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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.
Shane Begum with you on this Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming to you live from the Chinese capitals.
On today's program.
The US president says he's begun making arrangements for a trilateral meeting with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
China's foreign ministers in India, where the two sides have pledged to improve ties for peace, prosperity and friendly coexistence.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions say they've accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal.
In business, China looks to improve financing for small business.
And today we have part three of our special series The Unyielding East China's World War II Relics, telling stories about the nation and its people that stood their ground against fascism.
Today we meet a passionate collector of relics from the Hongpu Military Academy, a school that became a cradle of heroes during World War II, inspiring a united stand against Japanese invasion.
Now check in the day's top stories.
U.S.
President Donald Trump says he's begun arrangements for a trilateral meeting with Russia and Ukraine.
The announcement comes after Trump met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House.
Monday's meeting comes after Trump's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.
No deal has been announced so far.
Nick Harper has more from Washington, D.C.
If you think back to February, there was that tremendous Oval Office bust up between the two leaders.
Effectively.
Donald Trump called a halt to the meetings, ending them early, ejecting the Ukrainian delegation, including the Ukrainian president, from the White House.
We didn't see that today.
What a difference several months makes.
But also what a difference it makes when you bring along your allies and friends.
And that's what President Zelensky had today.
He had the backing of seven other European leaders with him who were there to show they were giving him their support.
They talked about security guarantees.
That's something that Ukraine says they desperately need.
Now, we know that Russia does not want Ukraine joining NATO.
But there may be some security guarantees on the table, like the ones that NATO members enjoy, that important Article 5, whereby NATO members are standing by ready to help any other NATO member if they are attacked.
Now, that's something that potentially...
Ukraine may get.
There's also conversations about whether or not they could be a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
This is what President Zelensky and President Trump had to say about how they see things developing from here.
So, first of all, you know we live under each day attacks.
You know that today have been a lot of attacks and a lot of wounded people and the child was dead.
It's a small bomb.
One one year and a half.
So we need to stop this war, to stop Russia, and we need support, American and European partners, and we will do our best for this.
So, and I think we show that we are strong people and we supported the idea of the United States, of President Trump, to stop this war, to make diplomatic way of finishing this war.
And we are ready for trilateral, as President said.
This is a good signal about trilateral.
I think this is very good.
President Obama Well, we're going to work with Ukraine.
We're going to work with everybody.
And we're going to make sure that If there's peace, the peace is going to stay long term.
I think it's clear there that one thing that those two men and the other European leaders agreed on was the need for peace.
We know that they also discussed the sensitive issue of territory, what Russia might hang on to, what it might give back to Ukraine.
And even though they discussed it in much detail, we're told that they did not come to any decisions.
That's something they'll need to decide at another point in the future.
That was Nick Harper reporting.
China says it hopes to work with the international community to play a constructive role in reaching a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
The foreign ministry stressed that China's been making efforts toward peace and maintains that dialogue is the only way out.
China's released a paper about its position on politically resolving the crisis, conducted shuttle diplomacy and initiated a Friends for Peace group at the United Nations.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov says President Vladimir Putin and U.S.
President Donald Trump voiced support for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Ushakov says Trump initiated a phone call with Putin following his meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy and several European leaders.
He says, Trump and Putin also discussed the idea of raising the level of representatives participating in the talks.
Moscow has condemned any potential deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine, warning that it would undermine peace efforts initiated by Trump and Putin during their talks in Alaska.
Putin's held multiple phone calls with world leaders to discuss the outcomes of the talks.
Dasha Chernyshova has more from Moscow.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zaharova, has been speaking about the idea of some European countries to send their military contingents to Ukraine.
She said sending NATO troops to Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable.
That runs against those peace efforts that were made by Trump and Putin in Alaska.
And that is absolutely unacceptable for Russia in terms of security.
So she said, these idea only proves that European countries are not interested in finding the last in peace for Ukraine.
In the meantime, president vladimir putin has held several phone conversations briefing the international leaders on the outcomes of the alaska summit.
He spoke to the leaders of india, south africa, brazil and some regional allies.
Those leaders have also supported the steps towards peace that were made by Trump and Putin during their negotiations last week.
And also we understand that Russia remains very constant in its position, stressing that the elimination of the so-called root causes of this conflict is absolutely indispensable for the lasting peace in Ukraine.
Trump, Zelensky and European leaders have discussed security guarantees for Ukraine.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb cautions that, despite progress made at the talks, details of US involvement are still unclear at this point.
Ross Cullen has more from Paris.
We heard from several of the European leaders going into those crucial meetings with the US leader, mostly seemingly focused on the security framework for Ukraine going forward.
We heard from the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said that he feels there really has to be a ceasefire in place by the time that the trilateral summit takes place, if it does indeed happen.
That's what President Trump has been proposing a three-way meeting between Trump, Zelensky and Putin as the next stage.
We also heard from Giorgia Maloney, the Italian prime minister.
She's there suggesting that there could be an Article 5-style meeting agreement needed for ukraine to ensure that it is not attacked by russia again.
The british prime minister, keir starmer.
Well, he said that the leaders on monday had a chance to take historic steps, particularly if it comes to the signing of an agreement on the security architecture for ukraine going forward.
Also there at the meeting was the president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen, and she did call for peace once again.
She also spoke about another issue, one in which the us first lady has also taken an interest the return of thousands of abducted ukrainian children from russia.
The french president, emmanuel macron, is also there in washington, and he suggested an interesting idea that perhaps, after the proposed trilateral summit, there could be a quadrilateral summit between president trump, president zelensky, president putin and representatives from Europe, because this is a conflict that is taking place here in Europe and the consequences of that war have ramifications across the continent.
That was Ross Cullen in Paris.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China and India should view each other as partners and opportunities instead of rivals or threats.
He made the remarks during talks with his Italian counterpart, Subramaniam Jaishankar, in New Delhi.
Wang Yi is currently on a three-day visit to India.
The Chinese foreign minister says China is ready to work with neighboring countries, including India, to build a community of peace, prosperity and friendly coexistence.
Jaishankar says India and China should jointly safeguard the stability of the global economy and that stable, cooperative and forward-looking bilateral ties serve the interests of both sides.
Both diplomats have acknowledged that bilateral relations are showing a positive trend and continuously improving.
Ravinder Bawa has more from New Delhi.
As India and China mark 75 years of their bilateral ties, the two sides are keen on rebuilding their relationship after a standoff of about five years.
This visit gained significance as it sets up a stage for India's prime minister's visit to China, first time in seven years.
Wong's tour began with bilateral discussions with India's foreign minister.
One of the main agendas of this meeting was to lay the ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's annual summit.
Trade ties were also part of the discussion.
Both sides are keen on easing trade barriers, including reopening border trade at three Himalayan crossings.
The two nations have agreed to resume direct flights, which were suspended in 2020, a key topic of discussion between leaders.
India and China have expressed interest in resolving border issues and maintaining peace and tranquility along their shared border.
The two sides have actually taken many steps to rebuild ties.
If we look at that, it is issuance of tourist visa to Chinese nationals, resumption of pilgrimages.
And for the two nations, the path ahead would be engagement and doing diplomacy at the highest level.
That was Ravinder Bawa on the Chinese foreign minister's visit to India.
Following his trip to India, Wang Yi will visit Pakistan starting Wednesday and co-host a foreign minister's strategic dialogue with his counterpart.
China says it hopes to work with Pakistan to implement the consensus between the leaders of both countries and deepen communication and cooperation to accelerate the building of a closer community with a shared future in the new era.
Coming up, environmental protection efforts in China's Shizhong region.
On the roof of the world, a quiet miracle has unfolded.
As Xizang marks 60 years as an autonomous region and China completes its 45-year plan, CGTN journeys across the plateau to witness change.
From snow-capped peaks to modern railways, from ancient traditions to vibrant new schools, Xizang's story is one of resilience, harmony and hope.
Once isolated, now connected.
Once impoverished, now thriving.
Shizong is a symbol of China's modernization and sustainable progress.
Join CGTN as we tell the story of a land transformed where the future rises as high as the mountains that hold it.
Witness the ascent only on CGTN.
Now 12 minutes past the hour.
Shizhong in southwest China has undergone a profound ecological transformation over the years.
The region, also known as Tibet, has adhered to the principle of ecological priority and protection first, and incorporated over 50 of its land area into the Ecological Protection Red Line.
The place is home to 97 nature reserves covering 434000 square kilometers and shelters 246 wildlife species under key national protection.
Excellent air quality days in Shenzhen account for nearly 100% of the year.
The region also continues to promote low-carbon development.
The share of clean energy in Shenzhen's total power generation reached over 99 in 2024 by leveraging its world-class hydropower, wind and solar energy resources.
Xizhang is also a vital wintering ground for more than 80 of the world's Tibetan antelope, wild yak and black-necked crane populations.
The Lalu Wetland National Nature Reserve in Lhasa is a paradise for rare birds, as well as a cherished retreat for locals.
Xing Renan spoke with conservationists there to find out more.
This is the Lalu Wetland, located in the heart of Lhasa City.
As the world's highest altitude and largest urban inland natural wetland, it is hailed as the lance of Lhasa.
What an amazing view!
Behind me, birds glide across the waters with the majestic Potala Palace rises in the distance.
Here, the Lalu Wetland draws a fine line between the urban city life and a natural paradise.
However, what we see today is the result of 30 years of determined ecological restoration.
Rewind to the 1980s.
Unchecked grazing, urban sprawl and sewage pollution shrank the Lalu wetland by 20.
Lalu wetland had suffered severe degradation from overgrazing and desertification.
Through strong support from the central and regional governments, along with comprehensive ecological conservation projects, It has undergone a remarkable rehabilitation.
The turnaround began in 1995 with China's first alpine wetland rescue mission.
Over 85 billion yuan was invested across four phases to relocate communities and rebuild ecosystems, efforts that raised the wetlands vegetation coverage from just 60 percent to over 95 percent today.
We conduct year-round patrols.
In summer, we focus on visitor safety, while winter shifts emphasize fire prevention and disaster control.
The water quality has improved dramatically, attracting numerous bird species.
We currently protect over 200 animal species, including 167 bird varieties.
The most notable is the black-necked crane.
Public engagement initiatives, including conservation, educational programs and open walking trails, have made Nalu Wetland a perfect getaway destination for the locals.
The wetlands preservation has not only significantly improved Lhasa's air quality and local system, but also created a beautiful recreational space for residents and visitors alike.
These visits naturally enhance public awareness about ecological protection.
Local authorities have made it clear protecting ecosystems like this isn't just policy.
It's a fundamental commitment to Xizang's future.
From a fragile ecosystem to a thriving bird sanctuary.
The Lalu Wetland showcases Xizang's commitment to ecological progress.
Here, the story of humans and nature coexisting in harmony continues to unfold.
That was Xing Renan in Xizang.
Shanxi Province is at the forefront of China's cooperation with member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
In Yongling District China, has set up a demonstration base for SEO members for agricultural technology exchange and training.
Yongling has also established 12 overseas agricultural technology demonstration parks in countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Earlier, Wang Ziheng spoke with Bridget Mutambira, who's on a reporting trip to learn about the outcomes of SCO cooperation throughout the years.
Now, tell us a little bit more of your trip to Shanxi.
Where have you visited and what have locals shared with you?
Okay, yes, so we are here.
We are a group of more than 20 journalists from both Africa and China.
In fact, from all parts of the continent.
I mean, the world, actually, I would say.
We have been taken around and shown how China has developed and mechanized its agriculture in the passage of time and how they're going to develop all their technologies.
Now for the last two days we visited Yangling High Tech Industry Demonstration Zone and the scope demonstration base for agriculture technology exchange and trading.
And we also had the chance to visit the Yangling Smart Agriculture Demonstration Park and a rural revitalization demonstration village and Yangling International Kiwi Fruit Innovation and Entrepreneurship Park which, I should admit, I actually learned today that the kiwi actually originated from China.
So that was something that really took me by surprise.
It was really interesting to learn.
I wasn't the only one who got to know this, but yeah, that's what we've learned so far.
Right.
So what are your impressions so far of the agriculture practices in Yangling and the smart agriculture centres you have visited?
Well, I must say I was impressed by the cutting-edge technology that was on display, which has transformed Yangling into a world-class agricultural marvel.
And I'm curious though, to find out how the Yangling model and its practices can be replicated so that the high-quality, high-yield crops can also be developed in Africa.
Because, of course, obviously because I'm from Africa as well, and I also learned that the Chinese are willing to share their expertise on that as well and that, in fact, in recent years there has been a closer cooperation and, you know, an exchange between African agricultural authorities and institutes, and even when we were there we got the chance to.
There's a whole, there's a group of Africans that actually came to the one of the demonstration centers experts and they were very keen on getting what they could send to share back home in their countries as well.
So that was a sense of China sharing their expertise with Africa gave me some sort of reassurance that we're moving on the same page as well.
And then I was also impressed with their mushroom farming, which is super advanced compared to even my country.
And I was super intrigued by the fact that, as I said earlier, the kiwi fruit originated in China and how they're using AI advancement to preserve and grow the kiwi.
And I've also learned that at present, you know, there's hundreds of students from Africa and other developing countries studying at one of China's top agriculture universities, located here in Yangling.
So I think this is a kind of a nudge that the global South needs towards agriculture, modernization and food security related issues, which is which is actually very encouraging.
That was bridget mutambira in northwest china.
The 2025 seo summit will run in tianjin at the end of the month.
Pakistani federal minister of information and broadcasting, at atula tarar, has spoken with us on the summit's role in ensuring regional stability and boosting economic growth.
I think SCO Summit is of great significance.
We hosted the SCO Heads of Government Summit in Islamabad last year.
Premier Li was there from China.
And the SCO Summit being held in China for regional cooperation.
Enhanced regional trade for investment, counterterrorism.
So I think the SCO plays a great role. in providing a stabilization for the region.
So SCO is a very important forum.
Pakistan will be looking forward to participating.
And we are a very active member of the SCO.
And we believe in the cause of the SCO, that for regional peace, security and for regional growth and trade and to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people of the region.
I think it's very significant and we're looking forward to it.
Leaders from dozens of countries and international organizations will attend the summit in northern China on August 31st and September 1st, describing the upcoming gathering as the largest in the organization's history.
Beijing expressed hope that it'll showcase solidarity and friendship and help usher the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development.
Next up is our special series, Resolve and Resilience, the main eastern battlefield of World War II.
Eight decades ago, the southwestern city of Tung Chung was a key battleground in China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression.
Chinese troops teamed up with American volunteer pilots to retake the city close to the Myanmar border, ensuring the flow of much-needed supplies.
Amid blood and fire, Tung Chung rose as an enduring landmark on the main eastern battlefield of World War II.
Chen Jiaying has more.
In May 1942, Japanese forces invaded western part of Yunnan.
The west bank of the Nuzhang River fell into the enemy's hands.
The Yunnan-Myanmar Road, also known as Burma Road, China's only international land supply route, was completely severed, making it nearly impossible for urgently needed wartime supplies to reach China.
In May 1944, to reclaim the lost territory and reopen the vital supply route, the Chinese Expeditionary Force, in coordination with the Chinese Army in India, launched a full-scale counteroffensive with the goal of achieving a rendezvous at the China-Burma border.
They drove through the numerous defense lines and eventually besieged Tengchong City.
On August 2, the Battle of Tengchong began.
The biggest challenge in retaking the city was the wars.
The expeditionary forces couldn't breach them.
They were too solid.
The American planes boomed breaches into the walls, allowing our troops to break through and begin the assault.
During the two years of occupation, the Japanese transformed Tengchong into a fortress, fortifying buildings and streets, digging trenches and bunkers, and even modifying a large brass bell by carving out three gunpoint.
Chinese soldiers used Allied-supplied flamethrowers and bazookas to destroy enemy strongholds and machine-gun nests.
They breached walls with explosives, fighting house to house, street by street.
The local civilians took part in the resistance as well.
They acted as guides, transported food and provided vital logistic support to the expeditionary forces.
Every household near Tengchong City welcomed the soldiers.
They cooked for them every day, treated them like their own kids.
One day, they prepared a whole table of food, but not a single soldier came back.
The villagers could only sit and stare at that untouched meal, weeping in silence.
On September 14, after over 40 days of scorched earth battles, Over 6000 Japanese troops were wiped out and Tengchong was finally reclaimed.
The Chinese expeditionary forces suffered over 18,000 casualties, with 9,168 killed in action.
19 American soldiers also lost their lives.
Clifford Long, a Flying Tigers veteran who had bombed the city wall during the battle, returned to Tengchong in his 80s.
The victory in western parts of Yunnan inspired Chinese people to keep fighting.
With the Burma Road reopened, Allied supplies once again flowed into China, supporting battlefronts across the country.
The National Marches Cemetery in Tengchong was built to honor the fallen soldiers and civilians who perished in the battle.
Today, we commemorate their spirit and honor the peace they fought to secure.
That was Chen Jiaying reporting.
Coming up, Hamas agrees to a ceasefire proposal in Gaza.
United in purpose.
During World War II, the Chinese military and people stood as one, fearlessly resisting Japanese fascism.
China's unwavering whole-nation effort forged the pivotal Eastern Front.
Through fierce battles, immense sacrifices, heroic endurance and decisive support to the allies on the european and pacific battlefields, china has helped secure liberation, the final victory and the lasting legacy for global peace and human progress, resolve and resilience.
The main eastern battlefield of world war ii Only on CGTN.
26 past the hour.
Hamas says the group and other Palestinian factions accept a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
It includes an initial 60-day truce, the release of hostages and the entry of urgent humanitarian aid.
An Israeli official confirmed that Israel has received Hamas's response.
Cairo said.
The Egyptian president and Qatari prime minister urged an immediate ceasefire and rejected any reoccupation of the territory.
The two leaders discussed efforts to bring peace, as Egypt hosted indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Israel voicing their support for the families of hostages.
Demonstrators are calling on Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to end the conflict with Hamas and secure the release of all of the remaining hostages.
Jonathan Regev has more.
Various roads around the country were closed.
Many businesses were shut and demonstrations were held all across the country and in hostage square.
Every few hours there was another demonstration.
At times it was the doctors demonstrating, then academics, then from other professions all of them leading up to that major uh protest has some 400 000 people, which is one of the largest demonstrations seen in this country, clearly one of the biggest ones in the last two years since this war began.
Benjamin Netanyahu and, even more so, some of his cabinet ministers, tried to play down this whole thing.
More than anyone, it was perhaps as expected.
The ministers from the far right, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, calling it a small number of anarchists trying to shut down the roads.
How do you define 400,000 people as a small number of anarchists?
We should ask Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for the response to that.
But far as Netanyahu, he said in the cabinet meeting on Sunday that the protests are only strengthening Hamas in their demands.
Why so?
Hamas is looking at the Israeli society as a divided, divisive society and they know they can extract more pressure on Israel in negotiations.
This whole day shows perhaps the very, very big divide that exists within Israeli society as to how to deal with this hostage issue.
Many are saying that Israelis should be out protesting, demanding all the time to put the hostages first before anything else.
Others are saying that any such show, even if it's a solidarity with the families but a show of pressure on the government, is only creating bigger demands from the other side.
That was Jonathan Regev reporting.
Checking the forecast ahead of the break in Beijing's down to 24 degrees Tuesday evening.
Thunder showers and 30 degrees Celsius in the forecast for Wednesday.
Qinghuangdao and Hebei will have torrential rainfall and 23 overnight, then moderate rain and 29.
Nanchang's down to 29 degrees, then cloudy and 36.
Nanning and Guangxi will see heavy rainfall and 24 degrees overnight, then moderate rainfall and a high of 30.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's down to 23, then a slight rain in 31 for Wednesday.
A Vientiane's at 24 this evening, a slight rainfall in 32 tomorrow.
Phnom Penh's 25 overnight, then a slight rainfall in 33.
In Africa.
Nairobi's getting a slight rain in 22 degrees on Wednesday, compatriots down to 18, followed by a slight rain in 25.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, the US president says he's begun making arrangements for a trilateral meeting with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
China's foreign ministers in India, where the two sides have pledged to improve ties for peace, prosperity and friendly coexistence.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions say they've accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal.
Shane Bigham with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
Listen up.
Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers.
From the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet, Right there in the midst of all, beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
Every week to find out what's real with China Africa Talk.
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Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Shane Bigham with you on this Tuesday.
Still to come, in business, China looks to improve financing for small business.
And today we have part three of our special series The Unyielding East China's World War II relics.
Telling stories about the nation and its people that stood their ground against fascism.
Today we meet a passionate collector of relics from the Huangpu Military Academy, a school that became a cradle of heroes during World War II, inspiring a united stand against Japanese invasion.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at CGTN Radio.
We're now checking the day's headlines.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China and India should view each other as partners in opportunities instead of as rivals or threats.
He made the remarks during talks with his Indian counterpart Subramaniam Jaishankar in New Delhi.
Wang is on a three-day visit to India.
The Chinese foreign minister says China is ready to work with neighboring countries, including India, to build a homeland of peace tranquility prosperity, beauty and friendly coexistence.
He calls on China and India to expand cooperation and consolidate the momentum for improved bilateral relations to contribute to the certainty and stability most needed by Asia and the world.
Jaishankar says India and China should jointly safeguard the stability of the global economy, and the stable, cooperative and forward-looking bilateral ties serve the interests of both sides.
He says India is willing to enhance cooperation with China in trade and economy, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and jointly maintain peace in the border areas.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic ties.
Following his trip to India, Wang Yi will visit Pakistan starting Wednesday and co-host a foreign minister's strategic dialogue with his counterpart.
China says it hopes to work with Pakistan to implement the consensus between the leaders of both countries and deepen communication and cooperation to accelerate the building of a closer community with a shared future in the new era.
U.S.
President Donald Trump says he's begun arrangements for a trilateral meeting with Russia and Ukraine.
The announcement followed Trump's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House.
Zelensky said partners will finalize security guarantees for Kyiv within 10 days.
He said assurances involve a U.S. weapons package.
Trump told Zelensky that Washington will play a role in ensuring Ukraine's security as part of any agreement to end the conflict with Ukraine.
European leaders support the idea of a ceasefire and making progress on security guarantees.
China says it believes dialogue is the only way out of the Ukraine crisis and supports all efforts conducive to peace.
The foreign ministry said Beijing hopes to work with the international community to play a constructive role in reaching a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Among the efforts, China has released a paper about its position on politically resolving the crisis.
It conducted shuttle diplomacy and initiated a Friends of Peace group at the United Nations.
Hamas says the group and other Palestinian factions accepted Gaza's ceasefire proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
It includes an initial 60-day truce, the release of hostages and the entry of urgent humanitarian aid.
An Israeli official confirmed that Israel has received Hamas's response.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming up in business, China looks to improve financing for small business.
Thank you Shane.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Tuesday.
The Shanghai Composite remained almost flat.
The Shenzhen Component lost over a tenth of a percent.
Home appliance component and telecommunications equipment shares led the gainers.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market ended lower as well, with the Hang Seng index down over 02.
Meantime, stocks in Japan also edged slightly down.
The Nikkei lost almost 0.4%.
China's stock market hit a historic milestone this week.
On Monday, the Shanghai Composite Index climbed to its highest level in a decade.
At the same time, the total market capitalization of A shares broke through the 100 trillion yuan mark, or nearly 14 trillion US dollars, for the first time.
Since April, the benchmark index has increased more than 20, with tech-heavy bulls like Chinex surging nearly 50.
Analysts are confident that the current A-share bull run, backed by economic fundamentals, is likely to last.
Cheng Yu is the head of research with Allianz Global Investors.
We remain positive about the re-evaluation of A shares and we believe the current growth drivers will keep boosting the market in many years to come.
China's AI development, high-end chip manufacturing and the construction of tech infrastructures are presenting diverse opportunities to global investors.
The new quality productive forces-related shares will be the core asset in this round of re-evaluation.
Other analysts say this is a liquidity-driven bull run, with liquidity being injected into industrial upgrade, innovation and artificial intelligence.
Now China Central Bank has hailed movable property financing as a crucial tool for enterprises, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, to address financing difficulties.
It is talking about items from furniture and automobiles to even services and intellectual property.
As of the end of June, the central bank's unified registration and publicity system for movable property financing has accumulated 152000 registered users, including banks, cooperative financial institutions and leasing companies.
From January 2021 to June this year, the system recorded over 42 million registrations, with an annual average growth rate of 29.
The system serves nearly 18 million guarantors, primarily micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to a 2024 survey by the Credit Reference Center of the Central Bank, the overall scale of China's movable property financing market is approximately 15 trillion yuan, or around 21 trillion US dollars.
Once known for agricultural processing and distribution, Shanghai's Fengxian District has become a home for the health and beauty industry, in response to consumer desire for healthier and better quality lives.
Lei Shuran has more.
Established in 2015, the Oriental Beauty Valley in Fengxian is now one of Shanghai's major business zones, focusing on the cosmetics and health industries.
Currently, nearly 40 cosmetics enterprises in the city are gathered there, with an industry worth nearly 100 billion yuan, helping Shanghai earn the title of Capital of Cosmetics.
For leading players in the industry, like Shanghai-based skincare and cosmetic solution provider Chandao.
Setting up a presence in the valley enables easier access to local resources professionals, research capabilities and links with upstream and downstream service providers.
There are more than 700 cosmetics companies operating in the valley, covering the whole industrial chain from innovation, raw materials, intelligent manufacturing to brand marketing.
Domestic companies like us can take advantage of the resources here to make partnerships easily with upstream and downstream firms, which largely helps us cut costs.
We now run a 130,000-square-meter production plant here.
And this October, our exhibition center here will be open to the public.
And the target of the Oriental Beauty Valley not only lies in domestic sales, but also in raising the influence of Chinese brands worldwide.
And more international big names are joining in.
Many events focusing on the global trends of the beauty and cosmetics industry are also held there to build bridges between big cosmetics makers and beauty projects.
We've held an annual international cosmetics conference since 2018.
The event will always bring together experts, scholars and industry leaders to discuss the trend and development of the beauty and health industry.
Also, we have set up our center in the Republic of Korea this year.
We hope we can help the companies registered in our valley to make a mark on the global stage.
The local government also strives to support beauty companies and relevant players to highlight the district's economic development.
Some 11 preferential policies focusing on solving the foreign trade problems those companies may face were released this June, and the customs authorities say there will be more on the way.
During the first five months of the year, Shanghai Customs reported an import and export value exceeding 25 billion yuan in cosmetics and toiletries, accounting for 35 of the country's total.
With more supportive policies launched, the number is expected to further grow in the second half.
Customs officials say Shenzhen's foreign trade in the first seven months led all cities on the Chinese mainland to reach 26 trillion yuan, or over 360 billion US dollars.
Total trade expanded by 6.2% last month.
Electromechanical exports led the growth from January to July and made up almost three-quarters of the total.
Emerging industries such as lithium batteries and electric passenger cars also posted robust growth.
Private enterprises powered Shenzhen's trade activities, contributing 18 trillion yuan and accounting for nearly 70 of the total value.
And finally, a South African official says the country's agricultural exports rose to over 160 USD in the first second quarter of this year, up 26 from the same period in 2024.
According to the Agricultural Ministry, the sector has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience in the face of significant global trade headwinds.
80 years after the guns fell silent, echoes of China's fight against fascism still resonate.
What can a yellowed newspaper reveal about China's first end in World War II?
What does a blood-soaked vest tell us about a soldier's final battle?
And what does an old record sing about the power of unity on the Eastern Front?
The Unyielding East China's World War II relics brings you the forgotten objects and the unforgettable stories of a nation that stood its ground.
Discover China's role in the global fight against fascism and the people whose sacrifices helped secure final victory.
Listen to The Unyielding East, China's World War II relics, wherever you get your podcasts.
And now we continue our special series, The Unyielding East, China's World War II Relics.
During World War II, one school in China became a cradle of heroes, the Huangpu Military Academy.
And today we meet a passionate collector of Huangpu relics, whose dedication aims to preserve the enduring spirit of valor, sacrifice and national unity.
Do Hongyu has the story.
During the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression, one school emerged as a cradle of heroes the Huangpu Military Academy.
Established to train revolutionary military officers.
Huangpu was born out of cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang.
Together, they laid its foundation, selected instructors, trained cadets, and defined its mission.
Hello and welcome to The Unyielding East China's World War II relics, where silent war objects gave voice to the stories of China's fight against fascism.
I'm Dou Hongyu.
On this journey, I met Shanpu Sheng, a devoted collector of Huangpu relics.
His grandfather, Shan Maotong, had served as an instructor at the academy, while his father, Shan Peixian, was once a cadet.
When I visited Shan Busheng at his home, he welcomed me into a study that felt like a time capsule.
Bookshelves lined two walls, packed with old photographs, weathered manuals and thick tomes chronicling Huangpu's history.
Atop one shelf stood black-and-white portraits of his father and grandfather.
Their faces etched with quiet determination.
In the center of the room sat a table with a magnifying glass, his reading nook, where he carefully studies every detail of the academy's legacy.
With great care, Shan drew out a piece of paper from a protective sleeve.
Yellowed by time, yet remarkably well-preserved.
It bore handwritten characters certifying that Zhang Daoxing, a 23-year-old from Hunan, had completed his training at the academy in September 1939.
This is a graduation certificate from the wartime cadre training corps established under the Military Affairs Commission.
The corps was founded in Wuhan during the war.
After the full-scale outbreak of resistance against Japanese aggression, people across the country, regardless of region or age, shared the responsibility of defending the nation.
At that time, everyone had to be mentally prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of victory.
The Nationalist government created the Training Corps with the aim of preparing for a protracted war.
It also trained personnel to educate both civilians and soldiers, to promote civil defense and to carry out reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines.
This certificate once moved a fellow Huangpu veteran to tears.
It brought back memories of a time defined by duty and sacrifice.
After I found the certificate, I discovered that Yu Guangcai had graduated from the same training corps.
So I brought it to his home to show him.
When he saw it, he lit up with excitement and even clapped his hands.
He said, where did you find this?
It's incredibly rare to see a certificate like this.
He examined it closely and added, this one's from the second batch.
I graduated with the third.
Shan then began recounting the story of You Ban Cai, who led his men into the heart of the war.
In the spring of 1942, after Japan invaded Burma, China sent the Chinese Expeditionary Force three armies totaling nearly 100000 troops.
Among them was You Guangcai.
But his journey to Burma was far from easy.
Mr. You told me they flew from Dali, Yunnan on a transport aircraft, crossing the hump into India.
He said those planes were nothing like today's.
They were freezing cold and deafeningly loud.
The route Yeguangcai took to the battlefield wasn't just any flight path.
It was one of the deadliest of the World War II.
Stretching from Kunming China, to Dingjiang Airfield in Assam, India.
It cut across the jagged peaks of the Himalayas.
The mountains rose and fell like the humps of camels, which is why American pilots called the route the hump.
Flying over it meant braving, brutal conditions, dangerously thin air, violent turbulence and unpredictable weather.
To make matters worse, the skies were constantly patrolled by Japanese fighter planes and monitored by enemy artillery, earning the route a chilly nickname the Death Route.
Despite the danger, this air corridor became a vital lifeline.
Chinese soldiers were flown out to join the flight overseas and, in return, desperately needed fuel, weapons and supplies were flown back in.
After surviving that harrowing flight, Ye Guangcai was deployed straight from India to northern Burma.
His unit.
The 150th Regiment of the 50th Division was assigned to a special task force with a high-stakes mission.
A surprise assault on the strategic stronghold of Machina.
Capturing it meant Allied forces could finally stop risking their lives flying over the hump.
From then on, supplies could travel safer, shorter routes, and lower altitudes.
At the time You Guangcai, was the commander of the division's special service company, typically tasked with reconnaissance and security, not frontline combat.
But when orders for the machina assault came down, he couldn't bring himself to stay behind.
Yu Guangcai told me, I joined the army to fight the Japanese.
If I, as an officer, don't go to the front, how can I call myself a real officer?
As a wartime officer.
He said that not seeing combat would have left him with a deep sense of guilt and regret.
One morning after drill, Yeo Kwan-tai walked straight up to his division commander Pan Yu-kun and asked to be sent to the front.
Pan smiled and said, Good.
The troops are about to push into central Burma.
I'm assigning your company to the 149th Regiment.
You'll be part of the assault on Sipao.
Fight a good battle.
Xipao was no easy target.
It was a heavily fortified town, positioned between Mechina and Bemou.
The Japanese had entrenched themselves deep, fully prepared to resist and determined to halt the Chinese advance.
But Ye Guangcai didn't flinch.
He responded, I won't let you down.
I will fight.
And I will win.
On March 16, the 149th Regiment launched a frontal assault on Sipao.
Ye Guangcai led the reserve troops in a charge.
That afternoon, they captured Sipao.
The enemy was pushed back, and the objective was secured.
Sixty years later, Ye Guangcai received a written commendation for his role in that day's battle.
It read, Loyal and brave. come in command, decisive in action.
On March 16th he broke through enemy fortifications and pursued the enemy for several miles, forcing their retreat.
You Guangcai said, that was the proudest moment of my life.
Every time he spoke about it, his face lit up with joy.
You Guangcai's story is just one among thousands.
At the heart of China's resistance against Japanese aggression were the students and instructors of the Huangpu Military Academy, from both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party.
They trained together, fought side by side, and in many cases, died together.
Over eight grueling years of full-scale war, more than 200 Huangpu graduates from both parties rose to the rank of division commander or higher.
Together, they led two-thirds of China's anti-Japanese forces.
But one number stands out above all.
Out of 200,000 students trained during the war, only about 11,000 survived.
A staggering 95% never came home.
There was a famous couplet at Huangpu.
If you seek rank and riches, go elsewhere.
If you fear death and cling to life, don't enter the state.
Entering Huangpu meant you were ready to die.
No one thought about survival, let alone power or fortune.
People joined for one reason only, to bring happiness to the people.
To Shen Bu Sheng, these men and their descendants are family.
After all, both his grandfather and father were Huangpu graduates.
But, for reasons unknown, his father never spoke about it until 1984, when the Huangpu Alumni Association was founded.
That's when the truth came to light and Shen embarked on a personal mission to track down and collect Huangpu relics, uncover the traces of his ancestors and carry forward their spirit.
I remember once at a book exchange near Baoguo Temple in Beijing, I asked a vendor got anything special?
He said, I have a directory with Lin Biao in it.
I thought, Lin Biao, a fourth-phase graduate of Huangpu.
My grandfather taught them.
So I opened it and carefully flipped through the pages.
Then I saw it, my grandfather's name and photo, right there.
I was overjoyed and said I would take it.
Later, I posted that directory online.
If anyone is searching for relatives, I'm happy to share the photos for free.
I knew how hard it was to find a photo of my grandfather, so I wanted to help others fulfill that wish in my lifetime.
Then I asked Shan Bu Shan what his family spirit means to him.
At its core is the school motto, unity, love, excellence and sincerity.
The students who walked in became brothers.
That motto feels even more relevant today.
Without harmony among people, there can be no harmony in families, careers or nations.
Even in cross-strait relations.
When retired generals from Taiwan visit the mainland and realize we share Huangpu roots, it's like meeting family and the whole conversation changes.
It's no longer politics, it's personal.
On a global scale.
Unity love, excellence and sincerity also guides Xiaona's approach to building relationship with other countries.
And what insights do you think the spirit of Huangpu offers to the world today?
In the end, it all comes down to people.
War is fought between people, even with drones or missiles, as people who operate them.
If no one presses the button, the shells won't fly.
That's why we commemorate the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the 80th anniversary of the anti-fascist victory.
Not to glorify war, but to prevent it.
And that's it for this edition of The Unyielding East, China's World War II relics.
I'm Do Hongyu.
Thank you for listening.
We'll see you in the next one.
That was Huangpu Military Academy.
A united stand against fascism.
From our special series The Unyielding East China's World War II Relics.
Listen to the entire series on Deep Dive.
You can find it at radio.cgtn.com, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
At 57 past the hour, checking the forecast before we go for the day and Beijing's down to 24 degrees on Tuesday evening.
Thunder showers in 30 for Wednesday.
Qinghuangdao and Hebei will have torrential rainfall in 23 overnight, then moderate rain in 29.
Nanchang's down to 29 degrees, as followed by clouds in 36.
Nanning and Guangxi will see heavy rainfall overnight in 24 degrees, as followed by moderate rain and a high of 30.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today.
The US president says he's begun making arrangements for a trilateral meeting with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions say they've accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal.
On behalf of the staff.
This is Shane Biggum in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6 p.m.
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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, talked to the herders farmers boatmen, fishermen and eco-activists who share a close bond with the river, and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos, all in our 12-part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
