Get the unmissable news stories of the day This is the Beijing Hour Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday Now here's your host, Shane Begum, with you on this Thursday, August 14th, 2025.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, Ukraine's president says the U.S. and EU have agreed on five principles for ceasefire talks with Russia.
Washington's hinted at the possibility of direct trilateral talks involving the U.S., Russia and Ukraine.
China's activated emergency responses in eight southeastern regions after Typhoon Podol made landfall.
In business, China is making big strides with cutting-edge technology in sports, results in parkour, billiards, and other competitions at the World Games.
In culture and entertainment, a classic Russian play on tour in China.
Now checking the day's top stories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the European Union and the United States have agreed on five key principles for upcoming ceasefire talks with Russia.
The agreement follows a high-level video call where Zelenskyy joined German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, US President Donald Trump, several EU leaders and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Zelensky outlined five principles. Ukraine must be directly involved in any resolution of the conflict.
All matters concerning Ukraine need to be discussed exclusively with Ukraine.
Trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US will be pursued.
Ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine are essential.
And tougher sanctions on Russia will be imposed if Moscow refuses a ceasefire.
The talks on Wednesday come before Trump is due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, the summit between the two leaders will begin at 3.30 in the morning Beijing time on Saturday.
Ushakov added it'll be a one-on-one conversation in which only interpreters will be present.
Peter Oliver has more. The surgeon fighting all along the front lines in Ukraine.
Kyiv says that Moscow is trying to ramp up the pressure. ahead of Friday's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska in an attempt to try and shape the agenda before the first handshake.
I told the US president and all our European colleagues that Putin is bluffing.
He's trying to put pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front.
Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine.
Zelensky's warning was echoed. by European leaders in the joint call hosted from Berlin by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The message? Unity on the order of any talks with Russia.
We have made various points clear for negotiations.
We have made it clear that Ukraine must be at the table as soon as follow-up meetings take place.
We want the negotiations to proceed in the right order.
A ceasefire must come first. The meeting brought together the leaders of France, Britain, Italy, Poland and Finland, along with the heads of the European Union and NATO.
It was a show of transatlantic coordination aimed at influencing US strategy in Alaska.
After Wednesday's talks, Ukraine and its European partners believe they're in lockstep with US President Donald Trump.
But the big question will be when he sits down on Friday with Vladimir Putin, will he still hold that line?
That was Peter Oliver reporting. US President Donald Trump says he wants the next meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. to include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if the summit in Alaska on Friday goes well.
If the first one goes okay, we'll have a quick second one.
I would like to do it almost immediately.
And we'll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky and myself if they'd like to have me there.
Trump did not provide a time frame for a second meeting but has threatened severe consequences if Russia blocks peace in Ukraine.
He did not specify what the consequences could be, but he's warned of economic sanctions if the meeting proves fruitless.
Reports say Trump told Zelensky and allies on a video call that he'll not discuss territory division with Putin this week.
Meanwhile, Russia has reaffirmed its stance on ending the conflict in Ukraine, insisting on a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the regions that Moscow claims.
The Kremlin's also accused European leaders of interfering in the peace process.
Dasha Chernyshova reports from Moscow. Well, Moscow is very clear accusing the European countries of actually adding fuel to the fire and saying that European countries are trying to sabotage the process on the diplomatic front that has been made by Russia and by the United States when it comes to the Ukrainian settlement. also heard the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson saying that Europe and Kyiv's meeting on Ukraine is politically and practically mediocre.
So the understanding in Moscow is that all the effort should now be placed to find the negotiated settlement but meanwhile Moscow is saying that is just not in the interest of the European countries who are intending to continue this conflict and to supply more weapons to Kyiv, something that Moscow has been saying is actually not helping the negotiated solution.
And also we've been hearing some comments from Russia They have referred to the possibility of Russia taking reciprocal actions because of the use of Russia's frozen assets and the interest from those assets to help and finance Kyiv authorities. from the Kremlin that indeed the sides will be focused on primarily trying to find the negotiated ways of ending the conflict in ukraine and the russian foreign ministry has also stressed that that would indeed be the agenda But at the same time, the sides are also expected to be touching upon the issues related to the bilateral relationship, something that we have started seeing being mended. and more impact is expected to be given to that process.
As for Ukraine, obviously nobody's in Russia is hoping to get some quick fixes because of the complexity of those issues.
And Moscow has also been stressing that its position on this settlement in Ukraine has not changed.
It was voiced in 2020. And this also provides for the withdrawal of all Ukrainian troops from the areas that Russia now considers as its own.
Those are the Donbass Republics as well as Kherson and the Paris area.
So that sort of responds to the speculation about the possible territorial swap. in this negotiation so russia is trying not to inflate in the expectations but at the same time the hope is that would be certainly given some impetus for further negotiations and setting out at least a framework.
That was Dasha Chernyshova in Moscow. And for more on the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin, guest storymanicum spoke earlier with Zheng Xin, associate professor at the School of Politics and International Relations at East China a normal university.
Professor Chung, what are your expectations for the talks?
The expectations are quite different. The difference between Russia and the United States, on the one hand, and the different between Russia's official stance and the Ukraine and to some extent, Europeans stands on the possibility of any peace settlements or any so-called deal. coming out of the Alaska meeting.
I think the major differences are still quite clear.
President Zelenskyy just referred to the so-called five principles.
The European representative Ukraine and the US leaders seem to be able to agree on in their recent meeting. right before the Alaska meeting between U.S. and Russia.
But these five principles, including, for example, recognition of any deal if Ukraine is not present, and also security guarantee. or Ukraine in any settlement or political settlement.
And then including possible future membership of NATO for Ukraine. etc.
Those are all in a very different from Russia's official stance.
So I think that if all parties want to stick with their original stance, or all parties want to stick strictly with these so-called five principles, then I think it's an empty set for any political negotiation.
The result is an empty set. But the beauty of political skills, political maneuvering is...
Politicians need to find possible rooms or possible views out of these seemingly I said on that I think there's still some some rooms if all parties are willing to interpret the principles or these in a somewhat loose way. then there's room for a possible deal, not necessarily a deal to comprehensively cover all conditions for possible political settlement, but at least some parts of the political settlement.
Professor Chung, it has been very interesting to look at all the latest developments.
How significant, in your opinion, do you think is the Ukraine conflict in shaping the current relationship between the US and the EU?
The other thing that's one of the key issues hanging around in the relation between the United States and the EU or in Europe in a general sense.
It largely defines or determines how much the United States is willing or capable of putting its strategic resources, political, economic and military in the traditional European European theater, it also will define the possible future trajectory for a so-called transatlantic relationship. which involve not only US and Europe but also some other countries and regions in the world.
That transatlantic relation has been the foundation for what we today call the West in the post-World War II context.
So the stance as well as policy response to the ongoing military conflict in Europe, in Ukraine, will largely determine, again, how much the U.S. is willing to still keep supporting or maintaining that kind of transatlantic relation and then as a consequence also will define and determines to a large extent what transatlantic circulation will be in the future, as well as how what's Europe's well-being in the future.
That was Professor Zhong Xin on the upcoming meeting between the leaders of the United States and Russia. coming up, preserving ancient manuscripts in southwestern China.
A 3,046-kilometer greenbelt now circles the Taklamakan Desert.
A leafy wall standing between sand and sky. once barren lands are coming alive with trees, birds and hope.
Each kilometer is a victory against erosion, dust storms, and desertification.
Nature bounces back. when we give us a chance.
Plant a tree, grow a forest, Stop a desert.
12 minutes past the hour. We now continue our journey taking a look at the social and economic transformation in Shenzhen over the past six decades.
Otherwise known as Tibet, the southwestern Chinese region is home to countless invaluable relics beneath the crimson and white walls of the Patala Palace in central Lhasa. rests a treasure trove of ancient wisdom.
The palm leaf manuscripts are some of the world's oldest Buddhist texts, and they're written on leaves rather than paper or parchment.
Today, a team of dedicated researchers is working tirelessly to preserve them for future generations.
Chen Zeyuan has the story. etch onto the leaves of the ferocious flavor lifer tree This manuscript travels centuries ago from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to Tibet.
Over 29,000 leaves are stored inside the Potala Palace alone, making it the most concentrated collection of its kind in China.
But time has taken its toll on these manuscripts.
The greatest challenge lies in the damage already present on the palm leaf manuscripts from lifted copper thread bindings and deterioration to traces of improper past repairs.
Our greater concern is that these conditions may get worse.
Palm leaf manuscripts were once beyond repair until the formation of this team in 2022.
They came in with the help of intangible cultural heritage inheritors.
The problems are varied and complex. Some types of damage are easier to address while others are harder to understand and treat.
Over time, the palm leaf manuscripts have been made from different kinds of leaves, depending on when they were created.
Some of these specific leaves are now in short supply, and the types we need have already gone extinct.
The team is experimenting with a mix of natural ingredients to recreate safe, flexible adhesives. the manuscripts come from different periods, the scripts vary.
Some characters we can recognize easily, others only partially, and some we don't recognize at all.
When parts are missing, we try to fill them in but there are areas we don't fully understand.
Every leaf tells a story, but only if it can be read.
So far, the team has successfully restored three leaves of the damaged manuscripts, but they're awaiting more advanced innovations to tackle the more severely damaged ones.
That's why digital preservation is also underway.
On one hand, we carry out high-resolution scanning to document all the inscriptions and texts found on the palm leaf manuscripts.
On the other, we use OCR technology to recognize the characters, followed by meticulous manual proofreading.
Since palm leaf manuscripts fall under the category of ancient documents, their content presents a significant challenge for us to decipher and study in the next stages of our work.
To date, the team completed cataloging and condition surveys for 465 volumes.
A total of 29,400 leaves of palm leaf manuscript relics.
They also organize and typeset illustrations from 37 volumes and carry out digital scanning of 244 volumes.
Their mission isn't just to repair these works.
It is to pass them on alongside a conservation work local talents is being trained to do the same.
Through the implementation of our project, we hope to enhance the Potala Palace's capacity for ancient cultural relic preservation from restoration techniques to digital and preventive conservation, as well as the interpretation and research of their historical value.
Researchers say the ancient documents housed in the Potala Palace reflect Xizang's long history and cultural spirit. serving as historical testimony to the diverse yet unified nature of Chinese civilization.
Preserving the palm leaf manuscripts is about more than saving texts.
It's about honoring a thousand years of cultural dialogue and spiritual devotion.
And thanks to these silent guardians of the leaf, the legacy is alive and turning a new page.
That was Chen Ziyuan in Shizhong. Once barren scars on the land, more than 100 abandoned mining pits in northwestern China have been given a new lease on life.
The pits in Ningxia are now bursting with grapevines and ripe with promise for the local wine industry.
Huang Yicheng has a story. At the foot of Ningxia's Helan Mountains, for decades, over 100 coal and gravel mines provided livelihoods for many.
Among them were Su Jin Pin and her husband, a struggling migrant couple from nearby Gansu province, desperate to survive.
My husband came here looking for work. He drove big trucks hauling sand to the city.
I worked as a cleaner at the mine. We have no other choices.
The industry once supported tens of thousands, but over time, it left scars. on the land and our lives.
You can't imagine what it was like back then.
For miles around, you won't find a single household, just barren land, sandstorms everywhere.
The truck windshield would turn opaque from all the dust.
Facing severe environmental degradation, 20 years ago, Ningxia launched an ecological restoration campaign.
The mine where the couple worked was among the first to shut down. foothill of Hunan Mountains knowing as an agricultural forbidden zone, the land is rocky, barren and vegetation spots, plus survival is almost impossible.
However, through careful it was discovered that the poor sandy soil here is actually ideal for growing grapes.
Its texture encourages roots to grow deep by helping to prevent winter erosion.
In 2010, the local government launched a plan to create a 100-kilometer-square corridor offering subsidies.
Former mine owners responded. Su Jinping and the husband got new jobs.
I've been part of greening the mountains.
It's been non-stop since. When we planted the grape seedlings, I worried they might not survive in this harsh land.
With scientific reconstruction of the soil, what once seemed far fetched began to happen.
But with every bit of our care, every single one came to life.
It's hard to believe this was once barren land filled with mining quarries, but now roads are vineyards.
Stretch as far as the eye can see. The air smells sweeter.
For many, it's no longer just a job. Five years ago, President Xi Jinping witnessed their blossoming happiness in this very vineyard.
These are words from President Xi when he said it here.
Ningxia's wine industry is a reflection of China's broader winemaking ambitions. and that in 10 or 20 years, Chinese wine could truly amaze the world.
Now, five years on, their vision is taking shape.
The Helan Mountains have become one of China's most celebrated wine regions, with over 130 wineries producing more than 140 million bottles annually.
One by one, the lives of the old mining peers have been transformed.
Eco-travel draws more visitors than ever and the sales keep rising with the trend.
After years of hard work, Su now leads the team and recently moved into a new apartment in the city rooted in the green land she now truly calls home.
A few months ago, she got her driver's license and a small vehicle, steering towards future goals.
I always feel like every day should be better than the last.
Whether it's with grape planting techniques or driving, I have to keep learning.
Now that the environment is better, living conditions have improved and my mood is good.
Everything feels just right. That was Huang Yichang on the ecological restoration efforts in Ningxia.
Let's continue our special series now, the main eastern battlefield of World War II.
In this episode, we go back to April 1942 on the burning battlefields of Myanmar. where fewer than 800 Chinese soldiers turned the tide for thousands.
Their mission to rescue over 7,000 British troops marked China's first victory on foreign soil in World War II.
Huang Fei revisits that legendary battle. of the toughest battles of World War II.
My father and his unit marched three days and nights to reach the battlefield.
The British troops they were rescuing were trapped across a wide polluted river, so toxic near the oil fields that the water was undrinkable.
To reach them, they had to swim. Fewer than 800 Chinese soldiers made it across And standing in their way was Japan's elite 33rd division, never defeated and many times their size.
The battlefield was Yan'an Yang, meaning stream of oil, a vital choke point in western Myanmar.
To keep the oil fields from falling into enemy hands, the British destroyed them.
But in April 1942, Japanese forces encircled the British on the south bank of the Pingjiang River. cut off from supplies and without water for days.
The troops were on the brink of collapse.
At this point, we were losing. Men just could not walk.
They were weakened with all the diseases you can get.
There'd be two shots. One that shot his mate and shot himself.
That is desperation at the limit. After repeated calls from Major General Buzgat, Lieutenant General William Slim finally asked for help.
China answered. At that time, China was one of the few non-industrialized allied nations fighting in World War II.
No tanks, no planes. Just knives, grenades and raw determination.
Western commanders had never seen Chinese troops in action until Myanmar. their courage spoke louder than any weapon.
My father learned martial arts as a boy.
He was fearless. He killed eight Japanese soldiers with just a bayonet. but was also stabbed more than a dozen times.
During the retreat, he had to cross the river again.
He nearly drowned until a comrade pulled him out.
More than 200 Chinese soldiers and 500 civilians were rescued, including American journalists and missionaries.
When they saw the Chinese troops, the British wept, hugging them and shouting, long live China.
But Tan Zhongsheng never forgot I just wanted to carry them out no matter how fierce the gunfire.
They were my brothers. I couldn't leave them behind.
They gave everything in the allied defense.
Not saving them, that pain stays with me to this day.
Five decades later, their bravery was formally recognized by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US President George H.W.
Bush. Both expressed deep gratitude to General Liu Fangwu, the Chinese commander who led the rescue.
Today, the 202 fallen heroes are buried at the Nanyue Martyr Shrine in Hunan Province.
Yan'an Yang was more than a military rescue.
It was a statement of loyalty, sacrifice, and China's commitment to peace.
As we talk about building a shared future for humanity, this chapter of history reminds us that peace must be defended.
And China has never backed away from that duty.
That was Huang Fei reporting. Coming up, China calls for emergency response measures on the southeast coast because of Typhoon Podol.
United in Purpose during World War II. the Chinese military and people stood as one, fearlessly resisting Japanese fascism.
China's unwavering whole-nation effort forged the pivotal Eastern Front.
Through fierce battles, immense sacrifices, heroic endurance, and decisive support to the allies on the European and Pacific battlefields.
China has helped secure liberation the final victory and the lasting legacy for global peace and human progress resolve and resilience The main eastern battlefield of World War II, only on CGTN.
26 past the hour. has activated an emergency response in eight regions after Typhoon Poto made its second landfall on the southeastern coast early Thursday.
The storm has since weakened to a severe tropical storm.
Nearby provinces including Guangdong are on high alert for heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Many other places are also bracing for strong winds and downpours in the coming hours.
Huang Fei has details. Bonjour. A yellow rainstorm alert is in effect.
We're expecting heavier rains throughout the day, but actually the...
More hard hit regions by this typhoon is Meizhou city in the northeast of Guangdong province bordering Fujian province.
The rainstorm, the typhoon charged in at 30 kilometers per hour last night, packing up winds of up to 23 kilometers per hour.
Really one of the fastest typhoons we've seen.
And early this morning in Ring, a red rainstorm alert has been in effect across several cities. in our region.
This means schools are closed, highways are shut, public transportation, including road, Rails and ferries are also suspended or partially suspended.
This is all part of a level three flood and typhoon emergency response currently in effect in Guangdong. and Fujian province with national teams already on the ground preparing to offer support.
Authorities continue to warn of flash floods, mudslides, landslides. and urban flooding.
And Typhoon Podoo, which means willow trees in Korean language, will continue to move west. throughout the day, potentially ending up in southwest China's Sichuan Basin and cooling down the heat wave in those regions.
That's Hongfei reporting. Other parts of the world are also in the grip of severe weather events, raging wildfires and extreme heat continue to sweep across Europe with forecast warning. of worsening conditions.
Rahul Patek has more from London. Nearly 5,000 firefighters have been struggling to contain a blaze since Tuesday.
The flames are being whipped up by high winds and 34 degree temperatures.
It was a similar picture earlier in Albania.
Authorities described these scenes in the southern city of Delvina as an extreme event.
We had to do partial evacuations in order for the operational forces to make sure that the situation is safe.
But we remain, of course, very vigilant because there are a number of fires around the city and still maybe some pretty heavy winds.
One blaze in the region of Castile and Leon claimed the life of a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter.
While hot weather is the main cause, Spain's environment minister admitted that some fires may have been started deliberately.
Spain's capital has also been affected. Drone footage shows the size and scale of the wildfires around Madrid.
The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service says Europe is warming faster than any other continent.
That was Rahul Patak in London. 29 past the hour.
Beijing's at 23 Thursday evening. Thundershowers and 30 in the forecast for Friday.
Guiyang in Guizhou Province is 20 this evening, then heavy rain falls in 24.
Guangzhou will see heavy rain in 24 overnight, followed by thundershowers. and a high of 31 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break. So far this hour, Ukraine's president says the US and EU have agreed on five principles for ceasefire talks with Russia.
Washington's hinted at the possibility of direct trilateral talks involving the U.S., Russia and Ukraine.
China's activated emergency responses in eight southeastern regions after typhoon Poto made landfall.
Shane Diggum 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, China's making big strides with cutting Edge technology in Sporus results in parkour, billiards and other competitions at the World Games.
In culture and entertainment, a classic Russian play on tour in China.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at cgtnradio.
First, checking the day's headlines, here's Tianlu.
Thank you, Shane. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has met with his Thai counterpart in Anning, Yunnan province.
Marit Sanyang-Pungse is in China to attend the 10th Lantang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the southwestern Chinese city.
The two foreign ministers will also hold an informal meeting with their counterparts from Myanmar and Laos. on the sidelines of the event.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand.
The two ministers last met in Kuala Lumpur in July.
On Thursday, the Chinese foreign minister also met with his Cambodian counterpart.
The Shenzhou-20 crew on China Space Station will conduct their mission's third spacewalk.
Chen Zhong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie completed their second spacewalk in June.
They have been aboard the space station since April.
The crew members are making steady progress on various science experiments.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London.
This comes ahead of Friday's meeting between U.S.
President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Earlier, Starmer called the U.S.-Russia summit hugely important, saying it represents a viable path towards a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Yushakov, the summit between the two leaders will begin at 3.30 a.m.
Beijing time. this Saturday. Yushakov added it will be a one-on-one conversation in which only interpreters will be present.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says leaders from Europe and the United States have agreed on five principles for talks with Russia.
The Ukrainian president has joined a virtual meeting with other European leaders and US President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine must be directly involved in the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling for preparations for a trilateral dialogue involving the two countries and the United States.
He has also urged stronger sanctions on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire.
Trump has threatened severe consequences if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire at the upcoming meeting in Alaska.
Moscow accused European leaders of interfering in the peace process, saying they are adding fuel to the fire.
Russia said European countries are trying to sabotage the process on the diplomatic front made by Moscow and Washington when it comes to the Ukrainian settlement.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has condemned Israel's latest bombardment of Gaza City as utterly unacceptable.
Luxon has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of going too far in his war aims in the Palestinian enclave.
I think what's happening in Gaza is utterly, utterly appalling.
I think Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot.
And I think that what we're seeing overnight with the attack on Gaza City, is utterly unacceptable and that's what we have been calling for as an international community now for a long period of time.
He is not listening to the international community.
Luxon says the lack of humanitarian assistance, the forceful displacement of people and the annexation of Gaza are appalling.
Ahead of Wednesday's parliamentary session in New Zealand, a small number of protesters gathered outside the parliament buildings calling for the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.
Earlier this week, Luxembourg said New Zealand is considering this move.
Australia has joined Canada, the UK and France in announcing it will recognise Palestine at a UN conference next month.
Meantime, Hamas has signalled its willingness to resume Gaza's ceasefire.
The group made the statement during a recent meeting with Egyptian mediators in Cairo.
Thank you very much. That was Tian Liu with Headlines.
Coming up in business, China's making big strides with cutting-edge technology.
Eighty years after the guns fell silent, echoes of China's fight against fascism still resonate.
What can a yellowed newspaper reveal about China's first end in World War II?
What does a blood-soaked vest tell us about the soldiers' final battle?
And what does an old record sing about the power of unity on the Eastern Front?
The Unyielding East, China's World War II relics, brings you the forgotten objects and the unforgettable stories of a nation that stood its ground. discovered China's role in the global fight against fascism and the people whose sacrifices helped secure final victory.
Listen to The Unyielding East, China's World War II relics, wherever you get your podcasts.
37 past the hour. Turning to business now, and here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane. Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Thursday.
The Shanghai Composite Index edged down by about 0.5%. the Shenzhen Component Index dropped almost 0.9%.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market closed lower as well, with the Hang Seng Index shedding a third of a percent.
Meantime, the Nikkei in Japan was down by 0.4%.
Chinese authorities say the country has made big strides in cutting-edge technologies, from brain-computer links to AI models and smart chips.
On Thursday, officials introduced China's digital growth over the past five years, saying new laws and regulations have allowed data from different regions and industries to become more unified.
AI and other digital tools are driving industrial transformation and improving the efficiency of public services.
Officials also highlighted China's strong digital foundation.
5G internet coverage has seen a five-fold increase compared to 2020.
Today, 5G internet has reached almost everywhere including most rural and remote areas.
Officials say China has made significant progress in digital infrastructure and technology innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. with its total computing power ranking second in the world.
Liu Lihong is the director of China's National Data Administration.
By the end of June 2025, China's total number of 5G base stations had increased fivefold and the country's total computing power ranked second in the world, strongly supporting economic and social development.
Investment in digital infrastructure has created huge market demand, driving innovation in the ICT industry and fueling new business models.
Liu also said the country reached 226 million gigabit broadband users as of June.
Chen Ronghui is the Deputy Director of China's National Data Administration.
Public services have become more convenient.
Smart healthcare services such as internet hospitals are expanding rapidly, and direct cross-province medical insurance settlements have benefited tens of millions of people.
Digital social security coverage is also expanding, with over 1 billion people holding electronic social security cards.
In city clusters such as the Yangtze River Delta, regional service connectivity have significantly improved convenience for the public.
China holds 60% of global AI patents to date, and it has seen robust growth in AI capabilities.
The data industry has emerged as a new growth engine with over 400,000 enterprises in the year 2024, and a market size of over 5.8 trillion yuan .
That's more than double the amount of the previous plan period.
Now for more insights, Zheng Junfeng spoke with Professor Gai Keke from the School of AI at the Beijing Institute of Technology.
Official data shows that China's total computing power now ranks second in the world.
Digital infrastructure is leading globally in both scale and technology advancement.
What are some of the key factors behind China's achievement?
Thank you, Junfeng. Well, I believe that national policy and strategic guidance and support have played a crucial role.
So this is reflected in several aspects.
First, considering the organized scientific research and infrastructure deployment, we can see that.
In recent years, under national guidance, China China has made a significant progress in digital infrastructure, including technological and theoretical breakthroughs, hardware upgrades, and large-scale deployment.
For example, we have a clear advantage in the outputs of papers and patterns, which demonstrates our progress in these areas.
China's patents in the field of AI even accounted for around 40% of the world's total patents.
Furthermore, strategic guidance has also promoted the implementation of industrial development, and the digital economy ecosystem.
So the East-West Computing Project is the typical example. which has optimized computing power and promoted industrialization.
We have also seen that data trading has become a new economic growth driver, which is inseparable from national guidance and support.
Thank you. Professor Gai, China really focuses on people-centered approach to AI development and governance.
So the country advances its digital China strategy to serve the public, to serve the people.
How can it further improve the governance and development of these technologies.
Well, I also noticed that from the press conference, we can see that the people-centered development goal has always being the foundation of our country's technological developments.
So it is the people who benefit So addressing the development perspective, I would like to highlight several key areas that I believe are important.
We need to further strengthen the key technologies for data governance and security usage.
We need to continue investigating in scientific research and talent.
So this is the foundation for further unlocking the value of data. artificial intelligence technology is currently a hot tech topic.
So how to benefit the people while ensuring the governance, security, and the safety of AI technology is also concerned.
Finally, we need to develop relevant laws, regulations, and technical standards because the developments of new technologies and images of new ecosystem will also bring new requirements to these aspects.
That was Professor Guy Keke at the Beijing Institute of Technology.
Retail sales of cosmetics in China reached a five-year high during the first six months of 2025.
Domestic brands captured 50% of the market share.
The market has achieved another historic high in retail sales.
Total retail sales reached 550 billion yuan or about 76.6 billion US dollars during the first six months. while emerging segments like men's skincare and fragrances strong growth.
In the year 2024, China maintained its position as the world's largest cosmetics market for the second year, with annual sales surpassing 1 trillion yuan.
Again, we are bringing back Zheng Junfeng and this time he spoke with Wang Rui, an associate professor of marketing at the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.
Now Chinese consumers show a growing preferences for domestic beauty products because in the first half of the year, Domestic brands captured over 55% of the market share.
What changes in consumption habits does this trend indicate?
We actually see his target data the domestic brands in cosmetics industry surpassed the international brand in back to the year of 2023.
So that was the year that for the first time the domestic cosmetic brands surpassed the international brands.
What we actually observe over these years, we actually see the consumption habits by consumers in this industry has changed because the consumer is more focused on the price quality ratio.
I think that's one of the advantages that the domestic brands are really good at.
And the other thing is the rise of the oriental aesthetics.
So it's like, you know, we have a lot of influencers that put on the cosmetics in social media, and they actually cosplay or make cosmetic looks. using the oriental aesthetic style.
I think that's also the domestic brands seize that opportunity.
The third consumption habits that the Chinese consumer in this industry is a younger generation are more tend to purchase these kind of products through the social media or digital platform.
And I think that's also the domestic brands are good at.
So domestic brands are not just competing with international brands in China, they're also selling to overseas products.
Which countries are the primary export markets for Chinese domestic cosmetic currently?
We actually have like data or statistical sources from different sources.
And we actually see a very sharp increase in especially in Southeast Asia countries such as Indonesia, and also some countries like Vietnam, mostly are in the Southeast location.
We also see some certain items increase their exports to Japan and South Korea as well.
So I think the Asian countries may actually have the similar shopping habits or consumption habits.
That is, they really value the price-quality ratio.
I think that's international brands looking at this perspective in the future as well.
That was Associate Professor Wang Rui from Peking University.
Thank you very much. That was Wang Zihong with Business.
And coming up in sports, results in parkour, billiards, and other competitions at the World Games.
Sideline Story brings you all things sports related.
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At 47 past the hour with Sports Now, here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane. We begin with Chengdu.
World Games, where Shang-Chun Song clinched the women's freestyle parkour title after a dramatic scoring reversal that moved the 29-year-old to the top of the podium.
The former captain of China's national women's gymnastics team delivered a series of high difficulty tricks. including 360-degree aerial flips.
In other action at the World Games, China's women claimed two gold medals and two bronze medals in the billiards competitions. snooker world champion Bai Yulu triumphed in the women's 6th round final, and Han Yu prevailed in the gold medal match in women's pool.
And in roller sports, Spain's Johan Sebastian Guzman-Bittar claimed gold in the men's 100-meter sprint, while also setting a new world record of 9.53 seconds.
With the breakdancing competitions at World Games set to begin on Saturday, Chinese captain Shang Xiaoyu spoke about his expectations for this event.
In fact, I think the World Games may be the most important event after the Paris cycle.
After the Olympics, I became more focused and mentally, I think I'm a better dancer now.
I have grown a lot as a dancer and made a lot of progress both mentally and physically.
I have a better understanding of breaking now.
I listen to the music in a different way and I have a clearer picture of my moves before I go on stage.
Break dancing made its Olympic debut in last year in Paris.
China's Liu Qingyi won the bronze medal in the women's event.
The sport is not included at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Turning to football, European champion Paris Saint-Germain has rallied from two goals down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 6-5 on penalties after a or draw in regular time, winning it the first ever UEFA Super Cup.
The victory made the Ligue 1 side the first French club to lift the trophy in the competition's history.
PSG manager Luis Enrique admitted Tottenham was the better team for much of the match. to speak about one important thing for us.
It was one of the keys last year, last season, It's the faith.
We are all thinking that we can win every single match, even if we are losing.
But if I have to be honest, I have to say that Tottenham deserve much more.
They played better than us. Meantime Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank said he's proud of the team.
Proud of the players, the team, the club, the fans.
I think the players gave everything. playing against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at the moment, and I think we...
75, 80 minutes, perfect. Almost giving nothing away against the four players.
The Super Cup is an annual early season match between the most recent winners of the Champions League and the Europa League.
Now in tennis, World No. 1 Arena Sabalanca cruised into the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Jessica Buzas Moreno on Wednesday.
Fresh off a thrilling third-round battle with Emma Raducanu, Sabalenka had an easier ride against Spaniard. earning her tour-leading 50th win in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The Belarusian will next meet Ilina Rybakina in a final worthy showdown as the ninth seeded Kacik rallied from a set-down to beat Australian Open winner Madison Keyes.
Earlier, Igor Svantec reached the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Serena Kirstie. with third-seeded Pulisic extending her perfect record against Romanian to 5-0.
On the man's side, defending champion Yannick Sinner kept his title defense on track, beating Adrian Montereno 6-4, 7-6 after an almost three-hour rain interruption.
Cena will face Canadian Félix Rochelle Yassine in his fifth quarterfinal this year.
Spanish second seed Carlos Alcrez also advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Italian Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4.
And finally, still in tennis, Venus Williams will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open after a two-year absence. receiving a wildcard invitation to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows at age 45.
Williams already obtained a wildcard entry from the U.S.
Tennis Association for next week's mixed doubles competition.
Singles matches begin in New York on August 24th.
She is the owner of seven major singles championships, including at the US Open in 2000 and 2001, along with another 14 in women's doubles. all one with her younger sister, Serena.
Thank you very much. That was Yong Guang with sports.
Just ahead in culture and entertainment, a classic Russian play on tour in China.
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 the hour. In culture and entertainment, the classic play The Seagull is on tour in China. breathing new life into Anton Chekhov's masterpiece while also reflecting the timelessness of its themes.
As part of the prestigious Moscow Art Theatre's international program, the tour kicked off with performances in the Chinese capital.
It'll continue with shows in Shanghai and Xiamen this month.
Written in 1896, Chekhov's plays maintained its popularity in Russia and worldwide.
Beijing People's Art Theatre produced one of the most notable stage adaptations back in 1991.
The production featured veteran Chinese actors including Pu Cunxin, Xu Fen, and Yang Lixin. praised by Chinese National Geography magazine as China's most beautiful islands.
Shisha Islands in the South China Sea are like a paradise.
This summer, the paths on the islands are exceptionally busy with breathtaking scenery, rich marine ecology, and deep cultural heritage The Shisha Islands have become a top summer destination for travelers.
Lin Wa reports. As marine tourism in Sansha continues to improve in quality, Xisha, a once niche destination, is gaining widespread recognition.
The four-day, three-night trip takes visitors to Quanzhou, Yingyu and Yagong Islands. where they can experience the unique charm of China's maritime civilization. my child learned about the beautiful seashore islands from school initially I just wanted to accompany him here but once we actually arrived They were far more beautiful than we had imagined.
It was truly awe-inspiring. In August, the South China Sea greets travelers with gentle breezes and golden sunshine.
On deck, passengers bask in the sunrise and sunset Onshore, the stroll along sandy beaches, collect seashells, splash in the waves, and savour moments of warmth and joy.
It's absolutely stunning. So different from all the beaches I've seen.
Truly gorgeous. This is my second time coming here.
The sea is crystal clear and calming. It's a wonderful experience and definitely worth visiting.
Among the highlights of the tour is a solemn flag-raising ceremony on Quanfu Island, a truly unforgettable experience.
We carry forth in our hearts, this is the deputed spirit passed down to us as Chinese people.
One day our children will grow up zonger, better equipped to protect our homeland and the South China Sea.
Between 2022 and 2024, Hainan's total of ocean-related products grew from 200.93 billion yuan to 270.7 billion yuan. with an average annual growth rate of 16.1%, ranking first in the nation.
Marine tourism, the leading force of this growth, saw a 2.1% increase in value-added output Ahead of the May Day holidays this year, Hainan issued a three-year action plan for the high-quality development of water sports.
High-end tourism experiences such as yacht cruises and Seashore Islands cruises were emphasized.
That was Lin Wa reporting. Ticket sales for the 12th Wuchen Theater Festival in eastern China will begin on Sunday.
The event in Zhejiang province will feature 25 productions from 10 countries in October.
This year's opening production features the Anthropolis Marathon brought by a German theatre company with five Greek mythologies staged in nine hours. the festival's recurring sections, the Emerging Theatre Artists Competition, an outdoor carnival. are open for submissions.
Established in 2013, the competition's a core festival program supports young theatre practitioners by providing a platform for showcasing original works and receiving professional exposure.
Billy Joel's beloved motorcycle shop on Long Island, New York, is closing down after nearly 15 years of offering fans money. a free peek at his personal collection of dozens of bikes.
The music icon will be shuttering 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay in late September. and auctioning off his collection later in the year because of a brain disorder that he's been diagnosed with.
The 76-year-old singer, composer, and pianist has said in an interview that he was having trouble with his balance but otherwise felt good.
That's 57 past the hour. Checking the forecast before we go.
Beijing down to 23 degrees this evening.
Thunder showers in the forecast and 30 degrees on Friday.
Nanchunks 29 overnight, then a sunny and 36.
Guiyang and Guizhou Province down to 20 this evening, heavy rainfall and 24 on Friday.
Guangzhou will see heavy rainfall overnight, 24 degrees for a low.
Thunder showers and a high of 31 degrees Celsius tomorrow.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad's down to 25.
Then Friday has a slight rainfall and 30 degrees Celsius.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, Ukraine's president says the U.S. and EU have agreed on five principles for ceasefire talks with Russia. and Washington's hinted at the possibility of direct trilateral talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine.
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 6 p.m.
Beijing time. We meet you on podcast and on air every weekday.
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He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made a living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will. I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9% of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
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Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
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