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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.
Shane Bigum with you on this Monday, November 17th, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program.
The Japanese prime minister's comments on Taiwan continue to generate backlash in China.
The Chinese premier is attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Russia.
And some nations at the COP 30 climate talks in Brazil, pushing for more ambitious goals to fight global warming.
In business, a high-level finance dialogue between China and Germany is underway in Beijing.
In sports, the latest results from the 15th National Games in southern China.
In culture and entertainment, highlights from the World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing.
Now check in the day's top stories.
China says its four political documents with Japan are legally binding and leave no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said they also represent the Japanese government's commitments to the Taiwan question, which political parties and leaders must honour.
The official urged Tokyo to withdraw erroneous remarks and turn words into action.
Japanese Prime Minister Sonai Takeuchi's recent remarks about the Taiwan region have sparked outrage across China.
Education and travel authorities are advising Chinese citizens against travelling to Japan, and major airlines are offering free refunds for flights.
Japanese analysts say if the number of Chinese tourists sharply declines, it will result in more than 14 billion US dollars in economic losses, and the country's GDP may drop by nearly 0.4%.
Data from Japan's tourism bureau shows that nearly 7 million Chinese travelers visited the country last year, accounting for nearly one in five international tourists.
Tourism stocks in Tokyo fell sharply on Monday under the Chinese travel alert.
Companies with significant exposure to Chinese tourists were hit hard.
Cosmetics giant Shishido plunged 9, while Oriental Land, which operates Tokyo Disney Resort, dropped about 6.
Japanese carrier Anna Holdings fell 3%.
Meanwhile, Japan's GDP shrank 18 in the third quarter, marking the first contraction in six quarters.
Exports of goods and services shrank 1.2%.
That's compared to the second quarter, when they rose by 23 before US tariffs on nearly all Japanese imports took effect in early August.
The former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party, says Japanese Prime Minister Sinae Takeuchi has wrongly invoked the idea of collective self-defense and stirred tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Ma Ying-jeou said any hint at armed intervention touches a nerve on the Chinese mainland and harms the interests of people on Taiwan Island.
Ma said the Taiwan question should not be resolved by external forces, urging all parties to act with restraint to safeguard the interests of the people of the Taiwan region.
Former Kuomintang chairman, Hong Shou-chu, said Japan has never fully apologized for its colonial past and has no right to point fingers over the Taiwan question.
She added that any outside attempt to manipulate Taiwan or challenge China's core interests or fail.
Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wan also said Taiwan's survival depends on accepting the one-China principle.
Taiwan commentator Joanna Lay explains how Takeichi's remarks have sent shockwaves across the Taiwan Strait.
Japanese identity is a fault line not just inside Taiwan but across the Taiwan Strait.
For many pro-independence thinkers, Taiwan independence has long been a cultural and historical redefinition project, not just a political one.
It means severing Taiwan's connection to Chinese historical roots, re-educating and therefore inculcating identity towards Japan and framing Taiwan as a continuation of Japan's formal colonial sphere rather than part of a Chinese civilization.
This is why Japanese politicians, especially nationalists like Takahashi, often receive extraordinary warmth from the DPP base.
Her comments are interpreted not only as a security guarantee, but also as a identity validation.
By contrast, KMT supporters see this so-called return to Japan identity not only as historically incorrect and strategically reckless, but as a direct denial of Taiwan's Chinese roots, a cultural and political self-erasure that cuts against the identity of the overwhelming Han Chinese majority.
That was Joanna Lei in Taiwan criticizing remarks from Japanese politicians.
The leaders of Japan's main opposition party has criticized Prime Minister Sanai Takeichi's recent remarks on the Taiwan question.
Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda said Takeichi went too far and relations with China have reached a very tense situation.
The opposition party's policy chief said Takeichi's responses showed a lack of understanding of the security legislation.
He said her awareness of the Chinese mainland's positioning regarding Taiwan is also insufficient.
Questions are growing about the domestic and international pressures facing Japan.
Zheng Chunying tells us what's pushing right-wing politicians to escalate tension.
The key driver is Japan's deepening economic strength, which has created pressures that politicians are unable to resolve at home.
Japan's auto industry, accounting for nearly 10 percent of GDP and over 8 percent of jobs, has taken a heavy hit from the US tariffs.
In the first half of fiscal 2025, the seven major Japanese carmakers lost about 15 trillion yen, And it's the first time since COVID that all seven reported profit declines.
And at the same time, Japan's growth outlook is weakening.
The government has cut its 2025 GDP forecast from 1.2% to 0.7%.
Domestic demand at the same time is also softening.
Consumption has fallen for four street quarters. the longest line since 2009.
And externally, exports are shrinking.
Japan's auto exports to the United States' biggest market plunged almost 27 percent in June.
And Japanese households are also feeling real pressure.
A weakened yen is pushing up import costs.
Food prices rose about 18 percent in 2024, and prices of products like olive oil surged over 150%.
So, taking all these together, Japan is dealing with industrial decline, falling consumption, rising inflation and shrinking export markets.
So these pressures have accumulated for years and some right-wing politicians might turn outward using high-profile external issues, including Taiwan, to distract from domestic stagnation and trying to boost their political visibility.
That was Zheng Chuning reporting.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has reaffirmed the validity of the Potsdam Proclamation, which provides the legal basis for the post-World War II order.
In a social media post, the official cited the document's Clause 8, which limits Japanese sovereignty to the islands of Honshu Hokkaido Kyushu, Shikoku and minor islands as determined by China, the United States and the UK.
Three countries signed the proclamation 80 years ago.
Japan accepted the terms and announced its unconditional surrender.
In 1943, the same Allied powers issued the Cairo Declaration that stated Taiwan is a territory that Japan had stolen from the Chinese and shall be restored to China.
In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority.
The resolution restored all lawful rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN.
It also expelled.
Representatives of the Taiwan authorities reaffirmed that the People's Republic is the sole government representing China as well.
The following year, China and Japan inked a joint communique stressing that Tokyo fully understands and respects that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.
The two sides signed three more documents confirming those statements and friendly relations.
For more discussions.
Tian Liu spoke with Professor Shending Li from the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University.
Given the clear historical and legal consensus that Taiwan is China's internal matter, how should we understand Japan's attempt to expand its military role in the region?
Obviously, Japanese current woman prime minister has deviated from Japan's traditional pacifist path to respect China's legitimate rights while reserving Japan's rights.
I think from Xi Jinping's serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his successors.
Japan has stipulated its national narrative.
If its surrounding environment, peripheral area, has some matter that Japan may view as Japan's matter.
But any Japanese serving prime minister has never made it that clear that the Taiwan issue could trigger such a Japanese military response.
I think the current Japanese minister First, has spoken out her heart.
Second, has much deviated Japanese traditional position.
Third, has created a very serious challenge to Japan-China contemporary international relations.
So Japan has to be responsible for this very serious consequences.
It would be very important that she would take her word back.
And a Kyoto News poll shows that Japan is deeply divided over military response, while China has issued travel advisories citing rising security risks.
How do these facts reflect the internal contradictions in Japan's security posture?
And how do you see these dynamics shaping the future of China-Japan relations?
I would... view this from three points.
Japan is deeply divided at this time with those people who consider Japanese prime minister is wrong to take a slightly more percentage.
This is very disturbing because historical high number of Japanese think it's right to threaten China.
Still, there are more Japanese people think the prime minister is wrong.
Japan should not view China's internal affairs or something that would threaten Japan's security.
Given Japan's increasing slippery road toward this kind of destabilizing trends, I think Asian people and many people whose ancestors used to be brutalized by Japanese militarism need to take great caution to watch Japan's further political and defense posture.
I hope the two countries would engage seriously and Japan should take China's caution with greater seriousness and to withdraw its mistaken expression, to abide by its historical commitment to China that Japan would adhere to pessimistic paths would not create a new chance to be viewed as militant, to be viewed as destabilizing, to be less accepted by the Asian people, especially by Chinese side.
That was Professor Shen Dingli from the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University.
Coming up.
The Chinese premier is attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Russia.
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Chinese Premier Li Cheng is visiting Russia to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
China says it believes the meeting will help accelerate the implementation of the SCO's development strategy in the next 10 years.
Dasha Chernyshova reports from Moscow.
China believes the meeting will sustain positive momentum from the SCO Tianjin Summit last August and that will better safeguard the common interests of member states and inject more positive energy into regional and world peace stability, development and prosperity.
Moscow sees the SCO as an instrument that should help secure quote equal, indivisible security and sustained development in Eurasia.
The organization's Secretary General, Nurlan Yermakbaev, is expected to attend the Moscow gathering and sign economic agreements reflecting the SCO's dynamic expansion.
Foreign Minister Subramanian Jaishankar will head the Indian delegation.
He is expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart while in Moscow.
Russian officials say the SCO is in the process of modernizing in accordance with the current geopolitical reality.
And Moscow considers deepening economic cooperation and expanding partnership with the countries of the Greater Eurasia a top priority of its SCO chairmanship.
That was Dasha Chernyshova about the SCO meeting in Russia.
And, following his trip there, Premier Lee Chung will pay an official visit to Zambia and attend the G20 summit in South Africa.
The Hainan Free Trade Port is set to begin independent customs operations on December 18th.
The island province will embrace more favorable conditions for trade and travel.
The new offshore duty-free rules took effect November 1st and Hainan is preparing to turn the entire island into a duty-free zone.
I earlier spoke with He Jingyi, who went to see how the preparations are going at a duty-free mall in Haikou.
Now, how is the mall getting ready for the new policy and the upcoming special customs operation?
Well, I was at the Heiko International Duty-Free City and it now has a brand new space called the Good Stop Market, which officially opened on November 1st.
So even without visuals, let me paint you a picture there.
This entire hall feels like a freshly opened one-stop duty-free market space.
It designs so shoppers can walk straight in and find all the newly added duty-free categories gathered under one roof.
You can have like cab supplies, which means your furry family members can now enjoy duty-free treats too.
And a few steps away, there are also photography gears and musical instruments, items that definitely appeal to the young generation.
And here is something worth noting as well.
There are many new Chinese brands there.
From tea and coffee to clothing and shoes are now on display at even more attractive prices.
And staff told me this is part of a broader effort to boost the share of domestic brands in total sales.
They also mentioned that more categories are expected to join the duty-free system soon.
The mall has put up clear signs everywhere to help people understand what's new, including the updates to the checkout system for both local residents and travelers.
What do the new measures mean for travelers, shoppers and businesses as Hainan gets ready for its island-wide independent customs operation?
For tourists and shoppers like me, the new policy simply means more choices, the more products that you can actually buy.
And for Hainan residents, they told me, it's a real game changer, because if you've taken just one trip off the island in the past year, then you can buy and take duty-free goods directly with an annual quota of about 100000 yuan.
That's roughly about 14,000 US dollars.
So, in other words, Duty-free malls are turning into everyday shopping centers for the locals and for the businesses, I think, from cultural performances to sports events.
All of these are being drawn into a broader duty-free ecosystem.
What changes can we expect in Hainan after the special customs operation begins?
Thanks to the first-line opening rule, views will move between Hainan and overseas more freely and smoothly.
And for travelers, that means quicker checkouts, more choices, and less waiting in lines.
So, whether it's for the high-end gadgets or designer brands, or even everyday essentials, they can become more accessible and at a better price.
At the same time, the second-line management approach ensures that goods moving between Hainan and Chinese mainland are carefully regulated, so keep everything safe, legal, and orderly.
And inside the island, I think the freedom within principle less business and services operate with more flexibility.
And I guess there will also be more fun because they will integrate tourism with your shopping experience.
For people like me, we are secretly wondering how many souvenirs they can actually bring home.
That was He Jingyi on operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Other than its fame as a tropical tourist destination, Hainan Province is also emerging as a place for medical programs, thanks to its status as a medical tourism pilot zone.
It is particularly attractive for Indonesian visitors.
Wan Hongjie finds out what's driving this trend.
Hainan, China's only tropical island province. draws some 97 million tourists every year.
People from colder places come here for warmth, and those from inland areas head to the sea.
But why are tourists from ASEAN countries with their own island vibes come here more than ever?
Perhaps it's for the highline chicken rice.
Look, here they come, the Indonesian group, 200 visitors.
For this extra large Indonesian tour group, their first stop was a healthcare and wellness center.
Hello.
Hi.
What program have you experienced?
How do you feel?
I feel so much more relaxed and refreshed.
This is my first time in Hainan, and when I come back, I'd love to experience this again.
As part of the free trade port development, Hainan permits the early use of cutting-edge international medicines and medical services.
Take this nuclear medicine scanner behind me. for example.
It's more advanced and precise than what many hospitals in Southeast Asia have.
It can detect issues much earlier, allowing earlier intervention and treatment.
That's a big draw for visitors from Indonesia.
While many medical tourism destinations need at least three days to deliver results, here reports arrive on the same day and they are issued in English.
Far away in Indonesia, travel agencies have seized the opportunity.
Wilson began selling Hainan packages in 2017.
Hainan has a really cool way of growing and developing its tourism.
They don't just rely on their beaches, but they also leverage their life experiences.
So, judging by the number of trips booked there, it's growing quite rapidly.
This, of course, has had a very positive impact on our revenue from this destination.
International flights are taking off and landing every day.
Yet what unfolds here goes beyond rising tourist numbers.
It's a launchpad for a burgeoning global service trade.
As the island prepares to launch its special customs operation.
Foreign travel agencies, hotel groups, cruise operators and airlines can all tap into this gateway.
Hainan is opening to the world, turning boundaries into benefits.
I was Wen Hongjia in Hainan province.
Online data shows that airline ticket bookings to major host cities of the National Games in the Greater Bay Area increased by 26 during the event.
Figures from online travel agencies show that hotel reservations in cities including Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Zhuhai also jumped, especially during or near key competitions such as table tennis singles matches.
The National Games is also a good opportunity to present the Greater Bay Area's cultural heritage.
Xu Hua joined a group of tourists in Guangdong province.
Today, We are in Shenzhen!
This group is here for the badminton events, but their tickets could take them to Shenzhen's parks, harbors and iconic landmarks, turning a match day into a multi-day trip.
We're here to watch the national games in Shenzhen, where we'll visit Lotus Mountain Park, Happy Harbor and the Eye of the Greater Bay Area.
As Guangdong is one of the host city of the Games, we're very proud and welcome everyone to join us in the Greater Bay Area for the events.
For the first time, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have teamed up to host the National Games.
And excitement is clear as tickets for many popular events sold out within seconds.
Driven by sports-themed tour groups.
The number of travel packages in the Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau Greater Bay Area is expected to increase by about 30 in November 2025 compared to the previous year.
From scenic spots to local hotels and restaurants, the Games are driving the surge in dining and spending.
During the national games, our restaurant has seen a 30% increase in customer flow.
The event has attracted many new visitors from across the country and beyond to Happy Harbor and we are thrilled to be one of the main businesses benefiting from this surge.
The national games are providing a major boost to our region's tourism and hospitality industry.
For our hotel, This has translated into an 18 year-on-year occupancy increase during the event period, with our most popular rooms often selling out on key weekends.
Sold-out matches and sold-out hotels show that a multi-venue sports event can be a catalyst for regional connection and economic energy.
The National Games are more than just an event.
They are a new chapter for the Greater Bay Area.
That was shoe-hot reporting.
Coming up nations at the COP30 climate talks are seeking more ambitious goals to fight climate change.
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At the halfway point of COP30 in Brazil, climate negotiators appear ready to go beyond simply implementing past promises.
Several countries are pushing for stronger action on cutting emissions, boosting climate finance for vulnerable nations and accelerating a phase-out of fossil fuels.
Jasper Invento is a former Philippine negotiator.
What's at stake now is probably higher than the last several COPs, because you're looking at an ambition gap.
You're looking also at the COP in Brazil.
There's a lot of expectation, there's a lot of excitement here, but there's also a lot of political signals that's been sent by President Lula.
Small island states, led by Palau, are urging negotiators to confront the gap between national climate pledges and what's needed to meet the Paris Agreement's 15 degree target.
Ministers will take up those debates as the conference enters its final week.
Greece recorded one of its hottest summers this year.
Water levels at key reservoirs fell dangerously low, including around Athens.
Evangelos Sipsis visited farms to learn about the impacts.
Farmer Socrates Emanouil sorts and cleans freshly picked nuts, as generations of his family have done before him.
But the trees on the island are under stress.
Each year the wells go deeper and the margins get thinner.
The water in the boreholes gets saltier every year.
We irrigate drop by drop.
One more hot summer and the trees won't recover.
The same pressure is playing out in Athens.
Since July, reservoirs serving Attica have dropped to around 520 million cubic meters, roughly half the level of 2022.
A long decline, not just one dry season.
Attica is not the one that feeds Athens.
Depends on dams outside Arctica, but two straight drought years have cut reserves.
The issue isn't only nature, it's how we manage demand.
We need to define real needs, fix the leaks and add desalination where summer peaks hit hard.
The government is promising a new national water plan with fair pricing, faster emergency response and new technology like desalination and recycling.
But locals on Aegina say that won't help until the island's fragile infrastructure is fixed.
Our network is old and breaks often.
In summer, our population multiplies.
If the pipeline fails again, tourism takes a hit.
And seawater in pools?
It corrodes systems.
We need backup pumping and a desalination option alongside the pipeline.
The challenge goes well beyond Attica.
Summers are getting hotter, steady rain is declining, mountain snow is shrinking and soil across Greece is drying out.
Aegina relies on a subsea water pipeline from Attica, but it's a lifeline that has failed in recent years.
Most irrigation and tourism demand comes in just two or three months.
That crushes natural systems.
The answer is to modernize networks, cut waste, plan for peaks and build desalination in coastal and tourist areas, so a dry year doesn't turn into a crisis.
For farmers here, it's already a crisis.
Trees weathering, brackish barehole water and every harvest declining.
My worry?
One more hot, dry summer and the trees won't recover.
We need support now.
From Aegina's pistachio groves to Attica's dams that supply water to Greece's capital and economic hub, the message is clear.
Store more, waste less, and plan for many long hot summers to come.
That was Evangelos Sipsis reporting.
The U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration has eased flight reductions at 40 major airports as the aviation system begins to recover from the staffing shortages caused by the record 43-day government shutdown.
Cancellations peaked last Sunday at nearly 3000 flights about 10 of all scheduled departures due to staffing shortages and winter weather.
With controllers now returning to work after the shutdown, officials say they'll continue monitoring conditions before fully restoring normal operations.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Beijing will have cloudy skies and minus 2 on Monday evening.
Then it's sunny and 9 degrees for Tuesday.
Nanchang's overcast and 6 overnight, then sunny and 12.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's cloudy overnight and 11 degrees, then sunny and 23.
Vientiane will see heavy rainfall and 20, then a light rain and 24.
Phnom Penh will see a light rain overnight and 23 degrees and moderate rain and 29.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting a light rainfall in 26 degrees on Tuesday.
Kampala will see a light rain with a low of 18 and a high of 26.
Juba is getting cloudy conditions with a low of 23 and then sunny in 37.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour.
The Japanese Prime Minister's comments on Taiwan continue to generate backlash in China.
Chinese premier is attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Russia.
And some nations at the COP30 climate talks in Brazil are pushing for more ambitious goals to fight global warming.
Shane Begum with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
Shh, 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.
And right there, in the midst of all, beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
Ever wondered what's actually going on in Africa through the perspective of an African?
How are things really going between China and Africa?
What's the narrative of this relationship?
Well, get a perspective with China-Africa Talk.
Hear from African diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, Chinese natives, and more.
Get on our wavelength every week To find out what's real with China-Africa Talk.
Find us on your favorite podcast.
We'll see you there.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, Shane Begum, with you on this Monday.
Still to come in business.
A high-level financial dialogue between China and Germany is underway in Beijing.
In sports, latest results from the 15th National Games in southern China.
In culture and entertainment, highlights from the World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at cgtnradio.
First, with the check of the day's headlines, here's Tianli.
Thank you, Shane.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has emphasised that the full political documents between China and Japan have no room for ambiguity or distortions.
Maoning was responding to the Japanese chief cabinet secretary, who said his government's position on the Taiwan region remains unchanged and is consistent with the 1972 Japan-China joint communique.
Minoru Kihara's remarks followed Prime Minister Sonai Tokaichi's implied possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait.
Mao Ning made clear that the 1972 China-Japan Joint Communique obliges Japan to understand and respect that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, a commitment reaffirmed in three other political documents.
Mao said the Japanese government must adhere to its commitment to the Taiwan question, no matter which the ruling party is or who is serving as the leader.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from Wednesday to Saturday.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says he will hold strategic dialogue separately with the foreign ministers of the three countries.
The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed its attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, citing misclassification under poor weather conditions.
Israeli troops fired warning shots at what they described as suspects and forced them to withdraw.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said Israeli troops fired from a tank positioned near an Israeli post in southern Lebanon with heavy machine gun rounds, landing meters from peacekeepers on foot.
The peacekeepers took cover and were able to withdraw safely after the tank retreated.
UNIFIL called the incident a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and urged the IDF to cease any aggressive behavior.
UNICEF and its partners have launched a catch-up vaccination campaign across the Gaza Strip to reach more than 44000 children who missed routine immunizations.
The campaign aims to protect children from measles, polio and many other preventable diseases.
The effort is part of UNICEF's wider push to restore essential health services.
Nesma Sayyam is the UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change Officer in the state of Palestine.
Parents are bringing their children to receive the routine immunisation and nutrition services.
And in support of these efforts, UNICEF has deployed over 160 social mobilisers to work directly with the communities, with and for the communities, to raise awareness and nudge families to take their children to the nearby health facilities to get vaccinated.
This all is part of UNICEF's commitment to make sure that every child receives the care and protection that they deserve.
Health teams are visiting primary care centres and shelters to ensure displaced families are reached.
Iran's foreign minister says the country is no longer enriching uranium at any site after attacks by Israel and the United States severely damaged its nuclear facilities in June.
Abbas Arakchi stressed that all Iranian nuclear sites remain under the monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
There is no enrichment right now because our enrichment facilities have been attacked.
And our message is clear.
Iran's right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable.
We have this right, and we continue to exercise that.
And we hope that the international community, including the United States, will recognize our rights and understand that this is an inalienable right of Iran and we will never give up our rights.
His comments came during an international law conference in Tehran, as the country faces security vulnerabilities and ongoing economic and social pressures following the June conflict.
All right, thank you very much.
That's Tian Liu with headlines.
Coming up in business.
A high-level financial dialogue between China and Germany is underway in Beijing.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
36 past the hour.
And with business now, here's Tian Liu.
Thank you, Shane.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Monday.
The Shanghai composite was down nearly 0.5%, while the Shenzhen component lost over 0.1%.
Forestry and fishery shares were among the top gainers.
The Hong Kong stock market also ended lower as the Hang Seng Index decreased over 0.7%.
In Japan, the Nikkei remained flat.
The fourth China-Germany high-level financial dialogue is underway in Beijing.
Vice Premier He Lifeng is co-chairing the dialogue with German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance, Lars Klingbeil.
The dialogue has been in place for 10 years, providing senior officials from the two countries an opportunity to meet and discuss financial matters.
Klingbeil plans to focus on trade and commodities.
After attending the dialogue, the Vice Chancellor will visit Shanghai.
Klingbeil has become the first minister in the current German federal government to visit China.
Official data shows that China's railway system handled a record high number of passenger trips during the first 10 months of the year.
The number of railway passenger trips totaled nearly 4 billion across the country, up 64 from a year earlier.
China State Railway Group has provided over 2000 tourism-focused train services in the first 10 months up 28.
It also highlighted the measures to make travel easier and more affordable, such as customized discounts for students, children and other key groups.
The just-concluded 27th China Hitech Fair has witnessed the signing of intended trade deals worth 170 billion yuan, or about 24 billion US dollars.
The three-day event in Shenzhen brought together over 1000 delegations from more than 120 countries and regions, resulting in deals on over 1000 projects.
The fair showcased over 5,000 new technologies, products, and achievements.
The fair highlighted international technological advancements, China's high-level innovation and Shenzhen's industrial clusters.
The 22 major exhibition areas included artificial intelligence, robotics, and commercial aerospace.
Organizers say it aimed to drive China's technological innovation and accelerate the adoption of global advancements.
The ongoing 2025 Dubai Airshow features three COMAC-produced aircraft, including the C919.
Nadia Swan.
Reports by Airshow 2025, which is really one of the biggest global aviation shows that takes place.
So it's really, really busy.
I mean just to give you some numbers.
You've got 1500 exhibitors, you've got 148000 visitors and they're coming from over 98 countries.
So this is really where anyone who's anyone in aviation gathers.
What they've got on offer here is they've got commercial, they've got military and, of course, we've got drone technology being shown as well.
And you've got these companies that are showing cutting edge technology.
You've got the big decision makers.
So traditionally, every time this takes place, there are billions of dollars worth of deals that are being made over here.
So there's a real buzz to the whole Dubai Airshow.
It's been very well received.
This is the perfect platform, obviously.
It's the very first time. that Comac C919 has been shown here in the Middle East.
And it has generated an awful lot of interest.
In fact, I was on the stand earlier here at the aircraft and I can tell you that the ruler of Dubai, his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, he was seen in discussions on the stand with the Comac manufacturers and he had a great tour of the plane as well.
So Comac's offering really, Given the fact that it's competing against Boeing and Airbus as narrow bodies, given the fact that they also have these supply chain issues, the Western manufacturers, COMAC is actually really well placed, once US and European safety regulations have been passed, to provide a viable competitor to those planes.
And there are many reasons for that.
It is fuel efficient.
It can run on sustainable aviation fuel.
It's also made of lighter materials, so it generates lower noise.
And so it has all these characteristics that are very, very appealing in today's aviation world, where people, where companies and airlines are looking more fuel efficient, more competitive aircraft to fly in a more sustainable environment.
And it's also very comfortable inside as well.
I've been inside the plane great.
It's got all sorts of little nice touches like a wider middle seat and a nice cabin space as well.
So it's really got a nice look to it inside as well.
So it's been really well received.
I've spoken to many visitors who have been on the plane and they've had plenty of good things to say about it, from pilots who are used to driving these planes to people who are working on corporate jets and in the airline trade as well.
So yes, a big buzz about Comac C919.
That was Nadia Swan reporting.
A Nature Index report shows that China has, for the first time, claimed more than half of the top 10 spots in the global science city rankings, increasing from five cities in 2023 to six in 2024.
The Nature Index is a database that tracks high-quality scientific research.
According to the report, Beijing continues to maintain its position as the world's top science city, a rank it has held since 2016, while Shanghai remains in second place.
Nanjing ranks fifth and Guangzhou follows, with Wuhan ranking eighth and Guangzhou tenth.
The New York metropolitan area took third place, followed by the Boston metropolitan area.
A corporate evaluation released by the Asian Development Bank has found that ADB-administered trust funds and co-financing have significantly benefited Asia-Pacific's development.
Covering the period from 2015 to 2024.
The evaluation reviewed ADB-administered trust funds and project-specific co-financing, which together mobilized US147 billion for development.
According to the ADB, these resources have been crucial in piloting new approaches, scaling up successful models and supporting global public goods.
However, the report identified key challenges, including weak monitoring systems, disbursement delays and fragmented IT platforms.
To address these challenges, the report recommended a clearer strategic framework, a consolidated co-financing policy and stronger monitoring systems to enhance efficiency.
The US has announced new bilateral trade agreements reducing its tariffs on nations including South Korea and Switzerland.
The Trump administration has also carved out exemptions with four South American countries to tackle rising food prices in the country.
Jagruti Dave has more in Washington, D.C.
Sourcing affordable coffee has become a bit of a grind for coffee shops in the US.
With the price of beans soaring by some 20 this year, coffee drinkers in cities like New York are thinking twice before buying a latte that can cost as much as 10.
And the U.S.
Trump administration has been under pressure to curb the soaring cost of groceries.
You're going to see substantial announcements over the next couple of days in terms of things we don't grow here in the United States, coffee being one of them bananas, other fruits, things like that.
So that will bring the prices down very quickly.
The White House has unveiled new trade deals with Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador.
A number of products, including coffee and bananas, are expected to be exempt from 10 percent tariffs, with beef from Argentina also likely to make the cut.
Brazil, the world's largest coffee exporter, now subject to a crippling 50 tariff rate, is not part of the deal.
There is, however, a new US trade deal with Switzerland.
So it's an exciting opportunity.
We expect that the Swiss will have a tariff rate similar to what the EU has, a 15% rate.
This reduction from a 39 tariff rate is expected to lower the cost of medicines, gold and chocolate exports.
And on the other side of the world, a trade deal with South Korea.
Seoul will invest $150 billion in US shipbuilding, plus another $200 billion in other US industries.
It's also got the green light from Washington to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Tariffs on South Korean goods will go down from 25 percent to 15 percent.
It's a deal.
Both sides are calling a win, following negotiations that have not always than plane sailing.
And that was Jagruti Dave reporting.
And finally, China Eastern Airlines will launch a direct passenger route connecting Beijing and Muscat Oman on November, the 30th.
The flights will be on Wednesdays and Sundays.
In May, China introduced a trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders of Oman.
They can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, for business, tourism or family visits.
Beijing Daxing International Airport says the launch of this direct route will improve bilateral relations and cooperation.
Thank you very much.
That was Tianyu with Business.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports, the latest results from the 15th National Games in southern China.
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.
46 past the hour.
With sports now, here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
We start with the 15th National Games.
Two-time Olympic champion Zhang Yufei powered to victory in the women's 50-meter butterfly, securing another gold for Jiangsu in Shenzhen.
It's her third medal of the Games, adding to her win in the 100m butterfly.
Zhang says the hard-earned result reflects the progress she's been making.
I'm quite happy I fought all the way to the end.
For my current condition and training load.
This is the best I could swim and it shows the progress I've made.
Hubei's Peng Xiuwei also claimed another title in women's 200m backstroke, while Hong Kong's Ian Ho made history by winning the men's 50m freestyle the region's first men's swimming gold at the National Games.
And in the pool's longer distances, Hubei's Li Bingjie dominated women's 800m freestyle, completing a sweep of her signature events.
In table tennis, Paris Olympic champion Fan Zhendong, representing Shanghai, overpowered world number two Lin Shidong of Hainan to defend his men's singles title with a confident 4-1 win.
Fan edged a tight opening game and, despite Lin leveling the match in the second, the veteran quickly took control.
Adjusting his rhythm and attacking earlier in the rallies, Fan swept the next three games with authority, sealing the match on a netted return from Lin.
The victory adds yet another gold to Fan's national game legacy.
Fan says he's pleased with how he handled pressure.
I had some positive thoughts to inspire myself before the match and I used those thoughts to be more aggressive.
I feel very happy to win the final.
I was able to keep my good form during all these matches in the men's singles event.
I'm very satisfied with my performance.
In the women's final, Heilongjiang's Wan Manyu edged top-ranked Sun Yingsha in a high-quality six-game battle to retain her title.
Turning to tennis, Yannick Sinner defeated world number one Carlos Alcres 7-6-7-5 to retain his ATP finals title.
The Italian star held his nerve in a high-stakes clash against a Spanish rival who had dominated the season and gone unbeaten in the tournament.
Sinner took the first set in a tight tiebreak and sealed the win in the second, when Alcaraz couldn't hold serve.
He described the moment as an incredible experience in front of his home crowd.
Yeah, amazing feelings, you know, finishing the season here in Turin in front of the home crowd.
It's the last match of the season.
It's an amazing feeling and...
Very emotional, you know, seeing my team there and the whole box and I'm really, really happy.
Despite missing out on finishing the year as world number one, Cena kept a stellar 2025 season, reaching the finals of all four Grand Slams and extending his indoor hardcourt winning streak to 30 matches since the 2023 ATP finals.
His triumph in Turin also earned him a record $5 million in prize money.
Turning to football, Norway stunned Italy 4-1 to seal their spot at the 2026 World Cup and resulted in Sans Dazuri back into the playoffs once again.
Italy actually struck first, controlling most of the opening half, but Norway emerged a different side after the break.
Antonio Nusa pulled them level and from there the momentum flipped.
Erling Haaland, left unmarked at a crucial moment, punished Italy with two quick goals before Jürgen Strand-Larsen added a late fourth to cap a statement victory.
Norway coach, Starla Sobakken, says the qualification brings enormous relief after years of near-misses and heavy pressure.
I'm saying it has been tough.
It really has.
We have been living with it for quite a long time now.
So, I think, a lot of people.
It's easy for you and for many others to say that once we beat Italy, that it's basically done.
But you still have to get through a few matches after that.
You need to train.
You need tactical meetings.
And we have to spend a lot of time together.
And a lot can happen in football.
So right now, I'm feeling an enormous sense of relief.
And I think I get happier and happier as the evening goes on.
For Italy, it's another painful setback after missing the last two World Cups three playoff defeats.
They now face that same uncertain path again.
Norway, meanwhile, is celebrating the end of a 27-year wait.
Captain Martin Odegaard called it unreal, saying the team has weathered years of setbacks and is finally seeing its belief rewarded.
And finally, also in football, Portugal is heading to the 2026 World Cup in style, smashing Armenia 9-1 to seal qualification with a statement win.
Bruno Fernandes and Raul Neves both delivered hat-tricks as Portugal shrugged off Thursday's loss to Ireland, proving they can still dominate the pitch with the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Armenia briefly stunned the visitor with an equaliser, but Portugal responded with wave after wave of attacking power.
Elsewhere in Europe, England beat Albania 2-0 to complete a perfect qualifying record, while France wrapped up their campaign with a rotated side beating Azerbaijan 3-1 to carry momentum into the World Cup draw.
Thank you very much.
That's Yang Guang with sports.
Coming up in culture and entertainment.
Highlights from the World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing.
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.
52 past the hour.
In culture and entertainment, the annual World Chinese Language Conference is wrapped up in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from young sinologists encouraging them to act as messengers of mutual understanding among civilizations.
One of the scholars who co-authored the letter shared why he chose to pursue Chinese language studies.
The Chinese language and culture are profound and have a long history.
For me, The most fascinating part of Chinese culture is the Chinese characters.
They've been used continuously for over 5,000 years.
Before starting my PhD at Renmin University, I worked as a local Chinese language teacher in my country for over six years.
I found that many young people in Kyrgyzstan truly love the Chinese language and culture.
As president.
She said my biggest dream, or perhaps my life's mission, is to serve as a bridge between China and Kyrgyzstan.
In Shanghai.
Students from around the world are also discovering cultural differences through learning Chinese characters.
Li Cheng reports.
City walks have become increasingly popular in China as a leisurely way to explore urban environments.
These characters can be found on the historical buildings north of the Bund in Shanghai.
Recognizing them was what a group of foreign students did during their city walk.
On the very top of the building, it says RAS, Royal Asiatic Society.
So this building here, it was used as the former headquarters of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Royal goes to the British royal family.
The students have been learning Chinese every day during the nine-week summer Chinese language immersion program at New York University Shanghai.
And the city walk has served as a bridge between the classroom and the real world.
I was able to recognize some of them.
Some of them it's a little hard to see because it's faded.
It's cool to be learning in the classroom and then be able to recognize some of that in the real world, in the buildings that we saw.
Initially I went to the Bund and I saw all the big new buildings and skyscrapers, but then now to come here and see some of the more historical buildings has also been super cool.
So I think it's incredible to have this mix of old and new all in one city.
I recognize the bank's characters.
I'm very proud of the rich history of Shanghai because it has its Western cultures mixed with also Asian culture.
And how the Shanghai city preserved historical buildings are also amazing.
At 10 years old, Freda Casale is already a polyglot, speaking four languages Spanish Portuguese, English and now Mandarin Chinese.
Hello everyone, I'm Frida from Mexico.
I am 10 years old.
After taking an interest in the language, Frida has advanced through continued studies at Mexico City's Confucius Institute.
Her technique for dominating the different tones of Chinese pronunciation, often the most difficult aspect for foreign students, has brought her to an intermediate level of conversation.
When it comes to pronouncing the tones, it's best to exaggerate them at first.
And then begin to make them softer as you advance.
Jose Fu is the director of Mexico's first Confucius Institute, founded in 2006, where Frida studies.
Learning to speak Chinese has been both a personal and professional help for our students.
China's success has now made speaking its language important, and it will be even more so in the future.
And from Shanghai to Mexico, the enthusiasm for learning Chinese continues to grow.
That was Lee Chung reporting.
The organizers of the 38th Golden Rooster Awards have named Song Jia best actress for a performance in the drama Her Story, which also won best feature film.
Jackson Yee won best actor for his role in the inspirational film Big World.
Chinese filmmaker Zheng Yimou chaired this year's jury, and he urged filmmakers to stay true to their original mission, as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the industry.
Launched in 1981, the Golden Rooster Awards is one of China's most prestigious film honors.
Checking the forecast before we go for the day.
Beijing will be cloudy overnight and minus 2.
It'll be sunny with a high of 9 on Tuesday.
Nanchang is overcast and 6 degrees this evening, then sunny and 12.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is cloudy overnight and 11 degrees, then sunny and 23 for Tuesday.
Vientiane will see heavy rainfall with a low of 20, then a light rain and 24.
Phnom Penh will see light rainfall overnight, a low of 23, then moderate rainfall with a high of 29.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting a light rainfall and 26 degrees on Tuesday.
Kampala will see some rainfall with a low of 18, a high of 26.
Juba is cloudy this evening, the low is 23, then a sunny and 37 degrees.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today.
The Japanese Prime Minister's comments on Taiwan continue to generate backlash in China.
The Chinese Premier is attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Russia.
I'll be after 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.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6 p.m.
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He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made a living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the 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.
