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This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world, this is the Beijing Hour.
One hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now, here's your host. Shane Bigub with you on this Thursday, April 3rd, 2025.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China's expressed opposition to the new tariffs lost by Washington against America's global trading partners.
A second shipment of Chinese aides arrived in earthquake -stricken Myanmar. The prime minister of Denmark has visited Greenland, opposing U .S. designs to take over the Danish autonomous territory.
In business, U .S. business groups expressed dismay over the latest American tariffs.
In sports, football highlights from across Europe.
In culture and entertainment, the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo is opening soon.
And now the day's top stories.
China says it opposes the United States' so -called reciprocal tariffs.
And it will take countermeasures.
Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said the U .S. tariffs violate international trade rules.
The United States has imposed tariffs on imports from China and other countries under the guise of reciprocity.
This severely violates World Trade Organization rules and undermines the rule -based multilateral trading system.
China firmly opposes this move and will take measures to safeguard its legitimate interests.
China's foreign ministry also opposed the U .S. move.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing's stance.
China has repeatedly emphasized that their winners in trade or tariff wars and protectionism leads nowhere.
China urges the U .S. to correct its wrongful practices, and engage in consultations to resolve trade disputes with all nations, including China, based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual benefits.
The new tariff policy taxes goods coming into the U .S. from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau at 34%.
U .S. President Donald Trump's executive order targets all countries.
Jim Spellman explains.
So in addition to this 10 % baseline tariff, dozens of other countries will face a so -called reciprocal tariffs the White House calls them.
And what they've done is they've taken actual tariffs plus what they call non -tariff barriers.
These may be things like allegations of currency manipulation, value -added taxes, anything that they say increases the cost of U .S. companies doing business in those countries, and they've come up with a number that they really haven't explained what it is.
And then they say that they are going to charge those countries half of what the US faces.
So what that means is imports from China will face a 34 percent tariff in addition to the 20 percent tariff that Trump has already put into place during this second term in office.
So that means 54 percent on goods from China.
You're going to see the EU facing 20 percent tariff, Vietnam 46 percent, India 26 percent.
Donald Trump has wanted to do this for years, even before his first term in office, and many around him say that he wishes in his first term that he had gone farther with tariffs, feeling that this is a way to help bring jobs manufacturing back to the United States.
He says that would be a good economic decision, and as many of his advisers hope that that will also be a good political decision.
Listen to a little bit of what Donald Trump said at the White House.
Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country, and you see it happening already.
We will supercharge our domestic industrial base, we will pry open foreign markets and break down foreign trade barriers, and ultimately more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers.
Critics of the president calling it a recession day because economists say that it's, first off, just to be clear, These are taxes that are paid by American importers, and economists say the end result is likely to be higher prices for U .S. consumers.
This has so many families here in the United States are still trying to bounce back from a high cost of living from several years of high inflation, and things like high interest rates.
The White House acknowledges there will be an adjustment, period, but they say in the long run, this will pay off.
Now, President Trump says he is open to negotiations with other countries about this to come up with a number of bilateral trade deals.
But he says that if countries respond with their own tariffs, raising tariffs on U .S. goods coming into their countries, that he is likely to respond in kind to continue to raise those.
That was Jim Spellman in Washington.
Many other trading partners have slammed the U .S. tariffs and vowed to respond.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will protect its interests and stress that the European Union is always ready for negotiations.
She said if talks fail the bloc will take further countermeasures and she added that she deeply regrets the choice which she said will lead to immense consequences.
The global economy will massively suffer uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism.
The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe, also for the most vulnerable countries, which are now subject to some of the highest US tariffs.
The opposite of what we wanted to achieve.
The tariffs will also hurt consumers around the world.
It will be felt immediately.
Millions of citizens will face higher grocery bills, medication will cost more, as well as transportation, inflation will go up and this is hurting, in particular, the most vulnerable citizens.
All businesses, big and small, will suffer from day one, from great uncertainty to the disruption of supply chains to burdensome bureaucracy." Britain is one of the countries facing the lowest tariff rates, but British business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the UK would seek a deal.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labeled the US taxes as unwarranted.
President Trump referred to reciprocal tariffs.
A reciprocal tariff would be zero, not 10 percent.
The administration's tariffs have no basis in logic, and they go against the basis of our two nations partnership.
This is not the act of a friend.
Today's decision will add to uncertainty in the global economy, and it will push up costs full American households.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the government will increase financial support for small businesses.
He also pledged to help Car Parts suppliers secure business operations.
In Vietnam, the Prime Minister said there'll be a special working group to tackle trade issues.
South Korean Acting President Han Daxu has ordered emergency support measures for businesses, including the auto sector.
The industry minister, says Han, told high -ranking officials that the global trade war is now reality.
South Korea's finance minister said they'll use all available tools to stabilize financial markets.
Jack Barton reports from Seoul.
That committee that Handak Soo oversaw, they are now talking about emergency measures for companies.
So some sort of financial support to get them through this situation, but also talking about sort of examining what has actually happened, ways to diversify and ways to negotiate to try and get out of this situation.
But all the economists I've spoken to and the analysts at the moment, saying it's very clear at the moment that the U .S. and Trump is not in a negotiating mood.
We already know there's going to be a big hit on the auto sector here and on parts combined.
They represent more than $44 billion in exports a year, so around 2 % of South Korea's GDP.
that South Korea is the third largest exporter of automobiles to the United States after Japan and Mexico.
So a big hit in that sector but also, you know, General Motors is in there because GM has two plants here, they represent about a third of exports to the United States.
No one I have spoken to has a different opinion other than General Motors here will fold unless those tariffs are reversed.
So it'll lead to 11 ,000 job losses here, but it'll also be a big blow to a major American carmaker abroad.
So there's a lot of confusion about how to go forward at the moment, especially because 25 % tariffs now apply to all goods.
That was Jack Barton on reactions from South Korea following the U .S. tariffs announcement.
Canada is exempt from the new baseline 10 % tariff under the current US -Mexico -Canada trade agreement.
Auto exports and steel and aluminum remain subject to separate duties.
It's also facing a 25 % auto tariff that will take effect on Thursday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged decisive, forceful action to support affected workers.
Dan Williams has more from Ontario.
I think it's fair to say that there might have been a sense of relief that there were no new tariffs, no added tariffs, Canada wasn't on that list. But of course, even though the status quo remains, the status quo for Canada is a very difficult one.
The 25 % tariff on autos, that coming into effect.
Although it was announced on March 26th that is essentially a new tariff for Canada now to navigate.
And this is, of course, on top of the previously announced tariffs, 25 % on steel and aluminum, that all together means that Canada has a very difficult tariff situation with the U .S., of course.
its close ally and for Canada number one trading partner.
Canada of course has already had their response with of these retaliatory tariffs responding on March the 6th with their first lot around 20 billion dollars worth of retaliatory tariffs a further 20 billion or so in retaliatory tariffs then announced following the still and aluminum tariffs that on March the 13th.
So the big question is will there be further tariffs retaliatory tariffs announced by Canada.
Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister telling reporters, we will fight these tariffs with countermeasures.
He's saying they will also act with purpose and will protect workers' jobs.
That was Dan Williams on trade frictions between North American neighbors.
Professor Joseph Mahoney at East China Normal University sees the U .S. tariffs as a declaration of a global trade war.
We'll be asking about the potential impacts.
I'm calling it desperation day.
It's a major gamble that is more likely to backfire than produce the sort of strategic outcomes the US wants.
And we should be clear.
While some of these tariffs might be resolved rather quickly, many leading economies say they are prepared to fight and coordinate responses together, and this means we should anticipate reciprocations.
Second, with the US now targeting a number of countries through which some Chinese products had been rerouted and given the extensive supply chain connections that China shares with many other countries facing this onslaught, the likely impacts for the Chinese economy could be significantly higher than the 54 percent number it conveys.
On the other hand, the U .S. will hope this puts more stress on Asian economies, especially RCEP and ASEAN ties, and thereby hope to induce this sort of political and economic fragmentation that Trump encouraged previously, and Trump with Brexit.
And finally, with the U .S. simultaneously abandoning commitments to foreign aid, global public health, and climate change, with its membership in the UN questionable, with a significant increase for a global recession, we are looking at a moment of growing, intersecting existential dangers that could spawn a number of Black Swan events that could impair all of us.
Consequently, I wouldn't hesitate to describe this approach as the U .S. having effectively declared war on the world with potential economic and non -economic losses exceeding all previous global conflicts combined, should the rest of the world be unable to counter this aggression effectively." Scholar also said that many economists believe the tariff policies will likely have the opposite effect of revitalizing U .S. manufacturing.
Coming up, more Chinese aid has arrived in Myanmar. Shanghai has made history, becoming the first Chinese city to ban smoking in outdoor public spaces.
Could this be the start of a nationwide shift?
China aims to cut adult smoking from 24 % to 20 % by 2030.
But with cigarette sales still climbing, is that goal realistic?
Can this policy genuinely make an impact, or will deep -rooted smoking culture stand in the way?
Find out wherever you listen to podcasts and now see GDN radio.
At 14 past the hour, a second shipment of AIDS arrived in Myanmar from China.
It includes thousands of tents, blankets, food, and drinking water.
China also delivered a batch of earthquake relief materials on Monday.
Friday's 7 .9 magnitude earthquake has so far killed more than 3 ,000 people.
Chinese rescuers were among the quickest to arrive in the disaster zone and have found nine survivors in the rubble.
They brought a 52 -year old man to safety on Wednesday after he'd been trapped for five days.
Chinese teams have also saved a pregnant woman and a young child.
More than 300 people remain missing following the earthquake.
International rescue teams are reaching isolated towns and villages now.
Zhenzhiyuan has more on the aftermath in It has been a busy day here, but busy not in terms of rescuers, but busy in terms of how people are starting to clean up their houses, and clean up their stores, and trying to break down walls that were being knocked down or cracked during the earthquakes struck the local area.
I walk around the neighborhoods and I saw people start cleaning out, bringing out furnitures.
we are seeing that people now start to get back to their routine and trying to accept the truth that their home has been destroyed or shook by the earthquake but life has to continue.
Meanwhile, some exciting news happened on the ground is that China search and rescue team and also China international search and rescue team as well as Hong Kong team along the side, they found another survivor.
I was also witnessing the miracle because in such a hot condition and also humidity.
In this extreme weather, especially after 120 hours underneath the rubble, even more than that.
So this has been given some hope to locals as well as rescuers.
Maybe they will continue to go out on the field and look for more possibilities.
That was Sen Tzu -Yuan reporting.
We spoke with Chen Hong at China's National Earthquake response support service about the rescue operation.
China has deployed two UN -certified national rescue teams, the China rescue team and China international rescue team simultaneously for the first time.
Both are internationally accredited heavy rescue teams. They are joined by medium capacity teams including Hong Kong, our Zhozhang, Gongyang and Xinjiang public welfare units.
While differing in capabilities, all teams use standardized search protocols.
The heavy rescue teams specialize in deep buried victim detection using seismic technology supported by hydraulic tools and structural stabilization, while the medium teams enable rapid deployment.
This tiered system, refined through UN drills, marks a milestone in China's disaster response capabilities.
That was earthquake response research fellow Chen Hong on China's rescue operation in Myanmar. United Nations World Food Programme also provided timely assistance in Mandalay and Nay Praet Dang.
Liu Chong at the WFP Myanmar office introduces their disaster relief efforts.
Just 48 hours after the post -clamor, WIP began distributing emergency food assistance delivering life -saving support in areas where infrastructure had collapsed and communications were down.
Particularly in Mandalay, Napedore, Sagal, and Eastern Shan.
And prior to the earthquake, the WIP had pre -positioned around 7 ,000 metric tons of food across this warehouse in Myanmar. Within hours, 220 metric tons of ready -to -eat foods were already being mobilized to reach the most effective people.
And a central response hub was established in Nagi -daw and with few coordination from Niawu for Saigon and Tangji for Zhan.
WFP also has searched assessments and distribution chains into affected zones, particularly in Mandalay.
WFP has a plan to expand the assistance program for the affected residents.
We are now considering a warehouse in Mandalay to increase its largest people reach. Overall, we are about to face about 1 million people, especially with ready -to -eat food for 100 ,000 people for a week and after that we have monthly food ration for 450 ,000 people and another 400 ,000 people will receive multi -purpose cash.
But this is all amidst a huge humanitarian funding countdown.
And so we also called for a global funding for another 20 million to really help us.
Because without this money, there will not be food to deliver.
That was Yuan employee Liu Chong, appealing for international support from Myanmar. China is marking the Ch 'ingming Festival on Friday.
It's an occasion for families to honor their ancestors and for the nation to pay respects to its heroes.
The festival takes on special significance this year, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War Two.
A ceremony in Beijing has brought together veterans, students, and officials to reflect on history and China's resilience.
Li Shuang joined the event.
Qingming, or Tomb -Swipping Day, is one of China's oldest traditions, blending remembrance with renewal.
Families visit gravesites, clean tombstones, and offer food and flowers, keeping ancestral bonds alive.
Qingming is also a moment to honor national heroes.
Here at the Pingbei Martus Memorial Park, a solemn gathering pays tribute to those who fought during China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression.
Every year during the Qingming Festival, I visit the graves of my deceased relatives and also participate in various memorial activities for fallen martyrs.
I believe that revolutionary heroes are also part of our family.
As part of the ceremony, veterans and officials lay wreaths, reaffirming a commitment to never forget history.
Students recite poetry reflecting on the resilience of those who defended the nation.
As a youth of the new era I cherish the happiness of today's life and strive to inherit the spirit of our revolutionary predecessors, I will study hard and contribute to the development of our country in the future.
This year as China and world commemorate the 18th anniversary of the victory in the world anti -fascist war, remembering the sacrifices of the past serves as a powerful reminder of the cause of peace.
For many, Qingming Festival is not just about looking back, but ensuring that the lessons of history continue to inspire future generations.
That was Li Xiong reporting.
China is expecting an over 20 % surge in cross -border trips over the upcoming Qingming Festival holiday.
Officials say border crossings across the country will handle an average of 2 .1 million inbound and outbound visits on a daily basis.
The National Immigration Administration is forecasting a notable rise in the number of travelers returning to the mainland for ancestral visits, including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and from overseas.
The three -day Qingming festival holiday starts on Friday.
Coming up, Denmark's Prime Minister visits Greenland, expressing opposition to a U .S. takeover of the island.
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At twenty -two minutes past the hour, the Danish Prime Minister says the United States should not take over Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Nordic country.
Mette Frederiksen made the remarks during a three -day visit to the island this week.
Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the USA should not take over Greenland.
And that is, of course, also the message that will be saying together as a group in the next few days.
Fredrickson said the purpose of her trip is to discuss the foreign and security policy situation and how Denmark and Greenland can jointly respond to what she called a very difficult task.
She also called for unity between Greenland, Denmark and Europe in the face of external pressure concerning sovereignty borders in the future.
It's incredibly nice to be in Greenland again.
We need to stand together in this really, really difficult time that Greenland is in.
And when Greenland is in a difficult situation, then the Danish Kingdom and Europe is also in a difficult situation and I'm very much looking forward to the next few days.
So great to be here.
The Danish prime minister's trip comes after US vice president J .D.
Vance and an American delegation visited a US military base in Greenland, where Vance criticized Denmark for not doing enough for security in the Arctic or for the well -being of the Greenlandic people.
Greenland announced a new autonomous government hours ahead of Vance's visit, with Jens Fredrik Nielsen serving as prime minister.
Greenland became an integral part of Denmark in 1953 but was granted home rule in 1979.
Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is dissecting Gaza to increase pressure on a mass to release hostages.
He said the army is taking control of land in southern Gaza.
Defence Minister Israel Kat said the Israeli military will seize large areas to create buffer zones and is asking residents to vacate combat areas.
As Jonathan Regev reports, it'll begin from Rafah.
Evacuation orders have been given to Rafah and residents have been beginning to relocate north, and tanks have already been seen getting close to that area.
Israel wants to expand this belt, or the security zone that it is already holding in the Philadelphia corridor, which separates the Gaza Strip from Egypt.
And by taking over Rafah you expand that, meaning Israel would have control not only the border area with Egypt but also perhaps a few kilometers to the north.
Rafah will most probably be the first part but if this continues and if there's no progress in a hostage negotiations it will probably not be the last one.
Israel cuts the defense minister has said before that Israel will go into these areas.
He went short from speaking of annexation but clearly Israel knows very well that a loss of land, would be a major issue for Hamas and perhaps just the thought of a possible annexation and the Trump plan, which is always hovering above the heads in Gaza.
That would make perhaps convince Hamas to go into some kind of an agreement, a hostage agreement that would be more beneficial for Israel.
Is all this having an effect on Hamas, for the moment?
The answer is no. That was Jonathan Regev reporting from Tel Aviv.
Hemas said it will not respond to Israel's cease -fire proposal, but will commit to the mediators plan.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States are working on a new truce deal.
The head of the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance for the Occupied Palestinian Territory is warned that Gaza has received no humanitarian supplies for a full month.
Jonathan Whittle said 2 .1 million people are trapped, bombed or starved with no food, fuel or aid.
The official warned that 64 percent of Gaza is under active force displacement orders or falling within the buffer zone.
He said one of the priorities is to ensure that the locals get access to food.
We see bakeries that are closing.
I'm one of the privileged people.
unable to access some goods but we have difficulties ourselves in accessing certain items day by day.
Things are becoming less and less accessible.
So the reality is on the ground that access to subsidised bakeries is probably better if people are shutting down.
People are less and less able to access food.
And the people that will be impacted first and that are maybe the most invisible will be children under five." Whittle added that the UN is taking steps to assure that the aid reaches Palestinians in need.
Hungary says it's withdrawing from the International Criminal Court.
This comes shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who's under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in the country for a visit.
The ICC issued the order over allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
Israel's rejected the accusations and called the act politically motivated and fueled by anti -semitism.
As a founding member of the International Criminal Court, Hungary's obliged to arrest and hand over anyone subject to a warrant from the court.
A federal judge has decided to permanently dismiss New York City Mayor Eric Adams' criminal trial.
The judge granted an earlier directive from the U .S. Justice Department, but the judge denied the motion to dismiss the indictment without prejudice.
The decision means that the charges in the indictment cannot be brought up again in the future by federal prosecutors.
The court can't order the Justice Department to continue the prosecution and has no authority to appoint an independent prosecutor Adams said that he's never stopped working since the indictment was brought as I have repeatedly said I Have always been solely beholden to the people of this city.
No special special interests no Political opponents, but just everyday New Yorkers Just you and I'm going to continue to do that So today we turn the page, we move forward together because the real story of New York City isn't about me or this case, it's about you and the bright future we're building together.
Adams was charged with five counts of bribery, wire fraud and solicitation in September.
Federal prosecutors filed a motion to drop the bribery and corruption charges against him in February.
SpaceX is flying a crew of four private astronauts on a mission to orbit Earth from pole to pole.
No humans have traveled that trajectory before.
The mission named Fram 2 references the Norwegian Fram ship that pioneered Arctic exploration at the turn of the 20th century.
The crew will partake in 22 experiments during the journey that will last three to five days.
The crewed mission is the 16th for the reusable Crew Dragon capsule.
At 29 past the hour Beijing's down to eight degrees on Thursday evening.
It'll be sunny and 22 on Friday.
Nan Rikang's 14 overnight then Thunder showers and a high of 22.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad down to 13 then sunny in 34.
Vientiane dips to 21 degrees and that's followed by clouds in 34.
But on Penn's 24 this evening a slight rainfall and 34 tomorrow.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting a slight rain and 26 degrees on Friday.
Kampala's at 21 overnight then a slight rain and 26.
Juva's at 27 this evening and then cloudy and 40 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, China's expressed opposition to the new tariffs launched by Washington against America's global trading partners.
A second shipment of Chinese aids arrived in earthquake -stricken Myanmar and the Prime Minister of Denmark has visited Greenland, opposing US designs to take over the Danish autonomous territory.
Shane Begum with you stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
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Even the solid ground beneath our feet right there in the midst of all beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
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Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, 1 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, US business groups express dismay over the latest American tariffs in sports, football highlights from across Europe, in culture and entertainment.
The China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo is opening soon.
To contact us can email radio at CGTN dot com or follow our X account at CGTN radio.
Now checking the day's headline news.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has exchanged congratulations with the leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
President Xi called on the two nations to deepen cooperation and push the relationship to a new level.
Zelkow Zvyonovitch held bilateral ties and vowed to work with China to achieve common prosperity.
China says it opposes Washington's so -called reciprocal tariffs and will take countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests.
The Commerce Ministry says the U .S. tariffs are based on utilateral assessments which violate international trade rules.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated that there are no winners in a trade or tariff war and that protectionism is not sustainable.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump declared Liberation Day by signing an executive order instituting 10 % baseline tariffs on all imports into the United States.
There will be higher duties on goods from trading partners with which the US has a higher trade deficit.
Many other trading partners have slammed the US tariffs and vowed to come up with responses.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said that the EU is preparing further packages to protect its interests and stressed that the European Union is always ready for negotiations.
Britain is one of the countries that faces the lowest new tariff rate, but the British business secretary said that he will remain calm and seek a deal.
Australia is labeled the U .S. taxes as unwarranted and not the act of a friend.
South Korean Acting President, Hendok Suh, ordered emergency support measures for businesses including the auto sector.
The White House says that Canada and Mexico are exempt from the new reciprocal tariffs, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said they will fight the import duties on autos that'll take effect on Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military is ceasing additional territory in southern Gaza to establish a new security corridor for Israel.
We shifted gears in the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defence Forces is seizing territory, striking militants, and destroying infrastructure.
We're also doing something else.
We're seizing the Morag corridor.
This will be the second Philadelphia, an additional Philadelphia corridor, because we're now dividing the strip and increasing the pressure step by step so that they will give us our hostages.
And as long as they do not give them to us, the pressure will increase until they do." The Israeli military also ordered civilians in multiple areas of northern Gaza to evacuate immediately, citing rockets fired from Palestinian territory.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced an expansion of the military offensive in the Strip.
St. Rupsel seized additional areas in Gaza to establish buffer zones.
Israel ended a two -month ceasefire on March 18th and resumed air and ground assaults on Gaza.
A Hamas official said the group decided not to respond or engage with Israel's counter proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The group affirmed that it's committed to the mediator's plan instead.
Israel said last week it conveyed to the mediators a counter proposal in full coordination with the U .S. after Hamas agreed to a proposal it received from mediators Egypt and Qatar.
Mediate reports say the mediators proposal was part of the January 17 ceasefire agreement and would extend the truce for 50 more days.
It said the negotiations for a second ceasefire phase should be over before the 50 -day period ends.
The proposal included the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
It also entailed the cessation of Israeli military operations, and opening the crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid.
Media reports say the World Health Organization is facing a budget gap of $1 .9 billion USD for 2026 -27, along with a $600 million deficit through this year.
The report also says the $1 .9 billion figure accounts for nearly 45 % of its already slashed budget for the two -year period through 2027.
It adds that the US owes the WHO $260 million in dues for 2024 -25.
An official says the outgoing administration of former US President Joe Biden never paid the country's dues of $130 million.
The Director General says he is considering staff reductions.
The organization reduced its budget for next year in 2027 to 4 .2 billion dollars after the U .S. decided to withdraw from the WHO.
The country's share of the WHO's regular budget for last year and this year was assessed at 22 percent, the highest among all members.
Coming up in business, U .S. business groups expressed dismay over the latest American tariffs.
The Beijing hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
Thank you Shane. Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Thursday, the Shanghai composite was down over 0 .2%, while the Shenzhen component lost 1 .4%.
Pet Care and the tourism sector let the gainers.
Wang Yin has more details.
Stocks dived and investors scrambled to the safety of bonds and gold on Thursday as US President Donald Trump unveiled a bigger -than -expected wall of tariffs, upending trade and supply chains.
Asian markets opened on a downward note, though with some volatility, and still kept its declining tendency till the market closed.
With the blue -chip CSI300 index down 0 .59%, while the Shanghai composite index losing 0 .24%.
The Shenzhen component index and the ChinaX board both falling more than 1%.
Over 3 ,100 individual stocks closed down across the board, and sector -wise, shares of tourism and retail sectors were leading gains, as the three -day Qingming Festival holiday is right around the corner, as Dalian Sinasia Tourism, Young Hui Superstars and Guangzhou Lingnan Group all gained 10 % to hit the daily upper limit.
But on the flip side, stocks of home appliances, consumer electronics, electronic components and power equipment sectors were all underperforming as the high -flying tech sector was pummelled as manufacturing hubs in China faced new tariffs above 30%.
Shares with high export sales fell sharply on the markets as Luxshare Precision Industries and Gore Tech both dropped to hit the limit.
There was Wang Yin reporting.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market also ended lower with the Hang Seng Index down over 1 .5%.
Stocks in Japan saw significant losses due to US tariff shock, with the Nikkei down nearly 3%.
China says it firmly opposes the US tariffs based on the so -called Section 232 investigation.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry says the WTO long ago ruled that Section 232 tariffs are in violation of multilateral trade rules.
The ministry also says the US has once again invoked a six -year -old Section 232 report on automobiles to impose tariffs, using national security as a pretext for trade protectionism.
It added that the U .S. measures severely sever supply chain linkages between the U .S. and other regions, exposing the unilateral and protectionist nature of U .S. policies.
For more, Michael Wong spoke with Professor Liu Baocheng from the University of International business and economics.
The Trump administration is of course placing sweeping tariffs on over 180 countries, regions and territories, including on U .S. allies and partners.
How do you see these tariffs impacting what is already quite a fragile global economy and of course on U .S. consumers and U .S. businesses?
Well, Trump seems to be in a very weird and firm conviction that any dollar U .S. pays for imports is doing a favor for other countries disregarding the need of the business and the needs of the individual households.
So therefore such a sweeping tariff definitely is gonna disrupt the global supply chain and exacerbate the fragility of the global economic recovery after COVID and it sends a very strong uncertainty in doing business by the US business community, and also the rest of the world trading partners.
And studies have already proven that 90 % of all the increase in the tariff will be borne by US consumers because tariff is nothing more than the tax that's charged on top of the consumer side.
Plus there are many components and lots of raw materials that are needed by the U .S. businesses, even if the manufacture and distribute at home to be imported from the worldwide basis.
So this is going to de -incentivize the investment and the operational momentum of all the U .S. businesses.
So this also pushes the other trading partners to, one is to take more retaliative measures The other is that they get more united in forming better alliance to work against the U .S. protection of policy and also they build a better working environment so that they can reduce the external shocks produced by the Donald Trump administration.
Professor Liu, the White House has placed these so -called reciprocal tariffs on a number of major developing economies from Indonesia's 32 % to India's 26%.
Other developing nations like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, they're all getting hit by well over 40 % tariffs and close to 50 % in some cases.
Do you expect President Trump's tariffs will propel more trade among developing nations?
Trump is totally just taking a disregard against the global rules set forth, particularly by giving more preference treatment to the developing countries to help grow their infant industries.
And now, such sort of reciprocal tariff is not fair.
And now, these countries that you have met, they are also prepared for addressing such sort of issue that they have to diversify their export market base because the excessive reliance on the US market is getting totally volatile.
And now a very realistic approach is that they're going to deepen the two regional trade blocs like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, composed of 15 countries, and also the CPTPP, which is the Comprehensive Progressive Trans -Pacific Partnership.
There was professor Liu Baocheng at the University of International Business and Economics.
US business groups have voiced concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on imports.
The US National Association of Manufacturers has warned that the stakes for manufacturers could be higher under the new tariffs.
The executive vice president at the US Chamber of Commerce says higher prices on imported goods but will hit average American consumers.
The US National Restaurant Association has shared the same concerns, predicting difficult times ahead for the catering sector across the country.
According to the CEO of the US Consumer Technology Association, the new tariffs put the possibility of a US recession back on the table as they rattled job market while fueling inflation.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade has held a foreign -invested enterprises tour in Guangzhou.
The tour in the southern Chinese province brought together representatives from hundreds of global businesses to explore new opportunities in a world ranked by economic uncertainty.
With the US president Donald Trump rolling out tariffs, global businesses are eager to seek more stable trade partners around the world.
David Peres does raise ears from Canada -China business council, says Canada has always been a country that is looking for trading partners.
China remains Canada's second largest trading partner so it's a significant market for us.
For us our job is to advocate for businesses that are trying to do business in China and share the opportunities.
Victor Cadena from the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in China says they separate politics from business From the business perspective, our economy, Mexico China, are very close, very tight.
So that means in the years to come most likely we'll continue be China or second largest reinparter regardless of what happened in US policy Local officials attending the networking event says China's high quality development agenda is a strategic buffer against global economic turbulence.
The country's commitment to promoting multilateralism and economic globalization has made it a more attractive destination for overseas investors.
And finally, China's services activity in the private sector expanded at a faster pace in March, as business activity and new orders picked up from February.
The Xi Jinping purchasing managers' index for smaller -sized private firms came in at 51 .9.
The best reading is since September.
The trend is in line with the official survey.
Xi Jinping analysts attributed the improvement to domestic demand boosted by stimulus policies.
Alright thank you, Wang Zihan with Business.
I'm coming up in sports, football highlights from across Europe.
Who thrives when victory is up for grabs, time is ticking down and world is watching?
In this week's SideLine story, we reveal the most heart -stopping moments in sports.
From Michael Jordan to Novak Djokovic, we discuss the most reliable players in key moments.
and debates. Are clutch legends born or built?
Subscribe to Sideline Story wherever you listen to podcasts.
Thank you Shane, we begin with football and Spain and Copa del Rey.
Barcelona set up a classical final against Real Madrid after they beat Atletico Madrid 1 -0 to complete a 5 -4 aggregate victory.
Ferran Torre's first half goal sealed Barcelona's spot in Cup Final in a game where Barca dominated the first 45 minutes before Atlantical took control after the break.
Barca coach Hansi Flick showed satisfaction with the semi -final victory.
think it's one of the best team not only here in Spain, also in Europe.
Yeah, we are happy about this.
Moving to the DFP Poeckel in Germany, Stuttgart has secured a place in the final for the first time since 2013.
They thought it RB Leipzig's attempt to claim the trophy for the third time in four seasons with a 3 -1 semifinal victory at home.
Stuttgart will face Armenia Billefield in the final in May.
Moving to the English Premier League, Diogo Jota scored a goal in the 57th minute to see Liverpool win the Merseyside derby 1 -0 against Everton.
This marks their fourth win in a row.
The win helped the Reds retain a 12 -point lead in the league.
Head coach Ancel Instagram is pleased with Jordan's performance.
Very pleased. He was close to it already in the first half.
I think it was after seven, eight, or nine minutes.
But it was not a surprise that they blocked that shot, because they are defensively an incredible strong team.
So yeah, for him to come up in the second half, he had two of these moments as well and the other moment was blocked but now he found just a bit of space and he scored the goal which was nice for him but nice for us and with us I mean his teammates, the staff, and the fans.
Man City beat Leicester 2 -0.
Jack Relish needed just 2 minutes to open the scoring for Man City at home to Leicester.
Omar Mamouche doubled lead before the half hour.
Elsewhere Newcastle beat Brentford 2 -1, Aston Villa got passed Brighton 3 -0.
Ipswich defeated Bournemouth 2 -1 and Southampton tied Crystal Palace 1 -0.
And meantime, Chelsea will host Tottenham hoping to consolidate its position on the league table.
Head coach Enzo Marizka stressed the importance of the match. It's a huge game.
It's big. We know how important it is for the fans, for the club, but in this moment it's also important for us to finish, as I said, to try to finish where we are now.
That is a huge achievement in this moment for us.
Tottenham has suffered three consecutive defeats against the Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Chinese Basketball Association has announced individual award winners for the 2024 to 2025 regular season.
Zhejiang Lions star Hu Jinchou earned the Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career.
Along with Hu's MVP honor, Lions head coach Wang Bu received Best Coach award. He guided his team to a 39 -7 record that crowded against regular season champion.
Sui Minh Hui earned Best Defensive Player.
Shanghai Sharks Foreign standout Kenneth Lofton took home the Best International Player award. Loughton appeared in 34 regular season games and averaged 25 .2 points and 12 .6 rebounds.
In the NBA, Shea Gilger's Alexander scored 33 points and Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons' 119 -1 -3 for their 11th straight win.
Jaylon Williams scored 23 points and Chad Holmgren added 22 points for Thunder.
OKC has a 3 -game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers with 6 games remaining in the race for the league's best record and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Team Hardway Jr led Pistons with 23 points.
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers match the second -most buoyancy in franchise history, defeating the New York Knicks, won 24 -105.
Jared Allen added 21 points for Cleveland who have 61 wins equally in the 2009 -2010 squad.
Kyle Anthony Towns had 25 points and 13 rebounds for New York.
OG Ananobie scored 23 points.
In other action, Indian Pacers beat Charlotte Hornets 119 -105.
The Washington Wizards beat the Sacramento Kings 116 -111.
The Miami Heat got past the Boston Celtics 124 -103 and these Houston Rockets over the Utah Jazz 143 -105.
And, in tennis action from the WTA, Charleston Open Olympic champion Zheng Xin Wen has kicked off her campaign with a victory over Maria Sakari to book a place in the last 16.
The win extended her clay -court winning streak to 12 matches.
And finally, world champion Max Verstappen and other drivers have thrilled more than 10 ,000 fans at the Formula One event in Tokyo ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen says he will do his best in the race on the weekend and his final season with Holmde.
First, I want to try and just enjoy the weekend, try to, of course, go as fast as you can.
But it's more about also just remembering all that we have achieved together in the sport and who knows, of course, in the future as well, what can be done.
I would say it's like goodbye for now, but that's it.
I'm still quite young and you never know what happens in the future, but I'm of course incredibly thankful to Honda you know for everything that they have done for me.
Partnership between the Red Bull Racing and Honda is set to conclude at the end of the 2025 season.
And thank you very much that was Yang Guang with sports.
Just ahead in culture and entertainment the China pavilion at the Osaka Expo is opening soon.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
At 53 past the hour turning to culture and entertainment.
The China pavilion for the 2025 Osaka Expo open to the public in just over a week.
Wu Shenrong is a director with the China council for the promotion of international trade.
He says the pavilion is set to impress visitors with its traditional Chinese cultural elements.
The China pavilion draws inspiration from the traditional Chinese scroll featuring a bamboo yellow exterior that resembles an unfolding scroll.
It allows visitors to feel the strong Chinese elements and rich cultural atmosphere at the first sight.
The pavilion embodies the core concept of grain and sustainable development.
covering around 3 ,500 square meters.
The pavilion ranks among the largest facilities at the expo.
It'll feature three sections to showcase China's traditional ecological wisdom, modern green development initiatives, and its vision of global cooperation in fostering a sustainable future.
The Osaka Expo kicks off on April 13 with the theme Designing the Future Society of Our Lives.
It'll last six months.
A group of foreign volunteers from a university in Shanghai has created meaningful bonds with autistic children.
Through technology and sports they've been breaking barriers and proving that inclusion goes beyond words.
Zheng Hong reports.
How do you connect with someone who sees the world differently?
In Shanghai foreign exchange students from Tongji university spend the day with autistic children, learning that sometimes the best way to communicate isn't through words.
In china is my first volunteer event so I wanted to try, and just to see how it is.
I was also really, really interested in getting to know these people and also how to interact at the best with them.
A lot of kids speak only Chinese and I'm not… I can speak a little bit of Chinese, but not that much. But I think it was not really difficult.
They told us to treat them like the kindergarten kids, like smaller kids, and work everything nice.
At Lenovo Future Center, the children discover the power of AI from city traffic management and agriculture to robotics and virtual anatomy.
But as Chen Xinkui, founder of Greenhouse Charity, explains, technology isn't just about innovation it's about inclusion.
Use the AI technology to simulate the real life.
For example, there is a huge screen and immigrate the supermarket or kitchen and help the children to understand what the real life is because when it comes to real life, maybe it's to tough or so many impulses that they cannot handle that.
With a lot of technologies, the children were really happy to see all of that and it was beautiful.
On the in -line hockey field, a new kind of learning begins, one that doesn't require screens, but simply movement, teamwork and trust. I think it's impressive how we can communicate with the kids without words, but with actions or with plays, with, I don't know, smiles or high fives.
I was also really impressed with playing hockey.
How the professional kids were teaching the other kids how to play hockey and how they interact with each other.
I think it was really nice.
Autism spectrum disorder affects an estimated one in a hundred children worldwide.
Many struggle with communication and social interaction.
While some people with autism can live independently, frankly, others need lifelong support.
Research shows that early intervention, including social activities, can significantly improve their ability to interact with the world.
An Oscar judge based in the US says Nezha 2 is a good representation of Chinese creativity and cultural expression.
Ellen Elias says Chinese animated films have been rediscovering their uniqueness in recent years.
I see the creativity of the Chinese people reflected in Ne Zha Tu.
After watching recent Chinese animations over the years, I believe Chinese animation has truly found the unique aesthetic it should have. Ne Zha Tu is shattered box office record since its debut in late January.
57 past the hour Beijing down to 8 degrees Thursday evening.
it'll be getting sunny skies in 22 on Friday nine chunks down to 14 and thundershowers and 22 elsewhere in Asia Islamabads 13 overnight it's sunny and 34 on Friday Vientiane's at 21 this evening it'll be cloudy and 34 tomorrow but on pen dims dips down to 24 degrees a third or a slight rain in 34 tomorrow in Africa now Ruby's getting a slight rain and 26 degrees on Friday that's it for this edition of the Beijing hour making news today China's expressed opposition to the new tariffs launched by Washington against America's global trading partners.
And a second shipment of Chinese aid has arrived in earthquake stricken Myanmar. On behalf of the staff, this is Shane Be Gorman, the Chinese capital hoping you'll join us for the next edition of The Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time.
We We meet you on podcast and on air every weekday.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made the living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much. The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of Northern China.
Today, about one hundred million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 % of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatman doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river?
And what has drawn others back?
Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of a digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024 our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, talked to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen and eco -activists who share a close bond with the river and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos or in our 12 -part series The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN radio.
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