the unmissable news stories of the day.
This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Shane Bigum with you on this Thursday, November 20th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China's calling on Japan to withdraw its offending remarks regarding the Taiwan region and fulfill its promises toward China.
Foreign ministers from China and Kyrgyzstan have held their first strategic dialogue, calling for deeper coordination and cooperation.
Reports on the US peace plan for Ukraine say Washington expects Kyiv to give up some territory, but Ukraine said it had no involvement in drafting the proposal.
In business.
China says the Netherlands must take further actions to resolve the Nexperia semiconductor issue.
In sports, a big day for track and field at China's 15th National Games.
In culture and entertainment, Shanghai is now hosting its annual Art Week.
Now checking the day's top stories.
The Chinese foreign ministry says Japan cannot properly address China's concerns if its actions don't match the words.
A spokesperson emphasized that the Japanese leader can't associate a so-called existential threat over the Taiwan question if her country is committed to the one China principle.
The spokesperson called on Japan to withdraw the offending remarks and fulfill its promises toward China.
China also decided to postpone a ministerial meeting with South Korea and Japan on culture.
The Chinese foreign ministry said the Japanese leader's provocative remarks have damaged the foundation and atmosphere of China-South Korea-Japan cooperation.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has begun discussions on revising three key security documents.
The LDP will discuss the government's long-held principles of not possessing, producing or permitting the introduction of nuclear arms, as well as the scope of defense-related spending.
Japanese media warned that if the government departs from its nuclear commitments, it'll bring a major shift to the country's post-war security policies and draw condemnation.
For some insights we spoke with Rong Ying, a chair professor at the School of International Studies Sichuan University.
That's, I think, a very dangerous development.
And particularly, I think, on the question of Japan's move towards so-called normalization.
And consequently, I think, the concerns of the international community, neighboring countries in Asia in particular, about the re-militarization or insurgents of militarization in Japan.
What worries, I think, both in Japan and outside, is the attempt, repeated attempt of Japanese government that to revise or change the third sort of non-nuclear principle which, whether Japan would allow or permit the introduction of US military, US nuclear weapons or weapons sort of assist capabilities.
That is very much, I think, one of the aims of those conservative, right wing sort of people, politicians like Takeichi and others.
And I think within just shortly, just within one month after coming into power, Takeichi has very much, I think, pushed the revision or reinterpretation of Japan's security and defense policies and focusing on the specifics.
That's a very dangerous and worrying development.
That's why I thought that the international community should pay great attention to this development and take effective measures to ensure Japan will not go along this line. non-proliferation MPTs is a commitment, I think, Japan for the international community.
And also I think it's a commitment Japan should have for the peace and stability, strategic stability of the region and the non-MPTs regime, the integrity of the MPT regime as a whole.
That was Rong Ying, chair professor at the School of International Studies, Sichuan University.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing over new construction at the U.S. military base in Okinawa.
Protesters gathered in Tokyo, expressing fears that the move will turn Okinawa into a front line once again.
If the government doesn't respect the public opinion of Okinawa and continues to advance military expansion, Okinawa is very likely to become the frontline battlefield once a war breaks out.
I participated in the protest.
I hope Takaichi can withdraw her wrong remarks and the government can stop the militarization of Okinawa.
Japan is promoting the construction of military bases and accelerating the deployment of missiles in the southwestern islands, including Okinawa.
But all of these things were hardly reported in Japan's news.
This made me feel extremely frightened.
Protesters held up signs demanding the government and enterprises stop the construction and not damage the marine environment.
The Japanese Prime Minister's recent political and security initiatives have sparked concerns over a resurgence of militarism.
Huang Yue helps us understand the signs that Japan's moving toward a more militaristic path under Takeichi.
On the diplomatic front, Takeichi's administration has escalated Japan's long-standing bid for permanent membership on the UN Security Council.
During the 80th UN General Assembly this week, Japan made one of its most high-profile pushes yet for permanent membership.
In response, China reaffirmed that Japan is not qualified, citing unresolved wartime responsibilities, persistent historical distortions and Takeuchi's recent provocative remarks on Taiwan.
Second, Takeuchi is seeking to revise a core foundation of Japan's post-war security identity the three non-nuclear principles.
Her proposal targets the no nuclear introduction rule, which has long prevented US nuclear armed vessels from entering Japanese ports.
It allows Japan to take a more active role in nuclear strategies, representing the first effort in modern Japanese history to relax a principle specifically established to prevent any return to wartime nuclear ambitions.
Third, Takeuchi has long advocated major changes to Japan's post-war pacifist structure.
She has supported a possible revision to Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which forbids the use of force as a means to settling international disputes and forbids Japan from maintaining an army, navy or air force.
She also proposes to rename the self-defense forces as a full national defense army and even restoring pre-war military ranks.
Her influence is reflected in the budget.
In 2025, Japan's defense spending has jumped to 2.8% of its GDP, the highest since World War II.
Investments are focusing on long-range strike capabilities, acquiring U.S.
Tomahawk missiles, developing domestic long-range missiles and exploring nuclear-powered submarine technology.
This marks a significant shift from a purely defensive posture to a force structure aimed at a more proactive and extended operational reach.
Last but not least, Takeuchi has supported historical revisionism within the education system, backed right-wing groups seeking to rewrite wartime narratives and endorsed attempts to bring the pre-war imperial rescript on education back into classrooms.
That was Hongyu Wei reporting.
Sanae Takeichi made her remarks on Taiwan during Japan's lower house budget committee debates.
A lawmaker from the main opposition party asked the prime minister under what circumstances a so-called Taiwan contingency will constitute a survival-threatening situation.
In an interview with local media, Katsuya Okada said that he was shocked by Takeichi's response.
I was immediately appalled by Sanae Takeichi's remarks on Taiwan.
I thought to myself, oh no, we're doomed.
If I continued pursuing that line of questioning, the situation could go past the point of no return.
Her remarks have a direct bearing on Japan's relations with China.
It is utterly impermissible for the prime minister to make such a statement.
Meanwhile, Japanese civilians are urging the prime minister to take back her statements.
The so-called Taiwan emergency remarks must be immediately retracted.
Such irresponsible and reckless rhetoric that incites war is extremely concerning.
We genuinely wish to maintain friendly relations with China.
Japan should further reflect on the war.
We hope schools can provide proper education to the next generation, clearly teaching the history of the war and what Japan did to China and Asia, and move forward to the future.
Of course, I believe Takaichi should retract the erroneous remarks.
For the nation, this is absolutely an unacceptable statement from a prime minister.
I believe it is unconstitutional.
Japan adheres to the three non-nuclear principles, which are not to possess, not to produce and not to allow the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory.
This is Japan's national policy, upheld by all its people.
My father was also a victim of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.
As a family member of victims.
We must never use destructive means to undermine the three non-nuclear principles.
From the perspective of Article 9 of the peace constitution, this would also be unconstitutional.
Tokyo residents have recently staged demonstrations urging Takeuchi to apologize and step down.
Many hotels in Japan are seeing a sharp drop in revenues after cancellations from Chinese tourist groups.
Hotel and accommodation operators in Hokkaido are concerned ahead of the winter, which should be the high season at the resort.
This staff member, who works at a hotel in Sapporo, says Chinese guests have cancelled reservations over about 20 nights within the past few days.
If the situation is temporary, I think the impact is still manageable.
But if it lasts, it will become very noticeable during the peak season from December to February.
From the perspective of the hotel industry, it is important to pay close attention.
A travel agency in Japan that mainly serves Chinese travelers has seen orders decline by 80 for the remainder of the year.
Figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council show that the sector accounts for 7 of Japan's GDP.
Japan's National Tourism Bureau estimated this week that visitors from the Chinese mainland made up nearly 20 of foreign tourists last month.
Research shows that China's travel advisories may cost Japan's GDP almost 0.3%.
Takeichi also drew backlash from South Korea after claiming the Dokdo Island as Japanese territory.
The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan has staged a rally with the progressive party outside the Japanese embassy.
People at the rally say Takeichi's recent territorial claims pose a threat to peace across East Asia.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takeichi said has fueled regional tensions from the start of her term in office.
It is imperialistic logic to assert that another nation's territory is directly linked to one's own national security.
Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks regarding the so-called Taiwan contingency threaten peace in China and across East Asia.
Members of the Progressive Party, among others, must closely monitor the situation and respond appropriately.
For more reactions from South Korea, I earlier spoke with Korean Herald reporter Lee Jung-joo.
What actions is South Korea taking in response to the Japanese Prime Minister's recent territorial claims regarding the island of Dokdo?
After Japanese Cabinet Minister Chiro Akama.
He called Dokdo or I guess it's referred to as Takeshima in Japan an inherent part of Japan's territory, to stress that it will keep the National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty in Tokyo the way it is.
After the undergoing a series of criticisms.
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a very short statement expressing strong regret over such remarks and also calls for the closure.
This museum.
It was opened in 2018 and has faced continued criticism from South Korean authorities, with Dokdo being a constant source of friction between Japan and South Korea since the end of World War II.
And after the current administration opened up a new wing at the museum featuring a three-sided green seating areas and a wall display of books related to territorial issues, South Korean politicians have taken the lead to criticize the facility more and to urge for a shutdown.
The ministry also summoned a senior official from the Japanese embassy in Seoul to lodge a formal protest against such remarks and actions.
And also additionally, the National Assembly Speaker, Woo Won-sik.
He also criticized the saying that it's an attempt by the Japanese government to implant a wrong perception on students and the future generation in terms of history and information on territory.
Seoul has informed Tokyo that it'll postpone a joint search and rescue drill scheduled for this month.
What other impacts are we seeing in terms of bilateral relations?
So the drill has been postponed, like you said, and it appears to be a response to Japan's refusal to provide mid-air refueling support for Korea's Air Force acrobatic team, the Black Eagles, due to its recent flight over Dokdo.
And, following this denial of refueling support, Seoul also notified Tokyo that it will withhold sending its military band to the self-defense marching festival hosted in Japan.
And such regional tensions are forcing Korea to be put in a tight spot diplomatically in Northeast Asia, as Seoul is forced to pursue strategic ambiguities.
That was Lee Jung-joo on South Korea's responses to inflammatory comments from Japan.
Coming up, China and Kyrgyzstan's four ministers have held their first strategic dialogue.
Tesla is accelerating its shift away from components made in China.
The American automakers, pushing suppliers to eliminate China-made auto parts for cars built in the US within the next year or two.
But why now?
Is this strategy due to political pressure from Washington, or is it preparation for a more aggressive trade environment?
And the bigger question, is this even possible?
We'll also look at how this could reshape Tesla's business in China, where the company has long enjoyed policy support and unmatched efficiency.
How this push for de-sonicization may affect U.S. automakers' global edge.
Check out on this week's Chat Lounge. wherever you get your podcast.
CGTN Radio.
16 minutes past the hour.
The foreign ministers of China and Kyrgyzstan have discussed deepening communication and coordination at their first strategic dialogue.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underscored friendship and common prosperity in building a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.
Jean-Beth Kulibayev reiterated his country's commitment to the One China principle and pledged to advance Belt and Road cooperation with China.
Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Wang Yi's three-nation tour in Central Asia.
Alyosha Malenkovich has more from.
The last time Foreign Minister Wang Yi was here was three years ago.
But that wasn't the only reason for the media buzz.
Kyrgyzstan currently presides over the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and next year it will host its highest-level summit.
It also shares a 1000-kilometer border with China, and it aims to soon become one of the major transportation corridors for Chinese exports.
Kyrgyzstan sees collaboration with China as an opportunity for moving out of the backwaters of Central Asia and becoming a prosperous, modern and important country in this region.
It means for us, for the Kyrgyzstan people, that we do understand that it's not just about discussions related to bilateral relations between two countries like the Kyrgyz Republic and China.
It's also mainly about how to build trustful relations and solid baseline for future cooperation.
That was most likely one of the topics of a tete-a-tete meeting behind the closed doors between the two ministers.
With the economic rise of China, Central Asia has become increasingly important for many countries.
These talks in Bishkek paved the way for an expanded strategic partnership.
Priority attention was given to economic cooperation, implementing joint projects in agriculture energy, processing industries and naturally, transportation.
In this context, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway was discussed as a strategic regional project.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will next visit neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
The senior Chinese diplomat also met Kyrgyz President Sadir Japarov and reaffirmed support for Kyrgyzstan's sovereignty and development.
In southwest China, an 800-year-old settlement of the Dong ethnic group has integrated cultural heritage and development, creating local jobs and boosting incomes.
Wu Yunliu reports how Huanggang Village in Guizhou Province exemplifies China's rural revitalization, a major pillar of the country's 15th five-year blueprint for development.
Huanggang Village in southwest China's Guizhou Province awakens with the hum of Ou Xianmei.
She's seeing the Dong grandson, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
As a provincial inheritor of this tradition, her voice carries the memories of a 2500-year-old ethnic group that has no written language.
Today, her main work is to ensure that this ancient tradition is preserved for future generations.
The Dong Grand Song is our Dong language, it's our history, and it's our soul.
Nearly everyone in this village can sing it.
As soon as the children start talking, they start singing.
Nowadays, more and more visitors come from outside.
The village arranges for us to welcome them at the entrance using the unique Dong-style hospitality.
The unique Dong-style hospitality, which includes customs such as offering door-blocking wine, performing call and response songs, reflects the villagers' warm and welcoming spirit.
This ancient art has now become a cultural engine driving rural revitalization.
This success can be attributed to the village's innovative model, which combines central enterprise support, party building leadership, cooperatives and homestays.
This homestay was transformed from the granaries of local farmers.
We wanted to preserve these ancient buildings, these treasures left by our ancestors.
Our homestay also developed more than 20 different types of businesses, including the Dong Grand Song and activities like rice paddy fishing.
These experiences are all performed by local villagers.
All the fees generated from these activities go directly to the villagers.
During peak season, there is usually one Dong Grand Song performance every day.
Huanggang Village had welcomed over 100000 visitors in the first 10 months of this year, generating a total tourism revenue of almost 50 million yuan, with a year-on-year increase of over 170.
Looking to the future, the main development focus will be on Huanggang's culture.
The key element will be the Dong Grand Song.
Our next step is to work with a third party to develop sustainable, beautiful homestays through our cooperative.
From ancient sounds that have lasted for a thousand years to modern rural landscapes.
The story of Huanggang Village tells us that the most moving sound of revitalization is composed with culture, sung through hard work and ultimately resonates in the happy lives of every villager.
That was Wu Yunliu, on an ancient village embracing modernization as Shizhong marks 60 years since his founding as an autonomous region.
One man's reflecting on religious freedom.
He left Shizhong at the age of seven and decided to return to his spiritual homeland more than 50 years later.
Sensei Yuan has a Toko Kondor story.
Born in 1952, Toko Kondor has led a legendary life.
At the age of four, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the fifth Toko Kondor, the living Buddha of Gelden Jampolin Monastery in Chengdu Shizang, and was formally enthroned.
Around the age of six, he was appointed deputy director of the Chengdu Liberation Committee.
He was invited to Beijing to study in 1959, but as the group traveled from Chengdu to Ningchi, they heard news of the rebellion that had broken out in Lhasa.
His parents decided to cross the border with him and left Shizang.
He was only seven at that time.
When I arrived in India, I wanted to come back, but I couldn't decide my fate.
I was too young.
One of the other ones in the group was older, so he was able to come back on his own.
So I tuned into the radio and listened to the news about the country's development.
It wasn't until 1984 that he was invited to travel to China, where he witnessed the development of Shizong.
Since then, he returned every three years and officially moved back in 2011.
For example, when I talked to the farmers and herders in Chengdu, everyone said that their lives had changed significantly.
They mentioned that, with the help of national policies, their lives are much better and they feel very happy.
These national policies have had a tremendous impact on the people.
Chinese president and officials attach great importance to the development of agriculture and animal husbandry.
They also place great importance on the transportation and daily lives of farmers and herders.
With that, many subsidies have been introduced.
These policies have greatly improved people's living standards in many aspects.
Not only did he and his wife move back in 2011, but he also donated more than 300 cultural relics and documents that he had taken from his former residence to the country.
I have lived my life in the old society so I noticed how great the changes in the new era have been.
I have visited many countries around the world, so I know that no other country can achieve such progress like China.
Therefore, I am truly grateful.
This piece of land is where he heart has fallen for.
What I care most about is my homeland, Xizang, and my country.
My greatest hope is to see this happiness and prosperity reach every corner of our land.
Tukukondor's journey from a young reincarnated living Buddha through exile to a heartfelt return embodies the enduring spirit of Xizang.
As Xizang continues to grow and flourish, it is clear that the heart of its people, like Tukukondor, meets strong with faith in a brighter future.
This is more than a land.
It is a home where tradition and progress walk hand in hand, lighting the way for generations to come.
That was Xin Zeyuan reporting in Shizhong.
Coming up, Washington expects Kiev to give up some territory to make peace with Russia.
The Yellow River Mosaic is a 12-part series of multimedia stories featuring the people who live by the river and share a close bond with it.
Subscribe to The Yellow River Mosaic on your favorite podcast platform or visit radiocgtncom for more in this program.
25 past the hour.
Sources say Washington has signaled to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv must accept a US-drafted framework to end the conflict with Russia that proposes giving up territory and some weapons.
The sources said the plan also includes cutting the size of Ukraine's armed forces.
A senior Ukrainian official earlier said Kyiv had received signals about a set of US proposals that Washington had discussed with Russia.
Ukraine had no role in preparing them.
Zelensky did not mention the US plan during his visit to Turkey this week and called for effective US leadership to help bring the conflict to an end.
Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has called on the world to reduce its use of fossil fuels, saying he hopes to convince US.
President Donald Trump about the serious climate issue.
Speaking at COP30 in Belém, on the edge of the Amazon, Lula praised the host city for enabling greater participation by Indigenous peoples.
Here, the peoples were more peoples.
The people were able to participate more.
This is why this is not a COP of Andrei, who is the President, or by Guterres, who is the General Secretary of the UN, or of Lula, who is President of the Republic.
This is going to be called the first COP of the peoples of the entire world.
He emphasized that countries could transition to renewable energy at their own pace with financial support available, and insisted there was no intention to impose measures.
COP30 negotiators are pushing for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, improve transparency and deliver US300 billion in pledged climate aid.
Despite tight deadlines, progress remains uncertain, as rich and poor nations continue debating how to strengthen climate plans.
Colombia is home to an estimated 10% of the world's biodiversity.
But climate change, illegal mining and drug trafficking are threatening the country's natural wealth.
Colombian Defense Minister, Pedro Sanchez, explains why preserving the ecological system requires collective efforts.
Our grandparents have always said, you don't know what you have until you lose it.
That applies to our planet.
Right now, people may not feel it, but their children and grandchildren will.
Earth is our only island.
If we destroy it, there is nowhere else.
And people are not very aware of the damage that's being caused.
And the damage is global.
What happens in the Sahara affects Florida and even Medellin.
What happens in the Amazon affects rainfall here in Bogota.
So protecting the Amazon isn't just Colombia's fight.
It's a global responsibility.
If we continue this way, this will become like the apocalyptic movies we see.
We'll leave our children a more hostile world with wars over food, water and land.
That's why Colombia is working with Brazil and others to strengthen Amazon protection.
But we also need global awareness.
When someone cuts down forests for coca or illegal mining, they're not just feeding their family, they're killing someone else's maybe their own neighbors.
That was Colombia's defense minister on protecting the Amazon and forests around the world.
Australia says it's reached a compromise with Turkey on hosting next year's UN Climate Summit.
The Australian Prime Minister announced that Turkey will stage COP31, while Australia will hold the presidency for negotiations.
The deal ends a two-year stalemate between the countries which both bid to host the conference and refuse to stand down.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Beijing down to zero overnight.
Friday will be sunny and 14 degrees.
Nanchang's cloudy this evening and down to six, then sunny and 19.
Elsa in Asia, Islamabad's 10 overnight, then sunny and 21 for Friday.
Vientiane will be cloudy and 15 this evening, then sunny and 25.
Lompat will be getting overcast conditions in 21, followed by a light rain and a high of 27.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting some rainfall and 25 degrees on Friday.
Kampala will see a light rain, with a low of 18 Thursday night, followed by moderate rainfall and a high of 27 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour.
China's calling on Japan to withdraw its offending remarks regarding the Taiwan region and fulfill its promises toward China.
Foreign ministers from China and Kyrgyzstan have held their first strategic dialogue, calling for deeper coordination and cooperation.
Reports on the US peace plan for Ukraine say Washington expects Kyiv to give up some territory, but Ukraine said that it had no involvement in the proposal.
Shane Biggin with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Listen up.
Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers.
From the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet. there in the midst of all, beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
Ever wondered what's actually going on in Africa through the perspective of an African?
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What's the narrative of this relationship?
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Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Shane Bigham with you on this Thursday.
Still to come.
In business.
China says the Netherlands must take further actions to resolve the Nexperia semiconductor issue.
In sports, a big day for track and field at China's 15th National Games.
In culture and entertainment, Shanghai is now hosting its annual Art Week.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at cgtnradio.
Now at the check of the day's headlines, here's Tianlu.
Thank you, Shane.
The Communist Party of China Central Committee has held a symposium to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of late senior party leader Hu Yaobang.
General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee praised Hu as a loyal communist, revolutionary and reformer who made lasting contributions to China's independence, socialist construction and modernization.
Xi Jinping urged party members to follow Hu's example by staying true to the party's mission embracing reform and innovation and putting the people first.
As a key CPC leader, Hu Yaobang was instrumental in spearheading China's reform and opening up drive in its early years.
Chinese Premier Li Chen is in Zambia for an official visit.
The South African country was the first in the region to establish diplomatic ties with China.
The two countries have shown mutual respect, trust and support, despite changes in the international landscape.
Under the strategic guidance of the heads of states...
China and Zambia have deepened mutual political trust and achieved results in various sectors in recent years.
The ties are a model of solidarity and collaboration among developing nations.
Premier Li says China is ready to work with Zambia to deepen cooperation and communication and advance together on the path of modernization.
China has once again called on Tokyo to retract its erroneous remarks and ensure that its commitments to China are reflected in its actions.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed that Taiwan is part of China, stressing that this fact cannot be changed.
She also confirmed that Chinese Premier Li Qian will not meet with Japan's leader at the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa.
Iran says it will not accept any agreement that will lead to zero uranium enrichment in the country.
The foreign minister said Tehran considers such deals a betrayal.
Said Abbas Rakshis also said Iran has cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency only in relation to the nuclear facilities not bombed by Israeli and US strikes in June.
The United States, joined by some European states, has been calling on Iran to cease uranium enrichment.
Tehran.
Iran has repeatedly rejected the demand, stressing its right to uranium enrichment is non-negotiable.
Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA since June under parliamentary law, citing the agency's failure to condemn the Israeli and US attacks on its nuclear sites and concerns about the safety of its facilities and scientists.
Gaza's civil defense says Israeli airstrikes across the enclave have killed 25 people in one of the deadliest attacks since the ceasefire took effect.
Hamas called the airstrikes a dangerous escalation that threatened a fragile truce.
Israel said the strikes targeted Hamas after militants opened fire near Israeli troops in southern Gaza.
The Palestinian group denied violating the ceasefire.
Gaza authorities say at least 280 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began on October 10.
The UN General Assembly has called on all nations to observe a truce during next year's Winter Olympics in Italy.
The resolution, adopted by consensus among 193 member states, aims to promote peace dialogue, tolerance and reconciliation during one of the world's premier sporting events.
The resolution recalls the ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic truce, encouraging a peaceful environment and safe participation for athletes.
Italian ambassador to the UN, Maurizio Massari, highlighted the resolution and said the truth could help pave the way for practical progress in easing global conflicts.
So we sent today a signal of hope to the entire world that there is a room for dialogue, cooperation in a moment which is very difficult for the international community, with many conflicts ongoing.
But we should never give up our hope hope that we can contribute to peace and cooperation.
The 2026 Winter Games run from February 4 to 26 in Cortina and Milan, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 15.
Thank you very much.
That's Tian Liu with Headlines.
Coming up in business.
China says the Netherlands must take further action to resolve the Nexperia semiconductor issue.
Thank you, Shane.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Thursday.
The Shanghai composite was down 0.4%, while the Shenzhen component lost almost 0.8%.
Real estate services were among the top gainers.
The Hong Kong stock market remained almost flat, and in Japan, the Nikkei gained nearly 2.7%.
Japanese financial markets are facing significant turmoil following Prime Minister Sanae Takeuchi's remarks on the Taiwan region that have angered China.
The Nikkei 225 has fallen for three consecutive days since Monday, dropping below the 49000-point threshold.
Sectors including travel, retail and technology are suffering as investor concerns grow over potential impacts on China-Japan tourism and trade.
Government bond yields have climbed to multi-year highs, with 30-year bond yields reaching an unprecedented 338 as of 5 pm local time.
The sell-off reflects deepening worries about Japan's fiscal health.
At the same time, the yen has weakened to 15748 against the US dollar, its lowest level since January 15th.
Analysts further warn that a complete halt in Chinese tourism to Japan could lead to a nearly 04 contraction in the Japanese economy.
China has expressed hope that the Netherlands will take actions to resolve the issues regarding Nexperia.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry says the Dutch side must take responsibility for the current disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain.
China welcomes the Netherlands' suspension of the administrative order against Nexperia, calling it the first step in the right direction toward properly resolving the issue.
However, it cautions this falls short of addressing the root cause, which is the need to fully revoke the administrative order.
China hopes that the Netherlands will advance the early resolution of the issue and restore stability to the global semiconductor production and supply chains.
China's loan prime rate remained unchanged in November.
The one-year LPR benchmark for most corporate and household loans remains at 3%.
The five-year rate, which serves as a reference for mortgages, stayed at 3.5%.
The People's Bank of China has pledged to maintain a moderately loose monetary policy.
The central bank is committed to keeping social financing conditions accommodative and is fine-tuning its adjustments to ensure a supportive financial environment.
China's consumer market maintained steady growth in October.
The Commerce Ministry says services, including tourism and cultural activities, saw a rapid expansion of over 10, boosted by holiday travel demand.
Retail sales of commodities grew steadily by 28, led by communications equipment and furniture under the trading program.
Goods like jewelry and sports products also demonstrated strong demand.
Consumption in rural areas outpaced that in urban areas.
Chinese automaker Xpeng says its Guangzhou factory expects to make 10000 flying cars per year in the near future, meeting the needs of wealthy Gulf states.
Yan Copestake has more.
It's a world first, a mass production line for personal flying vehicles.
The land aircraft carrier Arij's modular land air system combines a sleek electric SUV with a detachable flying vehicle that takes off and lands vertically.
The company says this factory in Guangzhou will one day be capable of manufacturing 10000 flying vehicles per year, thanks to its highly automated robotic systems.
Techniques adapted from electric car manufacturing, but pushed to aviation-grade precision.
At the orange area over there, you can see our robot performing automated riveting.
Traditional aircraft manufacturing has much lower production volumes compared to the automotive industry.
But since we plan to produce 10000 aircraft a year, one every half hour, automation becomes a necessity rather than an option.
In October, the land aircraft carrier was tested outside China for the first time, taking off in Dubai, where the company has announced 600 confirmed orders across the Gulf region, with deliveries planned by 2027.
The vehicle is expected to cost around US280000, has been over the last decades, embracing new technologies, especially advanced air mobility.
So I think this mindset is very important for the product's success.
Secondly, it has the right environment-like application scenarios, use cases and, of course, the large affluent customer base.
And as Average scales up production at home.
Parent company Xpeng is betting big that the future of mobility won't just be electric.
It will be airborne.
That was Yan Copestick reporting.
The Chinese finance ministry says it has successfully issued euro-denominated sovereign bonds worth 4 billion, or about 46 billion US dollars, in Luxembourg.
The issuance of four-year bonds stood at 2 billion euros with a yield of 2.4%.
The seven-year bonds totaled 2 billion euros with a yield of 2.7%.
The market has warmly received the bonds with international investors subscribing enthusiastically.
Total subscriptions exceeded 100 billion euros, 25 times the issuance amount.
European investors accounted for 51%, and Asian investors took up 35% of total subscription.
Funds and asset management institutions accounted for 26 of the investor base, while banking and insurance institutions took 32.
The ministry says the bonds are fully deposited with the Central Money Markets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and will subsequently list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
The value of Bitcoin has fallen sharply since reaching record highs last month, dropping into bear market territory for the seventh time in five years.
Siobhan McCall has details.
Bitcoin was trading at just under $90,000 per token last year.
Now, just last month, Bitcoin hit a record high of more than $126,000 per token.
But on Tuesday, it also crashed under $90,000.
And that's seen as the key threshold as an indicator of investor confidence.
It was the lowest level since April.
November has traditionally been Bitcoin's best month, but exchange traded funds, or ETFs, have already shed more than 3.
3 billion in net outflows for this month, including a huge 523 million from Brackrock's fund alone.
The record for net outflows in a single month was set in February at 3.5%. billion.
The current sell-off has wiped all of Bitcoin's 2025 gains, while more than a trillion dollars have been wiped off the value of the wider cryptocurrency market in the past six weeks.
As AI bubble fears grow and hopes fade of a Federal Reserve, December rate cut.
Considered highly unpredictable and, as often, cryptocurrencies are often driven by sentiment, so we can see sharp highs and sharp lows appear almost overnight.
There's other factors too, including financial safeguards.
If an investor is trying to transfer the funds and it doesn't go quite right, there's no guarantee they'll get their money back.
Also, cryptocurrencies are decentralized.
There's risk factors such as cyber security and hacking.
Now, last month, the european banking authority issued a warning to people who are considering investing in bitcoin, and they said about the limited consumer protection, and they also said that different cryptocurrencies work in different ways and people need to be aware of this.
Similarly, in the united states, the department of investment secure insurance in securities and bankings.
They put out a warning on their website.
It's quite clear what it said Only invest what you can afford to lose.
But others will have a different opinion.
At a time where Bitcoin's price is low, some investors see it as a big opportunity.
And that's why some analysts are saying actually, rather than the price falling further than it is at the moment, we could see short-term gains fueled by the low prices.
And finally, a report from Bank of America shows inflation is currently impacting 88 of small and medium-sized businesses across the United States, consistent with last year.
According to the 2025 Business Owner Report, among those affected, 64 are raising prices of goods and services, while 39 are re-evaluating cash flow and spending for the year ahead.
Over the past 12 months, 77 of business owners said their costs increased, with an average bump of 18.
Inflation also tops the list of worries for the coming year.
70% of business owners cited inflation as a leading concern for the next 12 months.
Sideline Story brings you all things sports related.
The hottest topics, latest events, juiciest stories, all with a very personal take.
Subscribe to Sideline Story podcast for heated sports discussions covering events that are happening in China and around the world.
47 past the hour.
With sports now, here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
We start with the 15th National Games in Guangzhou, where track and field delivered another big day, with nine goals handed out.
The highlight came in the men's 110-meter hurdles, as Shanghai's Xu Zhuo-yi produced a late search to edge Jiangsu's Liu Junxian by just two hundredths of a second.
Xu clocked a personal best and said he only saw his time after celebrating the win.
I didn't have time to look at the results.
I didn't see my result because I was celebrating after winning the gold medal.
But when I saw the result, I was very happy to finish in 13.12 seconds.
There was an upset in women's 100m hurdles, with Guangdong's Liu Jingyang storming past the favourites Lin Yuwei and Wu Yaning to take gold in the personal best.
Guangdong also shined in the men's 200m as Shijun Haoland won to finish.
While 16-year-old Chen Yuji of Zhejiang added women's 200m title to her resume after breaking the Asian U-20 record in the 100s earlier this week.
Turning to table tennis, Shandong outlasted Hebei 3-2 in a thrilling women's team final to take gold at the national games.
Shandong opened strong with Chen Meng and Wang Xiaotong winning the doubles, before Chen added a singles victory for a 2-0 lead.
For Chen, the moment carried extra weight.
Last time, I won team gold.
I was a young athlete.
I was led by Li Xiaoxia and played as a young member in the team, and now I am the oldest player on the team.
This might have been my last appearance at the national games, so I was quite excited and couldn't control myself when we won.
Hebei then rallied behind world No.1 Sun Yingsha who carried two straight matches to leveled match.
But in the decider, Shandong's Fan Siqi fought back from two games down and held firm in the fifth, winning 11-6 to secure the championship.
A volleyball women's tournament wrapped up in Macau, with Jiangsu sweeping Shandong in straight sets to win their First Nations National Games title in eight years.
Jiangsu had been dominant from the start, unbeaten in the group stage and dropping only one set before rolling through Liaoning and Fujian in the knockout rounds.
In the final they backed up that momentum with a clean, disciplined performance built on sharp receptions, aggressive targeted serving and a defensive wall at the net.
Jiangsu controlled all three sets, leaving Shandong to settle for silver, while Fujian secured the bronze.
Paris Saint-Germain's Arturov Hakimi has won African Footballer of the Year at this year's Confederation of African Football Awards in Robert.
The Moroccan right-back is the first defender in 52 years to win the prize, finishing ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Oseman in the vote.
Hakimi earned that award after a trophy-filled 2025, winning the Champions League, the French League title and the UEFA Super Cup.
Morocco dominated other categories as well.
Saudi-based forward Jimnazi Chabak won Women's Footballer of the Year and Al-Hilal Siassin Bounou took Goalkeeper of the Year.
Chiamaka Onodose from Nigeria won Women's Goalkeeper of the Year for the third time.
She recently joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League.
Cape Verde's Pedro Laitao Brito took Coach of the Year.
He guided his nation to its first ever World Cup, set for next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Spain has kept its top spot in the latest FIFA Men's World Rankings ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina, France, England and Brazil follow.
Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Croatia run down the top 10.
The US moved up two places to No.
14 overtaking Mexico after a 5-1 win over Uruguay in Florida.
In tennis, Italy moved a step closer to a Davis Cup three-peat, easing past Austria and in Bologna, to reach the semifinals, where they will face Belgium.
Despite missing top stars Yannick Sinner and Lorenzo Mussetti, the hosts were in full control, as Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Corboli delivered straight-set wins.
Berrettini opened with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Yuri Rodionov.
A brief lighting malfunction disrupted the second set, but the former Wimbledon finalist steadied himself, erased a late break and sealed the tiebreak with his trademark power serving.
Caballi then took the quarter as Italy's number one for the week and overwhelmed Philippe Misalic 6-1 6-3, finishing the tie in just over an hour.
Belgium, still chasing their first Davis Cup title, advanced after a 2-0 win over France.
Spain faces the Czech Republic and Argentina meets Germany in other quarter-finals.
Roger Federer will join the International Tennis Hall of Fame next year in Rhode Island.
Federal 120 Grand Slam titles, becoming the first male player to reach that milestone, and claimed 103 career titles before retiring in 2022.
He held world number one ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks between 2004 and 2008 and topped ATP rankings for 310 weeks over his career.
Federer also had iconic rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, forming the big three of men's tennis.
Thank you very much.
That's Yang Guang with sports.
Just ahead, in culture and entertainment, Shanghai is now hosting its annual Art Week.
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.
D2 past the hour.
In culture and entertainment.
Shanghai has become a global art hub as the city hosts its annual Art Week.
Hundreds of leading galleries from around the world are on display.
Chung Hong has more.
Every November, art takes over autumn in Shanghai.
Art 021 and Westbound Art & Design have become the city's twin stars of the art season.
From global blue-chip galleries to rising local artists, everyone's here.
Art021 brings together 141 galleries and projects from 22 countries and regions, with 34 making their Shanghai debut.
One of the fair's earliest supporters, Shan Art Gallery, has shown here every year since 2013.
The gallery says sales at the site have been consistently strong for over a decade.
Westbound Art & Design features nearly 200 global galleries.
Foreign artists account for 60% of the works on display.
For first-time participant, Captain Patsy from Berlin.
The goal is to establish long-term relationships in China.
We decided to bring Isabella Ducos, who is an Italian artist that was born in 1931.
She has been collecting Asian textiles and fabrics for decades and she reworks them in a very beautiful manner that we think might attract the Asian audience a lot, because it might resonate.
And she is shown here alongside Jack O'Brien, born in 1993.
There already is interest in the artist from local institutions, so it makes sense for us to be bringing works here and to open the dialogue.
Timothy Taylor, a gallery founded in London, is returning for the eighth time this year.
Obviously it's in a new venue, so I was keen to be a little more cautious and with some of the things that we brought.
I haven't brought anything of huge scale, except for this kind of immersive Kiki Smith sculpture of butterflies which is consumes the main wall.
The rest of the work that we've brought is by artists that we represent and have bought frequently in the past.
I think it's important that the audience recognize the brand in the stand when they appear at the fair.
To come to Shanghai is probably one of the highlights in my year.
From mega fairs that shape market trends to small gatherings that nurture new communities, Shanghai Art Week shows how the city is evolving as a living ecosystem for art.
That was Jung Hong reporting.
Shanghai Disney Resort is celebrating the upcoming release of the animated film Zootopia 2.
It's the world's only theme park land inspired by the Zootopia franchise.
The creative teams added characters and design elements from the sequel into the resort's themed land.
Zootopia 2 will hit theaters across the Chinese mainland next week, coinciding with its release in the United States.
Archaeologists in Peru discovered ancient cities that are reshaping understanding of early civilizations in the Americas.
Now near the oldest known city on the continent, they're finding new evidence showing how the societies faced climate change and survived.
Dan Collins reports.
In the desert on Peru's Pacific coast lies Vichama, the remains of an ancient city that dates back 3800 years.
World-renowned archaeologist Dr. Ruth Shady says these friezes that date back to 1800 BCE are evidence of a climate crisis.
In the case of this settlement, it is very important that they left behind all this evidence so that people would not forget that the climate change was very severe, causing a crisis in Carao's society and its civilization.
And they did not want people to forget what caused it.
Dr Shadi says the figure of the toad represents the arrival of the rains and relief from a prolonged drought.
Three decades ago, the eminent archaeologists excavated Peru's ancient coral civilization, the oldest city in the Americas.
It was a find that rewrote the history books.
At around 5000 years old, coral was contemporary to the first great civilizations in Mesopotamia Egypt, India and China.
Now Dr Shadi and her team believe that Vichama was built after coral collapsed as a result of climate change.
The remains found here point to a society which, thousands of years ago, had a sophisticated system of trade.
That was Dan Collins reporting.
We'll be getting sunny conditions in 14 on Friday.
Nanchang's cloudy overnight in 6 degrees, then sunny in 19.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's down to 10, then sunny in 21 for Friday.
Vientiane will be cloudy and dipping to 15, then sunny in 25.
Phnom Penh's overcast this evening, 21 degrees, followed by light rainfall in 27 degrees Celsius.
In Africa, Nairobi's getting a light rainfall in 25 on Friday.
Kampala will see a light rain with a low of 18 Thursday night, followed by moderate rainfall and a high of 27 degrees.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today.
China's calling on Japan to withdraw its offending remarks regarding the Taiwan region and fulfill its promises toward China.
And four ministers from China and Kyrgyzstan have held their first strategic dialogue.
On behalf of the staff.
This is Shane Biggum in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
The Beijing Hour, at precisely 6 p.m.
Beijing time.
We meet you on podcast and on air every weekday.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made the living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basins, making up nearly 9 of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river?
And what has drawn others back?
Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024.
Our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, talked to the herders farmers boatmen, fishermen and eco-activists who share a close bond with the river, and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos, all in our 12-part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
