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This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shaped 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 Beggo with you on this Friday, February 21st, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese Capitol.
On today's program, at a G20 meeting in South Africa, China's foreign minister has called forward joint efforts to build a safer world.
World economies are bracing for the effects of U .S.
tariffs, and China's science and technology backyard program aims to boost development in rural areas.
In business, the Global Developer Conference in Shanghai.
In sports, China's men's basketball team has earned a spot at the FIBA Asia Cup.
In culture and entertainment, the Monkey King Opera will have its world premiere in San Francisco.
Now check in the day's top stories.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for a joint efforts to build a safer world during a speech at the G24 minister's meeting in South Africa.
He said all nations must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the Ukraine conflict, Wang Yi said, China supports all efforts in that achieving peace and is willing to continue playing a constructive role in a political settlement.
He stressed that dialogue is always better than confrontation and peace talks are always better than warfare.
On the Gaza conflict the senior diplomat said the flames of war must not be reignited and the two -state solution is the only viable way out.
In the meantime Wang Yi said China firmly supports the African people in resolving their issues independently and believes that they have the wisdom, capability and right to manage their own affairs.
Earlier, the South African president announced the opening of the two -day event in Johannesburg.
Cyril Ramaphosa called for multilateralism and the application of international law in resolving world crises.
The meeting has put together the top diplomats from some of the world's largest economies.
Yalisa and Jamala has details.
During his address at the first G20 foreign ministers meeting under South Africa's presidency, Sira Ramaphosa spelled out some of the world's biggest challenges and how they can only be resolved through unity and not division.
Geopolitical tensions, rising intolerance, conflict and war, climate change, pandemics and energy and food insecurity do threaten an already fragile global coexistence.
These challenges are interconnected.
They require responses that are inclusive and responses that should be well coordinated.
Ramaphosa further asserted that the G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability with a particular emphasis on African countries, many of which are seeing their development being crippled by having to prioritize loan repayments.
We should take action to ensure debt sustainability for low -income countries.
More than 3 .3 billion people live in countries where interest payments of debt exceed the the payments or expenditure that is made for education and health as well.
The G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability with a particular emphasis on African countries.
With Africa playing a greater role in global development than ever before, and with the AU now a full member of the G20, Ramaphosa said his priorities for South Africa's presidency wouldn't be just on debt sustainability but also on other issues that African governments are concerned about, such as climate change and getting a fair deal for Africa's natural resources.
Ministers and other high -level delegates are searched to spend two days discussing a range of issues affecting the globe.
South Africa said it was satisfied with the turnout, despite the American Secretary of of states decision not to attend over ongoing tensions with the host.
So, we have a really good turnout in terms of the participation and some of our key BRICS partners for example India is at ministerial level Brazil as well.
So, you know, I think from a G20 ministerial level participation we are quite satisfied with that.
Meanwhile Pretoria says it has duly noted US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant's decision to skip the G20's finance minister meeting schedule to take place in Cape Town next week.
That was Yolisa and Jamila on the G20 foreign ministers meeting in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the mutual trust between South Africa and China, calling Beijing a reliable friend.
As he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Johannesburg, he also stressed that South Africa firmly adheres to the Wang China policy.
Wang highlighted the strong and enduring ties between the two nations, emphasizing their mutual understanding and support.
He said China supports South Africa in fulfilling its responsibilities as the G20 Chair.
In hopes the group can enhance solidarity among global South countries, boost global economic growth in people's well -being.
On the sidelines of the G20, the Chinese foreign minister also met his Russian, Turkish and Saudi counterparts.
Beijing and Moscow pledged to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.
Wang Yi noted that the China -Russia partnership is advancing to a higher level and broader dimensions.
He also highlighted the steady progress in cooperation and its crucial role in advancing global multipolarity.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told Wang that his country is willing to deepen cooperation in major fields including the economy, trade and finance.
He said Russia values the high level of mutual trust, and will strengthen communication and coordination with China.
Lavrov also discussed recent developments in the Ukraine crisis saying that Moscow seeks a fair, sustainable, and peaceful solution in line with the UN Charter.
While his Turkish counterpart, with his Turkish counterpart, willing express Beijing's willingness to further synergize its development strategy with Ankara to benefit the people of the two nations as well as other countries in the region.
During the meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister, Wang said bilateral ties are now at the forefront of China's relations with Middle East countries.
And he also said China will expand economic investment in new energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Hong Na and Pan Dong spoke with the Chair Professor Rong Ying at Sichuan University.
Together, they discussed Africa's impact on global governance and development under the G20 framework.
and more. Africa is continent with hope and I think increasingly we have seen that particularly from this presidency of South Africa and Africa as a whole, are going to play a more and more important role in promoting more equitable, more effective global governance system.
Professor Rong, we notice that during foreign minister Wang Yi's speech he quoted Nelson Mandela in his speech, he said, quote, knocking down and destroying is very easy, but heroes are those who build and work for peace.
So with geopolitical conflicts raging, how do you think can G20 make a difference in ensuring global security and restoring peace?
G20, I think in general, if you look at the purposes and the missions our funding meant tend to serve as a platform for promoting economic partnership, equitable growth, sustainable growth.
But increasingly we have seen that G20, particularly in the recent years, has now played a more important role by looking or focusing at the geopolitical issue or the geopolitical impact on the growth.
And, in this year's meeting, particularly in the ongoing foreign minister meeting, I think Wang would very much notice that there's one full session dedicated to the debate and the discussion of global politics.
And China has always been a strong and committed supporter for that.
Wang Yi, in his speech, made very clear that China would continue to be a force for peace and promoting peace and stability.
So, we're going to see more and more important role not only in economic partnership and sustainable growth, but increasingly I think in the field of promoting peace and stability by G20.
What about the absence of US top diplomat Marco Rubio?
Why is that? But I think it only tells the fact that the United States, at least this administration, the Trump administration, Trump 2 .0, does not take Africa seriously.
So it's a kind of a snob to Africa, to Africa's aspiration and its role.
It is also a snob to Global South, which of course, Africa plays a very important role.
But in the end, it's not possible for itself, for the role that G20 is going to play." That was Chair Professor Rong Ying at Sichuan University.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky says his talks with U .S.
envoy, Keith Kellogg, have restored hope for a deal with the United States.
Zelensky expressed Ukraine's readiness to work quickly to produce a strong agreement on investment and security with the U .S.
General Kellogg, our talks restore hope.
We need strong agreements with America.
Agreements that will really work.
I gave instructions to work fast and very much evenhandedly.
Economic interests and security interests should always go hand in hand and the details of the agreement are important.
The better the details are drafted, the better the result.
Ukrainian leader also said his discussion with Kellogg focused on the battlefield situation.
The security guarantees that Ukraine is seeking a return of prisoners of war.
Stuart Smith reports from Keith.
Well, the last we heard from one of the spokespeople of Volodymyr Zelensky is that he was going into those talks with fighting spirit.
Keith Kellogg, the US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, having met the foreign minister, the speaker of the parliament here, and also other officials, but indeed with that press conference canceled, reportedly at the request of Washington, no news on what exactly they discussed or how it went, president Vladimir Zelensky said that he was keen of course to put forward Kyiv's views notably on the fact that Ukraine must be involved in any negotiations and also that he believes that America must be involved in securing Ukraine's peace.
Zelensky said that he'd spent many hours talking with top -level military officials, intelligence officials and senior members of his government in order to try to work out how to approach this and convince the United States to continue supporting Ukraine.
the foreign Minister afterwards has spoken about his meeting with Keith Kellogg and he said during that meeting they tried to find ways towards a comprehensive just and lasting peace, and he said he reaffirmed Ukraine's willingness to achieve peace through strength.
He reiterated though, and this is the key point for Ukraine that that has to come through shared work with the United States, not even just with European countries.
That was Stuart Smith reporting.
A Writers' The US report says the United States has refused to co -sponsor a draft UN resolution backing Ukraine's territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops.
It also reveals that Washington's objected to calling Russia an aggressor.
The term has been used by the UN in G7 since February 2022, when Russia began its military operations in Ukraine.
This comes amid a widening rift between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Trump's vowed to end the conflict soon, and send a team to hold talks with Russia this week in Saudi Arabia without the involvement of Kyiv.
NATO Chief Mark Rutte says that any European security guarantees for Ukraine would need to be backed up by the United States.
The EU is scrambling to come up with a plan after recent negotiations between the US and Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Raskoln has more from Paris.
This landscape is changing the moment not even by the day, often by the hour in terms of the management of the discourse between Washington, Moscow, Brussels, here in Paris, London, Kiev, to try to understand the picture going forward, particularly led by the US.
We've heard from the Secretary General of NATO today speaking in the last hour.
Mark Rutter said that quote, we should continue to strengthen Ukraine's hand.
it will require robust security guarantees to reach an enduring peace in Ukraine.
And that's also worth noting, it was one of the key parts of the statement released after Wednesday's second round of talks here in Paris between France and other Western allies that they want to see a lasting enduring peace in Ukraine.
And I'll also just mention the fact that the G20 Foreign Ministers are meeting at the moment in South Africa.
The French Foreign Minister there in attendance, Jean -Noel Barrault, and he has said that the picture that France will be painting and presenting at the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting is that they believe on in a global order based on a rules based order, a global order based on international or not one based on power and aggression.
That was Ross Cullen reporting.
The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog says the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is facing significant safety risks.
Director General Raphael Grosse of the International Atomic Energy Agency says the plant is operating with only one off -site power line, a situation that's persisted for over a week.
Its backup power lines are damaged and disconnected due to military activity and they've yet to be fully restored.
Grosse warns that the vulnerability of off -site power supply that the plant poses a nuclear safety risk, he adds that the IAEA will continue to monitor the situation at the Zapparizh and Chernobyl nuclear power plants and ensure the safety and stability of nuclear facilities.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman says the Kingdom will make all efforts to enhance security and peace in the world.
He told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that he believes dialogue is the only way to resolve crises.
Putin thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting talks between Russia and the US.
Moscow and Riyadh also renewed their commitment to maintaining stability in the global oil market by working together under OPEC+.
Coming up, world economies are bracing for the impacts of the US tariffs.
and get ready to dive in.
16 minutes past the hour.
Donald Trump's first month as US President is being more of a whirlwind in the initial 30 days of his first term eight years ago.
His controversial remarks and executive order, or rather executive orders targeting allies have shaken long -standing diplomatic partnerships.
However, voters are likely to feel the tangible effects of a new trade conflict in the coming weeks.
Owen Faircloth reports.
Semiconductors and microchips the driving force of modern life and now the next front in Donald Trump's new trade war.
The US President on Tuesday confirming they're likely to be included in a new wave of costly tariffs that are already defining Trump's second presidency as it marks its first month.
So far, Trump has hit China with tariffs but postponed them for Canada and Mexico until early March while they negotiate.
Add to that those blanket duties on steel and aluminum pharmaceuticals and semiconductors that will impact just about any commercial partner of the US.
Semiconductors and microchips have huge strategic value to the US as it competes with other tech leaders such as China to lead in artificial intelligence and the most advanced products.
Leading US business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce say tariffs will backfire on consumers with higher prices, just as inflation is starting to rise again.
But the chief executive of US Steel Maker JSW Auto says one of his plans now plans to add a hundred jobs due to the protection tariffs will offer from cheaper foreign competition.
One of the Trump administration's motives for waging trade conflicts.
And yet for a president fixated on ratings, a new poll out on Wednesday showed that while Trump's overall popularity has declined only marginally, opinions over his handling of the economy have taken a much bigger dive.
That was Owen Faircloth reporting.
The tariffs target the U .S.'s top trading partners and allies, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the European Union, Japan and South Korea.
The countries have objected to the tariffs and called for the protection of free trade.
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the country will respond firmly to the U .S.
move and local residents say they're frustrated by the U .S.
position. Tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum would be entirely unjustified, and if it comes to that our response, of course, will be firm and clear.
And I think what it'll do, it'll rally Canadians together and we will respond in a unified manner to the US.
There will be a unity of frustration against the US positions.
I think the economic impacts will be significant on this country, given the size of the trading relationship.
to run out Ramirez from the Mexican international chamber of commerce says the countries weighing its response to U .S.
tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
President Trump at that moment began with the imposition of tariffs in the aluminum and and the steel industry.
These type of sensitive industries are seriously protected by the Mexican government.
I think that the Mexican government will actually make these regulatory measures.
In Brazil, President Luiz Inachio Lula da Silva that has warned of inflation from Trump's tariffs.
If, by chance, President Trump taxes Brazilian products, there will be reciprocity in Brazil.
There's no other alternative.
This will make the product more expensive for everyone and could push inflation up in the entire world.
Trump's tariff threats are also looming large over Asia, home to some of the largest suppliers till the U .S.'s steel, aluminum and semiconductor sectors.
Ju Bing from the Chinese Commerce Ministry says the U .S.
move violates world trade organization rules and threatens economic cooperation.
The U .S. in position of additional tariffs severely violates world trade organization rules.
Not only does it fail to address its own issues, but it also undermines normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U .S.
This move is detrimental to the development of foreign -invested enterprises in China, including American -funded companies and disrupts the investment decisions of multinational corporations.
Other Asian countries have also voiced concerns over U .S.
tariffs. Japan has asked Washington to exclude it from steel and aluminum tariffs, with the Japanese trade minister reportedly planning to visit the U .S.
in March. South Korea has announced that it's seeking high -level talks on the issue, Shane Hamm reports.
We heard the acting president calling on officials to have more stronger outreach and actively engage with U .S.
officials to try and get exemptions from the U .S.
tariff plan. We know this week that the deputy trade minister is in Washington to meet with officials there.
And he has filed a formal request with the U .S.
Commerce Department, as well as the office of the U .S.
trade representative, to seek South Korean exemption, citing the fact that South Korean businesses already actively engage and contribute to the U .S.
economy with investments.
and also the fact that in a unique situation, Seoul and Washington currently have a free trade agreement that's been in effect for over a decade to remind the fact that back in 2018, President Trump actually signed a renegotiation to that free trade agreement specifically, abolishing tariffs on steel exports to the U .S., and instead using a quota system on tariffs that, or steel that goes to the U .S.
And also the fact that autos in South Korea will import more autos from the U .S., But in terms of the actual tariff rate that South Korea pays on U .S.
goods right now, the average tariff rate is essentially zero at about 0 .79 percent.
So those are some negotiation leverage points.
But as far as autos and semiconductors are concerned, semiconductors are South Korea's number one export to the United States.
Autos, South Korea is the number two exporter of cars to the U .S.
after Mexico. So any sort of additional tariffs on South Korea would be very disruptive for the country.
In fact, one report shows that a 25 % tariff rate on South Korean autos would affect exports by about 20 % at this point.
So obviously, there is some time for negotiation and what other sort of leverage points that officials here may have, South Korea could concede more energy in the energy sector, importing more U .S.
energy goods, and also in terms of shipbuilding.
Shipbuilding's another area that President Trump has pointed South Korea to.
There could be cooperation, but until we get more details, the exact effect on South Korea economy whether direct or indirect remains to be seen.
That was shanheim reporting coming up.
China is making new efforts for developing in rural areas.
China has conducted another major asset reshuffle to overhaul its financial sector.
The industry of finance has transferred all of its controlling stakes in the group of financial companies to central hui jin, a sovereign fund under the state council.
What prompted the reshuffle, is just a NASA transfer between different pockets of the central government.
And to what extent will it help to overhaul the country's financial sector?
Find out on this week's ChildLinch on your favorite podcast platform and CGTN radio.
At 23 past the hour China is stepping up efforts to promote high -quality rural development.
One initiative is the Science and Technology Backyard Program.
Yang Jinghao visited Yunnan Province to see how that program is transforming local communities.
These students are collecting water samples from Urghai Lake in southwest China's Dali city.
Through a lab analysis, they seek to determine pollution levels in the water focusing on nitrogen and phosphorus emissions, which mostly stem from agricultural runoff.
Erha Lake has great ecological and touristic value.
Over the past decade, the local government worked hard to combat pollution here.
Today, universities nationwide are also stepping up efforts to contribute to this important initiative.
In 2022, Chan Agricultural University launched a special program in Dali known as the Science and technology backyard, bringing together some 100 professors and postgraduate students from different universities.
By integrating universities, local governments, businesses and farmers, the program looks to promote green and ecological farming models.
A key focus is what professor holds costs intelligent fertilizers.
The development of fertilizers may require new materials and technologies, but more importantly, when applied to farmland, we must match the actual needs of crop growth, while considering the release of soil nutrients.
It's about intelligently adjusting both the quantity and the different forms of nutrients." After three years, the team has made clear progress.
Last year, their techniques were applied to over 3 ,600 hectares of rice fields across the region.
According to their measurements, yields increased by about 10 percent while nitrogen and phosphorus runoff decreased by approximately 20 percent.
Local farmers are pleased to see the positive changes.
The program has introduced us to the concept of scientific fertilization.
Through the efforts of the science and technology backyard, I hope more enterprises will get involved, allowing us to better protect the lake while further increasing our income.
The initiative has been widely promoted.
Currently, over 1 ,000 science and technology backyards have been established nationwide.
Participants say further efforts are needed to push it forward.
Hope believes that empowering local communities is essential to protecting the Lake, and ultimately achieving sustainable, high -quality rural development.
As Yang Jinghao reporting, as China looks to bolster the private sector, cities like Guangzhou are taking the lead in reinventing key industries, Huangfei reports.
This is one of China's largest textile hubs, nestled among dozens of specialized wholesale markets within a five -square kilometer radius in Guangzhou.
Nearly a third of China's textile and accessory trade take place here.
Once a cluster of steel sheds in the 1990s, it's now a slick, seven -story complex of vendors, offices and showrooms.
Mr. Ponnyalmin was among the first to open up shop here.
We started as a trading agent with about 40 people.
Today, we have 900 employees.
The market has provided a solid platform to connect with customers.
Over the last 20 years, our industry has shifted from a sellers market to a buyers market.
Intense competition has pushed us to innovate.
For instance, we've developed fabrics with high elastic fiber that are antibacterial and UV resistant.
Now equipped with intelligent production systems, Pong's company sells globally, including the top brands in the U .S.
Amid weak consumer demand and rising tariffs, he believes technology is the only way forward.
In fact, the government has provided significant support, including incentives for talent relocation, Without such policies, attracting young professionals to traditional industry is difficult.
The market will face ups and downs.
We need to stay confident and manage risks.
I hope the government will continue to create a strong business environment, giving private enterprises like ours more opportunities to grow.
China's top leadership this week reaffirmed its support for the private sector, allowing to safeguard fair competition and promote technological progress.
In Guangdong, textiles remain a pillar of the economy, with provincial leaders unveiling plans to modernize the sector.
Today's textile trade looks very different from the 80s, and businesses need new ways to compete.
That's why the government's decision to revamp this area is crucial.
Once they've made the crowded stalls, now the market transforms the sport traffic into creativity, attracting young designers, retail brands and digital entrepreneurs.
The revamped marketplace now hosts fashion shows, international buyers, meetings and even a history museum.
Now a vibrant hub for design, trade and innovation, this transformation isn't just about survival, it's about setting new trends on the global stage.
That was Huangfei reporting.
We're at 28 past the hour, Beijing down to minus 5 this evening, it'll be sunny and plus 4 on Saturday, Nanshang's down to 6 and then moderate rainfall in 7 degrees.
Also around Asia, Islamabad's seven overnight is cloudy and 22 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
It's time for a short break so far this hour.
At a G20 meeting in South Africa, China's foreign ministers call for joint efforts to build a safer world.
World economies are bracing for the effects of U .S.
tariffs. China's Science & Technology Backyard program aims to boost development in rural areas.
Shane Bingham 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 Beggem with you on this Friday.
Still to come. In business, the Global Developer Conference in Shanghai.
In sports, China's men's basketball team has earned a spot at the FIBA Asia Cup.
In culture and entertainment, the Monkey King Opera will have its world premiere in San Francisco.
Contact us you can email radio at cgtn .com or follow our X -Account at cgtnradio.
Now, check in the day's headline news.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is calling on a group of 20 economies to act as a force for world peace and stability.
Addressing a G20 foreign minister's meeting in Johannesburg, Wang called on members to safeguard peace, security and multilateralism.
He reiterated China's commitment to an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis as the window for peace is opening.
He also urged efforts to extend the cease -fire in Gaza and emphasized the two -state solution as the only viable option.
The Chinese diplomat pledged support for Africa as the G20 summit will be held on the continent for the first time since the African Union became a member.
The Chinese military has expelled three Philippine aircraft that China says illegally entered the airspace near Nansha -chundao, a group of islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
The incident happened two days after another Philippine aircraft unlawfully entered Chinese airspace over Hongyan, another island in the region.
The aircraft deliberately flew close to a Chinese patrol helicopter.
Tian Jin -li is a spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre command.
He says that such a move is unprofessional and dangerous, condemning the Philippines for falsely claiming that China's actions were dangerous.
The spokesperson says Manila has been repeatedly distorting China's legitimate and lawful maritime rights and engaging in smear campaigns to promote its unlawful claims.
The ads that Chinese forces remain on alert to defend national sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Panamanian President Jose Molino has dismissed claims by the United States that China is controlling the Panama Canal.
According to Molino, Washington's proposed a meeting between Panama and the newly appointed commander of the US Southern Command to discuss the issue of preventing the canal area from being influenced and controlled by China.
The president said he has instructed the Foreign Minister to reject the U .S.
proposal. Molino also warned that dialogue between the two sides will be halted if the U .S.
continues to spread misinformation.
China's top legislature will conduct a second reading of the draft private economy promotion law next week.
It'll solicit further opinions from various sectors to refine the draft.
A spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee says they'll ensure the prompt deliberation and adoption of the law.
Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky says he discussed the fighting in his country, returning prisoners of war, and security guarantees with Washington's envoy on resolving the conflict.
Zelensky told Keith Kellogg that Kiev is ready to sign an investment in security agreement with the United States.
Kellogg also met the Ukrainian foreign minister to discuss the path toward a lasting peace.
The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog says, the Zapporegia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is facing significant safety risks.
Director General Raphael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency says the plant is operating with only one off -site power line, situation has persisted for over a week.
Its backup power lines are damaged and disconnected due to military activity and they've yet to be fully restored.
Garcia warns that the vulnerability of off -site power supply at the plant poses a nuclear safety risk and he adds that the IAEA will continue to monitor the situation at the Zaporizha and Chernobyl nuclear power plants and ensure the safety and stability of nuclear facilities.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says the kingdom will make all efforts to enhance security and peace in the world.
He told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that he believes dialogue is the only way to resolve crises.
Putin thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting talks between Russia and the U .S.
Moscow and Riyadh also renewed their commitment to maintaining stability in the global oil market by working together under OPEC+.
The UN says the socioeconomic impacts of years of conflict in Syria will take decades to heal.
That's according to the UN Development Program Director for the Arab States.
Abdullah Al -Dardari outlines a devastating picture caused by the human and economic toll of the war.
The lives lost in the Syria conflict so far has been reported is 618 ,000.
So this is one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history.
113 ,000 People forcibly disappeared and we don't know their fate yet.
And forcibly displaced people is more than half of the population, with 7 .2 million IDPs and 6 million refugees.
The official says 90 % of the population in Syria is living in poverty, and millions are unemployed and relying on humanitarian assistance.
He also says the war's devastated Syria's infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector.
The Peruvian government has put over 150 districts in the country under emergency for 60 days.
That comes after intense rains triggered floods and collapsed houses nationwide.
Some residents in disaster -hit regions have urged authorities to strengthen rescue efforts.
There are families who can't cross due to the landslide.
even if it's with heavy machinery.
Please come quickly to rescue all these people who are there trying to cross, putting the lives at risk as houses are collapsing.
Among the regions under emergency are the capital, Lima, and the southern region of Ica.
This is Shane Bingham in the Chinese capital, coming up in business at the Global Developer Conference in Shanghai.
The Beijing Hour. Your window on China, and the rest of the world.
37 past the hour and with business, now here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane. Stock market is on the Chinese mainland close higher on this trading day with the Shanghai composite up around 0 .9%.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen component gained over 1 .8%.
The telecommunications services and the semiconductor sectors were among the top gainers.
Timothy Pope tells us more.
It's the end of another week for the Chinese mainland stock market.
The rally in Chinese tech only seems to be intensifying, the Shanghai Composite Index was up another 0 .9 % and is at its highest level since December.
So too is the CSI 300 and a sub -index tracking the tech sector in Shanghai was up almost 5 % way ahead of the next best -performing sector, which was healthcare, and in fact, healthcare stocks have themselves been doing pretty well lately, thanks to a rally among biotech companies.
but this has definitely been overshadowed by the investor mania over all things AI related.
Adding to that, were comments from Huawei's founder, published in official media saying that Chinese companies aren't so worried anymore about access to high level Chinese made semiconductors.
That's particularly important for the AI and AI development sectors.
But the strength of this rally really is astonishing.
and it was pretty evident in the fact that it easily managed to offset losses that we saw among some of the biggest heavyweight stocks on the Shanghai Composite Index. Those included ICBC, Bank of China, China Merchants Bank and Shenhua Energy.
There was Timothy Pope in Shanghai.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market surged significantly, with the Hang Zeng Index – rising nearly 4%.
In Japan, the Nikkei increased to almost 0 .3%.
The 2025 Global Developer Conference is underway in Shanghai.
Aimed at driving AI technologies and accelerating commercialisation, the event spotlights breakthroughs in core AI fields such as large -scale models, computational power, and software ecosystems.
It provides is a platform for global developers to exchange ideas and collaborate, advancing the development of carting edge technologies in AI and related industries.
Gulmansac's strategists have predicted a potential 15 % to 20 % surge in the value of China's stock market driven by the country's rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.
They have also forecast a 2 .5 % annual growth in earnings per share over the next decade.
An industry Every report released late last year revealed as of June 2024, more than 16 % of China's population has already used generative AI.
Approximately 4 ,500 companies have integrated generative AI into their operations, contributing to a core business value of US $600 billion or around US $80 billion.
China currently boasts at least 190 large AI modules.
according to Goldman Sachs these developments could attract over 200 billion US dollars in investment in the coming years.
For more Michael Wang spoke with Professor Guy Kirku from Beijing Institute of Technology.
So given the rise of deep -seek give us your assessment of how China's AI ecosystem compares with other major AI powers as it stands right now.
I think we have our own like advantages and the characteristics in the AI field.
We have seen that the progress of technology and the needs of the national economy, the Chinese government has introduced a series of supporting policies for the AI sector in recent years.
So these policies cover a batch of aspects like national strategy, funding, infrastructure, laws and regulations and standards.
I think these policies and the initiatives have effectively guided and supported the technology development and the inter -show progress in China's AI sector.
For example, the East Data West computing strategy in recent years has provided strong support for the AI computing power needed for AI development.
Also, we are actually promoting standard construction and have come up with Chinese solutions in areas like AI services and governance.
I believe that's an organized planning and support of one of our advantages in AI development.
We can say that the AI market in China is very active.
So from an ever -increasing number of practitioners to emerging new products, we can feel the boom of the Chinese AI market.
So this positive trend has also led to the expansion of professional teams, employment in talent training and increasing open source projects.
So I think we do have like our quite a risk features in the AI field.
Well Professor Guy, it is one thing, of course, to have nice AI chatbots from Deep Sea, Takimi, Mistral, GPT, but its another to actually integrate AI across industries, across sectors to boost productivity.
How fast do you expect industry wide adoption of AI end users here in China?
Now, we actually have got some export policies, a lovely market demand, a large range of infrastructure support.
So naturally, everyone is curious about the applications.
Whether it's a traditional anti -giant or like a tech startup, I believe that there is an urgent demand for AI applications in many fields if we zoom in on industry -specific applications because like each field got its own unique situation.
The time it takes for AI applications to form and mature gonna be different like in 4 -9's and retail.
I think we will see applications pop up pretty quick.
In manufacturing and healthy care.
For example, it may take a bit longer.
If we look at the education energy and agriculture, probably there's gonna be longer process overall.
That was Professor Guy Kooker on the rapid growth of China's AI industry.
Officials and business representatives from China and South Africa have gathered at the just -concluded Third China International Supply Chain Expo promotion conference in Johannesburg.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade hosted the event.
Chairman Ren Hongbin says the Council has long been committed to promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and South Africa.
Ren expressed willingness to work with South Africa to promote high -quality Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Political and business representatives from South Africa underscore the huge potential of economic and trade ties between the two countries, pledging to actively participate in the upcoming supply chain expo.
They also emphasise the deepening ties with China in digital infrastructure, the green economy and inclusive finance.
The third China international supply chain expo will take place in Beijing in July.
As the world's first national -level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the expo has contributed to building more secure, stable and inclusive global industrial and supply chains.
The first commercial flight linking Xi Zhang and Hong Kong have started operation.
The two Chinese regions on Wednesdays and Sundays.
It departs La Sade at 10 past 8 in the morning, stops over in Chengdu and then arrives in Hong Kong at 2 .35pm.
75 -year -old tourist Lang Cholting from Hong Kong says he enjoyed his time in Xi Zang on his first visit to the region, also known as Tibet.
I used to be hesitant to visit Xi Zang due to concerns about altitude sickness.
Now that I'm here, I haven't experienced any discomfort.
The altitude is quite high but I feel fine.
One thing that stands out to me is that Lhasa is a very open city with a strong sense of local character.
The ethnic characteristics have left a deep impression on me." Previously, Xi Zang had two international routes, one from Lhasa to Kathmandu and the other from Lhasa via Chongqing to Singapore.
The Greek Central Bank governor has warned that the new US tariffs on eurozone imports could significantly impact economic growth in the region.
Yanis Sunnara says a proposed 10 % tariff on all imports from the eurozone coupled with ongoing uncertainty in U .S.-EU trade relations could reduce the region's GDP by up to 0 .5 points within a year.
Astur -Nehras also says the European Central Bank could lower its key interest rate to 2 % by the end of this year in response to economic challenges.
A preliminary estimate of 2024's annual GDP growth indicates an increase of 0 .7 % in the Eurozone, and 0 .8 in the EU.
And finally, Chinese e -commerce giant Alibaba has reported the fastest quarterly revenue growth in more than a year.
Alibaba's revenue for the quarter ending December 31 grew 8 % to more than US $280 billion, or around US $39 billion compared to the same period of the previous year, beating market expectations.
Revenue from its cloud computing business lock the highest growth level in nearly two years, up 13 % to nearly 32 billion yuan.
According to Alibaba Cloud, the increase was primarily due to double -digit growth in public cloud revenue.
AI -related products have achieved triple -digit growth for the sixth consecutive quarter.
In addition, driven by overseas e -commerce platforms such as Ali Express and TrendOil, the revenue from international e -commerce rose 32%.
All right, thank you very much.
That was Wong Zuhang with Business.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour, and coming up in sports, China's men's basketball team has earned a spot at the Phoeba Asia Cup.
The 2025 NBA All Star game made headlines.
But not for the reasons the league hoped.
Despite bold changes to the game format, viewership hit the second lowest in history, sparking heated debates about the event's excitement.
It's the All -Star Weekend losing its last step.
How can the League reignite fan passion?
Tune in to SideLine Story as we dive deep into these pressing questions in our latest episode.
Listen to SideLine Story wherever you get your podcasts.
48th pass now turning to sports, here's Yang , thank you Shane.
The Chinese men's basketball team has cured place in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, won 158 over Japan in a Group C game in Shenzhen.
Japan had already qualified for the tournament.
Hu Jinchou of China and Rusaki Sasaki of Japan both finished with a game -high 17 points.
Chinese head coach Guo Shuchan highlighted the team's defensive strategy.
First and foremost, I'm satisfied with our performance across the entire 40 minutes.
Our players remain focused with strong execution.
Second, we played good defense as the players followed our plans to lock down our opponents.
And third, we scored a lot of fast - nil points, as we looked to build a well balanced Chinese team on both ends.
Earlier on Thursday, Mongolia claimed it's first qualifying win in Group C, defeating Graham 74 -63.
China will face Graham on Sunday in the second game, while Japan will take on Mongolia.
The Asia Cup will take place in August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In the NBA, San Antonio star Viktor when Benyama's season appears to be over after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
The Spurs said when beignama's condition was confirmed this week after he returned from the all -star game in San Francisco.
Acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said it was devastating news.
The Spurs are contending for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
I can't say this. Yes, the medical experts and the people that are smarter than everybody in the room have said, obviously, and confirmed that he'll be done this year, and that there is no concern for victors, long -term health personally, or anything related to the basketball activities, and that there is no reason to not believe that you won't be ready to go for the start of next season." When Benyama's diagnosis comes just months after Spurs coach Greg Popovich had a stroke.
The Spurs had said Popovich's condition is improving, but there's no time table for his return to the bench.
Wenbanyama is the NBA's leading shot blocker this season and first time All -Star.
In hockey, Conor McDevitt scored in overtime in the Four Nations face -off championship game to give Canada a 3 -2 victory over the United States in Boston on Thursday night.
Nathan McKinnon and Sam Bennett also scored for Canada.
Jordan Benetton made 25 saves in the first three periods in a 6 -more in the extra frame.
King. Brady Tenacic and Jake Sanderson scored for the Americans.
Kona Heliberg stopped 22 shares in regulation and three more in OT.
McDavid was named the game MVP while McKinnon was named tournament MVP. McDavid said they are focusing their attention towards the The inaugural edition of the tournament also featured Finland and Sweden.
The NHL presented the tournament to replace the traditional All -Star game.
Turning to football polo, Dibala struck twice in 4 minutes since Roma beat Porto 3 -2 to reach the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.
Dibala returned from a knee injury sustaining the first leg 1 -0 draw a week ago in Portugal, And Roma advanced on 4 -3 aggregate score.
Roma will next play either large -ill or below.
Luka Suchichi is the first -half double -laid rail Souchida to a 5 -2 victory over 10 -man Mitchell Land.
The Spanish side advanced to the round of 16 on a 7 -3 aggregate to next play either Tottenham or Manchester United.
A court has found former Spanish football bar Luis Rubiale's duty of sexually assaulting player Jenny Helmoso after kissing her at the End of the 2023 Women's World Cup Final.
The incident overshadowed Spain's first -world title in women's soccer and sparked a debate about sexism in the sport.
Mountiei Tomi is the head coach of Spain's women's national team now.
We have not experienced a situation like this, and it's something that escapes us a little bit.
from what we normally have in our daily lives.
It is normal for me to have had that feeling in particular, and these have not been easy days.
But we have faced them.
Within that time, for me, and I think for the players, too, salvation is football.
And for them to train, and for me to watch them, and all of us feel the same.
A judge ordered Ruby Alice to pay more than €10 ,000 in fines and prohibited him from getting within 200m of Hillemosa or communicating with her for a year.
However, prosecutors had asked for a prison sentence.
The court acquitted Rubieles for the coercion charge for allegedly trying to make Helmossos downplay the case on the lips during the award ceremony after the final in Sydney.
Rubieles resigned from the Spanish Soccer Federation three weeks after the incident.
The disgraced Rubieles said he will appeal.
Ruling was issued a written statement without a court hearing.
And finally, in Asia, Japan secured a last ticket in the AFC U -20 Asian Cup quarterfinals after joining One All with South Korea in the third round of Group D in Shenzhen.
South Korea topped the group with seven points and will meet defending champions Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals, while Japan will face Iran.
Thank you very much, that was Yang Guang with Sports coming up in culture and entertainment.
The Monkey King Opera will have its world premiere in San Francisco.
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54 past the hour now, turning to culture and entertainment.
The opera adaptation of a Chinese classic novel, Journey to the West, will have its world premiere at the San Francisco Opera House on November 14th.
The Monkey King is a major production for the 2025 to 26 season of the San Francisco Opera.
It will run for eight performances.
In tenor Wong Kang will portray the Monkey King, a beloved figure that has inspired countless interpretations.
The Opera lasting around two and a half hours will be performed in Chinese and English.
It combines elements of puppetry, dance, peaking opera, and other Chinese art forms.
Composer Huang Run and playwright David Henry Huang joined forces to create the opera, which is based on the opening chapters of Journey to the West.
In 2016, the San Francisco Opera premiered the opera Dream of the Red Chamber, which is based on another classic novel in China.
Chinese director Vivien Chu's latest film Girls on Wire is competing at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival tells a story of two estranged cousins following their journey over two decades as they navigate personal struggles and find redemption.
Chu describes the film's protagonist as warriors taking on the criminal underworld in a story that blends drama and comedy.
I think they're warriors.
This is why I choose one of the characters to be a stunt.
she's literally a warrior holding the sword in her hand and the other one even she doesn't hold sword in her hand I think she's also a warrior she's a warrior in life.
Girls on Wire starring Wen Qi and Leo Haosun is set for release in Chinese theaters March the 8th.
Living The Land by director Hua Meng is another Chinese film participating in the Berlin Film Festival.
On Thursday the digitally restored version of Chinese film Shen Nhu, or Goddess, premiered in the classic section, bringing the silent movie back to the big screen.
Documentary Becoming Lead Zeppelin is currently in theatres in the United States.
It tells the origin story of the legendary rock band, following the journey of its four members from their early musical beginnings to their first two albums and tours.
The three surviving band members gave full creative control of the documentary to filmmakers Allison Maguire and Bernard McMahon.
McMahon said it took thorough research to uncover not just their story but why they were truly destined for each other.
Led Zeppelin, as it is, made up of four individuals who were pretty much fully formed when they met in that first rehearsal room.
So how they got to that first rehearsal room is crucial as to why it's Led Zeppelin and crucial for you as a viewer.
So you can hear when you first seen him before we go oh right I see it's you mix with you mix with him mix with him documentary includes exclusive interviews along with rare and previously unseen performance footage in the United States the Stax Music Academy in Memphis is marking its 25th anniversary with Black History Month themed concerts on Friday the after -school program teaches young musicians how to sing, dance and play instruments more than 4 ,000 students have graduated since it started in the Soalsville neighborhood, where Stax records produce Seoul and R &B hits in the 1960s and 70s.
This year shows a series of concerts at a downtown Memphis venue 58 past the hour Beijing's down to minus five degrees on Friday evening.
It'll be sunny and plus four on Saturday.
Nanshunk's down to six, then moderate rainfall and seven degrees.
Elsewhere in Asia is Lomabed seven overnight.
It's cloudy and 22 on Saturday.
Viennas down to 19, then sunny skies in 30, Mompens 24 overnight followed by a slight rainfall in 34 degrees.
In Africa, Nairobi getting a slight rainfall in 31 on Saturday, Compelas down to 22, then it's overcast in 29.
Juba's 24 this evening, cloudy conditions in 42 tomorrow.
And finally to Oceania, Port Vila's 24 overnight, then moderate rainfall in 30 degrees.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour, making news today.
At a G20 meeting in South Africa, China's foreign ministers call for joint efforts to build a safer world and world economies are bracing for the effects of US tariffs.
On behalf of the staff, the Xixian Bigham and the Chinese capital.
Hope you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour.
And open a window to the world together.
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