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 biggum, with you on this thursday, september 11, 2025.
You're listening to the beijing hour coming to you live from the chinese capital.
On today's program, Beijing's calling on Washington for closer cooperation for peace and stability, while warning the US against interference in China's core interests.
Influential Donald Trump supporter, Charlie Kirk, is dead following a shooting at a speaking event in Utah.
China's built the largest disease prevention and medical care systems in the world.
In business.
Thousands of global businesses are now showing their latest products and technologies in Beijing.
In sports, China's off to a strong start at a world table tennis event in Macau.
In culture and entertainment, Hebei Province's first film-themed museum is now open.
Now checking the day's top stories.
China's called for closer cooperation with the United States to promote peace and stability, while firmly warning against interference in China's core interests, including issues regarding Taiwan.
This comes as foreign and defense leaders have held talks to discuss bilateral relations and regional security issues.
Qi Zhi has more.
During a phone call with the U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two countries should work together to promote global peace and prosperity, address common challenges and fulfill their responsibilities as major powers.
The senior Chinese diplomat stressed that to keep the two giant ships of China and the US moving forward steadily, both sides must follow the strategic guidance of their leaders and implement key agreements without compromise.
Wang criticized recent US actions, saying they have harmed China's legitimate rights, interfered in its internal affairs and hindered the development of bilateral relations.
He called on Washington to exercise caution, especially on matters involving China's core interests, such as Taiwan.
Recalling that Xi Jinping and the US were allies in defeating militarism and fascism during World War II, the foreign minister emphasised that they should now collaborate to maintain global peace and shoulder responsibilities as major powers.
Both sides described the conversation as timely, necessary and productive, while agreeing to strengthen head of state diplomacy, manage differences responsibly, explore practical cooperation and promote stable development of China-US relations.
Meanwhile, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has held a video call with U.S.
Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth.
Don emphasized the need for open communication and engagement to build a stable Chinese-US military relationship grounded in equality, respect and peaceful coexistence.
He highlighted the importance of respecting each other's core interests and warned that any support for independence activities on Taiwan or efforts to contain China are bound to fail.
The Chinese defense chief also reiterated Beijing's commitment to working with regional countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, while firmly opposing provocations and interference.
That was Qi Zhi on the recent conversations between high-level Chinese and American officials.
To help us better understand the timing of the calls between Beijing and Washington, Gao Junya spoke with Zhao Hai, Director of the International Political Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Professor Zhao, why did the foreign and defense ministers of China and the United States choose to hold talks at this moment?
I think the timing is deliberate because, as we know, the two top leaders in the United States and China called back in June.
And now three months has passed.
There are a lot of things happened globally and bilaterally.
So there's issues to be talked about by both sides.
In the past couple of months, China and the United States focused on economic issues, particularly negotiation on the tariff issue.
However, on diplomatic and security issues, there's still a lack of deeper and more regular communication.
So this is a good timing for the two sides to pick up what's left off.
And continue to execute what both leaders has pointed out the direction of more open and constructive communication.
And secondly, this is the timing.
It's important because this is right after the September 3rd, the Victory Day parade in China.
And there's global attention paid to this particular event, a showcasing of China's military capability.
And you can see that China emphasized the wartime cooperation between the two sides.
And now I think the two sides continue needs to be working towards a more pragmatic cooperation continuously.
Yeah, the timing is really critical.
And what have been some of your key takeaways from their conversations?
First of all, I think both conversations shows that from the transcript from both conversations and on both sides they say that these conversations are open, candid conversations and constructive communications.
And they emphasize the importance of having these conversations.
So I think it's very important for the two biggest countries now in the world to have a regular communication on important bilateral and global issues.
So that's very important to have these conversations.
And number two, it's very important that both sides express their current and future concerns.
So I think it's very good for China to lay out China's red lines, China's core interests, and also for the United States to tell China what their vital interests will be moving forward.
So I think that's very important for communications.
And secondly, I think the good takeaway is that it shows that China is not satisfied with the latest US behavior towards China.
And you can see from the US side, from their publicity, from their concrete actions, they're not actually following a presidential decree about how to conduct the bilateral relationship after the call in June.
So far, the relationship still having a lot of troubles that they need to solve together.
So I think that's important on this particular level, that they need to keep the open channel and keep talking to each other.
Actually, you've already mentioned some existing problems between the two countries.
In your opinion, what is the most difficult or contentious issue between the two countries right now?
From the last phone call, President Xi asked the US side to keep open channels, keep talking on the issues of diplomatic economic military, to military and law enforcement, many areas to keep the communication.
But so far I think there are a number of issues stand out that continue to be a very thorny issue between the two sides.
Number one, the top priority and China's red line is of course the Taiwan issue.
I think it's very important at this moment to remember history and to recognize that Taiwan is part of China, And to remind the US to continue to abide by its one China policy.
So that is very important.
And number two, a very important issue that is also mentioned in the military to military dialogue, which is the South China Sea issue.
And China has expressed its concern that there are particular countries continue to agitate in South China Sea.
And the US is backing such activities, which is very dangerous.
And China is intent to maintain peace and stability in the region.
And thirdly, I think they were talking about a number of global issues.
The Russian-Ukrainian war unended without successful mediation by President Trump.
And also recently, Israel just air-raided Qatar, which is a blatant violation of international law.
So there are many, many global issues both sides need also to talk about so that they can work on pragmatic issues to maintain global peace.
And I think there are other issues that are not mentioned that remain to be seen.
It's important for the top leaders again to probably call each other in the near future and also meet with each other to continue to provide guidance for the bilateral relationship, for the regional stability and global governance.
That was Zhao Hai with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Coming up, the assassination of an influential supporter of the U.S. president.
What if the next global threat isn't on Earth, but in space?
China is gearing up to smash a spacecraft into an asteroid and change its orbit, something only the US has tested so far.
Why does this matter?
What risks and opportunities does it bring?
And beyond science, how could this mission reshape China's growing space economy and global role?
Join us on this week's Chat Lounge as we break down the mission, the science, the stakes and the money behind it.
Tune in on your favorite podcast app and on CGTN Radio.
We're at 10 minutes past the hour.
An influential supporter of U.S.
President Donald Trump has been killed at a university event in Utah.
Political activist Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck on Wednesday while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University.
President Trump praised the 31-year-old as a martyr for truth and ordered all American flags flown at half-staff until Sunday.
He says the shooting marks a dark moment for the country.
Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much, the United States of America.
He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people.
Reuters has documented more than 300 politically motivated violent acts since the U.S.
Capitol riots in 2021.
Conservative political writer Stephen Kent says political violence in the U.S. is spiraling.
I didn't expect that this would hit me that hard.
I mean, it is completely unexpected.
But at the same time, political violence in this country is spiraling.
We've had multiple assassination attempts on Donald Trump.
There was an incident involving the Pelosi's at their home.
There have been attacks on governors in this country.
Politics is getting very heated and it is always an eye for an eye.
But what is happening with Charlie Kirk is, I think, a little bit different.
It is very much a response to claims that the American left make about speech that speech is harmful, that conservative ideas cause harm and are violent in nature.
We expressed concern about how Kirk's young supporters may react to the murder.
I'm really scared for what comes after this.
It's not that the anger about Charlie Kirk's assassination is going to radicalize young conservatives, but he was in many ways a bulwark.
On the left and the right—
There are extremes and Charlie Kirk existed as a bulwark between people who were moving to the right and going off way into French territory, just like you can go off into French communist territory on the left and get involved with Antifa.
And I worry about what these young people do, who idolize and worship Charlie Kirk and admire him for his courage, where they go with their anger, where they go with their hatred about this.
And they should be angry.
But there's no right answers here about what's going to happen with political violence and culture in this country.
Former U.S.
Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden have also condemned the killing, saying that violence has no place in US democracy.
They called for renewed efforts to resolve political differences through peaceful debate.
CNN's Tom Foreman looks back on Kirk's activism.
Taking guns is the beginning of the end of the rest of your freedoms.
Having children is more important than having a good career.
Well, i think that we should put americans above foreigners.
There's a revival happening in this country right now.
Lawrence and praise god.
Combative clever, energetic and just barely in his 30s, Charlie Kirk was a major link to younger voters for the political right.
Praised by President Donald Trump as a key to retaking the White House.
Charlie is fantastic.
I mean, this guy...
Don't believe this stuff when you hear the kids are liberal.
They're not liberal.
Maybe they used to be, but they're not anymore.
Growing up in a Chicago suburb, Kirk took to conservative ideas early, criticizing what he called liberal bias in education, minority hiring practices and more co-founding the right-wing political group Turning Point USA and hitting the airwaves while still just a teenager.
A lot of kids are feeling the effects of what we like to call.
You know, with the Washington economy, with a lot of debt plummeting, small business with higher regulation and high taxes.
When he did not get into West Point, Kirk dropped out of college and turned to political activism with a fury.
Universities are not about the pursuit of knowledge.
They're about the forceful pushing of a left-wing worldview.
White privilege is a racist myth that is rooted in bigotry, trying to classify people based on their skin color.
If a woman is going to have an abortion, is it 50% the man's decision?
His outspoken ways drew a huge following and fierce opposition.
You spread fear, you spread lies, we see Nazis in disguise.
How do you feel about being called a fascist?
What's your opinion?
I don't care being lied about.
Because I'm not a fascist, I believe in a free society.
Let me ask you, who's the fascist?
The guy that's smiling in the sun, or the 500 people barking, trying to prevent me from speaking?
Through it all, the married father of two, engaged with not just political friends but also foes, forever spreading a gospel of more.
That was Tom Foreman reporting.
A shooting at a high school in Colorado has injured two students.
The shooter has died.
The shooter, a 16-year-old student, opened fire at Evergreen High School in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver on Wednesday, injuring two classmates before fatally shooting himself.
Investigators are still working to determine the motive.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has urged Qatar to expel Hamas officials, days after Israel's attack on Hamas headquarters in Doha.
As Qatar called for Netanyahu to be brought to justice.
The Israeli leader defended the strike, comparing it with the US'.
's pursuit of al-Qaeda after the September 11th terrorist attacks exactly 24 years ago.
So we did exactly what America did when it went after the terrorist, the al-Qaeda terrorist, in Afghanistan, and after they went and killed.
Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists you either expel them or you bring them to justice.
Because if you don't, we will.
The international communities condemned the Israeli strike.
In an interview, Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, expressed anger and called the bombing state terror.
Qatar is a mediator that's been mediating many conflicts.
Qatar, when Hamas office was established, was done with coordination, request by the Americans, by the Israelis.
They've been using it as a communication channel for them for Gaza for all those years.
So there is no justification that this is considered harboring terrorism or whatever.
I'm sorry these reckless claims.
Now, there is like a very minimum level of manners and ethics.
This has crossed it.
I mean, honestly, I have no words to express how outraged we are from such an act.
If you could describe it in one word, what would that be?
This is state terror.
That's what they call it.
With tensions escalating in the Middle East, Gaza peace talks are hanging in the balance as the Qatari prime minister announces a review of the nation's role as mediator between Israel and Hamas.
Adele Almaruki has more from Doha.
Definitely stopped any form of negotiations that were ongoing.
Even the White House proposal have been set back and put on the side for now, until Hamas and Qatar figure out how will they respond and also, more importantly, recover.
Trust has collapsed in these round of talks.
As you very gave earlier, saying that the attack happened while Hamas leaders were discussing that proposal.
Also, when it comes to credibility.
The politicians or the Hamas political leaders here in Doha holding talks with Cairo and with Doha, they need some sort of credibility to the people on the ground.
People who are actually fighting Israel on the ground and resisting them with arms.
See that happening.
This will create a sense of vengeance.
That's what many analysts fear.
And from a GCC perspective, we see the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayn, paying a visit head of state to visit the state of Qatar and show support to all Qatar measures to take against Israel.
A clear statement from Mohammed bin Zayed.
And also on Thursday, we're expecting to receive Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of the kingdom.
And now this is another show of support to Qatar and a critical point for the relations, as one of President Trump's main aims in the region was to create a kind of normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
This attack does not help.
That was Adele Al-Marouki reporting.
The European Commission president says she'll push to sanction what she calls extremist Israeli ministers in an act of partial trade suspension with Tel Aviv over the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Ursula von der Leyen also warned that famine should not be used as a weapon of war.
The European bloc remains divided in its approach towards the Israel-Palestine conflict and it's unclear whether a majority of EU members will endorse the sanctions and trade measures.
Von der Leyen also said the Commission will set up a Palestine donor group next month.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said von der Leyen's remarks are regrettable, accusing Europe of sending the wrong message.
Coming up, China's disease prevention and medical care systems are now the largest in the world.
Decades on, Xinjiang has completely transformed.
It's the last place you'd expect to find an ocean harvest, and yet, it's happening.
Technology is redefining cultivation.
I never imagined such breathtaking lavender fields transform the very structure of the soil beneath our feet.
It's difficult to get a full appreciation of the sheer scale of this facility almost solar panels as far as the eye can see.
Xinjiang isn't just a region where cultures meet, it's where they mix, evolve and come alive.
Modernization has also given this land a canvas for the future.
And I'm really looking forward to finding out why.
About 20 minutes past the hour.
China's built the world's largest disease prevention and medical care systems, with nearly 11 million health institutions and around 158 million medical staff as of the end of 2024.
The National Health Commission says China's average life expectancy has risen to 79 years, 11 years higher than 2020, and eight regions now have average lifespans above 80.
Infants and maternal mortality rates have continued to fall, while children's health has also improved.
The obesity rate among children has dropped to 9.7%.
The underweight rates have declined to 1.4%.
China has now become a leader in medical innovation, ranking second worldwide in new drug development, with its research making up more than one-fifth of the global total.
Meantime.
The commission says it'll launch HPV or human papillomavirus vaccination services for eligible females this year and add the vaccine to the national immunization program.
Xinjiang and Northwest China welcomed 446 million tourist visits in the first quarter, and that was up nearly 10 from a year earlier.
The growth comes on the back of major infrastructure upgrades, from new flight routes and highways to improved rural roads.
Easier cross-border payment options are also making trips smoother for international visitors.
Niu Honglin is now in Urumqi.
She's just visited the famous International Grand Bazaar in the regional capital and joins us now.
Thanks for being on the program.
And first up, tell us about your trip.
How was the experience?
The experience was absolutely incredible.
Uh, the energy was very dynamic.
I still remember.
It's not my first time here in xinjiang, not my first time in the international grand bazaar, but My feeling this time is the best so far.
I can still remember the previous times, the vibrant business streets, the great market and all the souvenirs.
Yet for this time, my feeling is that you can hear the buzz of hundreds of conversations in different languages.
You can smell the amazing aroma from food stalls the yogurt, the nun, the or flat bread that is this local xinjiang specialty.
All the things together, it's a mesmerizing experience.
So, for those of you who do not know about the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, it's the world's largest Islamic-style bazaar and it truly feels like a vibrant, living heart of the city.
It was opened back in 2003, so it was not exactly a historical building, yet the architecture itself is with character no building in the area was symmetric it was by design so you will find everywhere is a little bit different and with the Islamic style as well as Xinjiang local style decorations on the outside of the buildings as well as the inside of the buildings I'm pretty sure visitors like me can feel the Xinjiang vibe.
What is it about the location that makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Urumqi?
The location is like you've mentioned.
It's in the center of the city, which makes it very convenient, and tourists can directly travel from the airport to the International Grand Bazaar by subway and it's right outside of a subway station, making it very convenient.
Convenient at the same time, the bazaar has designed a lot of different policies and roll out a different, a lot of different policies to make sure the experience for tourists are quite convenient to start with, especially for foreign tourists.
They can see the signs in sometimes bilingual, two languages and sometimes even three languages.
And they can find all these globally renowned brands in the bazaar on top of the local specialties.
At the same time, inside the place, there are not only souvenirs to buy, but also singing and dancing performances, different types of local feasts people can enjoy and, of course, other activities that are quite engaging.
So my feeling is that, with all these services in place, Xinjiang is making or at least Urumqi is making the Grand International Bazaar one of its most popular tourist destinations, which is why, in these days, it welcomes around 110000 tourists every day.
And I was told that during the peak seasons around August, the number reaches 200. to 200,000 a day.
Quite astonishing.
Thank you very much.
That's Niu Honglin joining us from Xinjiang.
It's time for another episode of our special program, revisiting the social and economic achievements in the vast inland region of China over the past seven decades.
Today we travel to the far western border city of Yining, where the younger generation is breathing new life into traditions.
And Guo Linjie shares her observations. traditional dances, soulful music, Vibrant festivals.
This is the Xinjiang that people imagine.
But Xinjiang has so much more to offer.
We came to a unique neighborhood in Yining, where young entrepreneurs and artists are blending tradition with modern trends and giving it new life.
Here we met a young Uyghur designer.
She skillfully combines Xinjiang's traditional atlas silk with the trend in China, chic fashion, creating this kind of popular skirt.
I grew up wearing Atlas silk, so it holds deep meaning for me.
Now, I want to blend this traditional fabric with modern China chic style.
I'm thrilled that so many young people love my designs, from locals to tourists across China.
Her work is not limited to fabrics, but has now expanded to accessories such as backpacks scarves, hair bands and phone cases, bringing tradition into the lives of young people.
We've launched an online store, shipping nationwide.
I hope this helps more people discover and fall in love with Atlas Silk.
And it's not just fashion that's blending tradition with modern life.
Coffee shops here are doing the same.
You can try our coffee infused with the flavors of Xinjiang.
Our cafe was co-founded by a Kazakh and a Han entrepreneur.
We infuse Xinjiang's specialties, like dried fruits, mulberries and seasonal hami melons, into coffee and desserts.
It's a modern twist on local flavors.
I ordered a coffee innovation called Badam Dirty, a creamy latte with real Xinjiang badam blended in.
You can actually taste the local flavors coming through.
Beyond flavors, young creators are also sharing Xinjiang's landscapes in new ways.
Air paints are made from Xinjiang's natural mineral and jade powders, gifts from this land.
My artwork captures the spirit of the deserts, snow-capped mountains and grasslands, blending oil painting techniques with 3D texture.
Each piece tells a story of Xinjiang's culture, history and beauty.
From Asian crafts to modern design, From cultural fusion to creative entrepreneurship, Xinjiang's youth are rewriting its story.
They honor tradition with passion and embrace the future with innovation.
That was Guo Linjia in Xinjiang.
The United Nations has welcomed an agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency on specific steps to resume inspections in Iran.
The announcement comes after Agency Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed a new deal with Tehran to restart cooperation on inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities.
Technical document provides for a clear understanding of the procedures for inspection notifications and their implementation, fully in line with the relevant provisions of the CSA.
This includes all facilities and installations in Iran, and it also contemplates the required reporting on all the attacked facilities, including the nuclear material present at those.
For this, Iran will follow its recently adopted internal procedures.
And that will open the way for the respective inspections and access.
Let me say that it is my sincere hope that the resumption of our inspection activity in Iran may serve as a good sign, as a reference, an indication that agreements and understandings are possible and that nothing replaces dialogue if one wants durable, lasting solutions to international challenges.
Tehran suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog after the Israeli-US strikes on its nuclear facilities and the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists back in June.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Beijing's cloudy and 20 overnight.
Friday's cloudy and 30 degrees.
Xucheng will see heavy rainfall and 18 this evening, followed by clouds and 26.
Boizhou will have rainstorms and a low of 19, then a light rain and 26 for Friday.
Chongqing will see heavy rainfall in 26 overnight and then a light rain in 29 degrees.
It's time for a short break.
So far.
This hour, Beijing's calling on Washington for closer cooperation for peace and stability, while warning the US against interference in China's core interests.
Our influential Donald Trump supporter, Charlie Kirk, is dead following a shooting at a speaking event in Utah.
And China's built the largest disease prevention and medical care systems in the world.
Shane Bigham with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Listen up.
Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers.
From the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet, right there in the midst of all, beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
Ever wondered what's actually going on in Africa through the perspective of an African?
How are things really going between China and Africa?
What's the narrative of this relationship?
Well, get a perspective with China Africa Talk.
Hear from African diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, Chinese natives and more.
Get on our wavelength every week to find out what's real with China Africa Talk.
Find us on your favorite podcast.
We'll see you there.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now, here's your host.
It's Shane Begum with you on this Thursday.
Still to come.
In business.
Thousands of global businesses are now showing their latest products and technology in Beijing.
In sports, China's off to a strong start at the World Table Tennis event in Macau.
In culture and entertainment, Hebei Province's first film-themed museum is now open.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our X account at CGTN Radio.
Now checking the day's headlines, here's Tianyu.
Thank you, Shane.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated the president of Guyana on his re-election.
President Xi said he is willing to work with Muhammad Irfan Ali to deepen bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and advance China-Guiana relations.
Irfan Ali was sworn in as president of the South American country on Sunday, officially beginning his second presidential term.
He won the general election on September 1.
Chinese officials say the country has built the largest disease prevention and control system in the world.
China's health literacy level, a key measure of a population's ability to access and understand basic health information, increased from 23 in 2020 to nearly 32 last year.
The country has also further cut its premature death rate from major chronic diseases.
Organisers say over 1800 participants have confirmed their attendance at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum next week.
They are from more than 100 countries, regions and international organisations.
Running from Wednesday to Friday.
The forum's agenda includes four plenary sessions and eight panel discussions.
Key topics will range from global security governance and Asia-Pacific cooperation to arms control and the impact of emerging technologies.
The event will also feature high-level dialogues and a seminar for young officers and scholars, which are expected to draw significant interest.
Four more Chinese sites are on the World Heritage Irrigation Structures list.
The 76th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage announced the decision in Malaysia on Wednesday.
The newly recognized sites include the Yuanyang Hani Terraces in Yunnan and Mentokou Ancient Canals of the Yongding River in Beijing.
With these new additions, China now has 42 sites on the list.
First launched in 2014, the program is designed to protect historic irrigation projects and highlight their cultural and scientific value.
The Czech Republic says it will support Poland with helicopters to defend against low-altitude drones.
The Czech Defense Ministry says it is ready to deploy a special operations unit with three modified aircraft.
Poland requested the support after a phone call between their defense ministers.
The decision comes after Polish air forces shot down multiple drones on Wednesday, saying Russian drones had entered its airspace.
Poland said the drones posed a threat and marked the first time Russian drones were downed over NATO territory.
Moscow denied the claim, while Russia's envoy in Warsaw said the drones came from Ukraine.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun says the country has secured assurances from the United States that its nationals detained in Georgia will face no re-entry issues on future US visits.
This comes after his talks with U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The group of about 300 South Korean workers is scheduled to depart on a chartered flight on Thursday.
Minister Cho says the two sides reaffirmed that the detainees would not be physically restrained with handcuffs on their way to the airport.
The top diplomat says both sides will discuss establishing a new visa system for South Korean businesses.
This includes creating a new visa category to better support their travel and work in America.
And finally, the new French Prime Minister has promised a profound break with the past.
Sébastien Le Cornu faces the challenge of trying to build a government with enough parliamentary support to avoid the fate of his predecessors.
We will also have to change, be more creative, sometimes more technical, more serious in the way we work with our opponents.
I will have the opportunity to come back to this.
We have just talked about it at length, but I will also say that we will need to make breaks not only in form and method, but also in substance.
The colony is the seventh prime minister since President Emmanuel Macron took office in 2017.
Successive governments have lacked a majority in the National Assembly, putting them in constant danger of being voted out.
Thank you very much.
That's Tianyu with Headlines.
Coming up in business.
Thousands of global businesses are now showing their latest products and technology in Beijing.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
60 minutes of comprehensive news, your window on China and the world.
37 past the hour now.
And with business, here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane.
Stocks on the Chinese mainland closed higher on Thursday.
The Shanghai composite gained more than 1.6%.
The Shenzhen component added over 3.3%.
Stocks from the glass, appliance and electronic information industries led the gainers.
Oil and tourism shares saw declines.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng was down 0.4%.
In Japan, the Nikkei increased 1.2%.
About 2000 enterprises are showing their latest products and technology at the world's largest services trade event in Beijing.
The China International Fair for Trade in Services also spotlights China's commitment to high-level opening up and global cooperation.
Anhui in eastern China is the guest province of honor.
Xu Yi takes us through the highlights of Anhui's exhibition.
Walking into this exhibition zone of Anhui province in this year's 70s, a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity envelopes.
Here, 20 companies from Anhui are showcasing a brilliant interplay of self-culture and hard tech.
This futuristic air taxi, the EH216S, is the world's first fully certified autonomous passenger eVeto aircraft, which is holding the complete set of certifications from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and its operator, the Hay Airlines from Anhui.
Hefei was established in 2024 to become the province's first company dedicated to the commercial urban air mobility solutions.
And, beyond this, the digital culture zone, which is featuring the AI gaming, large models, the content computing, the new energy.
And the traditional culture zone, which is displaying the xuan paper, the huizhou fence, the willow, woven crafts, all highlighting the remarkable achievements for Anhui province in its trading service sector in recent years.
And let me now break you some numbers.
Anhui's total service trade volume surged from over 33 billion yuan in 2020 to 492 billion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of over 10.
In the first half of 2025, the province service trade grew by over 34, the third highest growth rate nationwide, demonstrating strong resilience and explosive momentum.
In the first half of this year, the import and export volume of digital trade services reached 124 billion yuan, accounting for 40 of the total service trade.
And behind this impressive growth lies achievements in cutting edge fields such as quantum technology, low altitude economy and new energy vehicles, injecting powerful momentum into Anhui service trade.
And from technological innovation to cultural exports, from improving the business environment to building open platforms, Anhui is showcasing to the world the innovation and vitality of China's service trade.
That was Xu Yi reporting.
Now for more insights on this trade fair in western Beijing, we go live to Cui Xingyu.
Good evening, Xingyu.
As we know, China recently expanded its visa-free travel policy to include more countries.
The policy is part of a broader effort. to enhance the China experience for international visitors.
From what you have seen at the fair, what are the key highlights boosting inbound tourism?
Yes, Zihang, China has been extending its warmest welcome to international visitors.
With the latest inclusion of Russia, China now offers visa-free entry to 76 countries, and the number of countries eligible for a 10-day visa-free transit to China has increased to 55.
And visa-free access is just one key aspect.
Here at this year's SIFTIS, a dedicated zone has been set up to showcase upgraded inbound tourism services to address some of the common friction points faced by international travelers.
For example, opening SIM cards and bank accounts can be a headache for many travelers.
And now we have integrated services such as the Travel Pass, which is a palm-sized device jointly launched by China's leading telecom, banking and payment companies.
And the stuff there told me that it's quite easy to apply for one.
And when you arrive at the airports in Beijing, it takes just a few minutes to go through the whole process and you're good to go.
It also provides portable Wi-Fi and digital payment is just at your fingertips.
And another option is the cube card, which looks just like a SIM card but it integrates payment, communication and transport all in one.
And it really reduces the hassle of applying for multiple services.
And another thing that caught my attention is the international version of the ride hailing app, which is now available.
It can allow foreign visitors to enjoy hassle-free rides and pay with a variety of bank card options.
And also a series of translation tools from China's tech giant company are exhibited at the site.
The goal is to tackle the language barriers.
We have got the portable ones that you can carry anywhere you go.
But also we have this transparent translation screen.
It can allow people on either side of the screen to communicate more smoothly, with real-time translations displayed on both sides of the screen.
So it can be used at some of the public areas, like airports, to offer better service to foreign visitors.
And also I have noticed a group of cute robotic dogs that are displayed at the site.
They actually serve as guides at tourist attractions that can tell you about the historical and cultural background and also even talk with you.
So they can really add a bit of fun to your journey.
And, in addition, multiple airlines have launched various flight routes and also online travel agencies.
They offer more personalized travel plans and options for foreign visitors.
So I can see that all of these upgrades show how China is making real effort to ensure that inbound travel is more comfortable and welcoming for international visitors.
Back to you, Zihang.
All right.
Thank you so much.
That was Cui Xingyu sharing her observations on the second day of the China International Fair for Trade in Services, which is currently underway in Beijing.
The 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade has concluded on the southeastern coast.
Guests from more than 120 countries and regions participated in this four-day event in Xiamen, including government agencies, chambers of commerce and multinational companies.
Among multiple business activities at the fair, the Invest in Fujian signing ceremony secured 50 projects worth over 120 billion yuan, or around 168 billion.
Foreign investment projects comprised over 40, demonstrating robust international confidence in the province's economic development.
For the first time, the fair featured a dedicated exhibition area on the low-altitude economy.
It highlights cutting-edge technologies and new investment projects ready to take flight.
Bi Ran reports.
Roadshows, workshops, flying classes, they are all part of the action here.
And, for the first time, CFIT has introduced a low-altitude economy exhibition zone showcasing two key applications logistics, transport and sightseeing tourism.
China Post has brought several of its drones to the venue demonstrating feeder transport, medical deliveries and time-critical urban express services a clear sign of how rapidly low altitude applications are taking off.
Creating use cases that make everyday consumption and life easier for the public is our main goal.
Looking ahead, more support facilities will also be built in mountainous and other remote areas.
For the low altitude economy to really take off, investment in both ground and aerial infrastructure is key.
This year the fair focuses on making a major push in building ground facility for low altitude operations in China.
The fair is not only a platform for exchange and discussion.
It's also generating opportunities for collaborations and shared innovation nationwide.
According to forecasts from China's Civil Aviation Authority, the country's low-altitude economy is expected to reach a market size of 35 trillion yuan by 2035.
That was Bi Ren reporting.
Russian tourists are expected to make over 2 million trips to China in 2025.
The executive director of Russia's Association of Tour Operators says China's trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens is likely to boost tourist flows by 40 in September and October.
Maya Lomidze says China is rising to become the second-largest destination for Russian tourists, after Turkey.
Meanwhile, the Russian tourism sector is eager to welcome Moscow's reciprocal measures.
Lomizi believes that the potential introduction of China's visa-free policy will immediately increase Chinese tourist flows, especially in border regions.
Last week, China announced a trial visa-free policy for Russian citizens holding ordinary passports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the move, noting Moscow will respond in kind to this friendly measure.
Thank you very much.
That's Wang Zihang with Business.
Coming up in sports, China's off to a strong start at a world table tennis event in Macau.
Sideline Story brings you all things sports related.
The hottest topics, latest events, juiciest stories, all with a very personal take.
Subscribe to Sideline Story podcast for heated sports discussions covering events that are happening in China and around the world.
47 pass now and turning to sports.
Here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
We start with table tennis.
Swinging Sha got her WTT Champions Macau title defense off to a solid start with a four-game win over Anna Hersey.
The world number one took the opener 11-7.
The Welsh teenager fought back in the second and edged it 12-10 to suggest the possibility of a shock.
However, Sun was ruthless in the next two games, clinching the victory 11-3 and 11-4 to set up last-16 clash with Romania's Bernadette Shorts.
Sun praised Hersey afterwards for a tough match.
This is my first match and I feel that I did a normal job.
I didn't know Hersey so much and she was a young player.
Hersey's single shots and the speed and quality on her backhand side were good.
The 24-year-old defeated China's Wang Yidi in the final last year.
In other action, China's Chen Xintong and Kuai Man also advanced to the last 16 in women's singles.
Now to field hockey from Asian Women's Asia Cup in Hangzhou.
China continued its unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over Japan in the first game of the Super Force, which is the second group stage.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Liu Chengcheng found Zhou Meirong for her eighth goal in Hangzhou.
Team China kept it going and dominated possession.
They finally found a way through on their fifth corner chance, with Zhang Ying setting up Liu for the win.
China coach Alison Arlen reflected on the tough run of contests at the tournament.
So no, it wasn't easy.
And I don't think any of these games that are coming are easy or will be easy.
And any time you play against Korea, India and Japan and China.
They're not easy games and it doesn't matter what ranking we have and what ranking other teams have.
That just doesn't come into play, because there's a whole history behind this tournament and these teams.
We understand that and we understand the background of this tournament.
So no, this wasn't easy today at all.
Also on Wednesday, India defeated South Korea 4-2.
The format of this year's Super 4 stage differs from the usual knockout semifinals and final.
The top two teams from each group enter a single round-robin group, with the top two advancing directly to the finals.
Moving on to football in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg has strengthened their midfield with the signing of Danish veteran Christian Eriksen for a two-year deal.
The 33-year-old playmaker joins on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season.
For Eriksen, Wolfsburg represents his first experience in German football, following spells in the Netherlands, England and Italy.
Eriksen arrives in Lower Saxony with a wealth of international and club experience.
He is Denmark's record appearance holder with 144 caps and 46 goals.
He has played in over 100 Champions League and Europa League matches.
The move also reunites Eriksen with several compatriots, as Wolfsburg's squad currently features five Denmark internationals.
In basketball.
Laurie McKinnon scored 17 points and blocked four shots to lead Finland to a 93-79 win over Georgia.
One Wednesday that sees the Nordic nation through to the semifinals of Eurobasket for the first time.
The Finns will face Germany on Friday, after the Germans came from behind to defeat Slovenia 99-91 on the back of a blistering fourth-quarter performance.
Old foes Turkey and Greece will face off in the other game in the final four.
More known for their exploits in ice hockey, the Finns shocked the basketball world by defeating favourites Serbia in the last 16.
Makanen made a number of key plays throughout the game and got plenty of help from his teammates.
Top scorer, Mikel Jantunen, netted 19 points and hit three of his seven three-pointers, with the bench chipping in with a whopping 44 points.
In athletics, Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt is backing Keyshane Thompson and oblique Sevilla to dethrone Noah Lyles of the USA in the 100m world championships.
The 11-time world champion, says he feels the Caribbean nation is ready to reclaim short-distance glory in Tokyo.
He says it all comes down to execution.
For me, I definitely think we have a very good chance this year.
It's all about if they can execute and hold their heads this year.
And just not listen to the noise and just to go to execute, because there's no reason they shouldn't be want to, because they're in the top fastest times in the world this year and they've been competing and doing well.
So it's just about going out there and executing and it should be fine.
So I'm very confident that they can get it done.
Bolt retired from athletics in 2017 with six Olympic and seven world individual 100m and 200m goals.
His 9.58 seconds world record for 100m is now 16 years old.
The Jamaican set the mark at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, breaking his own 969 record from the previous year's Beijing Olympics.
Thank you very much.
That's Yang Guang with sports.
Coming up in culture and entertainment, Hubei Province's first film-themed museum is now open.
The best military commander is not he who fights a hundred battles and wins every one of them.
The best military strategy does not lead to the desiccation of the enemy's capital city.
Decoding the Art of War will help you understand why there's no art in war and how Sun Tzu stayed undefeatable using the science of war, with fun stories and insightful breakdown of famous battles.
Find Decoding the Art of War wherever you listen.
53 past the hour.
In Culture and Entertainment.
The Chihuahua Film Museum in Hubei Province is inviting visitors to step back in time following its official opening this past Sunday.
Designed with a nostalgic ambience, the museum showcases original posters, film reels and other historical artifacts.
One of its special theaters allows visitors to experience classic films projected using vintage equipment and recreating the charm of a bygone era.
Li Chong has more.
In the projector exhibition area, a 1984 film projector screens a 1952 classic film.
The distinct feeling of the foam reel transports audiences to experience the past.
In the future, more vintage projectors will be added to screen classic films, allowing visitors to experience the earliest forms of cinema through the glow of spinning reels.
Seeing this machine in operation instantly takes me back to my childhood and student years.
It reminds me of how profoundly that era influenced and inspired us.
I truly hope this cultural heritage and historical remembrance will inspire generations to come to deeply understand and fall in love with cinema.
The museum traces the evolution of cinema through nearly 200 film projectors from different periods.
The evolution of vintage projectors is a condensed history of industrialization.
We hope that through tangible and experimental interactions with these historical devices, visitors won't just watch films, but can also understand the history behind them.
The shadow puppetry interactive zone allows visitors to engage with traditional art forms through modern technology.
This shadow puppetry experience immerses us in the story and my child absolutely loved it.
This museum combines nostalgia with modern technology offering a fully immersive experience.
In the future, the museum plans to update its film screenings and interactive activities, such as workshops teaching visitors to distinguish between different film reel formats and create movie props.
These initiatives aim to deepen the public's engagement with cinema history, offering an immersive journey into the nostalgic world of film.
That was Li Cheng reporting.
The West End musical The Choir of Man has arrived in China.
The Olivier Award-nominated show took to the stage in Shanghai on Wednesday.
Set in a traditional pub, the show features nine male performers who tap dance, sing and play instruments while engaging in monologues.
In addition to original songs, the performers present a diverse array of well-known pop and rock hits, such as Queen's Someone to Love, Adele's Hello and Guns N' Roses' Welcome to the Jungle.
Performances in China continue to use the interactive elements from the international version, giving the audience the opportunity to participate in impromptu performance segments.
Since its global debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017, the show has attracted worldwide acclaim. with performances staged at venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Kennedy Centre.
On Thursday, a new Whitney Houston song arrived 13 years after her death.
The single's a duet between English singer Callum Scott and Houston.
It's a reinterpretation of the timeless.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody using Houston's original vocal stems.
Scott refers to Houston as one of the most influential performers in his life.
He has that timeless voice where you could be listening to that song, you know, in any moment in time and it would still feel relevant.
It would still feel special.
You don't think, oh, it sounds a bit dated now.
It sounds, you know, incredible.
Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law, said the idea for the single came from Primary Wave, the executor of Houston's estate.
57 past the hour.
Beijing's cloudy overnight down to 20 degrees and then it's cloudy and 30 for Friday.
Xucheng will see heavy rainfall in 18 then cloudy in 26 tomorrow.
Boizhou has rather has rainstorms in 19 overnight then a light rain in 26.
Chongqing will see heavy rainfall in 26 overnight, then a light rain in 29.
Nanchang has showers in 27 this evening, then cloudy in 34 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, Beijing is calling on Washington for closer cooperation for peace and stability, while warning the US against interference in China's core interests.
And China's built the largest disease prevention and medical care system in the world.
On behalf of the staff.
This is Shane Biggum in the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour and open a window to the world together.
Find The Beijing Hour at precisely 6pm Beijing time.
We meet you on podcast and on air every weekday.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made a living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river?
And what has drawn others back?
Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024.
Our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.
Talk to the herders farmers boatmen, fishermen and eco-activists who share a close bond with the river.
And present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos.
All in our 12-part series, The Yellow River Mosaic.
Available only on CGTN Radio.
