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This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host. Zhou Hongyu with you on this Thursday, June 26, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, NATO leaders agree to boost defense spending to 5 % of GDP.
The United States will hold talks with Iran next week on a possible deal over Iran's nuclear program.
And the Shanghai Cooperation Organization says it banks political and diplomatic solutions to international conflict.
In business, China says it remains the biggest driving force for the global economy.
In sports, Chinese player Yang Hansen goes to Portland with the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft. In culture and entertainment, China's iconic terracotta warriors amaze visitors in Southern California.
Now, today's top stories.
U .S. President Donald Trump has returned from the NATO summit, claiming a win after allies agreed to a historic military spending target.
NATO member states agreed to raise their defense funding to 5 % of GDP annually by 2035.
Trump has demanded the increase as he accused European allies of not shortening their share.
Sarah Coates has more from The Hague.
Increasing defense spending was the number one priority dominating talks between NATO allies here in The Hague over the past two days.
It was a big ask from Alliance members raising their defence spending from 2 % GDP to 5 % over the course of the next decade.
Allies have agreed to invest 5 % of GDP in defence.
This is a significant commitment in response to significant threats to our security.
It includes at least 3 .5 % of GDP invested in core defense requirements, a benchmark that until today was set at 2%.
A target that I'm pleased to say all allies will now meet this year or have already met.
While the other 1 .5 % will be for defense and security -related investment, such as intelligence.
In 2029, NATO will review the trajectory and balance of defence spending of allies.
The conflict in Ukraine was also addressed by President Trump.
He sat down on the sidelines of the summit with his counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, who was dressed up for this meeting after getting a dressing down for his choice of outfit when he met Mr Trump at the White House in April.
And with the summit here in The Hague now over, it's time for these NATO allies to roll up their sleeves and make this promise for a steep hike in defense spending a reality.
That was Sarah Coates reporting.
Leaders of European Union countries are meeting in Brussels for a high -stakes summit.
The summit focuses on sanctions on Russia, U .S. tariffs and the bloc's role in the Middle East diplomacy.
It follows the NATO summit at The Hague.
Spain has long opposed NATO's move to increase defence budget to 5 % of GDP.
It opted out of the decision, drawing an angry response from US President Donald Trump.
Ken Brown has more from Madrid.
The signs of conflict came early at the NATO summit in The Hague.
They're having a problem with Spain.
There's always a problem with Spain.
Spain, the only member to opt out of an agreement to raise NATO defence spending to 5 % of GDP.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that 2 .1 % of GDP was enough.
It's an investment that we consider sufficient, realistic and, very importantly for Spain, compatible with our social model and our welfare state.
Spanish sources insist that Sanchez has majority support back home, saying NATO is asking for almost US $60 billion extra spending each year and that this new spending would largely go to US weapons makers.
NATO Secretary -General Mark Rutte, however, insisted that 3 .5 % on core defence and 1 .5 % on other defence -related spending is necessary.
Is Spain now serious about the defence spending goal?
I believe so. As you know, there is disagreement to disagree that they think they can reach the capability targets by 2 .1%.
NATO is saying it has to be 3 .5.
Like for all the other allies, all allies will report on how they are getting to the capability targets.
So we will see. But Spain's stand could prove costly.
Spain is the only country out of all of the countries that refuses to pay.
And, you know, so they want a little bit of a free ride, but they'll have to pay it back to us on trade because I'm not going to let that happen.
It's unfair. We're negotiating with Spain on a trade deal.
We're going to make them pay twice as much. And I'm actually serious about that.
The deadline for those negotiations is coming up fast on July 9th, as Spanish business braces for some bad news.
That was Ken Brown reporting.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has clarified his remarks, saying he did not call US President Donald Trump daddy.
It comes after he replied by saying daddy has to sometimes use strong language after Trump described the conflict between Israel and Iran as a big fight like two kids in a school year.
The daddy thing, I didn't call him daddy.
What I said is that sometimes in Europe I hear sometimes countries saying hey Mark, will the US stay with us?
And I said that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy hey, are you still staying with the family?
So in that sense I use daddy, not that I was calling President Trump daddy.
Trump said he's convinced that NATO leaders love the alliance and their own countries when asked whether he considers NATO members as his children.
China has questioned NATO's intentions after members of the alliance agreed to increase defense spending to 5 % of GDP.
The Chinese foreign ministry criticized NATO for expanding its influence into the Asia -Pacific despite presenting itself as a regional bloc.
A spokesperson urged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to stop fueling confrontation and manipulating China -related issues.
NATO countries decided to go with the new military spending target, following demands by U .S. President Donald Trump.
Spain opted out of the decision, choosing to limit its military spending to 2 .1 % of GDP.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said European supplies of arms and mercenaries to Ukraine have increased the risk of destabilization in Europe.
A CGTN poll shows over 67 % of respondents are not in favor of NATO's accelerated military expansion, which they said could severely threaten global peace and stability.
The poll on CGTN's multilanguage platforms gathered the views of around 6 ,000 international participants.
pence. Over 84 % of the respondents said NATO has become an outright war machine.
Around 74 % of them voiced fear that achieving the spending target of 5 % of NATO country's GDP will accelerate global military imbalance, posing a great threat to world peace and security.
Over 80 % of the respondents said the drastic defense spending increase could also lead to higher taxes or or slashed welfare services.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming up, the United States will hold talks with Iran next week on a possible deal over Iran's nuclear program.
The newly launched Payment Connect scheme between China's mainland and Hong Kong is set to transform cross -border payments, making transfers faster, cheaper, and as simple as using a phone number.
How may it reshape trade, tourism, and convenience across the Greater Bay Area?
Will it pave the way for broader use of the digital Chinese currency and future breakthroughs in global finance?
Get these and more on this week's Chat Lounge, wherever you get your podcasts, and on CGTN Radio.
Nine minutes into the hour.
The United States will hold talks with Iran next week on a possible deal over Iran's nuclear program.
Washington is seeking to quell doubts over the success of U .S. strikes on Iran.
Owen Fairclough reports from Washington, D .C.
U .S. President Donald Trump may be enjoying a victory of sorts at the NATO summit after persuading members to spend more on collective security.
But returning to Washington, D .C., the U .S. president is facing urgent questions not just about the path forward for Iran, following his decision to bomb its contested nuclear sites, but also the effectiveness of that campaign.
Before leaving the Netherlands, Trump insisted there was a path forward for Iran.
We're going to talk to them next week with Iran.
We may sign an agreement, I don't know.
To me, I don't think it's that necessary.
I mean, they had a war, they fought, now they're going back to their world.
I don't care if I have an agreement or not.
We the only thing would be asking for is what we were asking for before about We want no nuclear, but we've we destroyed the nuclear in other words.
That's destroyed I said Iran will not have nuclear what we blew it up.
It's blown up to Kingdom Come Trump's uncertainty may be reflected in the fact that so far Tehran has not acknowledged these talks and so far No date has been set for them But it's also worth noting that Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Wyckoff, has said that negotiations indirectly and directly with the Iranian leadership are continuing.
And it's also worth noting that negotiations had been scheduled to take place in the Gulf state of Oman before Trump's decision to bomb those nuclear sites.
As the ceasefire takes hold between Iran and Israel, there are urgent questions now about the effectiveness of that bombing campaign that Trump undertook unilaterally.
The word obliterated appears to be circling around Washington, D .C., Trump insisting that Iran's three key nuclear sites that he attacked were obliterated in that attack.
And Trump also put out a statement before he left the Netherlands, insisting monumental damage was done to all nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images.
Obliteration is an accurate term.
The biggest damage took place far below ground level, bullseye.
Trump wasn't specific in that statement but it's understood he was referring to the Fordow site, considered one of the more secretive sites in Tehran's nuclear development program that was attacked during that bombing on Saturday.
And there's concern here in Washington, not least from the Pentagon, that it may not have been as effective as Trump claims. Some experts think that the enriched uranium at the center of Tehran's disputed nuclear program may have been moved out before the attacks took place.
It also doesn't help that the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency also isn't sure about the effectiveness of those strikes.
And one problem there is the inspectors who are in Iran currently can't access those sites.
All of these questions need to be addressed by Trump with lawmakers in Congress asking for urgent answers.
That was Owen Fairclough in Washington.
The Iranian foreign ministry has has admitted that the Israeli and U .S. attacks badly damaged the country's nuclear installations.
Foreign Minister Saeed Abbas Arakchi criticized the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons for failing to protect Iran's nuclear program.
He said Iran acquired peaceful nuclear technology, with some of its top scientists losing their lives to pursue the goal.
Arakchi reiterated Iran's determination to obtain the technology.
On Wednesday, the presidents of Iran Iran and Egypt agreed in a phone call that it's necessary to advance political solutions to ensure regional security.
Aksan Kevani has more from Tehran.
After a ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv, the Iranian capital is calm now.
More than 600 Iranians, including civilians, were killed.
Dozens of residential and non -military buildings in Iran were severely affected.
During the 12 -day war between Israel and Iran, this bakery got hit hard. Top floors, doctor's clinic, hairdresser, all gone in seconds.
Iran's Ministry of Urban Development has pledged support for those affected by Israeli attacks.
A special committee has been formed to list all the victims and soon they will be compensated.
The government says within a week, insurance firms will start paying compensations.
While reconstruction will start soon, Iranians have shown a great degree of solidarity to stand next to each other in these hard times.
That was Exxon Kevani reporting.
The chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency says the organization will continue its activities in Iran.
Meanwhile, Israel's Atomic Energy Commission says U .S. airstrikes on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility destroyed key infrastructure, structure, rendering the site inoperable.
Jonathan Rygev has more from Tel Aviv.
How successful was the American -Israeli war in Iran against the nuclear facilities?
There are contradicting reports in the U .S. And it's the same here in Israel.
The story basically depends on who it is you choose to believe.
The official statements coming from all of the top brass, be it Prime Minister Benjamin Benjamin Netanyahu, the chief of staff, El Zamir, the head of the Israeli Secret Service, Mossad, David Barnea, all of them saying that the attacks were very successful, that Israel and the United States, which had joined with their heavy bombs over the Fordow facility and two other facilities, were able to take the Iranian nuclear program back years and years backwards.
And Prime Minister Netanyahu stressing that Israel did not only attack the sites themselves, but also all of the top scientists involved in this project.
All of this, says Netanyahu, took away this existential threat, and Israel will not allow this existential threat to rise again.
If anyone in Iran will think of reviving the nuclear project, Israel will act forcefully once again, according to the prime minister.
These are the comments coming from the official parties, official members, but unofficial voices.
Some of them are stressing different things.
Some reports surfacing here today suggest that the damage inflicted to the Iranian nuclear plant is not as big as portrayed, not as big as Israel would want it to be, and it was only able to backtrack the Iranian nuclear program only by a few months.
And if the Iranians would want to revive the project, they will do it it quite fast. Who it is that you choose to believe is, of course, anyone's choice.
There's no real proof that this side is right, that this side is right.
What we do know is that there are conflicting reports.
What's the exact story tens of meters under the ground in Fordow?
I think that at the moment, no one in Jerusalem really knows, no one in Washington either.
That was Jonathan reporting.
The fear of further escalation in the Middle East still persists.
Adelal Mahouri has more on how the U .S. attacks and a wider conflict between Iran and Israel is reshaping military power in the region.
As soon as the United States struck nuclear sites in Iran, panic rippled through oil -rich Gulf nations.
Kuwait activated continuous emergency sessions of its Supreme Defense Council.
Bahrain followed by instructing public servants to work remotely.
Saudi Arabia raised its national security alert.
The UAE and Qatar braced for possible radiation impacts.
And although Iran's missile strike on the Al -Udeid U .S. military base in Qatar was designed to avoid casualties, analysts warn of long -term consequences.
When other nations decide to attack another country, they now have precedence that this can take place without the consent of the security council this creates chaos in the international community because no country will be held accountable this war could lead to a nuclear arms race simply because some realize now that if iran had nuclear power it would not have been subject to such harsh strikes a ceasefire looks to be holding between iran and israel with no side victorious and iran vowing to resume its nuclear programme tension remains high the crisis Sources revealed moments of restraint from global
and regional powers.
Qatar, rather than retaliate over what it calls an Iranian violation to its sovereignty, offered to mediate between the two sides.
THOUMAR AL - Since these strikes broke out, we've seen a calm and balanced role for the GCC countries.
They condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran and called for de -escalation.
There is great concern that these exchange strikes may continue between Israel and Iran.
Therefore, we can see important efforts being exerted from balancing powers, like China, Russia and Turkey, to encourage them to return to peaceful negotiations.
The United States operates military bases in five of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Oman is the only exception, though it still hosts U .S. forces under Axis agreements.
And despite these bases being perceived as possible targets for retaliation, no Gulf country appear willing to reconsider the U .S. military presence.
The presence of U .S. military bases doesn't represent a threat to GCC countries.
It is part of the strategic partnership alliances the GCC built over many years.
Still, that doesn't mean Gulf nations fully trust U .S. decisions in the region.
Trust between the United States and Arab countries has been shaken.
America has proven that it is an unsafe ally to some Arab countries.
The rules of military engagement have been redefined by the Israeli and the U .S. attacks on Iran and by Tehran's retaliation.
Global efforts are in place to restore calm to the the Middle East. The Palestinian crisis fueled all of these tensions since the Israeli war on Gaza back in October 2023.
So without peace for Palestine, there will likely be no peace for the region.
That was Adolah Muhri in Cairo.
Coming up in the Beijing Hour, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization says it banks political and diplomatic solutions to international conflict.
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20 into the hour. The secretary -general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization says the group banks political and diplomatic solutions to international conflict.
Nurlan Yermakbayev made remarks on the sidelines of the SCO defense minister's meeting in Qingdao.
Zhao Yunfei has more from the eastern Chinese city.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO, is hosting defense minister's meeting here in Qingdao in east China's Shandong province.
The meeting comes amid regional tensions raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. Could it be a dialogue for change?
I spoke with Lieutenant General Luland Yemekbayev, Secretary General of SCO.
A high -cooperation organisation has grown into a really well -reputed and well -known and influential trans -regional organisation at the present time.
Because if we were using the word regional in the past, after joining Belarus, which territory is completely Europe, it became really trans -regional.
This year's Defence Ministers meeting comes amid the Israel -Iran conflict.
So how would this meeting address the crisis in the Middle East?
SCO is not a military bloc.
It is not a bloc aimed against anybody.
and there is no collective security principle in the SCO.
The main way of reaction of the SCO is political and diplomatic reaction, and mainly in the form of political statement.
Also, SCO member countries may provide financial and economic support in case any member country requests and provides official application for that.
Do you view SCO as a mechanism to resolve regional disputes and seek common ground for peaceful development?
SCO is a good platform where representatives of all member countries meet and discuss various issues concerning or regarding any field of activity.
Be it economic sphere, be it agriculture, be it trade, be it transportation, be it culture, humanitarian ties, SCO is making a big contribution to providing peace, stability and to avoiding conflicts between any countries and particularly touching upon any of the member countries.
That was an interview with Shanghai Corporation Organization Chief Nuland Yermakbayev.
Heavy rains are battering large parts of southern China, with authorities extending alerts for rainstorms. Provinces like Guangdong, Hubei and Hainan are expecting heavy rainfall.
Floods in Rongjiang County, Guizhou have left six people dead, damaging roads and disrupting communications.
Intense rainfall has also affected Sichuan and its neighboring areas.
Sun Tianyuan has more from the southwestern province.
It's been raining over the past few days in Chengdu and the rain finally came to a halt.
But another round of rainfall is on its way to southwest China.
That's according to the China Meteorological Center.
Parts of Sichuan province will see moderate to heavy rain and some areas could get heavy to very heavy downpours.
Thunderstorms, strong winds and short bursts of intense rain are also expected.
Since Tuesday, local governments across the province began moving people to safer places.
Over 30 ,000 residents have been evacuated.
Experts warn that the rain could also trigger floods and landslides, and people in risk zones should stay away from valleys and mountain streams. Swimming and camping near rivers is strongly discouraged.
Meanwhile, nearby Guizhou province has already been hit hard by flooding.
In response, the central government has allocated 100 million yuan to support emergency recovery there.
That's around 14 million US dollars.
The funds will be used for roads, water systems, hospitals and schools that have been affected.
And another 100 million yuan has been sent to South China's Guangdong and Hunan for recovery as well.
The goal is to help these areas to get back to normal as soon as possible.
That was Sun Tianyuan in Chengdu.
A heat wave is spreading extreme temperatures and high humidity to many parts of eastern United States.
Weather authorities say the heat dome will affect nearly 160 million Americans.
High temperatures are also putting pressure on the power grid, transportation and hospitals.
Jim Spelman has more.
Summer has just begun, but already tens of millions in the U .S. are sweltering under record high temperatures.
I woke up this morning on personal trainers, so just getting on the train and coming into the city, humidity was ridiculous.
Meteorologists say a system known as a heat dome has been parked over much of the eastern United States.
We know that hot air likes to rise, so in general hot air is rising, but it reaches this dome of high pressure that is forcing it downward, causing it to compress and further heat.
So it's kind of this continual cycle where the air is rising and sinking, and as it sinks, it heats more and more.
At least seven states have seen record -breaking or tying temperatures.
Boston topped 38 degrees Celsius, 102 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking its record for the month of June.
Humid, that's the worst, the humidity.
The heat sucks, but the humidity is what makes you sweat and feel sticky, and I don't like it.
Across the Midwest, roads have been cracking under the extreme heat.
Trains have been forced to slow since the heat can cause rails to expand.
Lakes and pools are packed as people try to find relief for themselves and their pets.
The worst thing for them, I think it's the pavement.
It gets really, really hot.
Some relief is expected Thursday when the heat dome lifts and lower temperatures arrive.
But this could be just the beginning of a long, hot summer for many in the United States.
That was Jim Spellman reporting.
reporting. Amnesty International in Kenya says 16 people are dead and hundreds of others have been injured after police fired shots on protesters across the country on Wednesday.
The protesters were demanding justice for young people killed in protests against tax increases a year ago.
Kenyan President William Ruto has urged calm and restraint.
Robert Nagila has more from Nairobi.
There were running battles across Nairobi's central business district as thousands of young demonstrators gathered to mark the first anniversary of the deadly June 25th protests.
Back then, at least 60 people were killed by security forces during a protest against tax hikes outside the country's parliament in the capital city.
Despite Despite assurances of security by the police, they were met instead with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The number of protesters has significantly grown over the past few hours.
The protesters are trying to make their way towards the country's parliament, but police are using water cannons and tear gas to prevent them from reaching their goal.
Several protesters and police officers were injured during the clashes.
The demonstrations took place in several towns and cities across the country.
Those who took part say they are demanding justice for those who lost their lives.
We are here to seek justice and also for a better Kenya.
We want a complete overhaul of the system.
Every system is rotten from the ministries to service providers.
We need a complete overhaul.
But the public's relationship with the police is at an all time low.
Just last week, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets to protest the death of a 31 -year -old blogger and teacher in a police cell in Nairobi.
Several police officers have since been charged in court with this death.
That was Robert Nagila reporting.
It's 29 into the hour.
Let's check the weather.
Beijing is down to 24 on Thursday evening.
Friday will be overcast with a high of 33.
three. Nanchang is 27 tonight, tomorrow cloudy with a high of 34.
In Guizhou, Rongjiang County is 23 tonight, tomorrow moderate rain with a high of 32.
In Guangxi, Heqi City is 23 tonight.
Tomorrow we'll see moderate rain with a high of 29 degrees Celsius.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is 25 tonight.
Friday we'll see slight rain with a high of 33.
In Africa, Nairobi will see slight light rain with a high of 25 on Friday.
Now it's time for a short break.
So far this hour, NATO leaders have agreed to boost defense spending to 5 % of GDP.
The United States will hold talks with Iran next week on a possible deal over Iran's nuclear program.
Dong Hongyu with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
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 Was right there In the midst of all Beasts 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.
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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. Dong Hongyu with you on this Thursday.
Still to come, in business, China says it remains the biggest driving force for the global economy.
In sports, Chinese player Yang Hansen goes to Portland with the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft. In culture and entertainment, China's iconic terracotta warriors, amazing visitors in Southern California.
To contact us, you can email radio at cdtn .com or follow our X account at cdtnradio.
Now, first, checking today's headlines.
China has pledged to work with members of the Shanghai Corporation Organization to support the building of five shared homes, a vision centered on solidarity, peace, security, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted his counterparts from SEO countries and emphasized the organization's role as an anchor amid a turbulent international landscape.
He also held separate meetings with the defense ministers of Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
SEO members attending the meeting in Qingdao agreed to strengthen strategic communication and safeguard regional peace and stability.
China has questioned NATO's intentions after members of the alliance agreed to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP.
The Chinese foreign ministry criticized NATO for expanding its influence into the Asia -Pacific despite presenting itself as a regional bloc.
A spokesperson urged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to stop fueling confrontation and manipulating China -related issues.
NATO countries decided to go with a new military spending target following demands by U .S. President Donald Trump.
Spain opted out of the decision, choosing to limit its military spending to 2 .1 % of GDP.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Andriy Belousov said European supplies of arms and mercenaries to Ukraine have increased the risk of destabilization in Europe.
Thursday marks the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
China's National Immigration Administration has announced a decisive blow against drug trafficking in the first half of the year.
It reported the seizure of over 2 .4 tons of narcotics during operations across border areas and ports.
Immigration authorities have cracked over 200 drug -related cases as of Wednesday, day, leading to more than 260 arrests.
The administration has vowed to maintain a sustained and high -pressure campaign targeting drug crimes at ports and borders.
Torrential rains have swept through parts of southern China, triggering floods in Guangxi.
The downpour caused local rivers to rise by one to three meters, inundating roads and farmland and knocking out power in several villages.
Authorities in Hezhi City activated emergency responses and evacuated over 120 residents from flood -prone areas.
Local shop owner Huang Ziran described the situation as overwhelming, with little time to react.
We lost boxes of milk, liquor and beer.
The water rose too fast, so we didn't have time to move anything.
By the time we checked around 6 a .m. in the morning, it had already reached the doorstep, and by 6 .30 had flooded about 10 centimeters inside despite our clearing efforts.
Rescue team have relocated hundreds more residents from affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has visited displaced families in Shasha village, North Kivu, amid worsening conditions following renewed conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The visit follows the M23 rebel group seizure of Goma, the provincial capital, in late January.
Rebels shut down displacement camps, forcing families to return to villages they had previously fled.
Many returnees found their homes destroyed or looted, with little aid available.
When I returned, I found my house destroyed.
I took refuge at my neighbor's house, but the NRC helped me with cash that allowed me to gradually feed the children properly.
We didn't want to go back.
It was them who forced us to return because we knew we had a government.
But when they arrived, they asked us to go home because the war was over.
They said that those who did not obey would be considered enemies, and we thought it best to go back home after hearing that.
at. Humanitarian groups warn that these forced returns have deepened an already critical situation compounded by the cancellation of US aid programs under the Trump administration.
Decades of conflict in Congo's mineral -rich east have displaced over 4 .6 million people.
The UN calls it one of the world's longest -running and most severe humanitarian crisis.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming up in business, China says it remains the biggest driving force for the global economy.
37 into the hour, turning to business.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Thursday.
The Shanghai composite lost over 0 .2%.
The Shenzhen component was down nearly nearly 0 .5%.
The commercial bank and tourism and scenic spot shares led the gainers.
The Hong Kong stock market ended lower.
The Henshin index decreased over 0 .6%.
In Japan, the Nikkei gained almost 1 .7%.
Chinese Premier Li Chang says China, the world's second -largest economy, remains the biggest driving force for the global economy.
He made remarks at the annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Thursday.
Over the past decade, AIIB has nearly doubled to 110 member countries, covering 81 % of the world's population and 65 % of global GDP.
The bank is a future -oriented development bank that supports traditional and digital infrastructure.
Premier Lee said the bank lending has exceeded US $60 billion.
As of 2024, the bank had supported Over 51 ,000 kilometers of transport infrastructure Benefiting more than 410 million people For more, Lincoln Humphries spoke with Xu Jiao Associate Professor from Peking University So how will tech convergence The integration of AI and big data Redefine infrastructure development over the next decade And what structural shifts will this require across the sector?
Well, to truly harness the potential of AI and big data infrastructure, we need to focus on three key elements, connectivity, real time data flows, and automation.
While there are much needs, I think some key systems need to be set up first. To produce anything, we need energy input.
So in the energy system, the future lies in smart grids because renewable energy energy sources like solar and the wind.
They are naturally unstable.
So AI -managed micro grids will intelligently balance power supply with storage capability, as well as real -time demand.
So smart power infrastructure is going to ensure stability of energy supply while facilitating our transition to clean energy.
On the other hand, urban areas are going to see major benefits through smart city technologies.
AI -driven traffic management systems are going to optimize vehicle flows, solving our congestion problem.
Intelligent public transportation networks is going to move people more efficiently with lower energy consumption.
So underpinning all these next generation technologies, there has to be ultra -fast network, 5G or even 6G, as well as computing capabilities that enables real -time data processing.
So these are the fundamental infrastructure for the future.
That was Associate Professor Xu Jiao from Peking University offering her insights on some of the key topics at this year's AIIB annual meeting.
Global business leaders are voicing confidence in China's long -term role in the summer doubles.
Tianlu spoke to Dr. Eliam Kendry, the CEO of ScienceCo, a global leader in advanced materials and green tech. Kendry shared her views on why she believes China remains a key part of the future, despite global uncertainties.
As a globally recognized leader in science, technology, and innovation, what leadership qualities do you believe are vital for navigating this era of disruption?
and how important is global talent collaboration, including working with Chinese partners in building a more sustainable future.
It's so critical. China is the industrial hub of the world today.
For the chemical industry, more than 50 % of the world's production is in China.
We cannot ignore China and the chemical industry and many other industries.
China has that, probably industrial vision, that since 30 years and even before.
And when I say 30 years, it's because I started my career 30 years ago.
So I can remember China 30 years ago.
And that China was an emerging force in the industry, right?
But China moved from imitation, so maybe imitating some other technologies, to innovation today.
it many of the innovations including in my company is coming from our chinese research and innovation center in shanghai for global use so i think that's it disruption is here really and i see it every time i come back to china the way you use innovation every day in your daily life as a consumer as a young you know yeah consumer in the way you you buy your goods you buy your food you if you commute.
I think for me, it's about getting those, I would call them greener, more sustainable solution, both at lower emissions, for example, lower carbon footprints and more affordable and lower total cost of ownership.
You need to have both.
And I think China has been really doing great in building efficient, lower cost value chain with less waste.
And I think when I see our customers, and many of them are going to invest in Europe for example, look at BYD.
China has created champions.
BYD today is recognised as a world leader in EV, EV both producing beautiful cars with at lower total cost of ownership with the best LFP technology.
So if BYD and other, you know, value chain in EV players want to invest in Europe for example, they're going to invest with the best available technologies.
And we want them to succeed and actually I want them to rely on our supply and our partnership in Europe to support their capacity build up.
So, yeah, I think China has beautiful days, I think in a very volatile and struggling world.
Yeah, I mean, this is, I hope, is a short -term challenges we are seeing and facing.
I think sooner or later the tariffs will be behind us and there will be a solution.
And I call for that solution to happen.
This is not in my hands.
But what is in our hands as industry players is to build those reliable, sustainable, resilient value chains.
That was ScienceCo CEO Elian Kendry sharing her views on China's long -term role in the global economy.
The head of the WEF Innovator Communities has hailed the private sector's role as a driving force behind global innovation and the just -concluded summer doubles.
Varena Khan underscored the importance of China's startup ecosystem, highlighting its pivotal role in advancing global innovation and economic progress.
This year, I'm even more excited because I feel when you look at the startup ecosystem, there is a real development here.
Obviously, there was the deep -seek moment that everyone got really excited about, the amazing innovation that's coming out of China.
But there's so much more that you can discover in China.
We're very proud that here at the annual meeting of the new champions, The Summer Davos, we have four of the six Hangzhou Dragons.
Those are small companies that we expect to not be small for a very long time.
The WEF Innovator Communities Program supports early -stage startups that show potential to shape the future through breakthrough technologies.
This year, the organization selected 100 startup new members from 28 countries, including 10 from China.
Khan also stressed the role of the Summer Doubles Forum in fostering global connectivity, saying it helps bridge China's ecosystem with international innovation networks.
China's top economic regulator says the country's economy has maintained generally stable operation this year.
According to the National Development and Reform Commission, agricultural production has been progressing smoothly, while industrial and service sectors have maintained steady growth.
In May, the value -added output of industrial enterprises above designated size increased nearly 6 % on a yearly basis.
Consumption and investment continued to expand, while exports maintained relatively fast growth.
Retail sales of consumer goods grew 6 .4 % from the same period of last year, marking the highest growth rate since 2024.
In the first five months, fixed asset investment maintained stable growth, with manufacturing investment up 8 .5%.
The regulator also says local governments across China will receive a third batch of funds for consumers' goods trading program in July.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports, Chinese player Yang Hansen goes to Portland with the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft. Is the NBA losing its grip on Chinese fans?
This week on Sideline Story, we look at the lack of buzz in China for the recently concluded NBA finals.
What's going on? Is it star power?
Controversial calls?
Or is social media reshaping how fans engage?
Are Gen Z fans ditching full games for highlights?
Dive deep into the future of sports viewership on Sideline Story.
Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts.
47 into the hour with sports.
Here's Yang Guang. Thank you, Hongyu.
Starting with basketball, Chinese player Yang Hansen went to Portland with the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft. The selection saw 7 -foot -1 center Yang become just the third Chinese player ever taken in the first round.
The Trailblazers recognized the 20 -year -old's potential after a whirlwind month of workouts and traded down with Memphis to secure his athletic abilities and basketball intelligence.
intelligence. Yang worked out for 14 NBA teams. After his second season in the Chinese Basketball Association saw him average 16 .6 points, 10 .5 rebounds, and 2 .6 blocks per game.
He was named to the All -CBA team and earned the top Yang Rising Star honors for the second year in a row.
Yang also helped Qingdao reach the quarterfinals of the CBA playoffs, with his uncaught prowess and playmaking skills helping raise expectations.
Yan expressed excitement after being selected.
I feel incredibly thrilled.
I want to learn from the veterans of the Chinese basketball and do my best to perform well in every game.
I aim to quickly adapt to the team's playing style and system.
Every team will have its own competition and I am fully prepared to face the competition with a positive attitude.
The Trailblazers scouts visited China several times to evaluate my skills And I had a wonderful experience during my training camp in Portland.
While I had hoped to be drafted in the first round, this outcome has exceeded my expectations.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and former Houston Rocket center Yao Ming described the draft as just one step in Yang's long journey.
He's a very talented kid, very nice kid.
I spoke to him about maybe three weeks ago, four weeks ago when he left China.
I wish him all good luck and he deserved the best. and he put up with all the effort he put in there and it was his team.
But it doesn't matter what happened tomorrow.
I mean, the draft is just the one step in his long career, so keep going.
The milestone draft selection coincided with Yang's 20th birthday and marked another huge moment in his sporting career.
In outdoor basketball action from the women's side of the 3 -on -3 World Cup in Mongolia, China beat Madagascar 22 -15.
The Chinese side finished third in Group A and entered the round of 16.
Despite an earlier loss to Poland, China started well in this match. Zhang Wan's lies layup gave her side a three -point lead.
Against a winless Madagascar, Yang Hongyu worked well with Zhou Mengyuan to extend China's lead to 18 -11.
Wan kept her side in the ascendancy with two minutes remaining.
She scored only two in the game to seal the victory 22 -15, with Zhou contributing a team -high 9 points.
Australia advanced straight to the quarter -finals as group winners and Poland entered last 16 with China.
Madagascar and Italy are eliminated.
The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board has gathered for a two -day meeting in Lausanne.
The meeting was the first to be chaired by new IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
She officially replaced her predecessor Thomas Bach on Monday and scheduled this week's two -day workshop with the executive board to get feedback from members on key issues.
Coventry called the handover ceremony an incredible moment.
We've just completed the official handover ceremony two days ago, one day ago.
I feel like we've done quite a bit since then.
But it was an incredible moment to say thank you and then we jumped straight into work.
During Coventry's first term, Milan Cortina will host the 2026 Winter Games, while Los Angeles will stage the 2028 Summer Games.
The 41 -year -old Zimbabwean is a former Olympic swimmer who won gold in the 200 -meter backstroke in Athens in 2004 and repeated that feat four years later in Beijing.
At the Club World Cup, Dortmund will enter the knockouts as winners of Group F.
This came after Dortmund won a win over eliminated Usain.
Dortmund dominated right from the start.
So Lukyrasi went close in the 27th minute, but his effort was capped out by a fantastic save from Jokian Wu.
Moments later, Jobe Bellingham, fresh off his debut goal against Mamalodi Sundance last week, narrowly missed with a volley from Karim at the Yemi Cross.
The breakthrough finally came in the 36th minute, when soft defending from South Koreans allowed Bellingham to set up Daniels Vinson to finish.
The German club nearly doubled their lead with 7 minutes left, but a shot on the bounce from Ian Couto was denied by Joe once again.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller told his teammates that if he can run for 90 minutes at the age of 35, so can they amid rising temperatures at the club World Cup in the US.
To be honest, I think I remember the World Cup in Brazil.
We played the game against, I think it was France, was also very hot.
Yeah, but we are professionals.
We have to be in shape.
If almost 36 -year -old guy like me can run 90 minutes, then everybody should do it.
So no excuses. He also revealed that he has been linked with a number of major league soccer sites as his exit from his boyhood club loomed closer.
Thank you very much. And that was Yang Guang with sports.
Just ahead in culture and entertainment, China's iconic terracotta warriors, Amazing visitors in Southern California.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
53 into the hour, turning to culture and entertainment.
China's iconic terracotta warriors are wowing visitors to the Browards Museum in Southern California.
It's been 14 years since their last stop there.
Grace Ray reports. At the Browards Museum in Santa Ana, California, not far from Los Angeles, Chinese generals, chariots, and horses stand in silence yet speak powerfully of China's ancient past. This display includes more than 110 newly unearthed artifacts, many of them on display for the first time in North America.
The Fogarty Museum is famous for hosting terracotta warrior shows.
The first one in 2008, the second one in 2011.
But this one is completely different.
The first one focuses exclusively on terracotta warriors.
The second one explores the influence of the Qing Dynasty to Han and Tang dynasties.
But this one, we're going the other direction.
We are chasing the origin, the sources of 2 ,000 years leading up to the rise of the Qing Empire.
higher. This is an exhibition that puts together collections from more than one museum.
So this is unusual.
You get to see stuff from Shang, Zhou dynasties, Qin dynasty.
Many visitors to the gallery say the experience is like being transported in time and coming face -to -face with China's ancestors.
None of us have ever seen anything like this and for them to be outside of China is really important to us, but also my children are half Chinese American, and so it's really important for me, for them to learn about their culture and their heritage.
Ancestors could have been one of these people that were either portraited or they made this, and it's amazing.
I've learned a little bit more about the Bronze Age, and I'm really intrigued on just how they can sculpture these structures here, or these soldiers.
They're so realistic.
At a time of global uncertainty, this exhibition offers not just ancient relics, but a reminder that cultural understanding can transcend borders.
This exhibition carries special significance.
It represents a valuable moment of cultural exchange.
10 ,000 kilometers away from their home in Xi 'an, the Terragotta Warriors are once again bridging time and history in their modern mission to bring people together, one story at a time.
That was Grace Ray reporting.
The ongoing Shanghai TV Festival has launched an upgraded project for promising script writers.
Spring Seedling aims to propel the creation of high -quality content for cinema screens, television, and streaming platforms by working with emerging script writers.
Through road shows, camps, masterclasses, and other activities, the project will try to stimulate the creative ideas of young script writers and helped translate those ideas into scripts.
Since its launch in June last year, the project has discovered 27 emerging screenwriters from nearly 1 ,000 participants.
The initiative has also provided 1 .25 million yuan or US $174 ,000 to support 25 projects with major potential.
Meanwhile, the festival is showcasing cutting -edge film and television technologies.
They include new ultra -high -definition technology standards and application scenarios of the technology, creating immersive spaces that blend sight, sound and interactive experiences.
Deputy Secretary General Zhao Yang of the UHD World Association says the festival provides an opportunity for more partnership.
We hope to help more cooperative partners understand the application of domestically developed technologies.
We also hope more creative teams and studios can collaborate with the UHD World Association to accelerate the development of China's film production standards.
Established in 1986, the Shanghai TV Festival is one of the largest TV festivals in East Asia and also home of the prestigious Magnolia Awards, one of the highest industry honors in China.
Now it's 57 into the hour.
Let's check the weather.
Beijing is down to 24 on Thursday evening.
Friday will be overcast with a high of 33.
Nanchang is 27 tonight.
Tomorrow cloudy with a high of 34.
In Guizhou, Rongjiang County is 23 tonight.
Tomorrow moderate rain with a high of 32.
In Guangxi, Heqi City is 23 tonight.
Tomorrow we'll see moderate rain with a high of 29 degrees Celsius.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, NATO leaders have agreed to boost defense spending to 5 % of GDP.
The United States will hold talks with Iran next week on a possible deal over Iran's nuclear program.
On behalf of the staff, this is Dou Hongyu in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
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 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 nine per cent 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, talked to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen and eco -activists who share a close bond with the river and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos.
Or in our 12 -part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
