate change collectively.
Now, we were about 100 kilometers away from the headwaters.
In front of us were hills that looked like terraced the fields.
Grass grew on layers upon layers of collapsed soil.
The thawing of the permafrost leads to a decline in groundwater levels.
It could trigger secondary disasters such as grassland degradation and even desertification.
This is the big concern of most of the herdsmen I met.
Now I have one more thing to worry about because I found cracks developing in some houses near headwaters due to Pam Frost's UFOs.
The local Geological Research Department had checked those houses before.
One Tlien, head of Maduotang at the headwaters, said geologic hazard had been ruled out.
Its global world, the frozen wetland on the ground has begun to melt, and that causes the walls to crack.
Huang Tunde cares about everything related to the Yellow River.
Normally when travelling alone, he takes the wild animals as his companions.
But last year, when I came here with my son, I saw few wild animals like the Kians.
I used to see them in large vlogs and would talk to them.
I asked again and again, where are you, where have you gone?
But they were nowhere to be seen.
Hongtingdu shed a tear in front of his son because he didn't spot his wild animal buddies.
He couldn't hold his excitement when he came across vast patches of land under solar panels.
He believes the renewable energy project is needed for sustainable development of the Yellow River Basin.
Crazy guy, he keeps traveling along the river even with his bag problem, but traveling has indeed broadened Huang's perspectives of the world.
Talking to him inspires me a lot.
Huang has made a lot of friends along the river, including Zhang Shufong, a painter at Qikao, in the middle ridge of the river, where we joined Huang Chengde again, two months later.
Leaning on the driver's seat, Huang Chengde dozed off by the roadside.
It was four o 'clock in the afternoon.
Are you awake, sir?
Yep, was a bit tired.
Resting for even about 10 minutes can help avoid fatigue driving.
Let's go. We continued our journey and headed to an ancient castle in Lao Nhuang village, where the river flows into Shaanxi province at its little beach. It's where the yellow river meets the Great War.
This is a real treasure.
Saying that, he pressed his cheek and then his ear against the wall of a military fortress built some 500 years ago.
That's cheek kissing.
I listen to its history, in honor of the garrison soldiers defending it hundreds of years ago.
Each time Hong Chengde travels by the river, he manages to explore the castle and parts of the Great War built in different historical periods and the culturalics of different ethnic groups.
They are heritages from our ancestors.
Now it's our turn to protect them well.
so they can be passed down to future generations.
Huang tried to explain why he's so attached to the Yellow River or Huang He in Chinese.
How should I put it?
I don't know, maybe I was born to connect with the river.
My family name is Juan, the same as the name of the river.
I also picked Juan Her as my son's name.
Juan Her or the Yellow River got its name from the large amount of yellow -brown silt it carries in the middle reaches as it flows through the low -s plateau.
The Chinese people have tried to harness the Yellow River for thousands of years, making sure that it doesn't impose danger has always mattered a lot to the country.
The more you explore the river, the deeper you would fall in love with it.
Hwang added that he has been touched the most by the people who live by the river.
Those people love him back.
I bring him pancakes in case he is not able to eat on time.
He works a lot in the wild, you know?
It's lucky to have a mentor like him in my career.
He is like a beacon of light in protecting the environment and improving public welfare.
On his trip to the headwaters once again, Hong Chengde attended a seminar to discuss a damn project at the upper reach of the Yellow River.
Over the past two -and -a -half decades, he has participated in a number of projects along the Yellow River.
He has provided first -hand information to the authorities and played a role in promoting pest and sand control, desertification prevention, mine rehabilitation and cultural relic protection along the river.
He would always revisit the places where he had found something wrong to see if those issues have been addressed.
I went to the start of the middle course of the river to check whether planting livestock crops on the dikes had been banned.
Planting that kind of crops there could result in issues such as pesticide and chemical fertiliser pollution.
I gave my advice to the local authorities earlier to stop this.
Now, warning signs have been placed there to remind people of the acid.
Hwang Junde said he would continue his exploration of the Yellow River in the next 10 or 20 years, or for as long as he could.
As we tell his story in this program, the veteran journalist has already set out on on another trip.
This time, he will visit sections of the Great Wall built some 2 ,000 years ago along the Yellow River.
That was pilgrimage of a veteran journalist, the last episode of our multimedia series, The Yellow River Mosaic.
You can also visit radio .cgtn .com for more videos and photos from the series or subscribe to the Yellow River mosaic on your favorite podcast platform.
58 past the hour Beijing down to 5 degrees Wednesday evening it's sunny and 22 on Thursday Nanshung's down to 9 then cloudy in 23.
Elsewhere Asia, Islamabad's 12 this evening then sunny in 30.
Vientiane's down to 18 that's followed by cloudy conditions in 31.
Phnom Penh's 23 overnight overcast in 33 tomorrow.
In Africa, Nairobi gets a slight rainfall and 26 degrees on Thursday.
Compaluss down to 19, then a slight rain in 23.
Juba's 23 overnight and then overcast in 35 degrees.
Finally, to Oceania, Port Vila 25 this evening, then a slight rainfall and 31 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of The Beijing Hour.
Making news today, Russia's agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Israel is warned of more attacks in Gaza after airstrikes that have already killed over 400 in the enclave in recent days.
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!
Take away Chinese, where you can take some Chinese away and experience progress day by Take away Chinese.
We will promise you a difference.
Hello everybody, welcome to Roundtable, coming to you live from Beijing.
Roundtable! Connecting China and the world.
We bring you fun and timely discussions about what's affecting our lives everywhere, every day.
Tune in to Round Table where the East meets the West and understanding is the goal.
From North to South, East to West, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat their odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
