Get the unmissable news stories of the day.
This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Shane Bigel with you on this Monday, September 8th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program.
The Chinese president's told the China International Fair for Investment and Trade that the country will work with all parties for economic globalization.
Typhoons made landfall on the southern coast of China, prompting an emergency response.
Japan's ruling party is selecting a new leader following the prime minister's resignation.
In business, an examination of China's latest trade numbers.
In sports, a thrilling finish for the U.S.
Open in New York.
In culture and entertainment, China's first documentary shot in space has made its debut.
Now the day's top stories.
Chinese President Xi Jinping says the country will work with all parties to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
He made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, which is underway in Xiamen.
President Xi highlighted that the fairs played a vital role in advancing an open world economy has become an important platform for global investors to deepen cooperation.
He stressed that China, as a key contributor to and stabilizer of global economic growth, will remain committed to expanding high-level opening up and advancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
He also said the country will share its development opportunities with the rest of the world and inject more positive energy and certainty into global development.
The United Kingdom is the guest country of honour.
The fair will run till Thursday.
The four-day event includes investment-themed activities, exhibitions and roadshows.
It's attracted participants from over 120 countries and regions.
Biren has more from the scene.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, sent congratulatory letters to the event, marking the 25th anniversary and also stressing the importance of more inclusive globalization and investments.
The event has attracted participants, including government agencies, chambers of commerce and multinational firms.
This year the event has three main themes invest in China, Chinese investment and international investment.
The United Kingdom, as the guest country of honor, has sent its largest ever business delegation, including over 100 companies representatives, to the event.
The pavilion is pavilion with the theme of invest in great.
We'll showcase three sections from finance, manufacturing to clean energy and creative industries.
And during the opening ceremony I also heard the UK ambassador to China mentioned next week a very high level business delegation will also come to visit China.
And we can see the UK hopes to boost its relations of trade and investment, also promote its role as key partner of China in Europe and also support Chinese companies going global.
And clearly we can see that China once again has taken the center stage as a major hub for global investment.
That was Bi Ren at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen.
Over the years, Britain's maintained close business ties with China.
Data from the Chinese Commerce Ministry shows bilateral trade in goods and services exceeded 130 billion in 2024.
That was a daily average of nearly $360 million.
In terms of investment, the UK is the second largest investment destination in Europe for Chinese companies.
Britain is also China's third largest source of foreign direct investment.
By the end of July, the UK's actual investment in China exceeded US35 billion, with over 130000 UK-invested companies.
Meanwhile, China's overseas direct investment in the UK surpassed US$32 billion.
The UK has been actively participating in China's national level exhibitions, such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
And with more.
We're joined now by Wang Yaojing, an associate professor of economics at Peking University.
Professor Wang, President Xi says China will continue to open up.
So how does that help to ease global economic uncertainty?
President Xi's message reaffirming China's commitment to high-level opening up has been seen as a significant move to counter global economic uncertainty, mainly in three ways.
First is to provide a massive and, most important, the predictable market for goods and services, which is crucial at the time when protectionism is on the rise.
And second is that china has been and continued to foster a more interconnected and resilient global supply chain by welcoming foreign investment and ensuring a level playing ground for multinational cooperations, with equal opportunities for growth and diversification, thereby reducing their exposure to risks in other markets.
Thirdly, China's commitment to international cooperation in areas like digital trade and green investment injects new momentum into the global economy and innovation, also sustainable development.
With tariff barriers, adding instability.
Why does this fair matter even more for promoting global trade cooperation?
While tariffs disrupt established supply chains and increase not just monetary costs for both producers and consumers, because this uncertainty stifles investment and can lead to a downward spiral of retaliatory measures and further creates barriers for global dialogues and cooperations.
And, in this context, platforms like this CIFIT become vulnerable, crucial for maintaining open channels of communication and promoting dialogues between nations and businesses by bringing together investors and entrepreneurs, and also policymakers from around the world.
And this fair provides a valuable opportunity, as a face-to-face interaction, to bypass the rhetoric of trade disputes and focus on mutually beneficial partnerships.
Thank you very much for your insights.
That was Wang Yaojing, an associate professor of economics at Peking University.
On the sidelines of the trade fair officials from Serbia, Bulgaria and Chile, stressed its role in strengthening ties with China.
State Secretary Nikola Stojanovic at the Serbian Ministry of Trade says the fair has helped to promote cooperation.
Serbia has indeed been participating continuously for the last seven, eight years at this fair.
And the policy behind our participation in that fair FAIR itself has to yield results and to be productive.
So if we compare the level of cooperation and economic engagement between Serbia and China and separately Serbia and Fujian province as of 2019 and today you can really see a tangible increase in bilateral mutual economic exchange.
So first of all in this period of six, seven years as we've been participating in the FAIR
China has become number one investor in Serbia.
In this period, China has also become number two biggest trading partner of Serbia and, if we look purely at the Fujian province, a company from Fujian province has become the biggest single investor from China in Serbia.
So just looking at the figures, looking at the evidence, you can see that participation at this kind of platform has yielded tangible benefits and this is why we are here this year again and that we will continue our regular participation at this platform.
From Bulgaria.
Executive Director Mila Nenova of the Invest Bulgaria Agency knows the fair's value in building new partnerships.
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and we stay quite a lot within the policies, the initiatives of the union.
What we see is that Bulgaria has attracted quite a lot of startups, for example.
It's considered one of the best places for startups for quick access to financing.
So that's why quite a lot of European startups come to Bulgaria to develop their activities.
We have as well worked with the Chinese companies.
We as investment agencies.
Of course, our role mainly is to support the companies, the investors, and with state incentives, and there are some very important priority projects with Chinese companies that have developed in the recent years.
But I think there is quite a lot of space for growth there and I really hope that the Chinese companies will learn more about Bulgaria and that will bring concrete results from this.
World Trade Organization Ambassador Sofia Bozza of Chile highlights the importance of international platforms in boosting cooperation.
Well, you know, Chile is a country that is a very open economy.
So we have seen how being involved in international trade and international investment is key for development.
So we are very much convinced of that.
So that is something that we developed in the bilateral sphere, but as well, of course, in the multilateral forums.
So being part of a forum as this one, but as well all the work that we do in other forums, as WBTO APEC, Pacific Alliance, is essential for us.
So every opportunity that we have to boost cooperation, to boost dialogue, to find common solutions to the issues that we have to deal with to have more development prosperity.
Those are opportunities that we value a lot.
So we think that these type of forums are essential if we want to face all the challenges that we have right now.
Meanwhile, Cambodia is also looking to expand its presence at the fair.
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chan-thul shared his expectations with reporter Lee Cho-yuan.
What are your expectations from this expanded presence?
And also, which projects, which sectors or partnerships are you prioritizing?
If it allows us to bring the business delegation so they can do the B2B, business-to-business business matching.
It's important for them to really, because they're the ones who really create business in Cambodia.
So this event is platformed, allowing them the opportunity to meet their counterpart for various businesses in Cambodia.
Now Cambodia has a vision to become the high-income country by 2050.
In order to reach that goal, we must diversify our economy from the labor-intensive industry to the electronic electrical, automotive industry, food processing industry and so on.
So the business leader that I brought with me.
They are in that sector so I hope they have good contact, discussion and bring back the investment to Cambodia to do a great job for our people.
It's important for us, as the government official and the business leader, to improve the standard of living of our people through job creation.
You've also visited many parts of China including Henan province and now in Fujian.
That meeting also brought together business leaders and government officials.
You had held in-depth exchanges with the local governments.
How do you think that model, that business-government collaboration model, together with closer cooperation with Chinese provinces, could help Cambodia achieved their long-term development strategies?
In Cambodia, we believe that the private sector is an engine of our economic growth.
So it's important that the government and private sector work together.
The government should play the role of facilitator to allow the private sector to prosper.
So, by inviting them, by participating in various platform events, it allows them to meet the potential partners and then to bring them to Cambodia to invest, or vice versa.
If they see a good opportunity to invest in China, they would do so.
So that is important for all this kind of platform that we participate in.
That was Li Chouyuan speaking with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister.
Coming up, typhoon winds and rains on China's southern coast.
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14 minutes past the hour.
Typhoon Tapas made landfall on China's southern coast, bringing strong winds and torrential rain and prompting widespread emergency measures.
The 16th typhoon of the year struck Guangdong province on Monday morning.
More than 41,000 residents have evacuated to safer areas amid heavy rains and flooding.
The storm is also affecting Hong Kong, Macau, Hainan and Guangxi.
Meteorological authorities say Tapa will continue moving northwest at around 20 kilometers per hour before gradually weakening.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds will persist across southern China in the coming days.
As part of China's Victory Day commemorations.
Descendants of American General Joseph Stilwell, who served as commander of the US.
10th Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II, visited Shanghai over the weekend, the final stop of their trip.
They toured the former residence of Sung Ching Ling, who shared a close friendship with General Stilwell.
Chen Tong has the story.
The seven descendants, including two of Stilwell's great-granddaughters and their children, lay flowers at a statue of Song Qingling, a prominent Chinese politician and a wife of Sun Yat-Tan.
This is a special exhibition exploring the historical connections between Madame Song Qingling and General Joseph Sewell.
The two met in Chongqing in 1942 and since then established a close friendship.
In 1938, Song Qingling established the China Defense League in Hong Kong, securing medical supplies to support the mainland.
With the assistance of General Stilwell, vital equipment, including a large X-ray machine, was successfully delivered.
It became the first and only X-ray machine in the Communist-led base areas, serving a population of 90 million.
This history explains why Seoul's descendants made the residence of Song Qingling an important stop on their journey in China.
Even my grandmother was telling us about Madame Song Qingling.
I do remember seeing photos of her at my grandmother's house, but this trip, being able to visit her residence both in Beijing and Shanghai has taught us even more about what a beautiful human she is.
The two great-granddaughters of Sewell visited Shanghai two decades ago.
It's the first time their children have visited.
However, this is the first time that all of them have made their way to the residence of Song Qingling.
I think that we tell them stories and they know a lot of what General Stilwell did during the war, but actually being here in China and being here in this wonderful residence of Madame Song Qingling really brings history to life.
I think they're able to see the people and see where General Stilwell was, and it really teaches them a lot more and gives them a more context of what he experienced and why he felt so fondly for the Chinese people.
The family also visited the China Warfare Institute Children's Palace and took a night cruise along Shanghai's mother river, the Huangpu.
Their stay in the city marked the final stop of a week-long journey for the seven descendants of General Stilwell.
Earlier, the family had attended the Grand Gathering in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Later visited the Steelwell Museum in Chongqing, retraced the historic Steelwell Road in Yunnan Province and explored the legacy of General Steelwell, carrying forward the spirit of friendship between China and the United States for future generations.
That was Chen Tong reporting.
This year marks the 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Our special series Xinjiang in 70 Years Progress and Prosperity highlights the northwestern Chinese region's transformation across industry culture, ecology and livelihoods.
In the first episode, we traveled to Mackett County on the edge of the Taclamacan Desert.
Once a sea of death, it's now home to forests, farms, and new beginnings.
Tao Yuan meets with people helping to turn the desert green, bringing new life into the region.
Makit County, in the Kashi region of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
It sits on the southwestern edge of the Taklamakan, the world's second largest shifting sand desert.
Ying Honghai was assigned to work here as an agricultural official in 2005.
I was sitting in the pickup truck, and it made me reflect on life.
What have I got myself into?
I couldn't imagine that there was such a village, that such a group of farmers were still living here.
In his first year, one event left a mark he would never forget.
He had taken over a watermelon field so farmers could focus on other jobs.
Then a sudden sandstorm struck.
I was holding on to the greenhouse plastic.
Boom!
In an instant it yanked me up into the air and, in the end, what was left in my hands?
Just the two little pieces of the plastic sheeting I stubbornly refused to let go of.
Everything else was torn apart and blown into the sky.
By the time the farmers came, there was nothing left.
Even now, I still carry a sense of guilt.
2012 was the opportunity Yinhonghai had been waiting for.
To fight for land for survival, Mackett County launched a massive desert control campaign.
Nearly all of the county's 300000 residents took part building roads, digging wells, laying power lines and planting trees all at once.
That was our most difficult time.
We didn't eat well, didn't drink well.
We drank water directly from the wells we dug, unaware that the mineral content was too high.
We had no such awareness at all.
We were just determined to complete this task.
The team used a layered approach to stop the sand.
Along the edges, they planted poplars They require lots of water, but grow fast and tall.
Inside the belt is about matching the plant to the land.
Low, salty ground gets silverberry, tough enough to thrive there.
On the higher, drier dunes, saxol, a native desert tree that survives on very little water.
Everything is set out in a checkerboard grid, locking the sand in place.
The presence of these drought resistant plants has not only anchored the sand, but they have completely transformed the very structure of the soil beneath our feet.
It's moist, it's dark, it's full of nutrients, and they're completely capable of supporting the growth of these wild plants and flowers around us.
In 13 years, Mackett has built more than 30000 hectares of shelterbelt forest along the edge of the desert.
It's a small stretch of a large national undertaking.
In nearly half a decade, China has built a green Great Wall along the edge of the Taklamakan stretching more than 3000 kilometers.
The belt is more than an ecological shield.
It has opened cross-desert highways, safeguarded farms and boosted tourism, and is reshaping the face of Xinjiang as the region pushes toward modernization.
Now we have around 2,000 tourists a day.
More than 95% of them come from China's inland regions.
Our employment situation is quite ideal too.
Hundreds of villagers now live inside the desert forest, working as rangers and building a better life for themselves.
They held the line when the desert pushed in.
And now, the forest is guarding its guardians.
I feel very proud every time I see these trees.
I feel happy, I feel at ease, like they are constantly speaking to me.
Say, rest a while, you are tired, sit here for a bit, don't overwork yourself.
Look, we are all doing well.
The desert wind still blows, but now it rustles not only leaves, but also lives.
That was Taoyuan reporting from Xinjiang.
Coming up, Japan's looking for new leadership following the resignation of the prime minister.
Decades on, Xinjiang has completely transformed.
It's the last place you'd expect to find an ocean harvest, and yet, it's happening.
Technology is redefining cultivation.
I never imagined such breathtaking lavender fields transform the very structure of the soil beneath our feet.
It's difficult to get a full appreciation of the sheer scale of this facility almost solar panels as far as the eye can see.
Xinjiang isn't just a region where cultures meet, it's where they mix, evolve and come alive.
Modernization has also given this land a canvas for the future.
And I'm really looking forward to finding out why.
Japan's now facing a month-long process to select its next prime minister, following Shigeru Ishiba's resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
The party will hold an election to choose a new leader, but the next LDP president is not automatically guaranteed the premiership.
Meanwhile, the ruling coalition has lost its majority in both chambers of parliament.
Terence Tereshima has more from Tokyo.
Some of the senior members from the LDP said Ishiba may have wanted to stay, but made the decision on the weekend at the last minute.
Some criticised his late decision-making and others said party division was avoided and it was time for the LDP to rebuild.
The next step for the Liberal Democratic Party is to narrow down the candidates for the party presidential election.
Uh also set a date for voting.
Officials said they hope to set a date on tuesday this week.
At the moment it is likely to take place uh early october, possibly around fourth of october.
Two prominent candidates are the current Agriculture Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, former Minister of State for Economic Security, Sanae Takeichi, and others, like former Cabinet Minister Takayuki Kobayashi and Toshimitsu Motegi, the current LDP Secretary General.
Each candidate have to get a nomination from at least 20 lawmakers.
Once the party president is elected decided, it is a tradition that the LDP will nominate the party president for the next prime minister.
There will be an extraordinary session held to select a new prime minister.
Now oppositions are also considering who to nominate in this prime minister election that would take place in October.
Also balancing, trying to balance future corporations with various parties, including LDP.
That was Terence Tereshima from Tokyo.
South Korea struck a deal with Washington to repatriate more than 300 workers detained in the United States.
US immigration officials raided a Hyundai plant in Georgia and detained 475 people, most of them from South Korea.
Officials say they overstayed or abused their visas.
Simon Marks reports from Washington, D.C.
More than 300 South Korean nationals who were detained as part of that raid on the plant, operated jointly by Hyundai and LG Energy, will soon be heading home.
A plane has been chartered by the South Korean government to take them back.
The United States agreeing to that request by the government in Seoul.
South Korea's foreign minister Cho Hyun is going to travel here to Washington for talks relating to the raids.
Also, the South Korean president's chief of staff says the country is now going to review and improve the visa system for South Korean nationals when they travel to the United States on business trips.
Now remember.
The Department of Homeland Security says that the 475 people that's the total number of people detained on Thursday were in breach of their visas and not eligible to work in the United States.
The South Koreans appear to be acknowledging that perhaps some kind of errors occurred at the time when the visa applications were submitted.
Certainly, the United States is using these very well-planned raids, which came after months of investigation, as an opportunity to remind international corporates that if they are going to operate factories, manufacturing plants and offices in America, they need to hire labour that is either American or legally eligible to work here.
That was Simon Marks from Washington DC.
Hamas says it's ready to discuss the release of all hostages in exchange for an end of the war in Gaza.
The group wants the deal to include a full Israeli withdrawal and the creation of an independent Palestinian committee to govern the enclave.
Hamas also called for Israel's clear and explicit commitment to any agreement.
U.S.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Israelis have accepted his terms and that it's time for Hamas to accept them as well.
An Israeli official said Tel Aviv is seriously considering the U.S. proposal.
Israeli media reports say Israel will cancel its offensive to capture Gaza City under the plan.
All hostages still held in Gaza will be freed on the first day of the truce in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Talks on ending the war will then begin under Trump's mediation, with the ceasefire remaining in place while negotiations continue.
A Yemen's Houthi group says it carried out several drone attacks on Israel, including a strike on Ramon Airport that injured two people.
An airport spokesperson said the strike suspended air traffic and forced them to shut down.
He said other drones attack sensitive military targets in other Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Checking the forecast before the break, Beijing down to 19 on Monday evening.
Tuesday will be overcast in 29.
Manchung's 27 this evening, then thundershowers in 33.
Unending, we'll see heavy rainfall in 24 overnight, followed by some more rain in 28.
Guangzhou's down to 24, then heavy rainfall in 29.
Elsa in Asia, Islamabad's 23 this evening, then a light rain in 32.
Vientiane's down to 24, then some light rain in 30.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, the Chinese president has told the China International Fair for Investment and Trade that the country will work with all parties for economic globalization.
Typhoons made landfall on the southern coast of China, prompting an emergency response.
And Japan's ruling party is selecting a new leader following the prime minister's resignation.
Shane Begum with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
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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 Begum with you on this Monday.
Still to come, in business and examination of China's latest trade numbers.
In sports, a thrilling finish for the U.S.
Open in New York.
In culture and entertainment, China's first documentary shot in space has made its debut.
To contact us, you can email us at radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at CGTN Radio.
First of all, a check of the day's headlines.
Chinese President Xi Jinping says the country will work with all parties to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
He made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade.
President Xi said China will expand high-level opening up and advance trade and investment liberalization.
He said the country would share its economic development opportunities with the world to inject more positive energy and certainty into global development.
The fair opened in Xiamen on Monday, and it runs until Thursday.
The UK is the guest country of honour.
Chinese battery maker CATL has unveiled a new generation of electric vehicle batteries for the European market at an event in Germany.
The company is offering two versions of the Shenzhen Pro lithium-ion phosphate battery.
A long life model will last up to 12 years or 1 million kilometers.
The fast charging model can add nearly 500 kilometers in range within a 10 minute charge.
The company said it developed the new products to adapt to European conditions, including higher speeds and longer lifespan for leased or used vehicles.
CATL is the world's largest battery maker.
It supplied batteries for more than 20 million EVs worldwide.
South Korea will repatriate the remains of 30 Chinese soldiers who died during the War of Resistance against US aggression and aid to Korea in the 1950s.
It'll be the 12th handover since Beijing and Seoul signed an agreement on this matter.
Between 2014 and 24, they successfully completed 11 transfers, bringing back the remains of 981 martyrs, along with other relics.
Nearly 200,000 Chinese people's volunteers died in the conflict between 1950 and 53.
A shooting at a bus stop in Jerusalem has killed at least five people and wounded over a dozen others.
Israeli police say the two attackers are dead, describing them as terrorists.
Authorities added that it's not immediately clear who carried out the attack or what the motive was.
Spain's planning to approve a series of measures against Israel, including an arms embargo.
They include a ban on ships carrying fuel for Israel's armed forces from passing through Spanish ports.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and urged the International Committee to act to stop the violence.
He stressed that the two-state solutions are the only viable option to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Israel swiftly condemned the moves.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Sanchez of trying to deflect attention from domestic corruption scandals and labeled the measures anti-Semitic.
Israel said it would prohibit two Spanish officials from entering the country.
London Underground services are facing widespread disruption this week after members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union began a five-day walkout on Sunday over pay and working conditions.
The strike, which will continue until Thursday, is a rolling action, with different sections of RMT membership walking out on different days.
Transport for London's warned passengers that there will be little or no tube service throughout the week, with any trains running expected to finish early.
RMT members are demanding improvements to what's known as fatigue management and a reduction in the working week from 35 to 32 hours.
The last strike to shut down the entire underground network took place in March of 2023.
A court in Australia sentenced a woman to at least 33 years in prison for killing three relatives by serving them poisonous mushrooms.
Justice Christopher Beale of the Victoria Supreme Court handed down the sentence on Monday, calling Aaron Patterson's actions an enormous betrayal of trust.
In July, a jury found Patterson guilty of murdering her former parents-in-law, Dawn and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson in 2023, after serving them beef wellington pastries laced with foraged death cap mushrooms.
Coming up in business, an examination of China's latest trade numbers.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
36 past the hour.
With business now, here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane.
Chinese stocks closed higher on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up almost 0.4%.
The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.6% higher.
Stocks in the robotics, pork and satellite internet sectors led the gainers.
Co-packaged optics and insurance stocks suffered major losses.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng was up over 0.8%, elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei gained over 1.4%.
China's total imports and exports reached nearly 296 trillion yuan in the first eight months of the year.
The figure represented an increase of 3.5%, faster than in the first half of the year.
LCN remains China's top trading partner, followed by the European Union.
Trade grew 9.7% with ASEAN and 4.3% with the EU, while exports to the US dropped by double digits.
Close to 52% of this total trade was with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Trade with these countries grew 5.4% during the eight-month period.
Monthly data shows a recovering trend despite global trade uncertainties, as China has witnessed expansion in import and export for three consecutive months since June.
For more.
Vivian Nunes spoke to Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Chinese exports continued to rise in August.
How do you interpret the data?
We know that the trade is decided by several factors.
The first one is the demand.
We see the world is recovering at a stable pace.
So we think that part is no problem.
And the second is the supply.
I think that China is really a good supplier of different kinds of products, including the traditional ones and some of the latest, the new ones.
And the third one is about the international trade conditions, including the tariffs.
We're seeing some fluctuations in the world.
We are seeing some protagonism and illiteracy in the world. who is blocking the trade.
But on the other side, I would say the other countries and also the trading partners, are trying to make it happen to meet the demand and also the supply.
So there is no problem of China's status in providing those products and also a very important market for those imports from other countries.
And August is the third consecutive month when Chinese exports and imports grew simultaneously.
Now that growth comes despite a 135 drop in trade with the US over the first eight months of the year.
What's behind that resilience?
I think the resilience is coming from the super large market.
As for the import, we are seeing the Chinese market is recovering and also the consumption is improving.
We are trying to consume more things, not only from China, but also from other countries which are providing so many opportunities.
But for the other side, I think the world needs more solutions and also a lot of new products, like from the new energy products and also some of other areas.
They really need something from China.
And China is one of the main reasons that we can keep it stable to supply those countries and trading partners with enough products.
And it does have a lot of impact to reduce the cost of the people and also the cost of the companies for importing the intermediate products from China.
That was Joe Mi with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Now, China's foreign exchange reserves totaled over $3.3 trillion at the end of last month.
The figure represents an increase of nearly $30 billion, or 0.9%, compared to the end of July.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange attributes the increase to the combined impact of currency translation and changes in asset prices.
The administration also says China's economy continues to maintain steady growth, providing solid support for the overall stability of the country's foreign exchange reserves.
Central Bank data shows robust growth in online payments in China between July and August, a high season for tourism and consumption.
Online payments via two major platforms, NetsUnion and UnionPay, hit almost 152 trillion yuan, or over 21 trillion US dollars up 166.
According to the People's Bank of China, the two platforms handled nearly 277 billion transactions during the period, representing a rise of 146.
Chinese lawmakers are reviewing a draft revision to the enterprise bankruptcy law as part of the efforts to improve the market exit system.
Officials submitted the draft revision to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for its first reading.
Chinese authorities have unveiled a plan to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence with the energy sector.
The plan aims to enhance energy security, improve operational efficiency and support the country's green and low-carbon transition.
It sets targets for 2027 to basically establish an innovation system for AI energy integration and achieve major breakthroughs in AI-enabled technologies in the sector.
By the year 2030, China expects its AI applications in the energy sector to reach a world-leading level, with a more advanced scheme for coordinating computing power and electricity supply.
It calls for wider use of AI across energy applications, including power grids, renewable energy and nuclear power.
The plan emphasizes breakthroughs in key technologies such as data, computing power, and algorithms.
It also urges more efforts to boost financial support and help cultivate versatile talent equipped with expertise in energy systems and AI applications.
Monday marks the last day of the World Smart Industry Expo in southwest China.
The event in Chongqing is showcasing over 3,000 cutting-edge intelligent products.
They span five major sectors – smart connected vehicles, digital cities, intelligent robotics, the low-altitude economy and smart homes.
China has released its first AI computing open architecture.
The groundbreaking system is designed to transform the industry by accelerating innovation and promoting collaboration.
To support this new framework, there will be a joint lab in partnership with the National Advanced Computing Industry Innovation Center.
Nearly 300 key projects are expected to be signed at the expo.
Top business executives have attended a summit in California focusing on global supply chains.
Participants discussed what the future of trade would look like under the recent tariffs.
In July, the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach broke a century-old record by handling over 1 million containers.
Edith Tianshan talked to attendees at the summit, including the chief operating officer of the port of Long Beach, to find out more.
Container volumes may be up at the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, but they've been fueled not by normal demand but urgency.
I believe that a significant part of our cargo volumes has been an effort by the shippers to get their products in ahead of tariffs.
There's no question that there's a lot of front loading that has happened.
Started last year, it will continue until there's a resolution on the tariff discussions.
The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach set a historic milestone in July, moving more than one million containers in a single month for the first time in its 117-year history, as businesses rushed to bring in goods ahead of new tariffs on Chinese imports.
But in light of great uncertainty spurred by trade disputes, there's only so much planning businesses can do.
There are a lot of work and efforts being put in.
And I think how do we continue to foster that mindset that yes, the disruptions, the trade talks, the trade disruption sounds overwhelming, but we need to look beyond those and say how do we stay agile?
How do we stay resilient?
And how do we stay sustainable?
Processing nearly 40 of all imported goods coming into the US.
The nation's largest port is compelled to invest more in order to keep its competitive edge.
As a port authority, we recognize that we have to continually reinvent ourselves and invest aggressively in our infrastructure.
And so over the last 15 years, the Port of Long Beach has invested nearly $5 billion.
And over the next 10 years, we're going to invest another 23 billion, all in an effort to upgrade our infrastructure, increase our capacity and decarbonize our operations.
Even in the face of potentially unprecedented tariffs taking effect, port officials remain optimistic, while acknowledging the high stakes for a trade decline on the local economy.
The caution reflects broader anxieties across the industry, Even as cargo surges, new tariffs, shifting trade routes and evolving consumer demand threaten to upend long-term growth for US ports.
Los Angeles and Long Beach move more than $400 billion in goods every year.
But with tariffs and new trade routes pulling shipments away.
The stakes aren't just about port rankings.
They're also about thousands of local jobs and the health of the region's economy.
There was Yidis Tianshan reporting.
Worsening government debt in major developed economies has been overshadowing their growth forecast during the summer.
This has prompted investors to sell their long-term sovereign bonds over the past few weeks.
In the US, the 30-year Treasury yield has been hovering around historically high levels of around 48, after inching very close to the significant 5 threshold last week.
Yields in Britain have climbed to the highest since the late 1990s.
Germany and France hit their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis.
Meanwhile, Japan's 30-year bond yield reached an all-time high of nearly 3.3% last week.
Geopolitical tensions, domestic policy uncertainties and burdened pension systems in those countries are also factors weighing on investor sentiment.
All right, thank you very much.
That's Wang Ziheng with Business.
Coming up in sports, a thrilling finish for the U.S.
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Thank you, Shane.
We begin with tennis.
Carlos Alcrez has defeated defending champion Yannick Sinner in four sets to win the U.S.
Open men's singles title for the second time.
With this victory on Sunday, the 22-year-old Spaniard secured his second Grand Slam title of the season.
He also became the second youngest player in the Open era to win six Grand Slam titles, after Bjorn Borg.
Well, it's feeling great.
It's what we are working for, you know to leave this kind of trophies, to win the Grand Slams to be the biggest trophies on our schedule in our world.
So for me, it feels amazing to win the sixth Grand Slam and to win my second US Open title.
Aircrest will also return to world number one in the ATP rankings for the first time since September 2023.
Since Novak Djokovic lifted the 2023 U.S.
Open trophy, all eight Grand Slam men's singles titles have been shared between Alcaraz and Cena.
Sunday's championship match in New York is the third consecutive Grand Slam final clash between these two, with Cena winning Wimbledon and Alcaraz winning the French Open.
On Saturday, World No.
1 arena Sabalenka defended her U.S.
Open women's singles title after triumphing over player Amanda Anisimova.
In volleyball from the Women's World Championship in Bangkok.
World number one Italy got past Turkey in five hard-fought sets to secure their second title at this tournament.
Paola Ogechi-Igonu led way with 22 points for the reigning Olympic champion's victory.
The win extended Italy's winning streak at international competitions to 36.
Melissa Teresa Varga scored a match-high 33 points for Turkey, which achieved its best-ever finish at the World Championship.
Earlier, Brazil held off Japan to take the bronze.
We turn to this year's World Athletics Continental Tour in Beijing, where host nation China ended with four gold medals.
Joan Tao created a personal best of 575 meters to win the pole vault title, while Li Jialun registered a seasonal best of 22 meters to clinch victory in the men's high jump.
Youth talent Yan Ziyi claimed the women's javelin with 64.46 meters.
Liang Tiantian refreshed her personal best to win the title in the 3,000 meters.
And Xie Jingye ran a season-best 10.21 seconds to finish fourth in the men's 100m race.
I over-trained last week and my legs don't feel good this week, so I took some treatment and reduced the workouts.
In this circumstance, my coach told me that I should take part in a competition to know there is no big concern about my legs.
So I raced today.
This race is like a test for the World Championships later this month.
I'm more confident now because I know my body is recovering well and ready for the upcoming event.
Xie is among the 73 Chinese athletes set to compete at World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, which kicks off on Saturday.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, slowing McLaren's dominance of Formula 1, with a phenomenal display from Paul in Monza.
Red Bull's Verstappen held off Lando Norris and championship leader Oscar Piastri after setting the fastest lap in F1 history when taking top spot on the grid on Sunday.
Verstappen briefly lost the lead when he caught the Reti Filo chicane on the opening lap.
Yeah, it was a great day for us.
Yeah, of course, that one was a bit unlucky.
But then after that, we were flying.
The car was, for me, really enjoyable.
I could manage the Yeah, the pace quite well throughout that first in.
And I think, yeah, we pitted at the right time.
And, you know, with the hard times at the end, you can push a bit more.
They're a bit more resilient.
And, yeah, just a fantastic execution by everyone, by the whole team.
I think the whole weekend we were on it.
And, yeah, it's, of course, super enjoyable to win here.
The Dutchman has little chance of securing a fifth straight driver's title, as he still trails PSG by 94 points, with the Australian finishing third.
PSG leads the driver's standings by 31 points from Norris, who finished second, as the top five positions ended up staying as they were on the starting grid of a rapid race.
Sunday's win was just Verstappen's third in a season dominated by McLaren, which has blown away the competition by winning all but four GPs.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who had battled hard with PSG in the opening laps, eventually fell back and finished fourth.
Mercedes' George Russell took fifth ahead of Leclerc's teammate Lewis Hamilton.
And finally, in football, Chile midfielder Cesar Perez faces up to a year on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The 22-year-old sustained injury while training with national team head of its final World Cup qualifying against Uruguay in San Diego on Tuesday.
Paris, who plays for Argentine club Defense Justicia, is considered one of the future mainstays of the Chile side in transition.
The Roja is bottom of a 10-team South American qualifying group and out of the running for next year's tournament.
All right, thank you very much.
That's Yong Guang with sports.
Coming up in culture and entertainment, China's first documentary shot in space has made its debut.
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At 53 past the hour.
In culture and entertainment, China's first space documentaries premiered in theaters across the country.
Shenzhou 13 or Blue Planet Outside the Window chronicles China's first six-month manned stay in the country's space station and the first spacewalk by a Chinese female astronaut.
Shenzhou 13.
The documentary is largely told by Wang Yaping, the country's first female astronaut on a mission to the space station.
It offers spectacular views of our planet from around 400 kilometers above the ground and gives intimate glimpses into life aboard the station.
The astronauts filmed the movie using 8K ultra-high definition cameras.
Moviegoers have given a thumbs up for the documentary.
The film really impressed me with its high tech and romance, especially the scene of looking at Earth from space and the astronauts eating dumplings at the space station, which added the feeling of being at home in space.
The 8K technology offers high resolution, which allows me to even detect strands of white hairs on the head of the female astronauts, is truly awesome.
The Shenzhou-13 mission sent three taikonauts to China's space station.
On October 16, 2021, they return to Earth the next April.
The 90-minute film employs a straightforward narrative style to tell the story of the trio of astronauts, Jade Shigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu.
It depicts their experiences in space, including conducting experiments, going on spacewalks, exercising and then, of course, filming the 8K footage.
Red Silk, a Chinese-Russian co-production, has premiered in Beijing.
The film is one of the major projects of the China-Russia years of culture in 2024 and 2025.
Based on true events.
Red Silk recounts the story of Chinese and Soviet revolutionaries who risked their lives to deliver vital secret documents in 1927.
Director Andrei Volgin explains the meaning behind the film's title.
Red Silk the title itself.
From the very beginning, we were thinking about how to weave China into the title itself.
For a Russian audience, the word silk instantly evokes China, and for us, red means love and victory.
In the film, the red silk represents a modern Silk Road.
Our actors now travel a new route where they must overcome obstacle after obstacle before reaching the final destination and gaining victory.
Russian media outlet Izvestia reports, the film is among the top 10 highest grossing films in Russia this year since it made its debut in February.
Chinese actress Xin Zhilei won Best Actress Award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival for her heart-wrenching performance in The Sun Rises on Us All.
Directed by Chinese filmmaker Cai Shengjun, the film portrays a tragic romance of former lovers entangled by fate and unable to find redemption.
American director Jim Jarmusch's father-mother-sister-brother won the Golden Lion for Best Film.
Structured in three segments, the film tells the story of several siblings and their visits to their parents, highlighting family ties.
Tunisian director Kauther Ben-Hanez, the voice of Hind Rajab, a film about a Palestinian girl killed in the Gaza conflict, took home the Grand Jury Prize.
Italian actor Tony Sarvio was awarded Best Actor for the film La Grazia.
The prize for Best Director went to Benny Safdie for the film The Smashing Machine.
57 past the hour.
Checking the forecast before we go.
Beijing down to 19 on Monday evening.
Overcast conditions and 29 for Tuesday.
Nanchang's at 27 overnight, then thundershowers in 33.
Nanning will see heavy rainfall and 24 degrees overnight.
That heavy rain continues on Tuesday with a high of 28.
Guangzhou's down to 24, then heavy rainfall and 29 degrees.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, the Chinese president told the China International Fair for Investment and Trade that the country will work with all parties for economic globalization.
Typhoons made landfall on the southern coast of China, prompting an emergency response.
On behalf of the staff.
This is Shane Bingham in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time.
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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 the living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
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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.
