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This is the Beijing Hour, Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Dou Hongyu with you on this Friday, October 24th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China aims to achieve progress in high quality development with substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance in the next five years.
The Chinese mainland is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to China.
And Russian President Vladimir Putin says, new US sanctions on oil companies will not significantly impact Russia's economic health.
In business.
China says the past four rounds of trade talks with the US have proven that both sides can find ways to address concerns.
In sports, Shea Gildas Alexander hits a career-high 55 as the Thunder edged the Pacers in double overtime thriller.
In culture and entertainment, ethnic dance drama Dream of the Red Chamber gains soaring popularity.
Now, today's top stories.
China is aiming to achieve progress in high-quality development with substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance in the next five years.
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has adopted recommendations for the country's 15th five-year plan that also calls for deeper reform and broader opening up.
The blueprint covering the five years through 2030 sets out goals to build a modern industrial system and faster progress in modernization in rural areas.
Participants at the fourth plenary session of the CPC 20th Central Committee say the plan provides strong momentum for China's steady progress.
The 14th five-year plan period saw historic and transformative changes in China.
Our achievements have been comprehensive and foundational.
The 15th five-year plan has been personally guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping and reflects the collective wisdom of our entire party.
Under President Xi's leadership, we have the greatest confidence and the fundamental guarantee for our continued success.
My work focuses on quantum technology research and industrialization.
Seeing it prioritized in the 15 five-year plan as a new engine for economic growth gives us clear direction and tremendous confidence.
Under General Secretary Xi's leadership.
We're motivated to develop independent and secure products that bolster China's scientific and technological strength and serve our socio-economic needs.
In his report on behalf of the Political Bureau, President Xi provided a comprehensive review and laid out clear priorities for our next steps.
As a strategic service, the Navy's mission is integral to national rejuvenation and the goal of a world-class military.
We will resolutely carry out the directives from the CPC Central Committee and President Xi, aiming for world-class standards, enhancing our maritime deterrence and combat capabilities and achieving new milestones in naval modernization.
Targets for the next five years also include efforts to improve livelihoods.
Senior officials have further explained the communique and guiding principles from the CPC session.
Dakai has details.
We've just heard from officials from some of the key departments and ministries.
They've laid out the roadmap for China's development for the next five years.
And these covers critical areas from the macro economy to national policy agriculture technology, trade and public health.
Of course, China is wrapping up the 14th five-year plan and is about to start the 15th, which runs from 2026 to 2030.
This will serve as a key link between the past and the future, as the country will push ahead on all fronts in terms of its development and toward basically achieving socialist modernization by the year of 2035.
And as the communique puts it, China's economy remains solid with great resilience and potential.
The strength of its socialist system, of this massive domestic market, complete industrial chain, as well as abundant talent resources, continue to stand out.
And some of the key objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan include building a modernized industrial system, reinforcing the foundation for the real economy, and steer the development of what it calls new quality productive forces.
China's Commerce Minister Wang Wintao also mentioned promoting high standard opening up.
He said the country is determined to expand opening up despite the rise of unilateralism and protectionism.
We have ensured continued success of the China International Import Expo, rolled out experiments for opening up in pilot free-trade zones and declared that, as a responsible, major developing country, China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO.
China has promoted opening up by all through its own opening up, and injected certainty and positive energy to the world.
The communique also calls for strengthening national security, national defense, progress in culture development, agricultural modernization, building ecological environment, or building what it calls a beautiful China.
And also on August 27th, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping, chaired a symposium to solicit opinions from the non-party personages on drafting the recommendations for formulating the 15th five-year plan.
And one thing we see over the past five years or so is that China's economy is deeply woven into the global system.
We see that China contributed roughly 30 to global economic growth annually over the past five years.
And that was when some of the major economies faced stagnation risks.
So the certainty and stability that China provided are much needed to the rest of the world.
That was Dai Kaiyi reporting.
For more.
I earlier spoke with Qu Qiang, a fellow at the Belt and Road Research Center at Minsu University of China.
Professor Chu, how can China attract high-quality foreign investment amid global economic uncertainties?
I think China still can do a lot of things.
Number one, I think, is to transform from the favorable policies towards institutional opening up, because previously China used a lot of favorable policies to attract foreign investors, for example, like tax rebate, like the lower uh you know tariffs and also more kinds of these subsidies.
But right now i don't think this is a longer term policies anymore.
In the future, i think, china should, you know, make more clear negative list to open up the horizon of the opening up.
For example uh, in many areas and sectors, china has already removed the ban for the market entry.
Uh, in many uh you know service sectors, for example, like the telecommunication healthcare education, biotechnologies and all this kind of the service industry.
So in China, we used to set up lots of the threshold, but currently we removed the ban.
And also secondly, I think we need to build more transparent and also expectable environment for all the businesses.
For example, how we can make sure that every investors and also the traders, when they come into China, they can enjoy the national treatment, and make sure that all the international players can have the same access or the same quality of the services, as well as for the domestic competitors.
And what specific policies or reforms are needed to make China's large domestic market a driver of global innovation and cooperation?
Number one, we really need to translate those market size into the innovation scenarios.
In China.
If we're going to translate the market size and population into effective market and the plus into innovation uh oriented market, we need to create uh, you know, the scenario of the users, the scenario of the uh innovation here.
For example, how we can, you know, create all kinds of the users experiences?
We can create all kinds of business scenarios, we can create all kinds of business models and then allow all kinds of information innovation to happen in here, to mushroom in the chinese soil, and i think we can.
What we can do is that the rule of law, to create a sandbox regulation and also to allow all kinds of the innovation practice to happen in here.
And meanwhile we need to build a unified market same standards, same rule of law, same services, same quality.
And among different provinces, different cities and counties, even villages.
When international investors or innovators, when they go into China, no matter where else he goes, he will have the same standard of services, the same standard of rule of law, same standard of security.
You know of market, so he will feel very brave to you know.
Invest in china.
And number two i think we need to bond with uh international cooperators, international partners, to build this kind of innovation-oriented synergy and ecology.
For example, like we just mentioned, Chinese government and foreign Government can hand in hand together to build this overarching design framework so that we can together guarantee and help our innovators, our enterprises, coming into China to set up the joint project together.
That was Chu Qiang at Mizzou University of China on further opening up in the next five years.
As China outlines its roadmap for the next five years, the international community has noted the country's focus on high-tech innovation and green transformation.
Observers and scholars say this is a direction that will not only shape China's future, but also benefit the world.
Those voiced in this view include senior policy specialist Surabh Gupta from the Institute for China-America Studies, Italy-China Association president Maria Rosa Azolina and South African economist Patrick Bond.
What I expect of the 15th five-year plan would be a deepening of that new growth and development model, one that is more inclusive and one that is, at the same time, more innovation-led in terms of its economic structure.
And therefore I think it becomes very important, because China's growth is very important, not just for itself, but for the region and for the world.
I believe that the plans China formulates at every major stage are extremely important because they lay out long-term objectives for years ahead.
One thing that has always impressed us is China's capacity to plan well in advance, always setting a roadmap for the future.
So I think the finest Chinese technologies that have moved the world, especially where the West had very serious patent restrictions include, for example, dealing with pandemics.
And we expect the next generation of Chinese technology to become less restricted for intellectual property.
Others have expressed confidence in China's opening up and said China did so by engaging with other countries rather than through pressure or sanctions.
To better understand China's vision and the role of five-year plans in the country's development.
We spoke with Professor Liu Baocheng from the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics.
This five-year plan is there to provide a strategic roadmap for China's social, economic and political development.
And so it is no longer, as some people have misunderstood, as a very highly mandatory one, but it is there to give a blueprint for all stakeholders, be it the local governments, be it business communities and many other institutions, to really to see that China maintains a high level of consistency on its development paths.
And while we identify new priorities for further development, this will give a call to the whole world that China is now further open a store to welcome more participation from global business communities and welcome more of the tourists.
So this gives them more confidence, but also more predictability over what is going to be unfolded over the next five years.
So therefore, it is really very much of a milestone, but also with high level of consistency and transparency.
That was Professor Liu Baocheng explaining China's forward-looking strategic planning.
China is stepping up efforts to boost quality consumption, expanding access to better goods and experiences.
With more on the topic, Tu Yun had an exclusive interview with Skechers China CEO Willy Tan.
I understand, in 2020, Skechers set up an Asia-Pacific product innovation and RD center in Dongguan, the southern province of Guangdong, and investing more than 8 million US dollars.
And it also expanding logistics operations in Jiangsu province.
So what was the thinking behind those moves? to be in business in China.
We definitely need to have a very strong foundation.
China is the second largest economy in the world.
So we cannot underestimate our consumer.
And it is not true that we can bring product from the West and it's going to work with our Chinese consumer.
Our Chinese consumer uh, very demanding, and then we have our own culture, those kind of things.
So through that requirement we decided that we need to put up an innovation center in the southern part of China, because the value chain that require between Tungkun and Fujian province we can easily get in, or to get all the product development here in Tungkun.
And because of the scale that we have, we need to help our own logistics.
So we built a huge logistic, automated advance in Jiangsu Taichung.
We invest over 4 billion RMB.
Nearly 500 million, yes.
This is also showing my confidence into China.
You said you travel to 300 cities across country?
Yes.
According to your observation, what are the main bottlenecks holding back consumer spending in China right now, and what policy changes do you think could help stimulate consumption further?
You know, I would say that the recovery on real estate is one setback.
That is because of everybody, you know, we Chinese love to own our own house.
So sometimes we thought that we get rich because of the value.
And then sometimes we forget that, oh, our value go down.
In my opinion, that is one of the uncertain that we have.
But I don't believe this is a short term.
So for us in business side, we just need to be I look into this thing very positive.
If you want to be positive to deal with China, I think you need to rethink.
Yes, we might have a little long setback for a while, but I absolutely believe that the chinese government are doing a lot behind us or thinking a lot that more resources will go in and to bring up the consumer confidence.
If there's some other you know foreign investment hoping to enter this market, especially in footwear or consumer goods, what suggestions would you give them?
Or do you still consider China a good place for foreign companies to manufacture and invest?
Absolutely.
China has a lot to offer, especially on the supply chain.
Our skill, our automation and the AI development and robotic has been massive.
And, being part of that kind of supply chain, there's a lot of new creativity that's happening within China.
And that is why I will say missing China is not a good strategy.
That was Skechers China CEO, Willy Tan.
For the full interview, stay tuned for our podcast series, Doing Business in China, coming soon.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming up, the Chinese mainland is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to China.
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The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office has invited representatives from various sectors, including compatriots from Taiwan.
The island region was restored to the motherland 80 years ago.
This status is firmly grounded in international law, from the Cairo Declaration to the Potsdam Declaration and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758.
And this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
The world body has maintained international peace and security, extended humanitarian assistance, protected human rights and upheld international law.
It's expanded from a group of 51 founding members to 193 members today.
The UN has set a global agenda for 2030 centered on 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
These ambitious targets include ending poverty and hunger and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.
Despite the challenges.
Today, British academic and political commentator Martin Yaks expressed confidence that the UN will remain relevant, while emerging groupings like ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are poised to play greater roles on the world stage.
The organization itself is obviously committed.
It's a very complicated institution because of its relationship with the United States.
I'd say the United Nations.
On the one hand, I think the United Nations will survive and be very important.
Not least because China is a fervent believer in the United Nations and above all because in the General Assembly you have universality in that all nations in the world are represented.
The World Bank and the IMF are different kinds of institutions.
Both of them, basically, America has the decisive say in them.
Now we're in a different situation, where these global institutions have to represent and give equality to the whole world.
They have to be inclusive in a way that they haven't.
I think what we'll see over time is Europe shifting its position.
Europe needs to become much more involved with Asia in terms of trade, especially with China, because Europe needs to go somewhere.
I mean, I think Europe hasn't resolved what its future is going to be because it's being cast adrift by trump.
It's got to find some new bearings in the world and the bearings that, the bearings that exist are those that uh exist broadly speaking around china and the global south.
That was analyst Martin Yak on the evolvement of the United Nations and today's world.
China has been firmly supporting the international system, with the United Nations as its core, and is committed to multilateralism and international cooperation.
President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative last month.
It highlights the adherence to principles including sovereign equality, international rule of law and a people-centered approach.
China also proposed another three initiatives focused on development, security, and civilization.
Professor Wang Yiwei from the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China explains how the initiatives align with UN principles and goals.
All these global initiatives support the UN for more representatives and also more authority and efficiency.
For instance, representatives, the founder of the United Nations, only 51 members, now 193.
So we said we should let the developing countries more voice and representatives.
And also for the people centric principles of their global governance initiative, particularly with 80 of people living in different countries.
Then you have more voices.
And, for us, global development initiative, focus on the SDG.
So support that which the West countries actually support.
The professor also highlighted China's contributions to the UN in supplying budgets and sending peacekeeping forces.
Coming up.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says new US actions on oil companies will not significantly impact Russia's economic health.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
Both my grandpa and dad made the living from the river.
The Yellow River Mosaic is a 12-part series of multimedia stories featuring the people who live by the river and share a close bond with it.
23 minutes into the hour.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says, new US sanctions on oil companies will not significantly impact Russia's economic health.
Putin said the sanctions are an attempt to put pressure on Russia.
Dasha Chernyshova has more reactions from Moscow.
The official reaction in Moscow is that Russia has grown used to all of those international sanctions against Russia and Moscow believes those sanctions are not constructive and actually they are damaging the countries that are introducing them.
But, having said that, we're also seeing some analytics on that from the Russian analysts, who are suggesting that indeed these sanctions will be affecting the operations of these oil companies, stressing that both Rosneft and Lukoil they do have many international projects and international partners like India.
Not many international partners of Russia will be willing to operate in such circumstance.
That's according to some of the market observers.
But at the same time we also see in the example of other companies like Sergut Neftegaz or Gazprom Neft, the companies that came under sanctions before, and they have not scale down the exploration or the export of oil.
Their logistics has grown more complicated.
The understanding in Moscow is that there will be loopholes, and The Russian president also commented on US.
President Donald Trump's remarks on Wednesday that he had canceled the planned meeting, saying Moscow has always supported dialogue.
He said it'll be a mistake to approach the Russia-US summit without preparation.
European Union leaders have failed to agree on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance new loans for Ukraine.
A European Council summit reiterated that Russia's assets should remain immobilized until Moscow stops its military operation and compensates Ukraine for the damage.
Belgium, which holds most of the Russian central bank assets that the EU froze shortly after the conflict began, opposed the plan, warning that it could breach international law and threaten financial stability within the eurozone.
Israel has frozen the West Bank bills that passed in Parliament on Wednesday.
One calls for the full annexation of the West Bank and the other the takeover of a large-scale settlement.
The bills received parliamentary approval during U.S.
Vice President J.D.
Vance's visit to Israel.
An offended Vance called them a stupid political stunt.
Meanwhile, U.S.
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to continue overseeing the implementation of the Gaza deal.
The World Food Programme is calling for the opening of more crossings into Gaza.
The WFP's director says the challenge is to secure the number of humanitarian trucks going into the territory.
Gaza expects around 600 trucks every day.
As of Thursday, the United Nations' tracking system recorded fewer than 1000 that are offloaded in Gaza since the ceasefire.
Rami al-Maghari reports.
In central Gaza, tents and damaged homes are still packed with displaced families.
Despite a period of relative calm, hunger and shortages continue to shape their daily lives.
Although aid trucks enter through southern crossings each day, little of that relief reaches central Gaza, where thousands continue to endure severe shortages of food, fuel and essential supplies.
Only a few trucks enter despite people's huge needs.
We've been starved and what comes in now is very limited.
Why not open the crossings and let food, gas and flour in freely?
As winter approaches, the challenges will grow for displaced families.
The survivors of bombardment are now fighting a new battle for survival amid a severe shortage of humanitarian supplies.
We need so much.
Electricity, fuel, water, even tents and blankets for the winter.
Food and clean water are also still missing.
Hospitals across Gaza are also facing a deep crisis.
At Al-Aqsa Hospital.
Doctors say nearly 1000 cancer patients and 41 of kidney patients have died during the war due to travel bans and several drug shortages.
Since the beginning of the war, Israel has targeted the health system and forced many hospitals out of service.
Even after the ceasefire it hasn't allowed proper medical aid in.
What has arrived is barely a drop in the ocean.
For those awaiting urgent surgeries, each day without a treatment pushes them closer to death.
There are no resources here, and my son's condition is getting worse every day.
I just want him to receive treatment or be allowed to travel abroad for care.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has warned that any delay in allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip will cost more lives, as the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic despite the ongoing ceasefire.
Between hospitals struggling to provide a treatment and camps suffering from food shortages, Gazans continue to endure a difficult phase, despite the relative calm.
The medical and food aid that Israel allows to enter remains limited.
A reflection of the harsh reality on the ground.
That was Ramya Magari on the daily struggles in Gaza.
Now it's 29 into the hour.
Let's check the weather.
Beijing is down to 5 on Friday evening.
Saturday will be sunny with a high of 14.
Nanchang is 14 tonight.
Tomorrow will be overcast with a high of 21.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is 16 this evening.
Saturday will be sunny with a high of 27.
Vientiane is 19 overnight.
Tomorrow will be overcast with a high of 29.
Phnom Penh is 24 overnight.
Tomorrow moderate rain and 30.
Now it's time for a short break.
So far this hour, China is aiming to achieve progress in high-quality development, with substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance in the next five years.
And the Chinese mainland is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to China.
Dou Hongyu with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
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This is the Beijing Hour.
One hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Dou Hongyu with you on this Friday.
Still to come.
In business.
China says the past four rounds of trade talks with the US have proven that both sides can find ways to address concerns.
In sports, Shea Gildress Alexander hits a career high as the Thunder edged the Pacers in double overtime thriller.
In culture and entertainment, ethnic dance drama Dream of the Red Chamber gains soaring popularity.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our X account at cgtnradio.
Now first checking today's headlines, here's Tianyu.
Thank you, Hongyu.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping, will attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, and pay a state visit to the country.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says the trip will take place from October 30 to November 1.
Chinese Premier Li Chang will pay an official visit to Singapore on Saturday and Sunday.
Premier Li will also attend a series of meetings with leaders from ASEAN and other East Asian countries in Kuala Lumpur on Monday and Tuesday.
China is making preparations to launch a crew on the Shenzhou-21 spaceship.
The spaceship has arrived at the launch area in northwest China.
The China Manned Space Agency said it will carry out various pre-launch function checks and joint tests ahead of the mission.
Beijing has urged Brussels to stop including Chinese firms in its latest sanctions against Russia.
The Commerce Ministry expressed strong opposition after the EU's 19th sanctions package targeted major Chinese oil refiners and traders for the first time.
The EU also banned Russian LNG imports and blacklisted more than 100 oil tankers a day after the US imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil producers.
China said the move undermines cooperation, while Russia dismissed the new sanctions as counterproductive.
Egyptian media say Hamas and Fatah delegations have met in Cairo to discuss arrangements for the post-war phase in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Egypt's intelligence chief has met with Secretary General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who reaffirmed the faction's rejection to Israel's annexation of the West Bank during another meeting with Palestinian officials.
Egypt is preparing to host a conference on Gaza's reconstruction next month.
U.S.
President Donald Trump says he's backing off plans to send more federal agents into San Francisco after speaking with Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The announcement followed a tense morning as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US Coast Guard base in Alameda, where some agents had already arrived.
The president earlier threatened to deploy the National Guard and ramp up immigration enforcement.
But the mayor convinced him that the city is making progress on crime.
San Francisco is on the rise.
Visitors are coming back.
Buildings are getting leased and purchased and workers are coming back to the office.
We have work to do.
And we would welcome the continued partnership with FBI DEA, ATF and US attorneys to get drugs and drug dealers off of our streets.
But having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.
Governor Gavin Newsom praised the reversal, saying Trump had quote-unquote finally listened to reason.
More than 100 federal agents were expected this week, but those plans now appear to be unheard.
South Korea's industry ministers say Seoul and Washington are sharply apart on the level of cash investment as part of a US350 billion package under a deal to lower US tariffs.
Kim Jong-un told Parliament after returning from talks with U.S.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, that South Korea wants cash to be a smaller component of the deal, while the US is looking for more.
The trade partners have been wrangling over the details of the investment package reached in July.
Thank you very much.
And that was Tianyu with Headline News.
Coming up in business.
China says previous trade talks with the US have proven that both sides can find ways to address concerns.
The beijing hour, your window on china and the rest of the world 36 into the hour.
Turning to business, Let's start with the equity markets.
Asian markets closed higher on Friday.
On the Chinese mainland.
Stocks rose, with storage chip and semiconductor companies leading the gainers.
The Shanghai Composite rose over 0.7%, while the Shenzhen component gained more than 2%.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng ended more than 0.7%.
Tokyo shares also ended higher, with the Nikkei up over 1.3%.
Chinese Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, says the past four rounds of trade talks with the United States have proven that both sides can find ways to address concerns.
He made the remarks while revealing the country's measures to further expand opening up and attract foreign investment during the 15th five-year plan period, which begins next year.
The first four rounds of China-US economic and trade consultations have fully demonstrated that both sides, on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation, can come up with solutions to address each other's concerns, find the right way to get along and promote the healthy, steady and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations.
Wang said, China always opposes decoupling or disruption of industrial and supply chains and remains committed to safeguarding their stability and security.
A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng is holding a new round of economic and trade consultations with the US in Malaysia from Friday to Monday.
This year's Bond Summit is underway in Shanghai under the theme Embracing Changes, New Order, New Technology.
Global business leaders are speaking highly of China's potential in artificial intelligence and calling for stronger US-China collaboration.
Zhu Zhu reports from Shanghai.
The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee wrapped up.
A communique outlining the outcomes was released, which set goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan, including significant progress in high-quality development, major strides in scientific and technological self-reliance, further enhancement of the quality of life for citizens, among many other priorities.
Meanwhile, at the Bank Summit ongoing right here in Shanghai, which has gathered many international experts and industry insiders to discuss key issues shaping the new global order, many are paying close attention to China's AI development over the next five years.
Looking at AI, I think what I anticipate is just a continued focus on diffusion, where the US seems to be more focused in some cases on trying to achieve some sort of artificial general intelligence or super intelligence, meaning that they're putting a lot more effort into developing more capable models and agents and that kind of thing where, looking at Chinese policies, there's really seeming a lot more focus on Where can, even if it's not a newly more capable model, where can currently existing model capabilities help improve processes across the economy and in manufacturing?
AI has the potential to be revolutionary in terms of its impact on economic activity, jobs and increase in machine driven intellectual capital.
The communique also emphasized expanding high-level openness and fostering a new era of win-win relationships.
In response, American participants have called for enhanced China-U.S. cooperation.
I think U.S.-China economic relations are an important component of our bilateral relations.
And so, because we are two of the most important economies and countries in the world, I think it is important that we maintain lines of communication and and trade and investment relations with each other so that we help support the well-being of the peoples in each of our countries.
And I know there are many people in the United States that benefit from having access to Chinese goods.
That was a report on the Bond Summit in Shanghai, where attendees are assessing China's artificial intelligence drive.
Xinjiang has seen its railway freight volumes since the beginning of the year hit 200 million metric tons.
The autonomous region achieved the milestone 19 days earlier than in 2024.
It came when a freight train with 3,500 tons of coal departed from Zhendong railway station.
Outbound coal shipments from Xinjiang have reached nearly 76 million tons so far this year.
A port in northwest China has handled a record amount of cargo in the first nine months of the year.
Nearly 35 million tons of imports and exports float through Horgo's port in Xinjiang in the first three quarters, hitting a record high.
The port's exports primarily consist of new energy vehicles, electromechanical products, high-tech items and clothing.
Horgo's Huashang International Trade Director Wang Xiyun says they exported nearly 1000 commercial vehicles with a total value of 170 million yuan, or nearly 24 million US dollars.
There is now a variety of customs clearance options for commercial vehicles, including local declaration, integrated declaration and direct transit.
These options have increased our choices and significantly facilitated our business operations.
We are quite optimistic about the prospect for exporting domestic vehicles.
Zhan Yang, with Horgo's Customs, says they have implemented cargo clearance to further improve the port's cargo transit efficiency.
We have proactively taken reform measures such as a direct transit mode between road ports and places of origin and a rapid clearance mode between smart railway port and the places of origin.
In addition, we have implemented facilitation measures like advance declaration and real-time inspection, ensuring around-the-clock customs clearance services.
Horgo's port serves as a crucial hub for trade between China, Central Asia and Europe.
It's become the largest land port for automobile exports in China, with nearly 300000 vehicles exported from January to September.
Chinese tech firm Huawei says its HarmonyOS 5 operating system is now running on 23 million devices.
The tech giant made the announcement as it released its HarmonyOS 6 operating system.
The new OS has begun rolling out to more than 90 device models in its first wave, bringing significant upgrades in performance, intelligence and security.
Key enhancements include AI-powered fraud prevention and novel privacy features like AI anti-peeping technology.
Egyptian Prime Minister, Mustafa Madbouli, has inaugurated a smartphone and electronics manufacturing plant for Chinese tech company Opal.
Madbouli described the opening as a strong addition to the electronics manufacturing sector in Egypt.
OPPO Egypt's Ma Zhixiong said the opening is a testament to the company's confidence in the potential of the Egyptian market.
He said it's also a platform to deliver Opal's latest innovations to Egyptian consumers, creating promising jobs for local talents and contributing to the country's national development.
The factory features 17 production lines and employs about 2000 Egyptian workers, producing around 400000 units per month.
The number of lines is set to reach 20 by the first quarter of next year, raising production capacity to about 500000 per month.
The China Mining Association says the country has made further strides in mineral exploration so far this year.
Its annual report on China's mining industry says the country discovered over 80 new mineral deposit sites this year, with around 70 expected to hold medium or large deposits.
Association head Cheng Liwei says new reserves can ease the pressure on China's mineral imports and help optimize the country's mineral structure.
The strategic minerals account for over 40% of the total.
The growth rate of strategic emerging minerals has reached over 50, far outpacing the traditional ones, which provides high-quality feedstock for the mining industry chain and pushes forward a shift from resource dependence to value-driven growth.
The report said China has been at the forefront of global lithium exploration, expecting its share of world lithium reserves to hit around 20.
The U.S. national debt has surged to a record $38 trillion amid an ongoing federal shutdown.
The Trump administration says its policies are curbing spending.
But experts warn that debt is rising faster than ever, posing serious concerns for the country's long-term financial health.
Jim Spellman reports from Washington, D.C.
Not only is that the highest it has ever been, but it's also the fastest that the debt has ever added a trillion dollars, except for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
$37 trillion in the middle of August to $38 trillion now.
That comes out to about $70,000 per second over the last year.
That means the U.S. is paying more in interest on the debt every year than on national defense.
On Medicare.
With that amount of money going to service the debt, there's less money for things like say, infrastructure investment, which has a long-term negative effect on the US economy.
The Nonpartisan Government Accountability Office studied this issue and they've determined that when the debt goes up, Americans feel the pain.
That includes higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages and car loans, lower wages because businesses have less money to invest, and we can expect to see higher prices for goods and services because businesses are less likely to invest in technologies that boost efficiency.
The GAO notes that in the past, The debt would rise during recessions or time of crisis and then go down when the economy recovers.
But since the financial crisis of 2008, the debt has continued to rise, even when the US economy has been doing well.
They conclude that, quote, the nation's current fiscal path is unsustainable.
That was Jim Spellman reporting.
Coming up in sports.
A career high for Shea Gilgis-Alexander, as the Thunder edge the Pacers in double overtime thriller.
Sideline Story brings you all things sports related.
The hottest topics, latest events, juiciest stories, all with a very personal take.
Subscribe to Sideline Story Podcast for heated sports discussions covering events that are happening in China and around the world.
47 into the hour.
Turning to sports, here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Hongyu.
We start with basketball.
Shea Gilchrist Alexander put in a career-high 55 points.
To lift defending champion.
The Oklahoma City Thunder passed Indiana Pacers 145-135 in double overtime in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals.
The reigning MVP also tallied eight rebounds and five assists, sinking 23 of 26 free throws, as the Thunder became the first team in league history to open the season with back-to-back double overtime games.
AJ Mitchell added 26 points off the bench, while Aaron Wiggins scored 23 as OKC improved to 2-0.
Benedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 36 points and 11 rebounds and Pascal Siakam had 33, 32 and 15.
In other actions, Stephen Curry erupted for 42 points to guide the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets 137-131 in overtime.
Aaron Gordon scored a career-high 50 points for Denver, going 10 of 11 from three-point range.
Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic added 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Also in the NBA Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier-Verman.
More than 30 people arrested in a major takedown of two illegal gambling operations linked to mafia families.
Billups was charged with conspiring to fix high-stakes poker games tied to La Cosa Nostra crime groups, while Rozier was accused of using confidential player information to place bets on NBA games.
Federal prosecutors said the schemes defrauded gamblers of at least $7 million.
Both men have been placed on leave as the NBA cooperates with authorities amid one of the biggest sports corruption cases of the legal betting era.
At Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, Zhang Qinyin claimed the Browns in the women's all-around, earning her first individual medal.
John, fourth in qualifying, opened with a solid vault.
Japan's Aiko Sugihara and American teenager Ducey Kaler seemed poised as the main rivals, but fought it under bars, allowing John to rise to second after a clean routine.
The balance beam proved challenging, but Zhang delivered a steady performance and briefly moved into first place.
After her final floor exercise, performed to a traditional Chinese-style composition, Zhang managed to secure bronze and China's first all-around medal in six years.
She expressed her pride and determination.
I am very honored and happy to make the podium in the all-around event after six years of absence for China.
A new cycle, a new start.
I will continue to work hard and become more confident.
I was able to perform steadily in all four routines as I am down to earth in my daily training.
I kept calm during the competition and completed each routine steadily.
Russia's Angelina Melnikova to gold while Lian Wang from the US earned silver.
And finally, in football, Lionel Messi has signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami, keeping the star forward with MLS club through 2028 and it's planned moving to a new stadium next year.
The 38-year-old joined Miami in 2023 and immediately boosted the team's profile, helping secure the 2023 League's Cup and last season's Supporters' Shield, while winning MLS MVP and the Golden Boot honors.
He set league records with 10 multi-goal games and 48 goal contributions this season.
His extension ensures Messi will remain a centerpiece as Inter Miami continues to grow, even as longtime Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retire and Luis Suarez's future remains uncertain.
Inter-Miami president David Beckham praised Messi's passion on and off the field.
And we're very lucky to have someone not just of Leo's caliber on the field, but the fact that he cares off the field as well.
And that's the most important thing, one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player to ever play the game.
He's still committed, still wants to win.
And that is an incredible asset for us to have as owners, to have a player that loves the game as much as he does.
We feel very lucky.
The deal smacks Messi's influence, including global attention and strong merchandise sales as he heads into what is likely the final chapter of his professional career.
Ethnic dance drama Dream of the Red Chamber gains soaring popularity.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
52 minutes into the hour, turning to culture and entertainment.
The ethnic dance drama Dream of the Red Chamber has staged its third performance in the Chinese city of Chongqing, where two sold-out shows and surging ticket demand highlighted its soaring popularity.
The success once again reflects the strong appeal of China's new generation of artists.
Zhang Shuang reports.
Since its premiere in 2021, the ethnic dance drama Dream of the Right Chamber, co-directed by Li Xin and Li Chao, has toured 41 cities, performing 396 shows and attracting nearly 600000 audience members.
Debating in Chongqing as part of the 14th China Art Festival Wenhua Award Competition.
This production not only showcases a high level of artistic excellence, but also signifies a successful endeavored by young creators to revitalize traditional culture through contemporary artistic language.
Everything is set beneath a drape and within a folding screen influenced by traditional Chinese aesthetics.
This creates a stage design that embodies the theatrical and literary qualities characteristic of Dream of the Red Chamber.
We immerse ourselves in this environment, as I believe this character holds profound significance for Chinese people.
It occupies a special place in everyone's heart.
This work not only resonates deeply with audiences but also achieves remarkable viewer retention.
Some viewers have traveled all the way from Xi'an to attend the theater.
For the seventh time.
Even more dedicated fans have watched the production over a dozen, sometimes 20 times.
At the Light Up Life Youth Arts Week seed program event, Li Xin and Li Chao share their transformative journey from dancers to directors.
Using an analogy, I want to express the idea that Bao and Dai's first encounter is like a moment that feels eternal, a glance that lasts a thousand years.
In written words.
Their initial meeting can be described as a glance that endures forever.
How they meet on stage involves a dialogue between two individuals.
Describing this with words often feels beautiful because of the rich language, but translating it into physical expression relies on visual perception that is directly felt.
As the final spotlight themes The petals scattered across the stage continue to dance in the air.
This is not merely a curtain call, but the beginning of countless young dreams taking flight.
With Sichuan and Chongqing continuously promoting youth-led creative performances.
An increasing number of young people are stepping onto the stage and the philosophy of our illuminating life, emerging as a new force in the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture.
That was Jiang Shuang reporting from Chongqing.
The mainland TV series Silent Honor, which portrays the courageous efforts of Wu Xu and other Communist Party of China undercover agents who fought for justice and national unity in Taiwan, has drawn waves of visitors to Wu's former residence in Fuzhou, Fujian province.
The former home of General Wu Shi, a military strategist who risked his life to provide key intelligence to the CPC, and the main character in Silent Honor has become a place of tribute since the show's release.
Taiwan resident Kang Yong-min shared his feelings after watching the drama.
I am shocked by the TV series and real events behind it.
I hope my children can know about the facts.
We should pay tributes to heroes like them more sincerely and do great and honorable things like what they have done.
Crowds of tourists and locals have been coming to the wooden house in Wucun village laying flowers and paying their respects to the wartime hero.
The seventh China International Ballet season has opened at Beijing's Tianqiao Theatre, launching a new chapter of cultural exchange between China and Spain.
This year's highlight is the debut performance by Spain's National Dance Company, which will present its dance-ly interpretation of Don Quixote from Friday to Sunday.
Now it's 57 into the hour.
Let's check the weather.
Beijing is down to 5 on Friday evening.
Saturday will be sunny with a high of 14.
Nan Chang is 14 tonight.
Tomorrow will be overcast with a high of 21.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is 16 this evening.
Saturday will be sunny with a high of 27.
Vientiane is 19 overnight.
Tomorrow will be overcast with a high of 29.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today.
China is aiming to achieve progress in high-quality development with substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance in the next five years.
The Chinese mainland is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to China.
On behalf of the staff.
This is Dou Hongyu 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.
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 a living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river?
And what has drawn others back?
Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024.
Our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.
Talk 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.
All in our 12-part series, The Yellow River Mosaic.
Available only on CGTN Radio.
