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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 biggum, with you on this thursday, january 15th 2026.
You're listening to the beijing hour coming to you live from the chinese capital.
On today's program, Canada's Prime Minister is now in Beijing on a four-day official visit to China in what's viewed as a milestone and turning point in bilateral ties.
Military officials in Iran say the country is ready if it's attacked, following repeated US threats.
Denmark says fundamental disagreements remain following talks with the US over the status of Greenland.
In business, the number of companies in Hainan engaged in foreign trade has been surging.
In sports, China's men's under-23 footballers reach a new milestone in Asian Cup qualifying.
In culture and entertainment, Harbin's hosted a snow sculpture competition involving international universities.
Now the day's top stories.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, is in Beijing for a four-day official visit to China on the invitation of Premier Li Cheng.
Niu Yang has more.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has arrived in Beijing at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Cheng.
The Canadian Prime Minister is paying an official visit to China from Wednesday to Saturday.
And this is actually the first visit to China made by a Canadian PM in eight years.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, during his stay, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with him to provide new strategic guidance for the further development of bilateral relations.
At the same time, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the country's top legislator Zhao Leji will hold talks and meet with him respectively.
The Chinese side believes that, through joint efforts, China-Canada relations have been gradually improved and developed since last year.
In particular, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Carney on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economic leaders meeting in Gyeongju that was hosted by the Republic of Korea last October.
That missing charted the cause for the turnaround of the China-Canada relations and the resumption of multiple exchanges and cooperations in various fields.
Mark Carney took office in March 2025, succeeding former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who last visited China in December 2017.
Official data shows that in 2024, China was Canada's second-largest trading partner, second-largest source of imports and second-largest export market.
All this second only to the United States.
Last year, a record 125 Canadian companies participated in the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai.
And ahead of his trip, the Canadian prime minister's office said in a statement that the Chinese government is moving the country's economy from quote reliance to resilience.
Adding that they would build strength at home, work to double non-US exports and attract massive new investments.
That was Yeo Young reporting.
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has expressed China's commitment to strengthening communication and cooperation with Canada.
Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand amid Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China.
Wang described the trip as a milestone, signaling a turning point in the relationship.
Anand highlighted Carney's goal to engage in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders, resume dialogue and pursue mutually beneficial outcomes in various fields.
Bilateral trade between China and Canada surged from only 150 million at the start of diplomatic ties in 1970 to over 93 billion in 2024.
China-Canada trade totaled $82 billion in the first 11 months of last year.
The two economies are highly complementary, with prospects for strong cooperation in energy agriculture finance, climate action, green technology and tourism.
Energy has emerged as a new growth point, with China becoming a key buyer of Canadian crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
People-to-people exchanges are also picking up.
And for more insights into the Canadian Prime Minister's visit to China.
Du Hongyu spoke with Liu Jiechi, a senior fellow at the Chongyun Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China.
After an eight-year gap in top-level visits.
How should we interpret Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip in the broader context of China-Canada relations, especially as Ottawa balances its economic ties with Beijing against political and security pressures from Washington?
I believe this official visit from Canadian Prime Minister shows the determination of the Canadian government to make further progress with cooperation with China.
This is a very right and important decision made by the Canadian politicians, as we know that Washington has pressure on the contacts between other countries with the Chinese leadership.
But I think the Canadian prime minister, after eight years' gap, came to China to show something else.
Very special importance and the significance of this visit shows that the Canadian politicians and the people laid China as an important partner for Canadian development.
In the past eight years, as we know, the international situation has developed in different conditions, especially under pressure imposed by President Trump.
That made the world in chaos with turbulences.
So that's why Canadian Prime Minister made such a visit shows that a different way of thinking and also some independent foreign policy with China and with the rest of the world.
And, given that China is Canada's second largest trading partner, what concrete outcomes do you expect from this visit?
I think the outcome from this visit can be Consider in two parts.
First is the economic and trade partner.
In the future.
China can do a lot with the Canadian partner, for example in green technology high-tech, AI transition and also for the environmental protection.
Of course in other high-technology exchanges that information exchange, protection and all this field can be discussed and cooperated with each other.
We know that China is an advancing country at the moment, and Canada is a developed country.
So from both sides that has each other's advantages, should learn from each other and support each other.
So from trading relations will be well improved and upgraded.
This is very important.
And secondly is that from this geopolitical tension to be discussed and cooperated with each other, because we know that due to some very special powers in the world that made some competencies between countries, especially in Latin America, also in America itself,
So I think China will support the Canadian decision to safeguard or to protect its sovereignty and also diplomacy for its own interest.
So we hope that the cooperation between the two sides we can not only have the economic leap and the trading outcomes to upgrade, but also in geopolitical and the relation from both sides.
That was Liu Zhiqin, a senior fellow at Renmin University of China.
A team of French surgeons has traveled to Guangzhou to exchange knowledge with Chinese experts in robotic pancreatic surgery.
Cheng Songwu reports from the southern Chinese city.
According to the World Health Organization, around 470000 people die from pancreatic diseases each year.
Professor Yingxiao Yu, at the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, began performing robotic pancreatic surgeries in 2015.
Since then, his team have completed more than 800 such procedures, making it one of the highest volume robotic pancreatic surgery programs in the world.
Over the past few days.
I showed several cases of the lobe-assisted pancreatal duodenectomy for them, and we discussed surgical techniques.
Surgeons at Francis Jean Mykhmos Hospital perform about 140 pancreatic surgeries each year.
Here I found some technical points.
I will come back home with it and next week I will do it on my own patient.
The other thing we try to find here is to see how it is in a high robotic pancreatic surgery centre, to see the organisation, to see how it's possible to do it very, very often.
The hospital provides a lot of stuff materials to help nurse work, like robots, like pump who transfer materials, etc.
By sharing cutting edge robotic techniques, Surgeons from both countries are working together to build a more hopeful future for patients battling pancreatic diseases worldwide.
That was Zhang Songwu reporting.
China's national subsidy programs are giving consumer spending a fresh boost.
As families prepare for Spring Festival, green products are emerging as a major trend, especially ones eligible for trade and programs.
Tian Yu has more.
At the start of 2026, the Chinese government released 625 billion yuan in subsidies to support consumer spending.
That's roughly 9 billion US dollars.
The funding targets trading programs for consumer goods and equipment upgrades.
These subsidies have played a clear role in boosting consumption in recent years.
In 2025, more than 115 million vehicles were traded in nationwide, generating over 26 trillion yuan in sales.
Nearly 60% of those vehicles were new energy models.
Zhang Shiliang says his first purchase of the new year was a new energy vehicle, and trading subsidies helped him save 20000 yuan.
I replaced a very old gasoline car with a hybrid.
I was planning to change cars anyway, and the subsidy made it easier.
I saved money and chose a cleaner option.
Under updated policies, more vehicles are now eligible for scrapping and upgrades than last year.
For drivers switching from gasoline cars to new energy vehicles.
Multiple subsidies can now be combined, making greener choices more affordable.
Green upgrades are also gaining momentum in home appliances and electronic devices.
In shopping malls, promotional signs highlight trading deals and discounts.
At dren dren stores, customers wait with their phones to see how much their old devices are worth.
Zhuan Zhuan is one of China's leading platforms for buying and selling second-hand goods.
Marketing director Feng Zihao says demand for electronics is rising, as concerns over data privacy ease.
More and more people want to trade in their old devices now.
As volumes grow, we're putting more effort into quality checks.
We've upgraded our inspection process and used specialized software to completely erase personal data, so users don't have to worry about privacy.
Zhuan Zhuan now operates 17 inspection centres across China, helping build trust in trading services.
Feng says convenience is another key factor.
This is a peak shopping season, so we've added more engineers to handle the search in home services around the holidays.
Customers can choose home pickup, in-store trade-ins or mail-in services.
They can trade in old products without leaving home.
We also work with major brands, allowing people to recycle an old device and buy a new one in a single step.
Beyond Zhuan Zhuan, China's major e-commerce platforms have also joined trading programs.
They cover urban and rural areas spanning nearly 200 product categories.
Since the policy was introduced, China has traded in nearly 200 million home appliances over the past two years.
The programs have generated close to 4 trillion yuan in sales, benefiting hundreds of millions of customers and expanding China's green market.
By turning sustainability into everyday behavior, these policies are helping make greener living a part of daily life.
For the Beijing Hour, this is Tianyu.
Coming up.
Iranian military officials say the country is ready if the US follows through with an attack.
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Fifteen minutes past the hour.
The aerospace commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard says Tehran's at its highest level of readiness to respond to any attack.
Iran has reopened its airspace after closing it for nearly five hours.
Concerns over a possible US-Iran confrontation have forced airlines to cancel, reroute or delay some flights.
U.S.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military strikes on Iran, with Tehran promising retaliation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbasarachi has urged the Trump administration to seek diplomacy.
He said the Iranian government's in full control.
Media reports said the US is withdrawing some military personnel from its bases in the Middle East and Trump has been informed that Iran will not execute protesters.
We've been told that the killing...
In Iran it's stopping, it's stopped, it's stopping.
And there's no plan for executions or an execution or executions.
So I've been told that a good authority will find out about it.
British governments announced the temporary withdrawal of staff from its embassy in Tehran.
The updated foreign travel advice for Iran warns that the situation could escalate quickly and pose a significant risk.
It added that the embassy continues to operate remotely.
The UK also reiterated its advice against all travel to Iran.
Several international airlines have suspended or rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace.
German airline Lufthansa says it'll bypass Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice.
Air India says flights over Iran will take alternate routes, which may result in delays.
Other airline operators, such as FlyDubai and Turkish Airlines, have cancelled many flights to Iran over the past week.
Iran's held a large funeral procession for security personnel and civilians killed in the nationwide protests.
Authorities have blamed what they called rioters and terrorists for the unrest.
Participants chanted slogans against Israel and the U.S., and voice support for the police.
The Iranian judiciary says a media report which claimed 12,000 people have been killed is false.
Peaceful protests continue with no signs of widespread panic.
Residents in Tehran say the protests are targeted at the economy and they will not tolerate the killing of people and the destruction of their country.
People came to protest against the country's economic situation.
Unfortunately, the enemies abused this situation, and that is why the people are demanding the most severe punishment for economic corruption.
Because they have given this excuse.
The people are living and resisting and are loyal to the ideals of Iran.
But anyway, they are under severe economic pressure.
We want the authorities to give the protesters answers.
Everyone is protesting the conditions, but no one among the people is happy that public property and people's property are damaged and security is jeopardized.
I think that these recent incidents were not done by ordinary people and were directed by Mossad and American agents, who violated the security of the country and put the country in an unusual situation.
They did not achieve their goals, but unfortunately we lost many loved ones who were the guardians of security.
Former Iranian Vice President, Mohammad Ali Abtaei, says the dissatisfaction over the country's economy is being rooted in its foreign policy and the difficulty in getting sanctions lifted.
During an interview with Saper.
Seremi Abtaei says interference by the US and Israel will undermine the demands of legitimate protests.
I know that some government officials, some people are saying that so many protesters are linked.
Some protesters are linked to Mossad, Israel, the US.
But the fact is that as a reporter, I've seen there are some real protesters on the ground.
What do you think they really want?
There are many people who are dissatisfied and there are different reasons for this.
One of the main explanations is economic dissatisfaction, which is rooted in our foreign policy, and the difficulty of establishing international relations and lifting sanctions, a process that faces resistance from some groups inside Iran.
Therefore, as long as economic problems continue, dissatisfaction will remain serious.
Another reason is the presence of Generation Z.
This generation has different demands compared to decision-makers who are over 70 years old.
The new generation is demanding social and individual freedoms.
In my opinion, some extremist groups have not cooperated with the new generation and economic, political and cultural conditions together have created different groups of dissatisfied people.
As you know, Mr. Trump said that, said to Iranian people that take over the state institutions.
He said help is on its way.
What do you think will happen if Iran is attacked by the U.S. or Israel?
I believe that so far, the US and Israel, especially Israel, have been already involved in organizing the rioters, not the protesters, by providing them with what they need.
However, Mr Trump is a new phenomenon who does not care about international law, international norms or even the limits of presidential authority.
His interference in Iran's internal affairs would undermine and weaken the demands of real protesters, because no nation, especially the Iranian nation with its rich history, would accept interference from other countries.
That was former Iranian Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtaei on the protests in Iran.
Coming up, Denmark says differences remain after talks with the U.S. over Greenland.
A fatal shooting in Minnesota has reopened some of America's deepest wounds.
The fallout has sparked nationwide protests, fierce political debate and new questions about the country's federal law enforcement accountability and power.
What happened and where would this moment take the United States next?
How will America's image on law enforcement and human rights be affected?
Tune in for insights beyond the headlines in this week's chat lounge.
Wherever you listen to podcasts, and on CGTN Radio.
At 21 past the hour.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen says fundamental disagreements remain with the US over Greenland.
He made the remarks following a high-level meeting at the White House over the US push to take over the territory.
Rasmussen and the Foreign Minister of Greenland met with U.S.
Vice President J.D.
Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Jim Spellman reports from Washington, D.C.
The Danish and Greenlandic delegations met with U.S.
Vice President J.D.
Vance and the U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio here at the White House complex.
The day began with President Trump taking to social media to once again say that, in his view, the United States needs to control Greenland, in part because he hopes to integrate Greenland into his proposed Golden Dome missile defense system.
Now the delegations from Denmark and Greenland made it clear that they have no interest in being owned by the United States, but that they are open to working with the US on specific concerns.
There's clearly a disagreement.
We agreed that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level to explore whether there is possibilities to accommodate the concerns of the president while we at the same time respect the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark.
It's very important to say it again that how important it is from our side to strengthen our cooperation with the United States.
But that doesn't mean that we want to be owned by the United States.
But as allies, how we can strengthen our cooperation, it's all our interest.
The Danish and Greenlandic delegation then went to Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Senate.
Arctic Caucus.
And we understand a bipartisan group of US lawmakers will travel to Copenhagen next week for talks.
Greenland is, of course, a semi-autonomous island.
Its national security and foreign policy are controlled by Denmark, a member of NATO.
And leaders in Copenhagen have said clearly that US military action against Greenland would essentially mean the end of NATO.
But on Capitol Hill we know Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been telling some lawmakers behind the scenes that President Trump does not actually intend to use military action, but rather that he hopes to buy the island.
However, after the US incursion into Venezuela, leaders in Europe are taking President Trump's threat seriously.
That was Jim Spellman reporting.
People in Greenland say they're glad the first meeting between Greenlandic, Danish and US officials has taken place, but suggest it left more questions than answers.
I think people is a bit more calmer now, if it's the right word.
But I think the next period, weeks, we give more answers to it.
I hope the dialogue starts now, because I still believe that's the right approach to it, and also wanting to hear what the demands are.
I'm sure the Danish and Greenlandic people are mostly on the same side, but it is nerve-wracking that the Americans aren't changing their mind and if they should attack them.
I think it's important that they have that meeting.
Trump's trying to make the case that NATO should help the U.S. acquire the world's largest island.
Meanwhile, Denmark announced plans to boost the country's military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
Around 200 people have gathered outside the US embassy in Copenhagen to protest Washington's plans to take over Greenland.
Danish media reports say that an advanced contingent of the Danish armed forces has arrived in Greenland.
Sweden and Norway have also sent military personnel, and German troops will soon join them.
Jen Kopstake reports.
There's a calm but tense atmosphere here in Greenland's capital, Nuk.
We heard from Greenland's government officials that they would be increasing the military presence here in Greenland and around in close cooperation with NATO allies.
The troops will be trained in Arctic warfare, the unique conditions here and strengthen the security of the NATO alliance.
Now Danish forces are here in Nuuk.
We have seen them on the streets and in the hotels.
But there are also Swedish troops who are arriving in part of what is being called Operation Arctic Endurance.
Residents of Nuuk are expressing their concerns with the prospects of war coming to Greenland.
They say they're going to defend Greenland the best way that they can against a US invasion, if it happens.
There's a real worry, there's fear and anger about what exactly that would mean.
I'm sure the Danish and Greenlandic people are mostly on the same side, but it is nerve-wracking that the Americans aren't changing their mind and if they should attack them.
I think it's important that they have that meeting.
Trump is unpredictable, so we actually don't know what he will do.
After what happened in Venezuela, I think people got really scared.
But we hope it will not.
The Greenland Prime Minister has made it abundantly clear that Greenland is not for sale under any circumstances.
This is, of course, in direct opposition to the White House, where President Trump is insisting that only the US can protect the strategic and defensive position of Greenland properly.
The backdrop of all of this, of course, is the beautiful scenery and peace that normally prevails here on the island, where the Inuit population is worried about the impact of a military buildup and of any impact on the environment a change in geopolitics might bring.
There are real concerns, too, about a clash of culture with the American administration.
There's confusion as to why Trump wants to take Greenland, since the US has agreements going back decades to work together with Denmark when it comes to security.
But people are hopeful that somehow a peaceful outcome will prevail and the leaders of Greenland, Denmark and America will be able to come to some kind of compromise.
That was Jen Cobstake reporting.
The European Parliament's described U.S.
President, Donald Trump's statements on Greenland as a blatant challenge to international law and the sovereignty of Denmark, a NATO member.
It's urged the European Commission and the European Council to define tangible support for Denmark and Greenland.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Greenland can rely on the European Union.
For me, it's important that the Greenlanders know and they know this by the deeds, not only by the words that we respect the wishes of the Greenlanders and their interests and that they can count on us.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, has warned that if the sovereignty of a European country and allies affected, the knock-on effects will be unprecedented.
He says France will act on full solidarity with Denmark.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barraud says France will open its consulate in Greenland in February.
The UN General Assembly announced that it will convene interactive dialogues with candidates for the position of UN Secretary General in late April.
UNGA President Anneliese Baerbock made the announcement Wednesday.
During these interactive dialogues, each candidate will have the opportunity to present her or his vision statement, answer a member state's question and engage with civil society organizations.
Our choice of who will lead this organization is a chance to send a clear message in this turbulent time about who we are and what the United Nations stands for.
She asked member states to submit nominations of candidates in advance of the interactive dialogues.
Argentina's officially nominated Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The World Meteorological Organization confirmed that 2025 was among the three warmest years on record.
WMO's consolidated analysis of eight datasets shows that the global average surface temperature in 2025 was 144 degrees Celsius above the 1850 to 1900 average.
At 29 past, now checking the forecast, cloudy in Beijing overnight and tomorrow.
It's down to minus four with a high of plus three on Friday.
Nanchang's down to 8 degrees, then cloudy in 20.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be overcast in 5 this evening, then overcast in 16.
Vientiane will be cloudy in 17 overnight, then 28 degrees for Friday.
Phnom Penh's down to 21 degrees, followed by overcast conditions in 33.
In Africa, Nairobi's getting overcast skies and 28 degrees on Friday.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour.
Canada's prime minister is now in Beijing on a four-day official visit to China in what's viewed as a milestone and turning point in bilateral ties.
Military officials in Iran say the country is ready if it's attacked, following repeated US threats.
And Denmark says fundamental disagreements remain following talks with the US over the status of Greenland.
Shane Bigham with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Listen up.
Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers.
From the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet.
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 Thursday.
Still to come.
In business, the number of companies in Hainan engaged in foreign trade has been surging.
In sports, China's men's under-23 footballers reach a new milestone in Asian Cup qualifying.
In culture and entertainment, Harbin's hosted a snow sculpture competition involving international universities.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at cgtnradio.
And now checking the day's headlines, here's Dou Hongyu.
Thank you, Shane.
The Qiu Shi Journal will publish an article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered at the Central Urban World Conference.
The speech said, China's urbanization is moving from rampant expansion toward quality upgrades and greater efficiency.
It outlines priorities for building modern, people-centered cities, emphasizing innovation sustainability, cultural preservation and smart governance.
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has expressed China's commitment to strengthening communication and cooperation with Canada.
Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand amid Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China.
Wang described the trip as a milestone, signaling a turning point in the relationship.
Anand highlighted Carney's goal to engage in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders, resume dialogue and pursue mutually beneficial outcomes in various fields.
Beijing has expressed firm opposition to remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sonai Takeuchi, who claimed China's tightened export controls on dual-use items target Japan and violate international norms.
Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yong-chien said the measures are legal and aimed at preventing military use and nuclear proliferation.
He called Japan's claims of economic coercion groundless and urged Tokyo to correct its mistakes.
It follows China's recent ban on exports of dual-use items for military purposes or to users that could strengthen Japan's military capabilities.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for renewed global cooperation, emphasizing the vital role of the Group of 77 and China in tackling rising conflicts, inequality and climate chaos.
He described the group as a strong pillar of multilateralism.
Speaking at the chairmanship handover ceremony, Guterres stressed the need to focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, address the climate crisis and promote inclusive technology.
Uruguay has officially taken over the chairmanship for 2026.
The Group of 77 and China comprises 134 countries from across Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, representing over 80 of the world's population.
A U.S. federal agent shot and injured a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis Wednesday night.
The Department of Homeland Security says officers tried to stop his vehicle but he fled, crashed and ran on foot.
During the struggle, two others attacked the agent, and the suspect joined in prompting the officer to fire.
The man's injuries are not life-threatening, and the two attackers are in custody.
The incident comes amid growing public concern over encounters between federal agents and civilians, following a series of recent high-profile shootings across the US.
The Danish foreign minister says the United States, Denmark and Greenland will establish a high-level working group to explore areas of compromise, since a disagreement persists over the future of Greenland.
Lars Lok Rosmussen made the remarks after U.S.
Vice President J.D.
Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met him and the Greenlandic Foreign Minister and the White House.
He says Denmark and Greenland's perspectives continue to differ from the United States.
And it is important that people in Congress and the Senate emphasize that of course everybody has to respect the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Having said that, we know that we are in a different geopolitical situation in comparison with like 10 years ago, when everybody believed that the Arctic should be low tension area and everybody took the peace dividend.
Things have changed, but we are also ready to step up.
Rasmussen warned that ideas that would not respect territorial integrity of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are unacceptable.
Danish Defense Minister Trollsland Poulsen has announced that the country plans to boost its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
The fact is that the security political tensions have spread to the Arctic.
This means that we need an increased presence in and around Greenland.
Therefore, in close dialogue with the Greenlandic government, we have also agreed to increase our military presence as well as our exercise activity in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, in close cooperation with the NATO alliance.
The announcement comes as U.S.
President Donald Trump tries to justify his calls for a takeover of the vast majority of the vast territory.
Paulson said other NATO allies were arriving in Greenland along with Danish personnel.
He declined to name the other countries contributing to the increased Arctic presence, saying that it's up to the allies to announce their own participation.
Thank you very much.
That's Do Hongyu with Headlines.
Coming up in business.
The number of companies in Hainan Province engaged in foreign trade has been surging.
Thank you, Shane.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed mixed on Thursday.
The Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.3%, while the Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.4%.
Stocks related to precious metals, phosphorus chemicals and batteries led the gainers.
Those in the commercial aerospace, AI applications, digital currency and brain-computer interface sectors suffered major losses.
The Hong Kong stock market finished lower as the Hang Seng Index decreased about 0.3%.
In Japan, the Nikkei was down over 0.4%.
China's central bank says it has a clear exchange rate policy.
A senior official stated on Thursday that the policy consistently lets the market set the yuan's value.
The goal is to keep the currency stable at a reasonable level.
He said China does not need and has no intention to weaken its currency for a trade advantage.
The official added that external challenges like global interest rate, exchanges and geopolitics will continue to impact exchange rates.
The Renminbi is expected to keep moving in two directions, maintaining its flexibility.
The official also said 2025 financial data shows strong policy support for the economy.
He said, finance grew quickly, borrowing costs fell further and the financial structure improved and markets ran smoothly.
More than 100,000 companies have registered for foreign trade at Hainan Free Trade Port.
Nearly 4,700 new entities registered in just over three weeks.
A customs official says the government service centre now receives over 100 business calls a day.
The surge follows new policies launched in December.
Those measures allow freer entry of overseas goods and expand zero-tariff coverage.
Officials say these business-friendly steps are driving rapid growth at the port.
China has been the world's largest retail market for 13 years.
Digital consumption reached nearly 24 trillion yuan, or over 3.3 trillion US dollars.
E-commerce now employs over 78 million people in China.
The sector now has grown rapidly, with express delivery volumes rising nearly 20% annually.
The number of Silk Road e-commerce partner countries has also increased to 36%.
At a national conference, officials outlined priorities for 2026.
These included strengthening innovation and expanding international cooperation for the high-quality development of the industry.
China is curbing prize wars in the new energy vehicle industry.
Three government departments called a special meeting with major automakers.
They aim to stop disorderly competition and ensure fair market order.
The move seeks to guide the fastest-growing sector toward high-quality development.
Authorities will intensify price monitoring and cost investigations.
They also strengthen supervision and enforce the rules strictly.
The meeting emphasized that innovation and product quality should drive growth.
It called for an environment where good vehicles can earn fair prices.
A new report from the World Economic Forum warns the world is on a precipice.
In a sharp 14-point rise from the previous year.
Half of the 1300 global leaders and experts surveyed now anticipate a turbulent or stormy outlook for the coming two years.
The report identifies geoeconomic confrontation or the weaponization of trade as the top-rated severe risk most likely to trigger a global crisis in 2026.
Meanwhile, economic downturn, inflation and asset bubbles are now the fastest-rising concerns for the short term.
Reflecting a major shift.
The adverse outcomes of AI have seen the sharpest increase of all 33 global risks surveyed, soaring from the 30th place last year to rank as the fifth most severe long-term risk.
The Detroit auto show has kicked off in style.
Ford is using the event to reveal new eye-catching vehicles.
But the auto giant is also facing financial and strategic challenges, much of them related to its shifting electric priorities.
Dan Williams reports.
The high octane glamour of Ford's new vehicle reveals at the Detroit Auto Show.
But behind the glitz, the global auto industry is facing tremendous headwinds, and Ford is among those taking a hit.
Just last month, the Michigan-based auto giant announced a $19.5 billion write-down.
With the company's immediate focus, in the US at least, appearing to move away from electric vehicles and moving back towards gas and hybrid vehicles.
I think 2026 is one of the most important years for the company.
We want to go from top domestic quality to top quality for the US industry and globally.
That's going to take another leap forward in quality for us.
Ford is far from finished with the EV market.
The company is in the process of producing more affordable EVs, developing what they claim will be the most affordable electric motor in the world.
Ford says that will allow them to launch an electric pickup vehicle priced at around 30000 in 2027.
That affordable EV is fantastic.
To me, a Model T moment.
But the biggest focus for us is the execution of those new electrical architectures and those new products that will be coming out in the next couple of years.
That is our focus.
It's on us.
We own our futures.
U.S.
President Donald Trump was himself in Detroit on Tuesday, touring a Ford factory and delivering a speech to the Detroit Economic Club.
In a blow for the U.S.
EV market.
Last year, the Trump administration removed tax credits on EVs while, in a move aimed at boosting manufacturing in the US, Trump also imposed auto sector tariffs on foreign imports.
Overall, Ford's in fine shape.
Obviously, globally, they continue to sell EVs in overseas markets.
And here in the U.S., they are planning a next generation of electric products.
And they're changing how they make vehicles.
It's not just going to be a standard assembly line process.
They're splitting up the line into what they call an assembly tree, where this vehicle will be built in three separate parts, a rear sort of bottom part.
Ford's change of direction has been far from pain-free.
Still to be determined is whether, in an ever-competitive market, the company's lane shift puts it on the right road ahead.
And that was Dan Williams reporting.
OPEC says global oil demand will continue rising.
It expects demand to reach 106 million barrels daily this year and 108 million daily in 2027.
Growth will be strongest in non-OECD nations led by India, China and other parts of Asia.
OPEC cites strong travel and industrial activity for the increase.
The group also expects the global economy to grow steadily at over 3% in 2026 and 2027.
Lhasa's economy passed a major milestone in 2025.
The regional GDP of the city in Xizang exceeded 100 billion yuan for the first time, or about 14 billion US dollars.
Investment and consumption grew steadily.
The city started construction on 60 key projects and retail sales increased by 5%.
Lhasa also added 61 new high-tech firms.
Tourism was particularly strong, with over 50 million visits generating more than 60 billion yuan in revenue.
The mayor said Lhasa will now focus on strengthening its industrial chains in 2026 to build a modern industrial system.
And finally, Hainan is now working faster to become a clean energy island.
The southern province announced a new record on Wednesday.
In 2025, trade of green power and certificates reached 14.7 billion kilowatt hours.
That is almost nine times more than the previous year.
The trade helps lower carbon emissions at Hainan free trade ports.
They also equal a reduction of about 5.9 million metric tons of coal use.
The province has strong wind and solar resources.
Thank you very much.
That's Tianyu with Business.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports.
China's men's under-23 footballers reach a new milestone in Asian Cup qualifying.
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 now, turning to sports.
Here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
In football, China has reached the knockout stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time.
It came after a goalie's draw between China and Thailand in their final Group D match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
China forward Wang Yudong expressed the satisfaction toward the result.
I'm very happy.
We handled every step well and achieved our goal.
Everyone performed very well and we also fully executed the head coach requirements.
The goalie's draw saw China finish second in Group D with five points to reach the knockout stage for the first time in six appearances.
China will face Group C winners and 2018 champions Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Jeddah.
In the other game, in Group D, Australia faced Iraq in a do-or-die clash.
After a goal in the first half, Iraq got the penalty following a counter-attack when Australian goalkeeper Stephen Hall tripped Ayman Louie in the box.
Amaury Faisal converted the penalty to give the Western side the lead in the 63rd minute.
However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Joshua Rowling floated a perfect cross to an unmarked Yaya Duckley, who equalized with a powerful header.
Four minutes later, Matthias McAllister attending Luka Jankovic's layoff and Australia won 2-1.
After missing out in 2024, Australia is back to the knockout stage as Group D winner and will face 2020 champion South Korea in the quarterfinals.
Senegal advanced into the Africa Cup of Nations final after edging Egypt 1-0, while host nation Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties.
Sadio Mane scored only goal with just over 10 minutes left to secure Senegal's third finals appearance in the last four tournaments since 2019.
Meanwhile, after a goalless 120 minutes, Morocco edged Nigeria in a penalty shootout to reach its first AFCON final since 2004.
Morocco will face Senegal in the final on Sunday.
English Premier League leader Arsenal edged towards their first League Cup final since 2018 after beating city rival Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Mistakes from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez led to two of Arsenal's three goals in his side's 3-2 loss in the League Cup semi-final first leg.
Sanchez failed to deal with Declan Rice's corner, allowing Ben White to head in from close range in the seventh minute.
Four minutes after half-time, the goalkeeper let a cross slip through his hands for Victor Jokic to double the lead.
Alejandro Garnacho halved Chelsea's deficit in the 57th minute, steering Pedro Neto's cross into the net.
However, Arsenal's two-goal cushion was quickly restored as Martin Zubimendi danced past Andres Santos and Wesley Fofana before finishing confidently from just inside the area in the 71st minute.
Garnaccio volleyed home after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's clearance fell to him in the 83rd minute.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his players after their first leg win.
First of all, I have to praise the players for the performance, for the game that we just played against a really good opponent with so much quality on that pitch.
We have the feeling at the end, after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that we had in that time, that we have two massive chances to score the fourth one.
And the result would have been very different.
But in that moment, they had an action, they created a corner, they scored a goal and it's game on.
So that feeling is not perfect, but as well we have to value what the team has done again.
The 3-2 win, since Arsenal extend their unbeaten run to 10 and they will host Chelsea in the second leg on February 3rd.
In the German Bundesliga, defending champions Bayern Munich moved 11 points clear at the top of the standings after a 3-1 win at Klom.
It was a very entertaining first half and Linton Miner gave Klom the lead in the 41st minute by finishing a counter-attack with a plumb.
In the fifth minute of first half stoppage time, Michael Alisi found Serge Gnabry, who produced a fine first touch and a sumptuous finish when he bounced the ball off the ground and over Marvin Schwab from a tight angle to get Bayern level.
The Bavarians enjoyed much more of the ball after half-time, and Kim In-jae's header made it 2-1 in the 71st minute.
Leonard Cowell slotted home six minutes from stoppage time to put game to bed.
The 3-1 win gave Bayern 47 points from 17 matches to equal their own record for the most at the half-point of the season, and the club is 11 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
The IOC says the registration period to buy tickets for the 2018 Los Angeles Olympic Games has begun.
The period runs until March 18th.
Anyone who wishes to buy tickets must register and create a profile on the LA28 website.
Fans who have registered successfully will enter into a ticket drawer, which will assign a random time slot to purchase tickets.
These time slots will open in April, with over 3 million tickets available during the first ticket window.
The Los Angeles Olympics will run from July 14th to 30th, 2028.
And finally, Chinese athlete Song Qiwu finished 19th at the second men's large hill competition of the FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup in Chongli.
Song, coming off his season-best 13th place on Tuesday, once again showed promising form in the first round.
Despite facing less than favorable wind conditions, he managed a jump of 1235 meters, earning 905 points and placing 12th.
The second round proved more challenging as constantly shifting wind speed and directions disrupted flow.
With a two round total of 165 points, the 24 yacht ranks 19th overall.
Germany's Luca Roth, who won the first competition, won a total score of 223.3 points to win gold.
Coming up in culture and entertainment.
Harbin's hosted a new snow sculpture competition involving international universities.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
53 past now and turning to culture and entertainment.
Northeastern Chinese cities hosted a university snow sculpture competition.
46 teams from 10 countries and regions convened at Harbin Engineering University.
During the four-day event, participants fostered friendships and promoted the heritage of ice and snow artistry.
Zhangmeng Yuan reports.
As a flagship event of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.
The competition drew university students from China, the United Kingdom Portugal Italy, Thailand and other nations.
Jiajing focused on themes such as conceptual originality, creativity and innovation, technical proficiency and artistic expression.
This year's creative theme aligns with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression.
We chose to highlight the heroic sacrifice of General Yang Jingyu.
Our team dedicated an entire semester to refining our design.
The sculpture blends artistic language with ice and snow craftsmanship to pay tribute to patriotic heroes.
Organized by Harbin Engineering University, the International University Student Snow Sculpture Competition has been successfully held 18 times since its inception in 2009.
It also promotes global understanding of Chinese ice and snow art, helping to preserve and advance this cultural tradition.
We are delighted to have been allowed to join this contest.
Harbin Engineering University have done an amazing job, and this whole experience has been unforgettable, where we have allowed ourselves to be immersed in China's amazing and rich culture.
Through this competition, we aim to help young participants enhance their artistic sensibilities and creativity, experience the unique academic atmosphere and cultural spirit of Harbin Engineering University and showcase to the world the distinctive charm of Harbin as a city of ice and snow, while also preserving our ice and snow traditions.
A cultural exchange event in Guangzhou has seen teenagers from China and the United States gather to promote mutual understanding and friendship through music and other art forms.
Young performers from the American One Voice Children's Choir returned to the southern Chinese city for another visit, engaging in face-to-face exchanges with local youth.
During their time together, the teenagers visited the top of the city's landmark Canton Tower and joined their voices in a heartfelt rendition of the emotionally rich Cantonese classic Friends.
Many of them said they look forward to more exchanges between the two countries.
I think music is so powerful and creates such a bond between people.
I mean, I'm not really understanding the words of this song, but I just know that it's so powerful to everybody.
And just music can span gaps that words can't always fill.
We'd like to have more of these China-U.S. exchange activities.
In areas like music and sports, which have no borders, we can enhance cooperation.
Beyond singing, the young visitors also participated in hands-on cultural experiences, including calligraphy and making handcrafted fans, with their Guangzhou peers, immersing themselves in the charm of Chinese aesthetics and Eastern civilization.
Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists have uncovered early city walls at the ancient site of Kuva in eastern Uzbekistan.
The findings offer new insight into the long history of one of the Silk Road's most important settlements.
A joint research team has been conducting fieldwork at the site since 2023.
Kuva once served as a major commercial and cultural hub along the ancient Silk Road.
Researchers say the city walls were repeatedly modified over a period spanning from the 3rd century BC to the 10th century AD, confirming more than 1000 years of continuous urban development.
The site covers roughly 110,000 square metres.
Researchers are planning further excavations this year to clarify their complete layout and functional zones of the ancient city.
We're at 57 past the hour.
Checking the forecast before we go for the day.
Beijing's cloudy overnight and tomorrow, a low of minus 4 and a high of plus 3 on Friday.
Nanchang's down to 8 this evening, then cloudy in 20.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be overcast in 5 overnight, a Friday's overcast in 16.
The Indians cloudy in 17 and then a high of 28 on Friday.
Phnom Penh is getting down to 21 this evening, followed by overcast conditions and a high of 33.
In Africa, Nairobi is overcast and 28 on Friday.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today.
Canada's Prime Minister is now in Beijing on a four-day official visit to China and was viewed as a milestone and turning point in bilateral ties.
Military officials in Iran say the country is ready if it's attacked, following repeated US threats.
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.
We meet you on podcast and on air every weekday.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
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.
