Get the unmissable news stories of the day this is the Beijing hour Examining the events that impact and shake 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 Biggen with you on this Thursday January 9th 2025 you're listening to the Beijing hour come into you live from the Chinese capital on today's program Rescuers in the Shijang region continue to search for quick survivors and relocate others from their damaged homes.
China's foreign minister is continuing his diplomatic tour in Africa, stopping in Chad to promote bilateral ties.
The UN's emphasizing diplomatic engagement as the pathway to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In business, China's consumer inflation edges up even as factory prices drop.
In sports, tens of thousands of volunteers are ready for the winter games in Harbin and calledoho and entertainment a closer look at an ancient Chinese exercise technique.
Now the day's top stories.
Rescuers in Xijang continue to search for survivors, and resettle residents two days after a strong earthquake in the southwest Chinese region, also known as Tibet.
The 6 .8 magnitude quake jolted Dhingra county in Shigatsa on Tuesday, killing 126 people and injuring 188 others.
There have been over 1 ,000 aftershocks and thousands of houses have toppled.
Workers have restored telecommunications, roads and power.
Authorities say the search and rescue effort has entered the final stage now with the focus shifted to resettling, over 46 ,000 people and post -disaster reconstruction.
Guatianqi visited a resettlement site in Dingma County to find out more.
We're here at the Sangha village resettlement site in Changsuo village the worst -hitted area in the epicenter and here the altitude is more than 4 ,400 meters and also the lowest temperature at night can reach minus 18 degrees celsius so this place is providing shelters for about 1500 people and they're living in about 130 tents and we've just talked about people living in here and they say it's okay for us to come inside and have a closer look at what the situation is and we can see that it's a quite big tent and they told me that about 10 people living in here all the quid's the bad and the winter
coats all those food and clear waters are all distributed by the rescue forces with electricity, and they told me that the stove and other heating devices will be delivered.
Electricity wire is all linked to the generator, because most of the electricity in the resettlement sites have already been restored.
In this resettlement site, you can see that different kinds of rescue forces have arrived to provide different kind of services here a little bit further there are firefighters police officers also armed police and a little bit further there are China mobile providing emergency communication to restore the telecommunications service at this place and also different kind of medical services are also available in this tent and inside the tents the floor is a disinfection professional teams already disinfection the whole place.
That was Gua Tianxi reporting.
Our rescuers across China are racing to the quake zone in Shizang for relief and rescue efforts.
Aid trucks with equipment and medical supplies are lining up along the route to the epicenter.
Lu Wei has more. Gathering for the same goal.
China media group reporters have witnessed rescue forces coming from various parts of the country.
Among them are rescuers from the National Emergency Medical Response Team who were arriving at La Sartre.
This is my first aid backpack.
It contains the automated external defibrillator, some chest straps, a box containing sharp instruments, thermal blankets and breathing masks.
Our team members are mainly surgeons, including doctors from orthopedic, neurosurgery and emergency departments.
They're suitable for treating the injured people at this stage.
Captain Zhu Wei said the main challenges for the rescue operation include their high altitude, cold weather and thin air.
The first batch of rescue team involves five members and more are on their way.
They have brought medical supplies for the injured and also medicine for rescuers.
We have prepared the first aid medicine as some people may have altitude sickness.
they're quite useful in low temperature occasions.
At a parking lot outside the airport, we have come across a rescue team from China and then from neighbouring Sichuan province.
The first batch of more than 50 rescuers have arrived in the quake zone on day one of the quake.
Now, reinforced teams with more than 100 people are arriving with life detectors, laser radar, drones and other rescue equipment.
Along the route from Lhasa to the epicenter, we have seen lines of supply trucks coming towards the same direction.
At a roadside restaurant we saw many drivers taking a break before continuing the journey.
It is my first meal of the day.
We went to the quick zone yesterday with mineral water.
This is our second trip.
Many restaurants along the route are no longer open.
We were still open at 1 a .m.
in the morning. Everyone is coping.
They are rushing for D -Roo County.
We are also trying to speed up.
We know they are in a hurry.
The drivers can't have as much as they want.
We're not charging extra money.
The stove helps with the heat and the chargers are free for use.
Over 4 ,000 rescuers are working in harsh conditions, enduring minus 10 degree temperatures at an average altitude of 4 ,500 meters.
Authorities say mobile networks and power have been restored, and over 46 ,000 people have been relocated.
That was Liu Wei reporting.
Medical teams across Xi Zong have arrived at hospitals in quake -hit areas.
Patients with minor injuries are receiving treatment in emergency tents, while those with more serious injuries are treated in Xi Zong's hospital in Lhasa.
Deputy Head Ge Song -Lu -Luabu said doctors have been studying the treatment plan for a 70 -year -old man, critically injured in the disaster.
The patient was injured by a house collapse in the quake zone.
He had a fracture and dislocation of the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae.
We have invited experts from various related disciplines, including respiratory, neurology, orthopedics, anesthesiology, and imaging.
We have local senior experts, as well as experts from Peking Union Medical College Hospital in the emergency consultation.
These are part of our efforts to ensure that the patient receives a fast possible treatment outcome and minimize the probability of complications.
The Hospital has set a green channel for transferring the critically injured victims of the earthquake.
Medical teams and supplies from other parts of China are also arriving in quake -hit areas.
The Ministry of Emergency Management's first emergency team has arrived.
Authorities in Wurunqi have raised over a million yuan, or US $130 ,000, in medicines.
And Shanghai has deployed a medical team consisting of 13 experts.
Ladsa County is also affected by the earthquake in Chohgoo village, falling rocks of damaged houses.
Deputy Party Secretary Poo Joo says local authorities have relocated villagers to temporary settlements.
Five townships in our area have been significantly affected with Mungpoo Township being the hardest hit.
As a result, we have prioritized resettlement efforts.
As of Wednesday, 19 households totaling over 30 people from Tjugu village were successfully relocated to the first temporary settlement site.
The resettlement site consists of tents equipped with simple beds.
A new batch of supplies, including food, drinking water, blankets and heating stoves, has arrived to provide the affected people with basic living conditions and winter necessities.
Local authorities will also deploy professionals to conduct safety inspections on houses in the village to help people return to normal life as soon as possible.
Locals are hailing the assistance and support provided by rescue workers who are helping to build temporary shelters.
Over 10 ,000 rescue workers are now ending recounting.
Zheng Song -woo has more on the recovery process.
Chang Suo Tangship was one of the three most affected areas by the earthquake.
Tong Lai Village, which is inner Tangship, has a population of nearly 500.
some houses here completely collapsed, while others were severely damaged.
We knew how severe the situation was because people's houses collapsed.
There was dust everywhere.
We helped the trapped people out of the debris and worked with the township government.
We arranged ambulances to send those injured to receive medical treatment.
The township government's center relief supplies include tents, quilts, stoves and warm clothing to affected areas.
Rescue workers also help to build temporary shelters.
Temporary shelters are important for locals after earthquake, and these rescue workers have been helping villagers for two days since the earthquake struck the village.
and so far they've built more than 90 temporary shelters for locals.
Pastor Drome lived alone in Tonglaa village, she was in another county when the earthquake struck her hometown.
I am disabled, it's difficult for me to walk because of my legs.
My house collapsed because of the earthquake, I am heartbroken.
But these rescue workers have helped me a lot, building a tent for me.
I am so grateful." More than 12 thousand people including firefighters, military forces, and policemen have carried out a rescue operations.
We have been un -loading the relief materials since this morning.
So far, we have un -loaded 35 towns worth of supplies.
countries. In the afternoon, we helped to build the tents.
There were 26 tents in this area, shadowing 260 people.
We will also monitor aftershocks this evening." As of Wednesday, 187 resettlement sites have been set up, accommodating almost 47 ,000 people.
That was Djoung Songwoo reporting.
Coming up, Chinese foreign ministers' diplomatic efforts in Africa.
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Chinese foreign minister as he says the country stands ready to work with Chad to promote the development of bilateral strategic relations.
May the remarks during his visit to Chad the third stop of his ongoing Africa tour.
Wang Yi has met the country's president, prime minister and foreign minister.
Pannina Karibe has more.
It was a whirlwind visit by Wang Yi.
He was here a maximum of five hours.
He touched down here in Gemini at noon local time that's 11 GMT.
He was received at the airport by Chad's foreign minister and he headed straight to Statehouse where he met with Chad's President Idris Debie Itno.
They had a conversation there.
Part of the conversation of course is what you highlighted.
We heard from President Debie Itno saying that China has been a trustworthy friend for Chad and that it's now a strategic partner for Chad.
He said that Chade A is appreciative of China's commitment, long -term commitment, to Africa's development and especially Chad.
And Wang Yee said that his attendance of course contributed to haircut being a successful summit.
He also said that China is committed to helping Chad.
He said that China does not discriminate regardless of a country's size or weaknesses or strength.
And he said that China does not support bullying of other countries by some countries.
That's what he said.
And so he said moving forward they are going to elevate their relations into strategic relations from bilateral relations.
Why this visit was so important.
It might have lasted just five hours, but it was profoundly impactful and significant, especially for Charts citizens.
They were saying, China has so far done quite a bit for them as a country.
This is a country that is underdeveloped.
I've been here several times.
Infrastructure is barely existent.
Sectors, such as energy, water as well, barely existent.
And so they are hopeful that these are some of the contributions China will have on them to elevate their lives.
There's a lot of expectations here on the ground.
They are saying that finally they can see a partner that they say they can trust will be able to help them move forward and progress their country.
That was Puneena Karebe reporting.
Nigeria is the last stop of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's four nation tour across Africa.
He'll hold talks with President Bolotinubu during the visit.
Ajayc Mangut has more from Abuja.
The Chinese foreign minister last came to Nigeria in 2021.
This latest trip comes just four months after Nigeria's president Boylati Nuba traveled to China on a state visit.
In September both nations signed key agreements aimed at advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and enhancing cooperation in human resource development.
Experts see the Chinese Foreign Minister's January meetings as an opportunity to build on these agreements and strengthen bilateral ties.
The foreign minister coming here will be quite significant.
It will strengthen the dialogue, boost the process of implementation and follow -ups because that is the key, you know, beyond the meetings, the outcomes, the agreements, follow -ups and implementation are very important.
Nigeria's partnership with BRICS is likely to feature prominently on the agenda.
Amid economic challenges, the government is actively seeking investments to boost revenue with China, one of its largest trading partners playing a critical role.
By 2023, trade between Nigeria and China surpassed $20 billion.
Analysts emphasise the need for Nigeria to deepen its ties with China.
China being a producing economy.
There is no way there will not be impute from us, from us, from us living there and some of our cultural produce.
So, I think if we work on that, we work on the bilateral relationship, we should be able to improve our balance of trade, improve our export and improve our effects, our security and of course help to bring down this mountain and inflation I've seen.
And the government is already making moves.
In September Presidentinubu set up a team in charge of strategic partnerships with China after his return from the country.
Also as part of the outcome of that September trip, Nigeria and China in December renewed a $2 billion currency swap agreement aimed at boasting trade and investment.
The agreement will see business transactions between the two sides using the Nigerian currency, the Nara and the Chinese Yuan.
Experts are hopeful that Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit will yield more beneficial outcomes for the two countries.
That was Ajak Mangut reporting.
The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou -18 mission have shared their experiences in space with the public.
Yat Guangfu, Litsong and Li Guangsu made their first public appearance on Wednesday, two months after returning home.
The mission lasted from April to November last year.
They set a new record for the longest single mission in space by Chinese astronauts.
Zhong -Ee Bang has more.
Here they come — the Shenzhou -18 crew — to share what they have experienced in space and back home.
It was the second time for Commander Ye Guangfu to conduct this space mission, changing from the crew member aboard the Shenzhou -13 mission to the commander of the Shenzhou -18 mission.
He also set a record among Chinese tycoon odds after stay in space for more than a year and stress the importance of teamwork.
During the mission, we were united with the personnel on the ground, and all crew members aboard the space station were perfectly coordinated.
It was just because of this that we smoothly and happily completed the half a year space mission, and also jointly created a wonderful and unforgettable flying journey.
Li Sun said he's happy that all the wishlets he made before the mission were achieved student.
He also said he was impressed when meeting others playing an important role in China's space program.
The Shenzhou -17 crew passed me the baton in space, as well as their responsibility and expectations.
And the meeting with the Shenzhou -19 crew urged me to find a quick way to help them adapt to life in space.
Both experiences felt so great.
Li Guangsuc expressed pride when recalling the dozens of space experiments they managed to successfully complete.
What impressed me most was the zebrafish experiment on China's space station.
We valued the zebrafish not only because they are important for the mission, but also our hopes in space.
The way they adapted to space is just like what we did… we hope there could be more experiments and more results to benefit all humans.
Now the Shenzhou -18 crew is in a recovery and observation stage.
They are currently in a good physical and mental condition.
And after the house's assessment, they will undergo normal training for future missions.
Just like what Commander Ye OK -wung -fu said, every mission is completely new.
And no matter how many times they have undertaken a mission to space, they will always join hands with everyone to achieve the goals.
That was Jeong Lee -Bing reporting.
Coming up, the UN calls for diplomatic engagement on the Korean Peninsula issue.
to you. Twenty minutes past the hour, UN official has stressed that diplomatic engagement is the only pathway to peace and denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
Assistant Secretary -General Khaled Kiyari made the remarks after North Korea launched a new type of intermediate range ballistic missile.
This was the fourth launch of an intermediate range ballistic missile since the beginning of 2024.
In this same time period, the DPRK has also launched one intercontinental ballistic missile and multiple short -trans ballistic missiles.
It also attempted to launch a military reconnaissance satellite.
Diplomatic engagement remains the only pathway to sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Chinese Ambassador Gong Shuang urged the UN to take actions to push for a political process.
In addressing this issue, the starting point and go of the Security Council should be to advance the political settlement of the issue rather than just to make accusations with absurd pressure, much less to allow yourself to be reduced to a tool of a certain country for its political self -interest.
It also highlighted China's role as a permanent member of the Security Council in promoting political settlement, and maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula.
Justin Trudeau's decision to step down after nearly a decade as Prime Minister comes at a crucial time for Canadian politics, leaving a leadership vacuum in the Liberal party.
It also coincides with potential U .S.
tariffs under President -elect Donald Trump.
Evangela Sipsis has more from Toronto.
Justin Trudeau's decision to step down has many in this country talking especially about what pushed them to move aside.
Analysts say it boils down to political survival and a view that is leadership has become a liability.
His own caucus has come to the foregone conclusion that with him at the helm they are not just going to lose the next election but they have the potential of losing very big.
And so their view increasingly has been it's a leadership problem.
If only he would go away, we might have a chance to save the furniture and whenever the next election is.
That feeling highlights a bigger worry that Trudeau couldn't turn things around or reconnect with frustrated voters.
Essentially, it was that, that crash in popularity that meant that he was unable to lead the world successfully into the next election.
They were looking at, not just losing government, but losing such a substantial number of seats that they might not even be the official opposition.
Trudeau said he will remain prime minister until the Liberal Party chooses a new leader.
As the Liberals now scramble to find that new leader with Parliament suspended until March 24, they also face rising tensions with US President -Elect Trump's threats of tariffs, and his comments about Canada as the 51st state have only added fuel to the fire.
Quite frankly people are very upset with not just the threats of tariffs, but the joking about the 51st state and referring to the Prime Minister as the Governor who is really starting to get under people's skin.
And I think that all of the major party leaders have said a hard no, we are not interested in being Americans.
We are our own country.
It is a critical moment for the country with the federal elections this year and the mounting pressure from the United States, how Canada will handle it all, could define the country's future.
That was Evangelo Sipsis reporting.
The leader of Greenland has held talks with the Danish King in Copenhagen, after the US President -elect threatened to seize the Danish autonomous territory.
Donald Trump refused to rule out military action over Greenland, and warned Denmark of possible tariffs.
He cited economic security as his rationale.
You have approximately 45 thousand people there.
People really don't even know if Denmark has an illegal right to it.
But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.
That's for the free world.
Many European countries have voiced opposition to Trump's remarks regarding Greenland.
Musk acid has more from Paris.
Article five of NATO is an article that many people are widely aware of.
An attack on one is attack on all.
Something that we might be paying close attention to in the coming weeks, especially as we near the inauguration and in the first couple of weeks after Donald Trump's inauguration, Article 42 .7 of the European Union Treaty.
If a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all means in their power.
Greenland is not EU territory, but it is the territory of an EU member state, and so if there were to be, and Donald Trump hasn't ruled out, military action inside Greenland that could well be classed by the European Union as armed aggression on territory and there could be aid and assistance provided to Denmark by other member states.
That article has only been used once before by France in the wake of the 2015 terror attacks, acts of armed aggression on the territory of a European Union member state, and so there's that to consider when it comes to Greenland.
Overall, we have heard from several politicians about this issue.
The French Foreign Minister Jean -Noel Baro has been speaking and we can listen in now to a little bit more of what he had to say.
You are asking me if I think the United States will invade Greenland.
The answer is no. Have we entered an era that sees the return of the survival of the fittest?
The answer is yes. And so should we let ourselves be intimidated?
Should we let worry take over?
Of course not. Something else that Mr. Barrows said, there is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they are, I'll just bring you some notes from the European Union midday briefing.
They were asked naturally about the situation with Greenland and Denmark and the European Union saying, we don't comment on comments, but the sovereignty of states must be respected.
we look forward to a strong transatlantic agenda with the next U .S.
administration on key strategic interests.
No doubt that the president's elect certainly views Greenland as a key strategic interest for the United States.
One other comment from the European Union was that our core goal is to have a strong cooperation on areas of common interest.
We will find out in the coming weeks if Greenland can be an area of common interest between Washington in.
And Brussels, that was Ross Colin reporting a fire fighters in Los Angeles are battling to contain raging blazes.
They face challenges brought by intense wind and dry weather.
The fires killed five people and forced 100 ,000 residents to evacuate homes.
Thousands of structures have burnt down.
Our residents were struggling with traffic ingestion amid these evacuations.
We got in the car to go on d then all the cars were abandoned.
So I had nowhere to So I just had to get out of my car and start walking The smoke is so bad It's tough, they can't get up They're stuck on the wheelchairs We've got to lift them up, put them in the vans It's Armageddon I'm driving through a warzone right now And I don't even know what to say I'm speechless, I'm shocked I'm just so sad for our devastated community And now I don't even know how we're going to be able to recover from this Four major fires are also burning uncontained at the same time including one in the Palisades neighborhood 28 past the hour Beijing's down to minus 8 .00 this evening,
that'll be followed by sunny skies on a high of plus 3 .00 on Friday.
Nanchung's down to 0 .00 and then sunny in 8 .00 degrees.
Elsewhere, Islamabad's 4 .00 overnight, sunny skies and 19 degrees Celsius on Friday.
If Yantian's down to 18 and then sunny conditions the high is 28 degrees.
Phnom Penh's at 23 overnight then sunny and 32.
In Africa, Nairobi will be getting cloudy conditions in 26 degrees Celsius on Friday.
Compile us down to Tomorrow has sunny conditions and 27 degrees.
And finally to Oceania, Port Vila is 22 this evening.
It'll be sunny with the high of 30 degrees tomorrow.
A pea will see moderate rainfall on Friday and the high is 25 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, rescuers in the Xinjiang region continue to search for quake survivors and relocate others from their damage homes.
China's foreign minister is continuing his diplomatic tour in Africa, stopping in Chan to promote bilateral ties, and the UN's emphasizing diplomatic engagement as the pathway to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Shane Beggem with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
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Examining the events that impact and shake China and the rest of the world.
This is The Beijing Hour.
one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, Shane Bigum, with you on this Thursday.
Still to come? In business China's consumer inflation edges up.
Even as factory prices drop in sports, tens of thousands of volunteers are ready for the Asian winter games in Harbin and culture and entertainment.
A closer look at an Ancient Chinese exercise technique.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtm .com or follow our x account at CGTN Radio.
First of all, checking the day's headline news, here's Dohong Yu.
Thank you, Xian. Chinese authorities say the European Union's investigations on Chinese enterprises constitute trade and investment barriers.
The Commerce Ministry has issued a statement following its probe in July as the EU launched its inquiry of Chinese firms under the bloc's foreign subsidies regulation.
The EU is investigating Chinese firms in sectors ranging from electric vehicles to photovoltaics.
The ministry says Chinese exports to the EU are treated unfavorably.
It also says some EU members have rejected or excluded Chinese companies from bidding on the grounds of national security.
Grenadian Prime Minister Dikkan Mitchell will pay an official visit to China starting Saturday.
The visit runs until January 17.
The UN's Special Envoy for Syria has stressed that Syrians and the international community need to get the next phase right, following the collapse of the former regime a month ago.
During a Security Council meeting, Gair Peterson highlighted opportunities and dangers, and Syria embarks on a new course.
There are signs of instability within areas under the control of the caretaker authorities.
While there are many areas where law and order appears to be good, we have seen multiple reports of incidents of violence in the coastal region, and Homs and Haman in particular, including accounts of degrading and humiliating treatment." Pederson said the UN is deeply concerned by the continued Israeli military presence and activity in Syria.
Meantime, China's permanent representative to the United Nations calling the international community to coordinate its actions to help Syria achieve stability and development.
Fu Tong said China supports a Syrian -led and Syrian -owned political process.
He pointed out that no matter how the domestic situation in Syria develops, the bottom line of zero tolerance for terrorism cannot be changed.
Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that countries must respect the principle of the inviolability of borders, following the expansionist comments by U .S.
President -elect Donald Trump.
In my discussions with our European partners, a certain lack of understanding has therefore become clear with regard to current statements from the U .S .A.
The principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state.
It is a fundamental principle of international law and a core component of what we call Western values.
There can and must be no compromise on this." Shaul said that he has spoken with several European leaders and the president of the European Council.
Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
U .S. President Joe Biden has pledged that the federal government will do its best to help contain the fires in Los Angeles.
Wildfires fueled by rains are still growing as firefighters battle major blazes that have killed at least five people.
The fires have filled the air with smoke and ash, prompting air quality advisories across a vast stretch of Southern California.
Authorities have ordered over 100 ,000 people to evacuate.
State. Massive wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed about 1 ,500 structures, mostly homes and businesses.
Residents are trying to protect their houses from the raging blazes.
About five of my friends' houses burned down that live up the street.
I didn't want none of this to catch fire, so I made sure I cleaned up right away.
We saw the neighbor's house catch on fire, so we started wetting our house with water.
we started wetting the roof of the garage which unfortunately didn't make it and we just put water all over this grassy area right here anywhere we could and once we saw the front neighbor's house catch on fire that's when we decided to leave." A fierce windstorm is driving the fast -moving wildfires in Southern California.
The National Weather Service said it could be the strongest Santa Ana windstorm across Los Angeles in over a decade.
An area stretching from Texas to Tennessee is bracing for the possible arrival of freezing rain and snow.
In Dallas, crews have treated the roads ahead of the expected arrival of 5 to 10 -km of snow.
Texas Governor Greg Amball told residents to be cautious and stay safe.
We're not used to driving in conditions like this.
Be careful, be cautious.
Make sure that you're protecting your own life.
If you do get out on the road, drive safely.
If you one of the parts of the state that's going to have icy roads, stay home for the next day or so or do so in ways that you're not going to be driving in dangerous conditions." He said the state has deployed several emergency agencies and opened hundreds of warming centers ahead of the storm.
Abbot also expressed confidence in the state's power grid, which failed during an unusually cold storm in 2021.
Thank you very much.
That was D squire Duong Yu with Headline News.
This is Shane Bingaman, the Chinese capital.
Coming up in business, China's consumer inflation edges up even as factory prices drop.
Japan's largest steel maker has brought the U .S.
government to court as the latter has blocked the steel maker's acquisition of an American firm.
Why is Nippon Steel so obsessed with the loss -making company?
Why would Washington say the deal threatens U .S.
national security? What implications does a failed acquisition have for those hoping to invest in the U .S.?
Find out on this week's Chat Lounge on your favorite podcast platform and CGTN radio.
gainers on the day.
The Hong Kong stock market ended lower.
The Heng sinh index decreased nearly 2 tenths of a percent.
In Japan, the Nikkei dropped almost 1 percent.
Official data shows that China's consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, rose by 2 tenths of a percent in 2024.
In December alone, the CPI edged up 0 .1 percent from a year ago.
The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by 0 .4 percent.
On monthly basis, the CPI was flat last month, following a 0 .6 % decrease in November.
Meanwhile, the producer price index that measures the cost for goods at the factory gate fell 2 .3 % on a yearly basis in December, narrowing from November's 2 .5 % decline.
For the full year, the PPI declined 2 .2%, down from 3 % in 2023.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, The PPI drop was due to factors including seasonal production slow downs in some industries and the impact of fluctuating international commodity prices.
With more, Lilieseux spoke with Shir Fan Cheep, an assistant professor from Peking University.
So let's take a look at those numbers for December and for the year of 2024.
What is your interpretation of the figure in the context of current economic situation and what does it indicate about consumer demand?
So the CPI or the PPI data per se carry little economic meaning, unless it is interpreted in conjunction with other economic data.
So combined with additional data, it manifests certain kind of weak consumer demand.
So there are two pieces of evidence that I want to highlight.
The first is that we should keep in mind that the People's Bank of China lowered the interest rate three times throughout 2024.
more. So once it lowers the long prime rate by 25 basis points in February.
The second time is July by 10 basis points.
And the third time is October again by 25 basis points.
So in total the long prime is lowered by 60 60 base points.
And the second fact is that there is modest increase in total retail sales of consumer goods.
So from January to November increased by 3 .5 percent year on year.
But this increase tapered off towards the end of the year.
That is, in November, it only saw an increase of 3 .0 percent.
And that is in the backdrop where there is sufficient government subsidy.
So basically, in total, it shows that even though the government is injecting a lot of money into the economy, the transmission is not that clear.
But there is only a very modest increase in consumer spending.
And that shows some kind of weak consumer demand in the background.
And also with all those changes in CPI, particularly those declining food prices and increasing services prices, what are the implications for consumer spending as we enter a new year?
So throughout the year 2024, we see that average consumer saving, or the average individual usual savings in China is a little bit over 100 ,000 Chinese yuan.
So you may think that's a big number, but when you look at the average debt, it's actually more than that.
It's 140 ,000. And what is interesting is that even given the very low loan prime rate, the average saving increased by around 6 .8 percent year -on -year.
So, basically, it is showing the situation is that there is relatively weak consumer confidence there.
So, basically, it shows that probably the economic prospect on the consumers' banking will not be very optimistic unless there is sufficient government intervention that can raise the consumer's income and also raise the consumer's expectation of future income.
That was Assistant Professor Xu Fanqi from Peking University talking about the latest CPI and PPI figures.
A Chinese official says the country welcomes foreign businesses to share in the country's development dividends.
Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shuen made the remarks during a meeting with the chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
Wang says China's economy has transitioned to high -quality development with its green and low -carbon shift driving new growth opportunities.
The Minister and Robert Goldstein exchange views on topics such as China -U .S.
economic and trade relations and the company's growth in China.
Wang also says that Chinese economies demonstrated strong resilience and intrinsic momentum, which plays a crucial role in boosting global confidence and development.
Goldstein says as the world's two largest economies, China and the United States can benefit each other and the world through their cooperation.
The US Executive added that his company will continue increasing its investment in China.
The Shanghai Stock Exchange and China Securities Index Company have announced that they will launch new indices on China's Science and Technology Innovation Board, known as the STAR Market, to meet growing investor demand for richer tools representing market performance.
One of the indices will be the STAR Market Composite Index, which consists of all eligible securities listed on the STAR market and aims to measure the overall market performance of the companies on that market.
Another index is the Star Market Composite Price Return Index. According to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, with the steady increase in the number of listed companies, investor demand for indices that represent the overall performance of companies listed on the market is growing.
Official data shows that the number of companies listed on the star market reached over 580 by the end of last year, with total market value exceeding 6 .3 trillion yuan, or roughly $860 billion.
The world's largest personal electronics show is on now in Las Vegas.
This year's CES features a spectacular display of innovative technology and products.
Markneu has more. Inside the Las Vegas sphere, the airline Delta embarks on a futuristic product launch.
On a simulated runway, CEO Ed Bastion announces an A .I.-powered chatbot in its concierge app that will aim to help travelers stay on schedule.
A Gen AI powered personal assistant that anticipates your needs provides real time guidance and delivers tailored recommendations.
I'll be ready to leave soon.
Traffic to the airport is heavy, time by car is 90 minutes.
Would you like to request a JOBY flight?
JOBY is an electric air taxi service that is partnered with Delta with the aim of transforming travel in the near future.
EAV is running tight on time, so taking a car is not going to be an option.
Guess what? Delta concierge is already working on an alternate solution, a Jowbii, a new breed of electric vehicle, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which can get hurt to the airport in a short fraction of the time.
At CES, creating efficiencies in daily life is also the focus of numerous Chinese companies Like Liffen, which demonstrates the power of its high -tech hair dryer that can blow dry this woman's hair in just a few minutes.
Chinese company Yahrobo shows off its autonomous snowblower that can help clear a driveway without the owner lifting a finger.
And at CES you'll find you're surrounded by robots at every corner even when you least suspect it like, what is that, that's actually MIMO, an AI robot that thinks, acts and adapts.
We want to use it to have this robot inside a house and proud of it.
So, we made this kind of design.
So, you want it to be sitting there like it's a piece of furniture?
Yeah, like a, you know, expensive -rich furniture.
MIMO has AI built into the device so that the moving piece of furniture can even talk.
Other startups are also using AI in different ways to drive efficiency.
Garden is a complete indoor hydroponic garden where the gardeners hardly have to do anything to make sure their crop grows.
You just select what you want to grow and the stem grows it for you.
The system actually has cameras.
The system actually sees the plants that are growing on your garden.
It's going to be able to detect what kind of plants it is, how fast they are growing and this way it's going to optimize the growth of your plants for you.
While the AI -driven system can certainly help people with a busy lifestyle, Well, Ruxal hopes his tack will go beyond that, helping communities around the world become more efficient in the way they grow healthy food.
That was Mark Neill reporting from Las Vegas.
China's top economic regulator says it expects the regional GDP of the Chengdu -Cheongqiang economic circle to grow to 8 .6 trillion yuan, or roughly 1 .2 trillion US dollars in 2024.
The GDP of the area was less than 6 .3 trillion five years ago.
Its economic share in the national economy has increased from 6 .3 % to over 6 .5%, significantly enhancing its driving role in promoting high -quality development.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming up in sports.
Tens of thousands of volunteers are ready for the Asian Winter Games in Harbin.
The countdown to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin has started.
What will make it a special event?
Has China made a leap in winter sports development after the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games?
Find out more in this week's episode of Side Life Story.
Subscribe to Side Life Story wherever you listen to the podcasts.
Thank you, Shane. The opening ceremony of the Asian Winter Games in Harbin is just a month away.
weaknesses are putting the finishing touches on the region's largest ice and snow sports events.
Yeo Yang has more about the preparations.
Catering and accommodation are the two core functions of the athletes village.
The dining halls decorated in Asian winter games, stones, and murals of the beautiful ice and snow scenery found across China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang.
The space is filled with a strong atmosphere of the game's and unique regional cultural characteristics.
By using AI and other technologies, kitchen management, energy conservation and environmental protection and risk prevention have become more precise and efficient.
Medical services are also one of the most important functions of the village.
Medical facilities include an emergency room, electrocardiogram room and an ultrasound room.
Professional medical equipment and medicine are being gradually put into use and medical staff will practice various treatment procedures.
Meanwhile, in the city of Harbin, volunteers dressed in Asian winter games themed vests can be seen everywhere.
More than 220 people are in duty here, rotating in three shifts every day.
We are providing tourists with information on some scenic spots, as well as some city services such as our bus schedule.
I feel that when communicating with foreign friends, my language expression ability has greatly improved.
And we have also had cultural exchanges.
They have expressed a high appreciation for Harbin.
During the Asian Winter Games, there will be over 20 ,000 city volunteers covering key areas such as the surroundings of the venues, tourist attractions, transportation hubs, and more.
As the volunteers say, they will fully leverage their professional strengths to ensure the smooth operation of their sissy.
The registration work is also underway, authorities say, with an expected 45 ,000 staff members submitting their information, the registration center will add 50 volunteers to make sure 5 ,000 registration ID cards can be made per day.
The 2025 Asian Winter Games will begin on the 7th of February.
way, authorities say over 1 ,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions have registered for the competition.
With the preparations in full swing, the Games are respected to host the largest number of participants in the event's history.
That was Yiu Yang reporting.
Tickets for the 9th Asian Winter Games will officially go on sale on Saturday.
Spectators can make purchases on the official ticketing website, or the WeChat Mini program.
Time. Tickets include all 94 sessions of the ice events, such as ice hockey, speed skating, short track speed skating and figure skating.
In tennis, China's Wei Suja has won her third and the final qualifying match for the Australian Open.
She came back from her sit -down to beat her opponent in three sets.
It means that the 21 -year -old will play in the main draw inter -grass slam tournament for the first time in her career.
The Australian Open is set to kick off on Sunday defending champion Yanik Sinha and 10 -time Australian Open winner Novec Djokovic have landed on opposite sides of the draw.
Sinner upset Djokovic in the semi -finals last year before coming back to beat Daniil Matvedev in the final for his first Grand Slam singles title.
Top -ranked, Sinner has a first -round match against Niklas Gheri and also has Taylor Fritz, Ben Schalten and Matvedev in his quarter of the draw.
Djokovic is the same half -quarter as third ranked Carlos Elcriz in the same half as Alexander Ziviareff.
On the women's side, W1 Arena Sabalanka won her second consecutive title at Melbourne Park last year by defeating Cheng Qing winning the final.
Well, Sabalanka will be attempting to win a third consecutive women's singles title in Melbourne.
Sabalanka drew a tough opening match against 2017 US Open Champion Sloane Stephens and has 17 -year -old Mira Andreava and Jenshin Nguyen in her section.
And finally in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers have ended Oklahoma City's 15 -game winning streak by beating the Thunder 129 -122.
Jared Allen scored 25 points, and Evan Mobley and the 21 for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to 11 games.
Shae Guges Alexander scored 31 points, and Jaylen Williams had 25 for the Thunder in their first loss since December the 1st.
This matchup was the 3rd in history between teams riding double -digit winning streaks.
On January 26, 1995, Seattle and Utah entered their game each on 10 game winning streaks.
Damien Lillard scored 26 points and Milwaukee Bucks beat San Antonio Spurs' 121 -105.
The Bucks won their second consecutive game after losing 4 -5.
Calvin Johnson had 24 to lead Spurs.
In other actions, Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls' 129 -113.
Washington Wizards lost to the Philadelphia 76es' 109 -103.
The New York Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors' 112 -98.
that the tried Pistons got past the Brooklyn Nets in 1398.
That was Yang Guang with Sports coming up in Culture and Entertainment, a closer look at an ancient Chinese exercise technique.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
60 minutes of comprehensive news, your window on China and the world.
53 past the hour now.
Wu Qin Shi — or the 5 animal exercises — is one of the oldest health -preserving practices in China.
It involves mimicking the movements and postures of five animals.
This ancient art designed to promote physical strength and holistic well -being.
Li Chong has more. This practice was created during the late Eastern Han Dynasty by the legendary physician Hua Tuo.
Drawing from earlier qigong practices and traditional Chinese medicine principles like Yin and Yang, the five elements and meridian theory, Hua Tuo devised exercises that embody the essence and habits of fire animals, namely the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird.
To truly benefit from this, you must immerse yourself in the role of the animal, whether practicing the bear's steadiness or the monkey's agility.
Observation and understanding of their behavior are essential.
Whenever I encounter these animals, I observe them for hours at a time.
Only by studying their habits can you truly master the essence of UCHIN ZI.
Designated as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011, Wu definition continues to evolve.
In 2016, Huaiyi became the 59th generation inheritor of this tradition under Zhou's mentorship.
Practicing these exercises significantly improved my own health.
Now I aim to inspire others by teaching this ancient art, which harmonizes the body and mind while boosting the immune system.
Huaii actively promotes wujin -xi through public classes and television programs.
She emphasizes the importance of integrating knowledge of Chinese medicine with this practice.
Huai also highlights the need to communicate these traditional concepts globally.
I think when introducing wujin -xi to the world, it needs to be more internationalized.
For example, the language should be precise to explain concepts like qi and the professional domain, a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese medicine is essential." Hui expresses his pride in the increasing popularity of this ancient art, noting that more people were embracing traditional wisdom from modern health.
I started practicing wu qin chi last year.
Before I started, I weighed 93 kilograms.
After three months of training, I lost weight and have maintained a steady weight of 70 kilograms.
I find Wu Qin -shi to be a truly remarkable practice that helps maintain the body's balance and overall well -being.
Through the dedication of inheritors like Zhou and Hua, Wu Qin -shi continues to thrive, bridging ancient practices with contemporary lifestyles.
That was Li Chung reporting.
This year's Beijing Book Fair is underway at the China International Exhibition Center and over 400 ,000 titles are on display.
The event has sections for social sciences, technology, children's literature, and educational publications.
For the first time, the event is introducing a cultural and creative product zone, presenting a diverse range of products such as stationery and art.
People in Australia will soon be able to visit a new pair of giant pandas.
They are still going through the quarantine period following their arrival from China last month.
Adelaide Zoo says the two giant pandas are settling in well at the bamboo forest.
The pandas will spend the next 10 years at the zoo replacing Wangwang and Phu Ni who return to China in November after 15 years in Australia.
The Lao Food Festival 2025 will take place in Vientiane to promote the Southeast Asian country's food culture.
The festival is set to kick off on January 22.
It'll feature over 180 stalls offering a diverse range of traditional dishes, modern cuisine, and international flavors.
The festival aims to preserve and promote Lao culinary culture.
This initiative seeks to boost incomes for women entrepreneurs in the food sector, fostering unity and strengthening female entrepreneurs across Lao and abroad.
The New Zealand governments announced that Noah and Islay ranked as the top baby names last year.
Noa claimed the top spot for boys' names for the second straight year with 250 babies sharing the name.
Islas returned as the most popular girl's name with 190 babies after narrowly missing out in 2023.
We're at 58 past the hour.
Beijing's down to minus eight this evening.
That'll be followed by sunny skies and three degrees on Friday.
Nanshung's down to zero and then sunny and eight degrees.
Elsewhere, Islamabad's down to four overnight, sunny skies, and 19 on Friday.
roots at 18 this evening, then sunny in 28.
Put on pants 23 overnight, then sunny in 32.
In Africa, Nairobi will be getting cloudy conditions in 26 degrees on Friday, compatible is down to 19, then sunny in 27.
And finally, to Port Vila, 22 this evening, sunnys skies in 30 on Friday.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour, making news today.
Rescuers in the Xinjiang region continue to search for Kuwait survivors and relocate others from their damaged homes.
And China's foreign minister continues his diplomatic tour in Africa.
On behalf of the staff this is Shane Bigem and the Chinese Capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of The Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
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