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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 Begum with you on this Wednesday, January 21st, 2026.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chinese Vice Premier He Li-Feng has urged all countries to secure the world's future through cooperation.
The US president continues to criticize NATO allies, saying the alliance would not be very strong without the United States.
And China strongly opposed the EU's new cybersecurity measures that could target Chinese telecom suppliers.
In business, China's high-tech and IT sectors were major economic drivers in 2025.
In sports, China's a first-time finalist at football's Under-23 Asian Cup.
In culture and entertainment, iconic silk artworks on display in Beijing.
Now checking the day's top stories.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has urged all countries to secure the world's future through cooperation.
He made the remarks while delivering a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Vice Premier also warned against unilateralism and a return to the law of the jungle.
Yu Bo-kun has more from the Swiss city.
Coming to you from Davos, the home of the World Economic Forum of 2026, where over 3000 participants will come to this little town to talk about some of the most important things around the world.
But today, the biggest highlight is the speech given by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The rules must apply equally to everyone.
A handful of countries should not enjoy privileges based on their strength, and the world must not return to the law of the jungle, where the strong bully the weak.
Every country is entitled to defend its legitimate rights and interests.
Since joining the WTO, China has strictly followed the organization's rules, earnestly fulfilled its commitments and taken voluntary steps to contribute more.
Last year it solemnly announced that it will not seek new special and differential treatment in the current and future negotiations at the WTO.
China will continue to firmly uphold the WTO-centered, rules-based multilateral trading system and firmly support the reforms of multilateral institutions, including the WTO and the IMF.
With a view to enhancing the authority, effectiveness and inclusiveness of the multilateral trading system and increasing the representation of the Global South and developing countries.
China is glad to see countries reaching trade agreements that are mutually beneficial, but these agreements should comply with WTO rules.
Well he his speech has drawn great attention from not only participants on the ground but also media around the world.
Well, he touched on global economy and chinese economy, and also and also how to cooperate in a more contested world.
Well, he said, global economy become more diverse and complex.
At the same time, we face economic uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and also tariffs.
So against that background, it's more important for countries to embrace a more inclusive and also open globalization.
And they actually backed that up.
According to WTO, that global economy and global trade will grow by 6 annually.
So that means globalization is not some zero-sum game, but more like something that benefits everyone.
And he also talked about Chinese economy and he said that China will work more closely with countries around the world, practice true multilateralism and also bring more stability to the global economy that we face right now.
And also I want to mention that China's economy data, which is in line with expectation.
At the same time, the IMF also upgraded the China economy.
So, with that saying So, Vice Premier, He said the country will keep promoting high-quality development in the future.
He said, going forward, China will keep improving its business environment to make it more market-driven law-based, and China will build more bridges rather than walls.
The Chinese vice premier also outlined key proposals while speaking at the forum.
He called for free trade, multilateralism, win-win cooperation, mutual respect and equality.
He also urged open, inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization and a fair and rules-based international economic order.
The vice premier stressed that differences should be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
With more about Vice Premier He Lifeng's speech.
Do Hongyu spoke with Wang Peng, a research fellow at the Institute of State Governance at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
In his speech, Vice Premier He Lifeng says China's growth should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat, and that China is ready to share its market advantages with the world.
How is China translating this message into concrete benefits for global businesses and developing economies?
China translates its growth into concrete global benefits by functioning as a massive open market and a collaborative development partner.
This is actualized firstly through institutionalized platforms such as China International Import Expo, and by actively aligning with high standard international trade rules, which creates stable, long-term demand for global goods and services.
Secondly, it extends beyond commerce to tangible co-development, particularly with emerging economies.
For example, by sharing its advanced renewable energy technologies and industrial capacity, China provides practical pathways for these nations to access affordable green infrastructure and integrate into modern, sustainable supply chains, directly transforming the China opportunity into shared progress.
And Vice Premier He Lifeng also emphasized resolving differences through consultation and pursuing win-win and multi-win outcomes.
What role can China play in strengthening dialogue and coordination within global governance mechanisms such as the WTO and the G20?
Well, China can play a pivotal role in strengthening global governance by acting as a principled reform advocate and a pragmatic bridge builder.
For example, within the WTO framework, its significant pledge to forego new special and differential treatments translates its voice in championing a rule-based system and advocating for greater representation of global South countries, enhancing institutional legitimacy.
In forums like the G20, China leverages its unique position to foster dialogue and still discussions, away from confrontation.
By promoting its global development initiative and focusing on shared challenges like climate action, it helps transform the spirit of dialogue into actionable, win-win multilateral cooperation.
That was Ong Peng, a research fellow at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
The primary focus for many at the World Economic Forum is shifted to the escalating trade and diplomatic conflict between the US and Europe.
U.S.
President, Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries after they pushed back against his campaign to take over the Danish territory of Greenland.
Yellow App Daffod has more from Davos.
This careful, diplomatic language that you hear so often from so many world leaders is slipping slightly.
I mean not exactly feisty, but Ursula von der Leyen, as the European Commission president said, that business leaders have to let go of nostalgia about the past.
She said that that won't bring back the old order.
But for Europe, she said that it's time for a new form of European independence.
She didn't really elaborate what she meant by that, but still she was pointed when talking about the Arctic region and especially about these potential threats around Greenland, with direct criticism of Donald Trump.
The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between longstanding allies.
Also on stage here in Davos is the French president, Emmanuel Macron.
And he said, we're shifting to a world without rules.
And he said that multilateralism is weakened by powers that obstruct or turn away from it.
So there needs to be more talks about diplomacy.
And he was quite critical again of the United States government.
Without collective governance, cooperation gives way to relentless competition.
Competition from the United States of America through trade agreements that undermine our export interests, demand maximum concessions and openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe, combined with an endless accumulation of new tariffs that are fundamentally unacceptable, even more so when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.
That was a report on the domination of US-EU trade tensions at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Coming up, the US president continues to criticize NATO.
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Ten minutes past the hour.
U.S.
President Donald Trump has doubled down on his criticism of NATO, saying the alliance would not be very strong without the US.
He made the remarks on marking the one-year anniversary of his second term as U.S.
President.
Trump also questioned whether NATO would defend his country.
I've done more for NATO than anybody and I see all this stuff, but NATO has to treat us fairly too.
The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO and I know we'll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they'll come to ours.
You know, I'm just asking.
Just saying, right?
You remember during the debate?
Just saying.
Trump said he has a lot of meetings scheduled in Davos, including discussions about Greenland.
He added he'll not attend an emergency G7 summit proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The US president has also posted artificial intelligence images of Greenland as a US territory on his social media account.
Walter Morris reports from Washington, D.C.
U.S.
President, Donald Trump spoke from the White House Tuesday before leaving for Switzerland and he is not backing down in his quest to take over Greenland.
Trump posted these images on social media.
One of the AI-generated pictures reads In that true social post, Trump is shown planting a US flag and standing next to Vice President JD.
Vance. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Another image appears to show Trump in the Oval Office in front of a map with American flags covering Canada, Greenland and Venezuela.
And that's not all he shared.
In other social media posts Tuesday, Trump shared screenshots from apparent conversations with prominent world leaders, like Secretary General of NATO and French President Emmanuel Macron.
That message appears to show the two leaders are quote, totally in line on Syria, but questions Trump's quest to take over Greenland.
For weeks, the administration has claimed obtaining Greenland is vital to US national security.
Over the weekend, Trump announced he will impose a 10 tariff on goods from eight NATO members if they oppose his bid to annex Greenland.
Those tariffs will go into effect February 1st on imports from the United Kingdom France Germany Denmark Norway Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands.
And there are three major economic tools the EU could use in response.
This week, several EU leaders have suggested imposing new tariffs or suspending the US-EU trade deal.
There's also a third, more extreme measure, which is referred to as a trade bazooka.
The bloc has an anti-coercion instrument to impose sanctions on individuals or institutions that put undue pressure on the EU.
Speaking in Davos, the U.S.
Treasury Secretary warned EU countries against retaliating and asked them to keep an open mind.
That was Walter Morris reporting.
Danish Prime Minister, Amita Frederiksen, has told Parliament that the country's national sovereignty and borders are non-negotiable.
She was speaking as U.S.
President Donald Trump ratchets up demand to take Greenland.
We can negotiate anything, political security, investment and the economy.
But we cannot negotiate our very fundamental values sovereignty, the identity of our countries and our borders, our democracy.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen says a military conflict is unlikely but could not be ruled out.
He says Greenland must cooperate with Denmark and its European allies.
He adds that Greenland's part of NATO and that it'll have consequences for the rest of the world if there's an escalation of tensions.
Protesters have gathered in front of the US consulate in Greenland to express opposition to President Donald Trump's plan to take over the island.
Every day here in this week, Sunday included, I walk together with the three flags of our Commonwealth of Faroe Islands and Greenland and Denmark.
We are equal and we want to remain like that and we stand behind that and we stand together with those who stand behind us, like the European Union and NATO, every free country in the world.
Trump threatened to hit eight NATO members with new tariffs as tensions escalate over his attempts to assert US control over Greenland.
He said Saturday he would charge a 10 import tax starting in February on goods from those countries.
Thousands of protesters have gathered across the US against President Donald Trump's aggressive policies, as Trump marks the one-year anniversary of his second term.
Jim Spellman reports from Washington, D.C.
This is the Free America walkout to mark the first year of President Donald Trump's second term in office.
It's one of more than 800 similar protests planned across the United States, plus in a handful of other countries, including Canada, Italy and France.
I'm worried about the future of this country.
I mean, we're on a path that is just, you know, unbelievable.
Organizers are urging people to walk out of work and school and to avoid shopping in protest.
They hope to create some more energy around their protests of President Trump more that can be created with simple protests and they hope to flood social media with images from this event and others.
Utter disregard for the Constitution.
I mean, we don't even have a president.
A president of the United States would abide by the U.S.
Constitution.
Specific issues these protesters are concerned about include those ongoing ICE raids and other aspects of President Trump's immigration policies.
They're concerned about the deployment of National Guard troops to cities including Washington DC, and they see what they call an erosion of constitutional rights.
They also want to see a guaranteed living wage and universal health care.
All immigration policy the killing of Rene Good in Minneapolis.
I mean, I get a visceral feeling when I see stuff like that.
And I just don't know how to respond.
And this is one way that I can do it.
It may not have much of an effect, but at least I feel like I'm doing something.
Work and school can wait.
But right now, we need to protect our America.
Organizers hope these walkouts will set the stage for what they call bigger fights ahead, to include the fall's midterm congressional elections.
That was Jim Spellman in Washington.
A fear lingers in northern Venezuela following the U.S. airstrikes on January 3rd.
Missiles destroyed large quantities of medical supplies that local residents relied on and damaged a historic building nearly 300 years old.
Lei Shengping has more.
Humberto Bolivar lives in a neighborhood near La Guaira.
The area that was hit lies just across a main road from his home.
When the attack happened, powerful shock waves shattered his windows and damaged the water tank on his roof.
But beyond the physical destruction, Bolivar says he is most concerned about the psychological toll, especially on children.
The United States has invaded our country.
Children were terrified.
Some of them are still traumatized.
They don't want to go to school or even leave home, because they are afraid something worse may happen.
We really don't want our country to suffer like this.
Civilian infrastructure was not the only thing affected.
La Guaira's state government building an historical structure dating back nearly 300 years was also hit.
The building once served as the country's first customer's house.
Security guard Marquez was on duty when the strike occurred.
He says explosions rocketed the building, throwing offices into chaos.
Windows were twisted. documents scattered across the floor.
And his car parked outside was badly damaged.
This attack should never have happened.
It achieved nothing.
It only harmed ordinary people, including children and the elderly.
All we want is peace and safety.
US officials say this drug targeted a warehouse used to store drugs.
But the residents here strongly reject that claim.
One of them is Alejandro Capuliles.
Our governor released a video showing the burnt warehouses.
He explained they stored food and medicine for kidney patients.
This strike was extremely wrong because many people depend on those supplies to survive.
For many in La Guaira, the attack has reshaped daily life.
Resident Henry Cumares says people now live with constant anxiety about what may come next.
As people from La Guaira, we are deeply saddened.
Our cultural heritage was bombed.
We are living in constant anxiety and pain.
Life is no longer what it used to be, because we are always afraid the United States may attack us again.
Across Lago Ira, the damage is not only physical.
Residents say the strike has left behind fear, uncertainty, and a deep sense of distress.
That was Lei Shengping reporting from LaGuardia with contributions from Chen Guo.
Coming up, China is criticizing new EU cybersecurity measures.
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20 minutes past the hour.
China sharply criticized the European Union's new cybersecurity measures.
The foreign ministry warns that the measures could target Chinese telecom suppliers, calling them blatant protectionism.
Sunia has more.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, has strongly criticized the newly proposed EU's cybersecurity measures that seeks to reduce the so-called high-risk third country suppliers, and that's a move that's considered to be targeting chinese enterprises.
War had called out those proposed measures as blatant protectionism and political manipulation.
He also emphasized that Chinese enterprises have always operated in the EU, fully abiding local laws, and those companies have contributed to EU's own technology progress.
He also said those proposed measures could only jeopardize EU's own market reputation and its own technology's progress.
China now urges the EU to avoid going down the wrong path of protectionism.
Otherwise, China will be taking all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
That was Sun Yat reporting.
The Chinese mainlanders criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authority in Taiwan for submissively yielding to economic bullying.
The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office made the remarks following a so-called consensus reached by the DPP authority in tariff talks with Washington.
Yu Li has more.
The U.S.
Department of Commerce recently announced that Taiwan's cheapened technology firms will invest at least US250 billion in production capacity in the US, with Taiwan authorities guaranteeing the same amount in credit.
In return, the U.S. will lower reciprocal tariffs on Taiwan from 20 percent to 15 percent.
A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Taiwan is submitting to economic coercion.
The so-called trade negotiations are essentially the United States using tariffs as a stick to exert extreme pressure, coercing Taiwan into significantly increasing investment in the US and attempting to hollow out Taiwan's advantageous industries.
The spokesperson warned that the move could undermine Taiwan's industrial prospects.
He added that the 500 billion US dollars commitment equals about 80 percent of Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves, effectively placing a 680000 new Taiwan dollar burden on each resident.
To bankroll the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' attempt to seek independence by relying on external forces.
If 40 of semiconductor production capacity is shifted to the United States, Taiwan's core industrial advantages will vanish and the technology island will be reduced to a hollowed-out island.
The spokesperson said that Taiwan's massive investment commitment and the risk of relocating 40 of its semiconductor supply chain to the United States was exchanged merely for a reduction in the originally unreasonable so-called reciprocal tariffs from 20 to 15.
Whether such a deal is fair and reasonable is clear for all to see.
That was Yu Li reporting.
Two trains have derailed in northeastern Spain, killing a driver and injuring at least 20 people.
The accidents in Catalonia came days after a deadly high-speed train crash in Cordoba, which killed at least 42 people.
Ken Brown has more from Cordoba.
The nightmare continues for many in Spain following a horror high-speed train accident on Sunday evening.
I'm looking for my husband who's still missing.
He's among the missing people.
Osiris should have been on the same train.
She and her husband, Victor Ruiz, from Bolivia, had just returned from a trip to Nicaragua to see family.
But she took a different flight back to Spain because it was cheaper, a decision that may have saved her life.
We were in contact until 6.43 p.m. on Sunday.
And I haven't heard from him since then.
Texting on the train, the accident happened shortly afterwards.
Victor was on one of the front carriages that were completely destroyed.
And the desperate search continues for many other families too.
DNA samples have been taken as forensic experts work around the country to identify victims.
This has been set up by the Cordoba City Hall, where medical and professional psychological help is being offered to families and victims alike.
But a rescue operation is fast becoming a recovery operation, as emergency services struggle to find the correct equipment to shift the wreckage.
On Tuesday, the King and Queen of Spain visited the site of the accident and victims in a hospital in Cordoba.
A day after, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was here promising to get to the truth of what happened and to provide total transparency.
One hypothesis points to a faulty or damaged joint in the rail that left a gap, causing the derailment of the last two carriages of the train travelling north that then crossed into the path of the train travelling south.
But Transport Minister Oscar Puente said that it could be at least a month before any final conclusions can be drawn from the investigation.
For people like Osiris, only one thing matters now.
It's just Victor's son and me here in Spain.
We don't have any other close family here.
They are all in Bolivia and they are waiting for news, especially his parents who are older now.
I don't know what to tell them.
Yes, until I see him with my own eyes, I can't lose hope.
In a country where people take over 500 million train journeys a year, it's a disaster felt deeply during these days of mourning.
That was Ken Brown on the latest train accidents in Spain.
Anger has been intensifying in Minneapolis since a US immigration officer shot and killed a 37-year-old mother in the city nearly two weeks ago.
Many people are planning an economic boycott to protest the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Hendrix Ibrandi has more from Minneapolis.
It's the 14th straight day of protests here at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis.
It was January 7th, of course, when 37-year-old Renee Good was killed as she attempted to drive away from immigration officers in a south Minneapolis neighborhood.
The anger over that incident has clearly not subsided.
In fact, this coming Friday, a large-scale economic boycott against this large and ongoing immigration crackdown will take place in Minneapolis.
It's an Operation 3000 federal agent strong that many here say is cruel, racist and completely unwarranted.
Labor unions, community leaders and faith groups say the economic blackout will allow Minnesotans, to quote spend time with family, neighbors and their community, to show Minnesota's moral heart and collective economic power.
People are urged not to go to work or school or to shop on Friday.
Meantime.
The state of Minnesota is suing to stop the immigration crackdown, calling it a federal invasion.
On Monday, President Trump's Department of Justice responded asking a federal judge to reject that lawsuit, calling it an absurdity that would act as a veto over federal law enforcement.
The administration is also appealing another judge's order that would restrict how federal agents respond to peaceful protests.
The feds are very unhappy about this incident on Sunday, in which a pastor's sermon was interrupted in the city of St
Paul.
That pastor is apparently also an official with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE.
Lastly, on the legal front, local immigration attorneys say they've been denied access to their clients here at the Federal Immigration Center.
Those individuals have a right to counsel.
But those lawyers say they've been told we don't do attorney visitation.
The tensions over Operation Metro Surge, believed to be the largest ICE operation ever, are not letting up.
That was Hendrick Sybrandy reporting.
29 past the hour.
Beijing down to minus 11 on Wednesday evening.
It's sunny with a high of zero on Thursday.
Nanchang's overcast and down to minus 2 tonight, then cloudy and 6 degrees.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be overcast and 7 degrees overnight.
Heavy rainfall with a high of 17 on Thursday.
Vientiane's down to 16, then sunny in 27.
Phnom Penh's getting overcast conditions tonight and through tomorrow, with a low of 19 and a high of 32.
In Africa, Nairobi's overcast in 27 degrees on Thursday.
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, 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?
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We'll see you there.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host.
Shane Bigum with you on this Wednesday.
Still to come, in business, China's high-tech and IT sectors were major economic drivers in 2025.
In sports, China's a first-time finalist at football's U23 Asian Cup.
In culture and entertainment, iconic silk artworks on display in Beijing.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at cgtnradio.
Now checking the day's headlines, here's Dou Hongyu.
Thank you, Shane.
China has called on Japan to act and speak cautiously regarding the Taiwan question.
Peng Ching-en is a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
He made the remarks after some Japanese scholars claimed that China aims to shake what they called Japan's pro-Taiwan sentiment and weaken its alliance with the US.
Such rhetoric hypes up cross-strait tensions.
It stokes anxiety over a potential war and reveals malicious intentions.
Japan bears historical responsibility for the Taiwan question.
It should deeply reflect on history, learn from historical lessons and fully recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan question.
Japan must abide by the one China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, act and speak cautiously on Taiwan-related issues and stop sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces.
The spokesperson also warned the Democratic Progressive Party authority that its trade deal with the US sells out the well-being of the people in Taiwan and the interests of its industrial development.
The response follows a so-called consensus reached by the DPP authority in tariff talks with Washington.
The spokesperson said the move is collusion between separatist forces in Taiwan and external forces.
He said the investment of US500 billion accounts for about 80 of the island's foreign exchange reserves and that relocating 40 of semiconductor production capacity to the US could hollow out Taiwan's industrial strength.
The spokesperson warned that the tariff talks have proven that Taiwan independence is nothing but a dead end.
A spokesperson says the Chinese People's Liberation Army expelled a Philippine government aircraft that intruded into the territorial airspace over Huangyandao Island.
The spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command said the Philippine action infringed upon China's sovereignty and violated Chinese law and international law.
The spokesperson stressed that Huangyandao is China's inherent territory and urged the Philippines to stop making provocations.
The Nara District Court in Japan has sentenced the man charged with fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life in prison.
Tetsuya Yamagami has pleaded guilty to killing Abe in July 2022 during his election campaign speech in Nara.
His trial began in October.
The Venezuelan government has rejected an altered map that U.S.
President Donald Trump shared on social media, depicting Venezuela as part of the United States.
Venezuela's Interior Ministry said the image created with artificial intelligence shows Venezuela, along with Greenland and Canada, incorrectly labeled as US territory.
Caracas called the depiction misinformation and affirmed Venezuela remains a sovereign nation.
UN Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, says Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Israel's demolition of a UN compound in East Jerusalem.
The Secretary-General views as wholly unacceptable the continued escalatory actions against UNRWA, which are inconsistent with Israel's clear obligations under international law, including under the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
The Secretary General urges the government of Israel to immediately cease the demolition of the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound and to return and restore the compound and other UNRWA premises to the United Nations without delay.
Haack said the International Court of Justice has determined Israel's occupation to be unlawful.
He said the ICJ and the UN General Assembly have directed that Israel's presence in East Jerusalem must end.
Haack said the situation reflects ongoing challenges facing the agency, including threats directed at staff and what he described as a lack of cooperation with UNRWA.
The United Nations has again warned the warring parties in Sudan not to repeat atrocities committed during the capture of al-Fasher and other parts of the country.
UN human rights spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, said the horrific violations seen in al-Fasher, North Darfur, must not be repeated in South Kordofan.
The spokesperson said all parties to the conflict have committed serious violations throughout the war, particularly during offensives aimed at taking control of new territory.
She urged them to guarantee safe passage for civilians fleeing fighting.
Thank you very much.
That's Do Hongyu with headlines.
Coming up in business, China's high-tech and IT sectors were major economic drivers in 2025.
Thank you, Shane.
Chinese mainland markets closed slightly higher on Wednesday.
The Shanghai composite edged up by about 0.1%, while the Shenzhen component gained 0.7%.
Boosted by surging international gold prices, the gold sector was among the day's top performers.
In Hong Kong, the Hansen Index saw a modest increase of 0.4%.
Tokyo stocks ended the day lower with the Nikkei falling by 0.4%.
This marks five days of losses for the Nikkei.
Investor concerns over potential consumption tax cuts and rising Japanese government-bound yields are weighing on Tokyo stock market.
China's industry and information technology sector recorded steady growth and strong innovation momentum in 2025.
Authorities say the sector contributed more than 40 of the country's overall economic growth last year.
Wang Zihang has details.
According to official figures, the sector's value-added industrial output increased by 59, highlighting its role as a key economic engine.
In telecommunications.
China has built the world's largest and most advanced information infrastructure.
The country has set up nearly 5 million 5G base stations covering nearly all townships and villages nationwide.
The number of 5G users has climbed past 1.2 billion.
China has also advanced a next-generation connectivity.
It has completed the first phase of 6G research and development with more than 300 technologies in reserve.
Authorities say the second phase of 6G technical trials has already begun.
In the digital and intelligent industries, revenue reached around 40 trillion yuan, or about US6 trillion, by the end of 2025.
Profits exceeded 3 trillion yuan.
China has built tens of thousands smart factories across the country.
The number of artificial intelligence companies has exceeded 6000 and the core AI industry is expected to surpass 12 trillion yuan in scale.
The country is also speeding up robot development.
More than 140 domestic manufacturers now produce complete robot systems, and over 330 humanoid robot models have been released.
These robots are entering sports venues, factories and homes, marking a new stage of real-world application.
For the Beijing Hour, I'm Wang Zihang.
China's consumer market continued to expand in 2025, with total retail sales of consumer goods reaching over 50 trillion yuan, or roughly 7 trillion US dollars.
Retail sales of goods rose 3.8%, while catering revenue increased 3.2%.
Consumer spending contributed 52% of economic growth, remaining the main driver of the economy.
Trading programs for consumer goods played a major role.
In 2025, these programs generated sales of over 26 trillion yuan, benefiting about 370 million consumer visits.
Officials say expanded trading and digital product subsidy policies drove the growth.
Consumption patterns are becoming more diverse.
Demand for outdoor gear for activities like ice sports, hiking and cycling surged, with sales rising nearly 16.
Sales of smart wearable devices jumped by more than 40%.
At the same time, traditional brands are boosting consumption by innovating their products, creating new spending trends in the market.
Beijing's GDP topped 5.2 trillion yuan last year, growing 5.4%.
That's nearly 750 billion US dollars.
The milestone makes Beijing the second Chinese city to pass the 5 trillion yuan mark after Shanghai.
The nation's capital is also stepping up its push in artificial intelligence.
Authorities plan to build four AI innovation districts across the city.
In high-end districts, officials are working with universities and high-tech companies to create what they call a first stop for global AI talent, innovation and startups.
These districts will showcase the latest AI technologies and experiences, while also integrating cultural industries and embodied robotics, aiming to turn innovation into real-world applications.
A Chinese app for people living alone has topped Apple's paid App Store charts.
The app uses a daily checking system to help users cope with loneliness and isolation.
Its success shows the growing demand for companionship and new business opportunities, known as the loneliness economy.
Sean Cullips spoke with Professor Pang Wang at the University of New South Wales about this trend.
Why do you think this app really bridges digital check-ins with real-world emergency contacts?
Spell through the obvious reasons that it's so critically important to have somebody that you can connect.
You're right.
That online-offline connection really matters because social media, we know, enables frequent interactions online and that rarely translate into face-to-face interaction uh, whereas face-to-face interaction also restricted by distance, space and time.
So this app really fills in this gap between the two separate domains and also, as a simple tab you could see, that potentially translate into real world support and that gives users peace of mind without needing uh constant communication.
Plus, the connection is also essential in care and safety driven markets, because it's not only about bridging communication, but also about trust reliability, social responsibility, etc.
Does it really reach an unmet need?
Right.
There are quite a few unmet needs here.
So like the needs to build a safety or a care network for rising number of solo dollars.
You can imagine someone just fall all of a sudden at home or getting sick or have delayed emergency response.
And an app like this could be helpful especially, I'm thinking, for the empty nest elders with health conditions.
Those are the most vulnerable people.
Also the needs to provide basic care to address the growing level of loneliness and sense of insecurity among these solo dollars.
Plus that, the needs to build this trust-based network that is easy to use and easy to maintain.
That is essential as well.
So many people, whether they're elderly or middle-aged or even young, are finding themselves living alone right now.
So how does this living alone factor really play in to the app's success?
Right.
The app is clearly responding to the growing number of solo dollars across age, across different backgrounds demographics, especially in this urban and highly mobile economies.
So this trend creates a large and expanding consumer base for this app.
Plus, it builds trust without being intrusive.
And that helps to, you know, reassure the users not to feeling, you know, too overwhelming.
And also, you know, presumably this sense of feeling is preferred by a lot of users.
That was Pan Wang from the University of New South Wales.
China's outbound investment maintained its top three global ranking for the ninth year.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, China's outbound 9 financial direct investment grew by 13 to over US145 billion in 2025.
New contracts signed for overseas engineering projects rose by 8.2%, reaching nearly US$290 billion.
The quality and impact of China's foreign aid has also seen improvements, further supporting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
As 2026 marks the beginning of China's 15th five-year plan, the ministry said authorities will ensure a strong start for outbound investment and economic cooperation in the new five-year period.
And finally, Netflix exceeded an analyst's expectations for its fourth quarter 2025 financial performance.
Revenue was up 18% to over $12 billion, with net income 30% higher to $2.4 billion.
The company saw impressive growth in advertising, with ad revenue more than tripling to 15 billion compared to 2024.
This boost reflects Netflix's expanding advertising strategy amid intensifying competition in the streaming sector.
Meanwhile, Netflix has announced an 827 billion all-cash offer to acquire the assets of Warner Bros.
Discovery.
The bid aims to block Paramount's efforts to secure the Hollywood giant.
According to a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the Warren Discovery Board has unanimously approved the offer.
All right, thank you very much.
That's Tianyu with Business.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports, China's a first-time finalist at football's Under-23 Asian Cup.
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47 past now, turning to sports.
Here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
In football from the Under-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
China has entered the final for the first time, after defeating Vietnam 3-0 in their semifinal in Jeddah.
Vietnam created a great chance in the 24th minute with Quoc Van Con forcing a brilliant save from Li Hao with a free kick.
The Chinese goalkeeper kept up his run of clean sheets at this year's tournament when he was at his best to keep out Van Con Pon moments later.
After the break, China took the lead.
Peng Xiao recovered from being jostled to the ground to not in.
The Chinese team doubled its advantage in the 52nd minute.
Xiang Yuwang showed brilliant composure to control Kuan Jiwen's pass before run-footing three defenders to make it 2-0.
In the 73rd minute.
China thought it had the third, but Peng's deflected effort was overturned by video review, because Li Junquan was caught offside.
Vietnam was then reduced to 10 men after Pat Lida got a straight red in the aftermath of the disallowed goal.
Bahram Abduwali cut back for Wang Yudong to seal the victory in injury time.
Wang expressed excitement for China's victory.
Actually, I've been down for a long time because I was more involved in defense.
I was very happy to score a goal.
I'm looking forward to bring the champion back to China.
China will face Japan in Saturday's final after they defeated South Korea 1-0 on Tuesday.
Switching to the Champions League.
Arsenal made it seven wins from seven, with a 3-1 victory at Inter Milan.
Gabriel Jesus scored a brace to guarantee the Gunners a top-two finish out of the league phase.
Jesus marked his first start in this season's competition in style, opening the scoring in the tenth minute when the Brazilian finished off Julian Timber's scarfed effort.
The host bounced back eight minutes later.
Peter Suchic let fly from the edge of the box. and into the roof of the net.
Inter was determined to avoid their third consecutive Champions League defeat.
However, Arsenal restored their lead around the half-hour mark.
Leandro Trossard headed the cross goal and that gave unmarked Jesus the simplest of headers.
Victor Joachim made sure of the wane six minutes from time with a brilliant effort into the top corner.
Arsenal manager Mikel Lanteta said he couldn't have been more proud of his side.
Well, very proud.
Not only for tonight's game, but what we've done in the competition so far in seven matches.
And with one game to go, to be already in the position that we want to be, massive prize to the team, because we know how difficult it is.
And then tonight it was a test.
Probably we didn't have the necessity in terms of the points, but we really had the hunger and the desire to come to a place like this, against a top, top side, and prove what we are and what we can do.
And I'm really, really pleased with what I've seen.
Also on Tuesday, Norwegian side, Bordeaux Glimmett, caused one of the biggest shocks of the season so far by starting Man City 3-1 at home to claim their first ever Champions League win.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, insisted the team will improve despite a poor start to the year.
The results in 2025 are not good in terms of the Premier League and now today.
But yeah, move forward.
So we have four days for Wolves and after Galatasaray to try to see what happens.
It was an incredible opportunity for us.
But everything is the feeling that it's going wrong.
It's going against in many, many details.
And that is a fact and you have to try to change it.
But the players are there and we'll try.
Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe scored twice against one of his former clubs as Real Madrid eased past Monaco 6-1 at home on Tuesday to boost its chances of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League league phase.
Luis Suarez struck in the 74th and 90th minutes and Sporting Club de Portugal beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at home to move up to sixth in the standings.
Tottenham enjoyed a comfortable night at home to Borussia Dortmund, winning 2-0 to maintain its 100 home record in Europe.
In tennis, Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuxuan crashed out of the Australian Open second round after being overpowered by world No1 arena Sabalenka.
The 23-year-old won three straight games late in the first set, after Sabalenka opened with five games in 14 minutes.
However, the top seed closed out the set and then took control in the second, to wrap up the match in one hour and 16 minutes.
Sabalanga is now 30-6 at Melbourne Park and reaches her 19th third round in a row at major tournaments.
Next up for the four-time major champion is Anastasia Potapova, after she got past Emma Raducanu earlier.
On the men's side, China's Wu Yibing picked up his first main draw victory in Melbourne by outlasting Luca Nardi in four sets to reach the second round.
Wu said he's pleased with the win despite not being fully recovered.
I think I did fairly well, considering I haven't fully recovered physically.
I'm very pleased to win the match in Futsal.
In Futsal when I was leading 4-2 3-2, love.
I got a bit careless with my backhand volley which eventually caught me dead sad.
But I made quick adjustments in Futsal and capitalised on my opponent's errors.
Hopefully, I can rest well and put in a better performance in the second round.
In other action, two-time defending champion Yannick Sinner began his speed for an Australian Open three-peat by gaining past Hugo Gaston.
Since making his Australian Open debut in 2020, Sinner has tallied a 22-4 record in Melbourne, including back-to-back titles in the past two years.
Thank you very much.
That's Yong Guang with sports.
Coming up in culture and entertainment, iconic silk artworks on display in Beijing.
People in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark, Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference.
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys 53 past the hour.
In culture and entertainment.
An exhibition showcasing Fan Yanyan's silk artwork is underway in a museum in Beijing, widely known as China's leading silk artist.
Fans presenting her iconic works and new creations inspired by the Year of the Horse.
Yanyan was among the first to preview these artworks.
Silk, a timeless symbol of Chinese civilization, carries centuries of history and eastern wisdom.
This exhibition brings modern spirit to life through three powerful themes threads of the Silk Road, gallop without borders and echoes from the Qingling Mountains.
And here you see a giant horse forming a surreal pyramid-like structure.
There are 99 horses in total, and right in the center, we've given the horse human qualities.
It reflects everyday people like us, striving, dreaming, pushing forward.
It's really about our shared pursuit of a better future.
Fan Yanyan and musician Fang Jinglong debuted Harmony of Dragon and Horse at the opening, a dynamic fusion of silk art and Chinese traditional music.
I think Yanyan is very creative.
I've always admired Yanyan's creativity, so I asked could we blend the dragon and the horse using my Tang Dynasty five-string pipa?
And she made it happen.
This piece is inspired by a Han Dynasty dragon horse.
You can see both creatures in one.
It captures the dragon horse spirit, strength, drive, and grace.
Fang Jinglong also believes silk art and traditional Chinese music share a rare harmony.
You know, silk is incredibly soft and soothing, just like Chinese music, which gently plucks the heartstrings.
That's why I feel silk and music go hand in hand.
Together, they can bring more peace and harmony to the world.
The exhibition will run through February 26.
That was Yang Yan reporting.
The China National Center for the Performing Arts will stage two acclaimed Italian ballets this month.
Milan's world-renowned La Scala Ballet is behind Don Quixote and The Blake Works.
Italian Ambassador to China, Massimo Ambrosetti, says after the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025, more cultural events and exhibitions will follow to deepen people-to-people exchanges.
This performance marks the seventh tour of La Scala in China.
This year's performances will also feature collaborations with the China NCPA Orchestra.
China will launch a year-long series of celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the inclusion of its 24 solar terms on UNESCO's representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The 24 solar terms highlight an ancient system of knowledge developed through observation of the sun's annual movement.
The celebrations will begin on February 4, the beginning of spring, with a nationwide campaign titled Unveiling China's Spring.
According to the China Agricultural Museum, events across the country will showcase traditional spring rituals rooted in China's agricultural civilization.
They include the ritual for the beginning of spring in Zhejiang Province and the whipping of the spring ox in Neixiang County, Henan Province.
The 24 solar terms divide the year into 24 segments, from the beginning of spring to major cold, reflecting seasonal changes crucial to farming life along the Yellow River Basin.
Looking ahead activities in 2026 will follow the rhythm of the four seasons and include garden fairs, academic forums, exhibitions and digital campaigns.
Authorities have revealed several major archaeological discoveries in northwest China.
They include an oracle bone bearing an inscription linked to King Wen, founder of the Zhou Dynasty.
Archaeologists also uncovered the ruins of a palace gate and other ancient architectural remains at the Zhouyuan site in Baoji.
The discoveries are from excavation efforts in May and June of last year.
Experts say the discoveries confirm Joyuan as the early capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty, which ruled China from 1046 to 771 BC, and demonstrate the advanced planning and construction skills from that period.
We're at 57 past the hour.
Beijing's down to minus 11 on Wednesday evening.
It'll be sunny and zero on Thursday.
Nanchang's overcast and down to minus 2 this evening, then cloudy and 6 degrees.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be overcast with a low of 7 this evening.
Thursday, we'll see heavy rainfall and a high of 17.
Vientiane's down to 16 degrees overnight, then sunny in 27.
Phnom Penh's overcast tonight and through tomorrow, with a low of 19 and a high of 32 degrees Celsius.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today.
Addressing the world economic forum in Davos, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has urged all countries to secure the world's future through cooperation.
The US president continues to criticize NATO allies, saying the alliance would not be very strong without the United States.
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.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time.
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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 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 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, or in our 12-part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
