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 Bigham with you on this Wednesday, August 27th, 2025.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, Tianjin's upgraded infrastructure and services ahead of its hosting duties for the largest ever meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Hundreds of thousands of Israeli demonstrators demand an end to the conflict in Gaza and the safe return of all hostages.
The U.S. president's trying to remove a member of the Fed Reserve's board of governors.
In business, China's preparations for the China International Fair for Trade and Services are largely complete in sports first-round action from the US Open in New York.
In culture and entertainment, China's strong summer box office is driving a merchandising boom.
Bob's stories. China says trade volume with Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries reached a new high last year. and more than 512 billion US dollars.
The figure from the Commerce Ministry represents 2.7% growth from the previous year.
Ministry officials said since assuming the SCO chairmanship for 2025.
China has been working with fellow members to advocate for the multilateral trading system. amid challenges posed by tariffs.
China pledged to strengthen communication, practice true multilateralism, and jointly defend the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system.
Meanwhile, Tianjin is getting ready to host the largest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The event on Sunday and Monday in the municipality neighboring Beijing aims to promote the Shanghai spirit and deepen multilateral cooperation.
Zheng Xiyu with Tianjin Rail Transit Group says the port city has upgraded its infrastructure and services.
We have posted some of the pictures of the SCO on the light boxes PIS screens and theme trains, there are over 15,000 such locations across the entire rail transit network.
We have also set up multilingual translation machines at 63 core stations which can support translation in over 40 languages. languages.
Leaders from more than 20 countries and 10 international organizations will attend the summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will address key meetings and host bilateral talks. the Armenian ambassador to China has expressed the country's keenness to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
He also shares his views on the growing trajectory of Armenia-China relations.
Daikai has more. Armenia recently announced that it has officially applied to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Could you walk us through the reasoning behind this decision?
And what does Armenia hope to achieve by joining this multilateral? organization.
Our decision to apply for joining SCO is marked by both continuity When I say continuity, first of all I require that back to 2016, Armenia already became a partner for dialogue.
And in this regard, we have already had opportunity to establish good relations of working relations with the secretariat as well as with the key states of this organization.
And when it comes to our foreign policy approaches in this regard, I would like to mention that we are trying to diversify our relations, both with key countries of the world, major countries of the world. but also with multilateral organizations.
We believe in multilateralism. diplomacy.
We believe in multilateralism. In short We are applying with firm resolve and determination to share principles, spirits, and to work together with all key countries of that organization.
As members of the Global South, China and Armenia have maintained diplomatic ties for over three decades.
What's your assessment of the current trajectory of the bilateral relations at this moment?
Today we are approaching to the strategic relationship.
We are approaching to strategic cooperation with China And this cooperation is based on mutual interests. mutual respect.
There is no limit to our cooperation. And we hope to achieve a new quality of our relations new quality beginning of our relations very soon.
And Armenia is interested in augmenting our bilateral trade, which is already growing rapidly.
And we are also very interested to make China part of our connectivity projects and to give more opportunities for infrastructure development of Armenia by the involvement of China.
That was the Armenian ambassador to China talking about the role of the Shanghain cooperation organization and the prospects of relations between the two countries. the Shanghai spirit, the core principle of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. champions mutual trust, equality, respect for diversity, and shared development. and in the small trading city of Iwu, the spirits coming to life through food.
As more international restaurants open, they're not just serving meals, they're building bridges between cultures and creating new stories of friendship and opportunity.
Gao Juniat reports. Yiwu in Zhejiang province is best known as the world's supermarket. home to the largest wholesale market for small commodities.
But beyond the endless aisles of toys and holiday decorations, a new identity is emerging, one full of global flavors.
Today, the eastern city has 52 foreign owned restaurants from nearly 20 countries and regions.
By early 2025, these restaurants had drawn about 4.5 million visitors.
Liang Wang is a long-time spice supplier. who has worked with many of these eateries for 15 years.
His warehouse stocks over 4000 varieties of spices from around the world.
We have spices from India, Turkey, the Arab world, Russia and Italy. almost every European country around 45,000 products in total Amit Ramani from India is a regular customer of his.
He often greets Liang with a big smile, calling him Big Boss.
Liang says mastering international cuisine starts with understanding spices.
Just Indian curry alone uses over 40 spices.
There's a different masala for lamb, chicken, biryani, fried rice.
We learned bit by bit, even picked up some of their language. so now we can meet most of their needs.
For Romani, Liang is more than a supplier.
He is a friend. They support us in China, we buy a lot of like we buy drinks, alcohol, we buy we buy vegetables, they also support us They trust us now because we are from Middle India.
They never asked about the money. If we go there and buy like me and my staff and everyone they know. our face this is a restaurant meter no problem low pay low pay just give them the goods that's why this is the main good relation By dinner time, Romani's place is full.
A waiter shows Chinese customers Halt eats pani puri, a hollow, crusty Indian snack.
Ramani recalls the early struggles. Even 10, 11 also, it only depends on Indian customers.
You never know the Chinese people also like the food and we teach them.
They love true Indian food. Now we depends on 70% Chinese customers.
Dining customs can differ, and Romani encourages Chinese guests to try eating with their hands. as is traditional in India.
Normally Chinese customers use the chopsticks and spoon. they afraid to use hand if you want to eat indian food you love indian food Because if you eat with the hand, so they go to wash the hand and then we tell them how to try and then they like and they love it. to eat with the hand and they enjoy it.
Yiwu's international restaurants were originally created to serve foreign traders.
But as Chinese palace grew more adventurous, Manus evolved.
Just down the street, the smell of rice pudding wafts from a Turkish restaurant round by all stone sasher We bring one of the famous ice cream in the world.
We use the sugar, you know, brown sugar to make some of ice creams.
We taste, you know, have like a, we use the sauce, spice and herb which it make it you taste you know to to make it you know what you local people they love Of course, we change some of our tastes in the sweets and in the normal food.
In his kitchen, Turkish and Chinese chefs work side by side, Egyptian waiters move between tables, guests from many countries dine to Turkish music.
One Egyptian waiter shared what keeps him smiling.
I like to work here. friends for our customer they know knows me and say When they come in, they want me to give service for him.
Staffing wasn't easy at first, but things changed with local support.
In the beginning it was so difficult to bring all that employee chefs, you know, good chefs, it was not easy because the government helped us to bring employees with different ways and to follow the rules and regulations but they make it more easy for the visas.
They make life easier for us. Yiwu has built a support system for foreign entrepreneurs including startup guidance, infrastructure, and policy help.
Since 2019, a data platform tracks over 1 million foreign residents to streamline services. and the shang yo card gives foreigners access to local amenities just like chinese citizens over 316,000 cards have been issued.
Cesar, who's lived in China for 25 years, has brought his family to join him.
They love to live in China because the life is easy.
China is my not second hometown, my new hometown.
Today, Thesher runs 16 restaurants across 5 Chinese cities. aiming for 50 by 2030.
Romani is preparing to turn his Indian restaurant into a national chain.
Behind the numbers are people. Foreign chefs, local suppliers, curious diners. creating friendships, sharing flavors and building something new together.
For the Beijing Hour, this is Gao Junya in Yiwu.
The Chinese mainland will invite compatriots from Taiwan to attend commemorative events in Beijing on September 3rd.
Spokesperson Ju Fenglian from the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. says this year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation.
She emphasized that the war of resistance against Japanese aggression was a magnificent epic written by the entire Chinese nation. a jew said taiwan compatriots also made great sacrifices and important contributions She expressed hope that they'll carry forward the great spirit of patriotism and work together to advance the just cause of China's reunification.
China's lodged protests with Japan after reports emerged that Tokyo had asked several countries in Europe and Asia not to attend Beijing's upcoming commemorative events. the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression.
According to diplomatic sources, Japan's reached out through diplomatic channels in recent weeks urging governments to refrain from sending representatives to the September 30 events.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized Japan's reported move. seeing that it reflected Tokyo's reluctance to face its wartime past.
To view and treat history correctly is an important prerequisite for Japan's international community.
It is the political foundation of Japan's relations with neighboring countries, and more importantly, a yardstick for Japan's commitment to peaceful development.
If Japan truly wants to turn this page on historical issues, it should face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression with sincerity, make a clean break with militarism stick to the path of peaceful development and respect the sentiments of people from China and other victim countries. so as to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community. we stress that the commemorations, which also mark the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, are aimed at remembering history, honoring martyrs, cherishing peace, and working toward a brighter future.
And now we continue our special series revisiting China's war efforts against Japanese aggression during World War II.
In the 1940s, the Japanese army transferred many Australian and Dutch prisoners of war they'd captured in Indonesia to the island of Hainan in southern China.
The prisoners weathered hardships with the local Chinese during and after the war.
Now there's the Galt Force Memorial commemorating the mutual suffering and cooperation.
Linhua visited a village there to learn how locals have preserved these memories.
This is Dongfang, a city on the western coast of Hainan Island.
In the village of Lao Ou stands the God Force Memorial.
Qin Wei, the curator of the local museum shared a story behind a monument. and the history it represents.
During World War II Over 200 soldiers from Australia's God Force were captured in the Battle of Indonesian Ambon Island and deported by the Imperial Japanese Army to Dongfang. where they were forced to work as laborers mining iron ore and constructing railways. about 10 soldiers unable to bear the ruthless abuse from the Japanese. escaped from the prisoners of war camp.
With the help of local resistance fighters, they reached Lao O village, where villagers cared for them.
They later joined local troops to continue the fight.
Before the war ended, two Gulf Force soldiers succumbed to malaria and severe malnutrition.
They were laced to rest in Lao Ou village by local military and residents.
The monument was translated by the cities of Darwin, Australia and Dongfang, Hainan Province.
The assistance provided by Hainan people to the Allied Gulf was present of both deeply moved many Chinese and Australian citizens Here we honor the heroes, hoping that this history will be remembered by future generations and that China-Australia friendship will endure.
This elderly woman, Zhang Renchang, was born in 1925 and is now 100 years old.
She was not yet 18 when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Hainan.
Though eight decades have passed, she still vividly recalls the brutality and hardship of those years.
When speaking about the China-Australia acts of heroism She grew visibly moved as she recounted the hardships endured by the people at that time.
This period of history is one of suffering for the Chinese nation.
A powerful account of death, endurance and memory, the story of Gold Forest is one that should not be forgotten.
I never imagined I would live to this day and enjoy such a happy life.
During one of the darkest chapters of human civilization, China and Australia stood as steadfast allies. against the atrocities committed by the Japanese invaders. defending human dignity with their blood and lives.
These sacrifices and acts of courage, transcending national borders, have become the deepest and the strongest foundation of China-Australia friendship.
The Gulf Force Memorial stands as a reminder that truth shall never perish and peace must be defended.
That was Lin Wa on the solidarity between China and the Allied forces during the Second World War.
Coming up, mass demonstrations block roads in commercial areas in Israel.
Harnessing the wind, we empowered the future.
From fertile fields, we saw the seeds of shared prosperity.
Less waiting and more goods will be faster across borders.
The next generation bridges diverse cultures.
A stronger mechanism with voices that matter.
From shared vision to a shared future, bringing the Shanghai spirit to life. as we build a blueprint of peace and prosperity.
At 18 past the hour, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv, urging the government to. end the conflict in Gaza and ensure the safe return of hostages.
Protests began at daybreak as demonstrators blocked roads in the commercial hub.
They waved Israeli flags and held up pictures of hostages.
Jonathan Bergev reports. Are the protests wide?
Yes, but they're not as wide as they were week ago last Sunday nine days ago there's also a day over protests, which had, I think, a bigger impact.
There was a preparedness. There was talk the whole week. prior to that about the possibility of a general strike, which eventually did not happen.
But many workplaces were shut, allowing people to protest.
This was not the case. This time there were more businesses open, less people in the streets.
There was still a quite large demonstrations around the country with roadblocks several roads being blocked, several protests around the country and a major demonstration expected in Tel Aviv in the evening hours.
And if Netanyahu is worried, I'd have to say the answer is probably no.
Eventually, Benjamin Netanyahu knows that the stability of his government depends on the parties in parliament.
And regarding that, Netanyahu has a very strong grip on his 68 member coalition and the protests which the vast majority I'd even say 100% of those protesting come from the ranks of those supporting the opposition. have a real implication on the government, a real effect on the Netanyahu coalition.
And therefore, I do not think that as big as a protest may be, they will have an impact on the government. much bigger protests in the past two years, and they did not change the course of the coalition. quite fair to say that the protests will not do that either.
That was Jonathan Regev reporting. France and Qatar voiced strong positions on the Gaza conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims. that France is failing to tackle rising antisemitism.
Macron insists that the French government's fully committed to the fight against prejudices against the Jewish people. but warned it must not be weaponized for political ends. appealed to Netanyahu to end what he called a desperate push for a permanent war in Gaza.
He also called the war murderous, illegal, and harmful to Israel's dignity.
Meanwhile, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson says Israel should respond to a Gaza ceasefire proposal that's already on the table.
In a separate statement, Qatar called the strike on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gazup a new episode in the ongoing series of heinous crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. and a blatant violation of international law.
Nearly one million Palestinians remain trapped in Gaza City, living under constant shelling. and fearing yet another wave of displacement as Israel intensifies its offensive Palestinian families are once again forced to choose between fleeing into the unknown or staying under fire.
Alina Eliazji reports from Gaza. Israel's defense minister has declared the army's intention to invade Gaza City, and the military has already begun tightening its grip from severe directions.
The mounting artillery, fire and trope movements have left Palestinians confused that a full-scale assault is imminent.
Elderly Palestinian Hassan al-Najjar had set up a tent for his family on the streets of Gaza City after their home was destroyed.
Now he is disseminating it again. Packing his belongings as life in the city has become unbearable and death feels ever closer.
We are in danger. We came here seeking safety, but now the bombing is close and Shrapnel is hitting us.
People have been killed here. Even inside the tent, bullets have reached us.
Another family, the Miqdads, who had been displaced multiple times from Jabalia in northern Gaza, found themselves sitting up a tent on the pavements of Gaza city.
But now they too are leaving. searching for safety that seems impossible to find.
This time we left Zarqa'a with Jabalia We were living in Jabalia but had to leave after our third home was destroyed.
One night huge rockets blew up our neighborhood.
Shrapnel fell on us and our children. It was terrifying.
Unimaginable. Now I'm pecking what's left of our things. trying to escape to anywhere will be able to survive. the largest in the strip, has become a refugee for thousands fleeing the destruction of Jabalia and Beit Hanoun.
Its streets are crowded with displaced families and its beaches are...
Lined with tense shelterings, those who escape relentless bombardment More than a million people are now packed into Gaza City.
They have come here after being displaced from the east or from the north.
Israel is forcing people into tiny overcrowded spaces that have already been bombed. with no infrastructure that will allow them to survive.
For many Palestinians, there is little difference between the pain of displacement and the risk of death under bombardment.
Some families have resolved to remain in Gaza City, choosing to face their fate rather than flee again.
That was Elena Yazgit reporting. Coming up, the U.S. president's trying to remove a member of the Fed Reserve's board of governors.
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 a lasting legacy for global peace and human progress.
Resolve and resilience. The main eastern battlefield of World War II.
Only on CGTN. At 25 past the hour, U.S.
President Donald Trump says he's firing Lisa Cook, the only woman of color. on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Trump claims Cook made false statements on mortgage agreements, something the governor denies.
Trump has been increasing pressure on the U.S. central bank to lower interest rates.
Cook says she'll not resign and will fight back.
Washington's 50% tariffs on Indian exports have taken effect. the Trump administration's doubled the tariff rate as a penalty for India buying Russian oil.
For over 50 years, India has managed a careful triangle with deep legacy ties with Moscow. and a rapidly or steadily rising strategic partnership with Washington.
Radhika Bajaj reports on how this new tariff could impact India-U.S. relations.
It's a bond that's endured the test of time.
From the 1971 Treaty of Peace friendship and cooperation to Russia becoming India's top oil supplier in 2023.
India and Russia have been old weather friends. there's a strain being put on this equation.
Donald Trump has singled out India's purchase of Russian oil.
The steeper tariffs are seen as a negotiating tactic to give American agricultural and dairy products access to the massive Indian market in the under progress bilateral trade agreement.
But the message from India is For us, our farmers' welfare is supreme. will never compromise on the well-being of its farmers, dairy farmers and fishermen.
As the ambiguity over trade builds, a deep distrust is taking hold. undoing decades of diplomatic engagement after the 2008 US-India civil nuclear deal.
From calling the India-US strategic partnership its most important, to calling India a laundromat for Russian oil.
The U-turn from Washington has been sudden.
India has exercised restraint in its responses. not allow this current moment, which is shaped by Donald Trump. to confuse it with the larger India-US partnership.
Having said that, one has to know that he is a resident of America.
So next three and a half years, he's still going to be in the saddle and we have to figure out modus vivendi with him economically the us is india's largest trading partner with exports crossing $80 billion.
Economists expect India's GDP to be affected by around 30 basis points due to the 50 percent tariffs, but also say India's growing domestic consumption and push to diversify exports could cushion that blow.
When it comes to Russia, Beyond energy arbitrage, it remains central to India's defence ecosystem.
Nearly 40% of India's arms imports come from Russia.
So I think India has maintained a consistent stance.
India doesn't belong to any bloc or any alliance. but India wants to keep a good relation with all the countries. and India is following the doctrine so far as Russia is concerned.
Russia has maintained a consistent relationship with India. the intensity of the relationship is changing from the US side While the US grapples with its own contradictions, India's External Affairs Minister S. Chai Shankar recently visited Moscow Mexico and met President Putin.
The two sides announced plans to boost bilateral trade including increasing India's exports to Russia, a clear message that India is protecting its strategic interests. in the wake of the unpredictability displayed by the United States.
And what was meant to be a threat is in fact proving to be a catalyst to further deepen India-Russia ties.
That was Radhika Bajaj reporting. at least 25 countries have suspended package deliveries to the United States. after changes to a rule that exempted low-value items from customs duties.
Previously, the so-called de minimis exemption meant packages valid at or under 800 US dollars avoided extra duties.
The Trump administration altered the rule, saying package is sent to the country would face all applicable duties starting Friday.
A good shipped through the postal system would face one of two tariffs. an ad valorem duty equal to the effective tariff rate of the package's country of origin, or a specific tariff of $80 to $200.
Gifts under $100, letters and documents are unaffected by the change.
Many countries including the UK, Germany and South Korea have suspended mail services to the United States.
At 29 past the hour, Beijing's getting torrential rainfall, a low of 20 Wednesday evening.
Overcast conditions in 27 for Thursday. A tangential sea heavy rains in 22 overnight, then cloudy in 27.
Dallians down to 24, then heavy rains in 29.
Nanchang is at 28 overnight, sunny conditions and 38 degrees for Thursday.
Macau's down to 26 and then heavy rains in 28.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's 24 overnight and Thursday has a slight rain in 34 degrees.
It's time for a short break. So far this hour, Tangien's upgraded infrastructure and services ahead of its hosting duties for the largest ever meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Hundreds of thousands of Israeli demonstrators are demanding an end to the conflict in Gaza. and the U.S. president is trying to remove a member of the Fed Reserve's board of governors.
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? Ever wondered what's actually going on in Africa through the perspective of an African?
How are things really going between China and Africa?
What's the narrative of this relationship?
Well, get a perspective with China Africa Talk.
Hear from African diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, Chinese natives and more.
Get on our wavelength every week. To find out what's real with China Africa Talk, find us on your favorite podcast.
We'll see you there. Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, Shane Bigum, with you on this Wednesday.
Still to come. In business, China's preparations for the China International Fair for Trading Services are largely complete in sports. first round action from the US Open in New York.
In culture and entertainment, China's strong summer box office is driving a merchandising boom.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our X account at CGTN Radio.
Now checking the day's headlines, here's Tian Liu.
Thank you, Shane. China says trade volume with Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries reached a new high last year. at more than US$512 billion.
The figure from the Commerce Ministry represents 2.7% growth.
Ministry officials said since assuming the SCO chairmanship for 2025, China has been working with fellow members to advocate the multilateral trading system amid challenges posed by tariffs.
China pledged to strengthen communication, practice true multilateralism. and jointly defend the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system.
The Chinese mainland will invite compatriots from Taiwan to attend commemorative events in Beijing.
On September 3, spokesperson Zhu Fenglian from the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office says this year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation.
She emphasised that the war of resistance against the Japanese aggression was a magnificent epic written by the entire Chinese nation.
Zhu said Taiwan compatriots also made great sacrifices and important contributions.
She expressed hope that they will carry forward the great spirit of patriotism. and work together to advance the just cause of China's reunification.
The president of the UN General Assembly has condemned Israel's strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza.
The strike on Monday killed at least 20 people, including five journalists and several medical workers.
A spokesperson said the killing of innocent Palestinian civilians is unacceptable and must stop.
The anger reiterated its demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian organisations must be given full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver assistance to the civilian population in Gaza.
The spokesperson added that Israeli hostages still being held must be released.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack on the hospital a tragic mishap.
The Israeli military said an initial inquiry showed that its troops struck what they believed to be a Hamas camera position. is that none of the journalists were among the Hamas targets killed.
Iran says it will not make concessions in the face of any threat. to reimpose UN sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program.
The foreign ministry also said Iran will keep diplomatic channels open as long as dialogue aligns with its national interests.
Iran has held talks with Britain, France and Germany in Geneva.
The three European countries offered to delay the sanctions. if Tehran resumes UN inspections and talks with Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump says he is firing Lisa Cook, the only woman of color on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Trump claims Cook made false statements on mortgage agreements, something the governor denies.
Trump has been increasing pressure on the US central bank to lower interest rates.
Cook says she will not resign and will fight back.
At least eight people have died in Europe's raging wildfires that have scorched more than 10,000 schools. square metres of land.
Spain and Portugal account for about two-thirds of the damage. fires are still burning in northern Spain.
Neighbouring Portugal has contained the major fires in its central region but remains on high alert.
A relentless heat wave and dry conditions continue to fuel the crisis.
Experts warn that climate change is driving more extreme weather.
Local media say Typhoon Kajuki and the resulting floods have killed at least seven people in Vietnam.
Severe weather destroyed 15 houses and damaged nearly 9,000 structures including schools and medical facilities. facilities.
Flat water inundated rice fields and killed thousands of livestock and poultry.
The typhoon also brought heavy rainfall to Laos and parts of China.
All right, that was Tian Liu with Headlines.
Coming up in business. China's preparations for the China International Fair for Trade and Services are largely complete.
The Beijing Hour. Your window on China. Rest of the world.
36 past the hour. Turning to business. Now here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane. Chinese mainland market closed down on Wednesday where the Shanghai Composite Index declined by over 1.5%.
The Shenzhen Component Index ended lower by over 1.4%.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market also went down, with the Hang Seng losing 1.3%.
Meantime, stocks in Japan closed higher on this trading day.
The Nikkei gained 0.3%. China's State Council Information Office says preparations for the 2025
China International Fair for Trade in Services are largely complete.
The event takes place in Beijing next month as a key platform to promote international trade in services. and facilitate global economic cooperation.
Cao Zhufeng has more. Over 70 countries and international organizations will participate this year at the 50th.
Australia, the guest country of honor for the first time, will bring its largest delegation ever to the fair.
And all the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across China will take part this time.
Anhui province is the guest province of honor this year and it will host a series of activities and exhibitions.
Now nearly 20,000 companies will take part offline this year.
Among them are around 500 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders. covering 27 out of the top 30. countries and regions in the world in terms of trading services.
This year, we'll also prioritise professional forums and policy reports So far, 13 themed forums and more than 100 sessions. are already planned.
Roughly 10 to 15 percent of the exhibition area will be dedicated for so-called business matching to promote more cooperation and transactions.
Also, innovation and technology are two of the most important keywords of this year's CIFTIs.
More than 100 companies will debut over 90 new products and new achievements.
Now many of these products will incorporate trending technologies.
Among them, for example, the upgraded all-domain intelligent MRI system and China's first professional optical quantum computer exceeding the 1,000 qubit scale.
Another thing worth mentioning, what I heard during the press conference was that In the first half of 2025, China's trading services reached around US$5.5 billion.
That's roughly an 8% increase year-on-year. also made a historical record for trading services for China in the stated period.
And according to China's Ministry of Commerce, In the second half of the year, we are likely to see even more opportunities, which means we are likely to see more growth for trading services in the coming half of the year.
There was Cao Chufeng reporting. Now official data shows China's service trade reached 3.9 trillion yuan in the first half of the year, up 8% from a year earlier.
That's equivalent to US$545 billion. The figure marked a new record high, underscoring the resilience and momentum of the country's services sector despite a complex global economic environment, To find out what's driving this growth in the global services market, Tianlu spoke with Dr. He Jingjing at the Institute of international law under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
China's service trade hit 3.9 trillion yuan in the first half of the year, a record high.
What do you think is driving this growth and which sectors are playing the biggest role?
There are several key drivers behind the growth.
Firstly, the booming of the high-tech knowledge including AI, and the growth of digital economy in China have contributed to service export imports.
And now foreigners who wish to do business in China or would like to travel to China, to access a wide range of online services on the platform, such as visa applications, and accommodation registration.
These kind of convenience help the foreigners to do business in China.
Secondly, China has further opening-up policies, play a very positive role, such as visa-free services to a wide range of countries and also the increase of These three circle friends continue to expand, providing greater convenience for foreign nationals visiting China.
And thirdly, China has adopted the policies of pilot free trade zone. and There are even very innovative measures such as for cross-border service trade.
This application could help to facilitate service trade liberation liberalization, including financial, legal accounting, engineering, tourism, and other services.
And fourthly, I think that there's also thanks to the R&D, information technology, and IT, design services, maintenance services, In China, we have seen a need from foreign countries for this kind of export of services.
So China has moved towards a very knowledge intensive service provider So I think that could also help with the increase of the trade.
So in short, I think among the sectors, trading in knowledge-intensive services especially high tech services, including maintenance of high tech services and the export of AI related services have increased quite a lot.
Secondly, a great increase has been seen in the trade and tribal services.
These all add up to the growth of knowledge intensive services and trade and travel services.
And looking ahead, how can China further expand its role in global services trade and what opportunities might events like SIFTIS create for international cooperation?
China should continue its efforts in terms of innovative and intelligent development and trade services while maintaining steady progress in opening up.
I think China could make good use of such events as China International Fair for Trading Services, to let the world know better about China's determination on building a service-trade friendly environment.
And apart from its traditional service trade partners, I think China could also play a bigger role in the global arena to promote cooperation between developing countries in the service trade.
In other words, I think apart from the traditional So the street planners, such as in the Western Europe and the US, China could also open up doors to other developing countries, especially in the Belt and Road countries. to help to facilitate the win-win situation in the global service trade.
There was Dr. He Jingjing with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The global index for trade disputes showed signs of easing in June.
A report from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade says the overall index reading was 92, a medium-high level, but with significant declines in the value of meshes involved, This growing trend is attributed in part to the decision by Beijing and Washington to extend the pause on tariffs. tips.
The decline in China's industrial profits narrowed for the second consecutive month in July, dropping 1.5%. and signaling improved profitability for major companies.
From January to July, total profits of surveyed industrial enterprises topped 4 trillion yuan .
Private and foreign-invested companies posted profit growth of 1.8%, while profit declines for state-controlled and joint-stock companies also eased.
In July, manufacturing, especially in high-tech, continued to lead the profit growth.
Sectors supported by government subsidies for equipment renewals and consumer goods trade-ins have all witnessed a notable profit surge.
Meanwhile, medium and small-sized firms show strong signs of recovery. reversing last month's 9% drop in yearly profit.
A U.S. nonprofit research organization says Americans' confidence in the country in the economy dipped slightly in August amid concerns over a weakening job market.
The conference board reports the US Consumer Confidence Index ticked down by 1.3 points to 97.4 in August, down from July's 98.7. but in the same narrow range of the past three months.
Short-term expectations for income, business conditions, and jobs dropped to 74.8, remaining below the threshold that can signal a recession.
The labor market continues to show signs of strain.
US employers added just 73,000 jobs in July, far fewer than expected. while earlier figures for May and June were revised downward by 258,000.
Inflation expectations for the next year climbed to 6.2%, ending a three-month easing trend.
Thank you very much. That's Wang Zihang with business.
Coming up in sports, we have first round action from the U.S.
Open in New York. Sideline Story brings you all things sports related. the hottest topics latest events juiciest stories all with a very personal take Subscribe to Sideline Story Podcast for We'll be right back.
F47 Pass, and here's Yang Guang with sports.
Thank you, Shane. We begin with tennis from the US Open.
China's Wang Xinyu came from behind to beat Caroline Douhai in three sets and advanced to the second round.
The 23-year-old is the only Chinese player to advance in the women's singles.
She will next face Ekaterina Alexandrova.
It's a tough match. I found out the court is different after I played several games.
I needed to adjust my tactics. The success rate of my serve was a little bit low in the first set.
After the break, I gradually found my form and played in my way. while defeated the hiding street sense at last year's Wuhan Open.
In other action, Igor Svantec brushed aside Emelina Orogo, The 2022 champion will face Susan Lemons on Thursday.
On the man's side, it was more Grand Slam misery for Boeingschachter. the Chinese player lost his 5th major first round match in a row after going down in straight sense to wild-card Valentin Royer.
I didn't play on this court before as I came to Levant late.
Levant opened on Sunday and I just played on the training court.
I didn't find my right in the opening frame and he really played well, while didn't leave me any chances.
I really need time to make adjustments and play better and better in the second and third frame as I find my filling.
In another encounter, defending champion Yannick Sinner swept aside Vit Kopriva in three sets.
He faces Alexey Poparin next in search of his fifth Grand Slam title.
China's Lin Shidong and Sun Yingsha have secured berths and season-ending World Table Tennis Finals in Hong Kong.
Lin will join competitor Wang Chuqin, Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, and the Swedes choose Morrigan in the men's singles.
Morrigan was crowned at the WTT Europe Smash on home soil last weekends.
On the women's side, the Chinese trio of Suen, Kwai Man and Chen Xintong have qualified for the season finale. along with Zhu Yilin, who now represents Macau.
Lin Xudong and Kwai Man have also qualified for the mixed doubles events.
The WTT Finals will take place from December 10 to 14, hosting the world's top 16 men's and women's singles players, and 7 mixed doubles pairs along with 1 host wildcards. more qualifiers are set to be announced in the coming months.
Still in table tennis, China's Sun Yingsha has improved her own record for world ranking points. climbing to 12,200 following her triumphant WTT Europe Smash.
She continues to lead women's singles world rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation.
Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqing remain as the main singles' top two.
Now turning to football, Stuttgart won a dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout in the first round of the German Cup on Tuesday. after twice having to come from behind against the second tier Braunschweig in a chaotic 4-0 draw.
Laurence Asignan scored a decisive spot kick after Stuttgart goalie Alexander Nubel made three saves in the shootout. keeping the struggling title holders in the competition.
Stuttgart has stumbled into the season losing the German Cup Super Cup 2-1 at home against Bayern Munich. before going down by the same scoreline at Union Berlin in their league opener.
Neymar will miss Brazil's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. as he continues to battle injuries.
The 33-year-old Santos forward has not played for Brazil Since October 2023, when he sustained a ruptured ligament in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti explains.
In the second called up, there are new players on the list and Neymar is not there.
Neymar had a small problem last week. but we don't need to test him.
Everyone knows Neymar, the whole committee, the whole team, all the fans in Brazil know Neymar very well.
Neymar, like everybody else, needs to get into good physical condition to help the national team do well. and try to do your best in the World Cup.
Brazil has already qualified for football's showpiece tournament next year.
It will meet Chile in Rio de Janeiro on September 4 and Bolivia in El Alto five days later.
Real Madrid pair Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo were also missing from Atletico's Ancelotti's 23-man squad as he looks at alternatives.
And finally, Cadillac joins the Formula 1 grid in 2026, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. will be behind the wheel.
The team confirmed Tuesday the driver signed multi-year deals, though financial terms were not announced. than Torres, the CEO of the Cadillac Formula One team.
We're excited now to build the team. It's starting to get real.
We've announced our drivers. The car will be on track early in January for a shakedown.
And so we can't wait to, the countdown clock is spinning every day.
And so people are working around the clock to make sure that this team has everything that it needs come Melbourne 2026.
Cadillac enters F1 as the circuit's 11th team and just the second American-centric team in F1 history.
Rather than tap an American driver for one of its cars, the new team targeted veteran-led talent.
The drivers have 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 victories between them.
Thank you very much. That's Yang Guang with sports coming up in.
Culture and Entertainment, China's summer box office, is driving a merchandising boom.
From east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
53 past the hour. demand for movie-related merchandise has been surging in China.
As the country's summer box office revenues exceeded 11 billion yuan. with domestically produced films leading the season's top earners.
Ryan C. Sims has more. The 2025 summer season has seen two domestically made animated films dominate the Chinese market.
The Legend of Hay 2 has earned an 8.7 score on popular rating site Dobon, while Nobody has become the top grossing 2D animated film.
And this popularity has extended far beyond the cinema hall.
Zhejiang Museum offers an in-person experience centered around nobody for crowds of all ages.
Thanks to the exhibition's use of VR and other technologies, fans can enjoy the movie's characters scenes and story line off screen.
There are a lot of interactive activities adults and children can find things they like at the exhibition.
In Shanghai's first animated themed theater, the release of summer movies has transformed the cinema into a movie-themed paradise.
In addition to watching Nobody, moviegoers can interact with the cosplayers play characters offline and participate in movie sharing sessions and related games.
In addition to watching films in the cinema, We offer everyone an immersive interaction with movie content.
The back to back to back successes of Najatu, Nobody, and the legend of Heitu marks China's entry into a full industrial chain era for animated intellectual property.
And the data supports this claim. The Hua'an Industry Research Institute found that the Chinese IP derivative market reached 202.5 billion yuan in 2025.
With film and TV content contributing more than 40% of the total, the future looks great for the domestic Chinese film market.
That was Ryan C. Sims reporting. more light on the remarkable culture and history of the Yoruba people. who mainly reside in the country southwest.
From permanent collections to rotating exhibitions, Experts say it'll offer insights into the depth of Yoruba philosophy, art, and tradition.
Deji Betamosi reports. Named after a physician and nationalist of Sierra Leonean descent, The John Randall Centre for Yoruba Culture and History was once a swimming pool built in 1928.
It was reopened last November after an extensive renovation.
Today, it stands as a work of art. and was intentionally designed to convey an important message inside the museum.
Visitors encounter unique collections, symbolic artifacts, traditional art forms, and language-based installations. with their own cultural significance.
The value of some of the works that you have here It's not really in who made them, what is the notoriety of the artist, how long has it been here.
We are showing things that are narrating a long history of people from their origin story, to how their conception of divinity, of spirituality, of language, of medicine, of social cohesion, of Ibeji, of marketplace.
How our ancestors have been able to conceptualize all of these different things is what we try to in a very pedagogical way to narrate around your movement around the space.
The collections in the museum are carefully and deliberately curated to celebrate the Yoruba culture and heritage. reflecting the past, present and future.
Looking ahead, the centre says it aspires to grow beyond the cultural landmark in Lagos into a beacon for Nigeria and the wider world.
That was Deji Badamosi reporting. We're at 57 past the hour.
Beijing will see torrential rainfall. 20 on Wednesday evening.
Overcast conditions in 27 for Thursday. Tianjin will see heavy rains in 22 overnight, then cloudy in 27.
Dalyan's down to 24 degrees, followed by heavy rainfall in 29.
Nanchang's 28 overnight, then sunny in 38.
Macau's down to 26 and then heavy rainfall. and 28 degrees Celsius.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad It's 24 this evening, a slight rainfall and 34 in the forecast for Thursday.
Vientiane's at 23 overnight, then moderate rainfall in 29.
Phnom Penh's 25 this evening, then some rain in 32.
In Africa, Nairobi will get a slight rainfall in 25 degrees. on Thursday. that's it for this edition of the beijing hour making news today now tangents upgraded infrastructure and services ahead of its hosting duties for the largest ever meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. and the U.S. president's trying to remove a member of the Fed Reserve's board of governors.
On behalf of the staff, Shane Bigum in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour. and open a window to the world together.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time. we meet you on podcast and on air every weekday The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made 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 boatman doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river and what has drawn others back.
Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024, our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Talk to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen and eco-activists who share a close bond with the river. and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos.
Or in our 12-part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
