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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 Begum with you.
On this Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, you're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program the Chinese Premier has called on the ASEAN and GOLF nations to join Beijing in creating a large shared market.
Western allies have lifted the range restrictions on weapons for Ukraine and far right Israeli activists marking the conquest of East Jerusalem have confronted and harassed Palestinians.
In business, profits have been rising at China's major industrial firms. In sports, early action from the French open.
In culture and entertainment, the world's first humanoid robot fighting competition in Hangzhou.
Now checking the day's top stories.
Chinese Premier Li Cheng's calling on China, ASEAN, and Gulf countries to create a large shared market that allows for the efficient flow of resources and facilitates easier trade.
Addressing the first ASEAN GCC China Summit in Malaysia, Premier Li pledged to deepen strategic alignment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment.
The Premier said he looks forward to the early completion of talks on the free trade agreement between various parties and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
He also said China's ready to work with the two regions under the Global Civilization Initiative.
China and ASEAN recently completed negotiations on the 3 .0 version of their free trade area.
The two sides are each other's largest trading partner.
Data from China's General Administration of Customs shows that trade volume grew 9 percent last year and accounted for nearly 16 % of China's total foreign trade.
We asked Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute CEO Daniel Rokhman about what the upgraded Free Trade Area means for the region.
The China -ASEAN Free Trade Agreement was established in 2010, it's been almost 15 years now and it's marked one of the significant milestones because it's one of China's first free trade agreements with a foreign nation and it created one of the world's largest FTEs by population and that really boosted the economic opportunity and growth for all parties involved and the original agreement, just to take a stock check, covered tariff reduction on goods, market access on services and investments, and cooperation in areas like agriculture, as well as technology.
So, moving forward, we saw in October last year, which was a couple of months ago, the conclusion of the CAFTA 3 .0 upgraded negotiation and there are four areas in which negotiations of the pre -trade agreement it seem to be will come from.
Firstly it's broadening market excess for the reduction of tariffs and non -tariff barriers.
Second supply chain connectivity which is to look at infrastructure and logistics especially in areas like health care technology medical devices and so forth.
Digital economic cooperation and we can see e -commerce and digital trade is something that's something that's really important.
of course, green economic initiative – so renewable energy, sustainable urban development, sustainable building, so on and so forth.
Daniel Rockman at the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute on More Potential for China ASEAN trade.
Chinese Premier Li Chang called on China and Cambodia to respond to external uncertainties with certainty of building a China -Cambodian community with a shared future.
He met Cambodian Prime Minister Hoomanet in Malaysia ahead of the ASEAN GCC China Summit.
Premier Li said China's willing to work with Cambodia to expand trade, crack down on cross border crimes, and uphold international justice.
The premier also met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and called for jointly ushering in a new golden 50 years for bilateral ties.
Malaysia is the current ASEAN chair.
Premier Li expressed China's readiness to take opportunities with Aussie and Gulf Cooperation Council countries to tackle global challenges and bring more positivity.
In his meeting with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Li Cheng said China hopes to work with the Gulf country under multilateral platforms for global stability and development.
Aussie and is hoping to develop closer ties with Gulf Cooperation Council countries through the three -way meeting.
The region is looking at China's cooperation with the GCC as a model.
Trade between China and GCC countries exceeded $288 billion last year.
All six members are Belt and Road partners.
Adel Almaruki has more.
Besides the nearly $300 billion US dollars trade registered in 2024 between China and the Gulf Corporation Council countries, Beijing is helping all six member states with their economic diversification visions.
In Saudi Arabia, one of the most engaging fields is energy, where China Energy Engineering Corporation is powering up the kingdom and turning it into an innovative energy hub.
We have just closed edu with local partner to set up the manufacturing facility here in Riyadh to produce high voltage reactors, which is definitely in line with Saudi region 2030 and to promote and facilitate the industrial system.
In the coming Q2 or Q3 this year, we would like to set up China Energy Engineering Group, our Middle East clean energy research institute here in Riyadh.
Since 2012, the company jumped from investments of $200 million to $10 billion.
With more than 5 ,000 local employees the company is producing up to 20 % of Saudi's electricity.
The fruits of the business partnership with China is evident across all six GCC nations.
Oman is the first Arab country on the maritime Belt and Road initiative.
China has been recently intensifying its cooperation with this country to help it succeed in its mission to release its economy from reliance on oil revenues.
The town of Duckum in Oman is a witness to that developmental vision alignment between the two countries.
There, a massive industrial park has been established over nearly 12 square kilometers.
During the first stage of development, we are focusing on light and medium industries.
In our strategic project with China, we are working on alternative and renewable energy and technologies for building electric vehicles.
We are trying to increase our knowledge of these industries.
We are also trying to capitalize on our raw material in minerals.
Oman is working to diversify its economy.
This means increasing our production capacity in industries other than oil and gas, and sectors such as food processing.
Our Chinese partners have several projects in these sectors in various parts of Oman.
Overall, our visions for economic projects align, which gives Oman the power to achieve its goals, while China is able to utilize the strategic location and low taxes of Oman.
In recent years, the GCC partnership with China entered the advanced technology sector.
Five of the six Gulf countries have begun projects that see space technology adopted and developed locally.
that includes joint missions to build centralites, design rocket ships and explore the far side of the Moon.
Ozadele Elmaruki on key projects in China -GCC cooperation.
Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have adopted a document to guide the group for the next 20 years.
Among the key decisions under the Kuala Lumpur declaration is the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its accompanying strategic plans.
ASEAN leaders met ahead of the summit with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council to debate ways to deal with the hefty tariffs the United States is threatening to impose.
They say the risks highlight the group's need to deepen existing trade ties and explore new ones.
Ryan Meltzer has more.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomes his eight counterparts, plus the Prime Minister of Timor -Leste, which hopes soon to become the bloc's 11th member.
But minus Myanmar, whose military leadership has been barred from attending these meetings, much focus at this summit has been on the economic turmoil triggered by the US that could see ASEAN members slapped with hefty tariffs.
To counter that, ASEAN is looking to strengthen its existing trade relationships, like the recently agreed upgrade of the ASEAN -China free trade area.
So, I think there's this very significant development in terms of economic cooperation between ASEAN and China, particularly doing this global uncertainty.
And I think this upgrade will provide enormous opportunities for companies and businesses to take advantage of doing business between the two sides.
ASEAN is also seeking new economic linkages to reduce reliance on the U .S. and mitigate the impact of trade uncertainty.
And the first -ever ASEAN Gulf Cooperation Council–China Summit is seen as a promising means toward that goal.
I strongly believe in the fortitude and staying power of ASEAN to withstand the headwinds and weather the storms of the challenges and uncertainties facing us.
to be able for us, together to convene the first ever ASEAN -GCC China Summit which demonstrates our reservoir of goodwill empowering us to deepen and expand our partnerships and to act with strategic clarity.
For China, this is another welcome means of fostering greater cooperation among the global South something that seems all the more vital Given the u .s. Is up ending of the international trading order?
I was Ryan Meltzer in Kuala Lumpur coming up China support for Pacific Island nations Dive into news like never before with deep dive the podcast from cgt in radio join our global reporters for captivating stories and thought -provoking conversations search deep dive on your favorite podcast platforms and And get ready to dive in.
Eleven minutes past the hour, a Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is chairing a ministerial meeting with Pacific Island countries in eastern China this week.
Officials from eleven island countries, along with the deputy secretary -general of the Pacific Islands Forum, are attending in Xiamen.
A delegation from Tonga arrived ahead of the meeting to visit a leading climate research hub in Shandong province.
Li Shuang reports. Ahead of this week's high -level meeting in Xiamen, Tonga's Crown Prince and foreign Minister Tupotuolu Kalalah paid a visit to the China Pacific Island countries Climate Change Cooperation Centre in Shandong Province, putting a spotlight on one of the most urgent shared priorities...
climate resilience.
climate change is our priority naturally after that we also look for our human security so the ability for people to stay resilient with and the education and is a central part of that for us in Taiwan.
China's collaboration with Pacific Island nations, including through technical assistance, research and green development, has become a cornerstone of its broader Pacific engagement.
We have held four climate change training sessions for Pacific Island countries, covering nearly all nations in the region.
We have also donated small -scale power generation equipment to island countries and established a climate -change focused academic program for students from the Pacific Islands.
I think Yachang University sets a great precedent by educating our young people.
Also giving them the opportunities for them to grow in their fields.
This week's ministerial talks in Xiamen attended by ministers and senior officials from 11 pacific island countries including Tonga mark the first in -person session held in China.
The agenda covers regional cooperation economic recovery and climate adaptation.
It will be my first time to meet a friend Mr Wang Yi so i'm looking forward to that and also to strengthen our China and Tonga relationship.
As Pacific nations face rising ties, China is positioning itself as a reliable partner, offering science, solidarity, and shared solutions.
I was Li Shuang on China's support for Pacific island countries.
And besides climate China and Pacific island countries are also working together in agriculture.
Guo Tianqi visited an Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Eastern China to learn how Chinese technology is helping in the Southern Pacific.
In Jiangsu Province, on China's eastern coast, a group of agricultural experts is focused on improving vegetable and other crops cultivation in Pacific Island countries.
Vegetable expert Del Wei -ping is set to depart for Fiji and Vanuatu in June to guide local farmers.
Peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers are among the most widely consumed vegetables in Pacific Island countries.
Still, many are currently imported from Australia and New Zealand at very high prices.
A single bell pepper can cost 100 RMB.
My main goal in going there is to provide technical support for vegetable cultivation.
Cucumbers, widely used in both Chinese and Western cuisines, are well suited to Fiji's sunny and warm climate, and popular with tourists.
There's a farmer in Fiji who wanted to grow cucumbers.
We taught him how to improve cultivation, including soil improvement, fertilization and the use of appropriate regulators.
His yields are now very high.
He told me he can harvest hundreds of kilos daily.
Many restaurants now order from him and he's delighted.
Self -sufficiency in vegetables and other crops is not only crucial for the food security of Pacific Island countries but also helps improve local diets.
Chinese experts also prioritize cultivating local agricultural talent.
We have been training agricultural officials in cultivating practical skills for enterprises and large -scale growers to help them adopt new technologies.
Local farmers have initially mastered basic skills in vegetable cultivation and plant protection.
There was a report about Chinese technology helping Pacific island countries achieve agricultural sufficiency.
Disaster Risk Reduction is another cooperation field between China and those Pacific island countries.
A centre in Southern China is aiming to help partner countries enhance disaster response capabilities, and Dai Kai reports from Zhengmen on the progress.
Established in 2023, the Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction Cooperation marks the first multilateral platform jointly managed by China and the Pacific Island countries.
It aims to strengthen collaboration in tackling natural disasters and delivering tangible results.
Natural disasters are one of the world's greatest challenges.
This center provides capacity building, technical expertise and technology, all essential tools to help reduce potential damages.
Since the China Pacific Island Country Center for Disaster Risk Reduction Cooperation was launched, we have carried out a series of effective projects in disaster risk reduction training, emergency rescue drills, disaster relief material support and academic exchanges with Pacific Island universities.
The center expands partnerships with Pacific Island institutions, including Fiji National University and Tonga National University.
These collaborations focus on talent development, scientific research and student and faculty exchanges in emergency management and disaster risk reduction.
Last year's Bowdoin Road Emergency Rescue Drill is one example.
It brought together 300 emergency responders from China and eight Pacific Island nations.
The Center is committed to addressing the real disaster -risk -reduction needs of Pacific Island countries.
We will continue to deepen cooperation, offering tailored training programs and sharing a Chinese solution for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief.
The Chinese solution that builds bridges, deepens ties and shapes a better future for China and the Pacific Islands.
Oh, it's Daikaei reporting.
China's targeting Thursday to launch the Tienwen -2 mission to Mars.
The probe will collect samples from a near -earth asteroid on China's first such attempt.
The mission will also explore the main belt of a comet orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists hope to gain insights about the composition, structure and evolution of small space objects helping to fill gaps in humanity's understanding of the solar system.
The China National Space Administration says the Tienwen -2 probe and carrier rocket have completed tests at the launch center in southwest China.
Chongqing is at the crossroads of the new international and sea trade corridor.
The hub in southwestern China links rail and waterways.
It's the starting point of many China Europe Railway Express routes.
The transportation hubs offering easier access for companies wanting to connect with global markets.
Gong Ming reports. As the corridor hub of the new international land -sea trade corridor, Chongqing's railway container center is bustling.
A train loaded with new energy vehicles is departing, set to arrive in Europe in just 13 -15 days.
This hub links the Northern Silk Road Economic Belt facilitated by the China -Europe Railway Express with the Southern Maritime Silk Road, together with Guoyuan Port on Yangtze River.
It forms a vital logistics channel connecting China with global markets.
We've now opened up four major routes in all directions, covering most of the world, including the EU, ASEAN countries and the Americas.
As a hub, there may be some market -driven shifts, but overall, our cargo volume has kept growing steadily over the past few years.
Chongqing is advancing an open economy in line with industrial transformation trends, Exports of new energy vehicles, solar products and lithium batteries are growing steadily.
In 2024, Chongqing's energy exports almost doubled.
To support western China's auto industry going global, Chongqing is also streamlining logistics and customer services along Land Sea corridor.
In the past five years, we have seen a clear rise in car shipments by container.
So, we set up a dedicated loading area and support services to improve efficiency from arrival to loading for cars making Chongqing and beyond.
Over the past eight years, the Lanxi Corridor has helped Western Chinese regions build strong links to global markets, reaching 563 ports in 127 countries and regions.
In the first quarter of this year, real sea intermodal cargo volume rose by almost 17 percent year -on -year.
The new trade corridor has provided a greater market space for China, as well as regions and countries along the route.
It has strengthened commercial circulation and industrial complementarity between China and ASEAN nations, as well as other countries serving as an embodiment of China's dual circulation development model.
Chongqing is speeding up the developments of the new international land -seat corridor to reinforce its position as a key inland international logistics hub to creating a more diverse and reliable logistics network.
It aims to elevate China's inland regions into a global connector.
I was Gong Meng on Chongqing's role as Transportation Hub in Cross -Regional Trade.
Coming up Western allies lift range restrictions on the weapons they send to Ukraine.
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22 past the hour. German Chancellor Friedrich Merit says key Western allies have lifted range restrictions on weapons for Ukraine.
Merit says it means Kiev will now be able to attack Russian military positions that were previously unreachable.
German media say Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Berlin on Wednesday and the German Chancellor and President.
Russia's called Europe's decision to remove the limits dangerous.
Kremlin said it goes against its aspirations to reach a political settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
Former US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long -range army tactical missile systems against Russia.
The UK and France made similar announcements.
Far -right Israeli activists have confronted and harassed Palestinians during a parade marking Jerusalem Day which marks Israel's conquest of the eastern part of Jerusalem in 1967.
Witnesses said Israeli activists intervened to escort Palestinians away.
Opposition leader Yahir Golan called the violence in East Jerusalem's old city shocking and said it's not an expression of love for the city but what hatred, racism, and bullying look like.
Also on the day Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gavir visited the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.
A long -time flashpoint of Israeli -Palestinian tensions.
A spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency based in the West Bank condemned the march and the visit to Al -Aqsa.
More than a dozen African countries have confirmed EMPOX outbreaks.
Many are battling the virus under a vaccine shortage.
Testing kits and hospital beds are also lacking.
Officials at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention say Sierra Leone has seen an exponential rise in infections.
Arat Kawa has more on the situation.
This is just one of the over 1 ,600 civil unions who have recovered from MPOCS.
For purposes of this report, we'll call him Alex. He got infected while on duty but he sought treatment immediately.
After two weeks under medical care, Alex is now fully recovered from the disease.
It wasn't easy. It wasn't easy because I have seen different videos about MPOCS attacks and targets people.
I was down mentally and physically too.
I wasn't okay because I recalled that I have a wife at home, though she can abstain.
But I also have a young child who is 10 months old.
Ampox presents symptoms like fever, body aches, and a rush.
Alex is encouraging civilians to seek medical assistance as soon as they develop signs of infection.
I called on everyone to adhere to the precautionary measures the government has put in place because Those impacts is real.
Yes, for now, we notice that the death rates are low and people have the perception that impacts doesn't kill, meaning it isn't bad.
But after having gone through the virus, I know what I went through.
Health officials say the lessons learned from a serious Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and Covid -19 pandemic have helped them tackle the current impacts outbreak more effectively and established isolation centres in all districts across the country.
The government is now focusing on vaccinating those facing a high risk of getting infected.
8 .5 million people in this country and we have 58 ,300 doses, so definitely we have to prioritize.
One, health workers who are in the frontline, contacts of infected persons because if somebody is infected now, all those around that person are high risk contacts.
So we encourage those to be vaccinated and those that have other underlying ailments like people that are immune to compromise.
So these are actually the priority groups so if we get more vaccines we might even review those criteria.
People across Sierra Leone have been urged to avoid close contact with infected persons practice good hygiene and follow safety guidelines to prevent further spread of the disease.
As Sierra Leone continues the battle in the inbox virus in a series of public health challenges.
Communities, caregivers and the government are racing to respond, drawing on lessons learned from the past and hope for the future.
In Liverpool, a 53 year old white British man has driven a minivan into a crowd of football fans celebrating the city's Premier League championship, injuring more than 45 people.
The crash occurred during a parade marking Liverpool's record -tying 20th top -flight title.
Emergency crews said they took 27 people to hospital and treated another 20 at the scene for minor injuries.
At least 4 children were injured.
Police have arrested the driver and believed that he acted alone.
Merseyside Police Deputy Chief Constable Jenni Sim said the incident was not considered terrorism.
The car stopped at the scene and a 53 year old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested.
We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle.
Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision and it is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes in Liverpool appalling.
Starmer thanked the police and the emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to the shocking incident.
The British government said the country will spend a record 3 billion pounds or four billion US dollars to boost training opportunities.
It's part of a broader strategy to train locals to fill gaps in the labor market and reduce reliance on foreign workers.
The plan includes 120 ,000 new training opportunities in key sectors like construction, engineering, healthcare and digital aiming to refocus the labor market toward young domestic talent.
More than one in five working age Britons do not have a job and are not seeking one.
With the latest official data showing that the inactivity rate's over 21%, has steadily risen since the COVID -19 pandemic.
Tuesday's statement said a plan 32 per cent in the Immigration Skills Charge is expected to fund 45 ,000 more training spots.
The move follows pressure on the labour government to curb immigration after Right Wing Reform UK gained ground in amazed local elections.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the open border experiment is over, with new measures, including tighter visa rules and higher immigration fees.
Business leaders warned that without a major training overhaul, labor shortages could worsen under the stricter immigration rules.
Chilean President Gabriel Borrege has visited Porto Varas to assess the damage after a rare tornado struck the southern city over the weekend.
At least 19 people were injured and around 250 ,000 homes damaged in Sunday's storm.
A local resident said the storm ripped roofs off of homes and destroyed cars.
There was a terrible wind, and everything was destroyed.
The glass doors started to come off.
It took out the window frames and the roof.
And I'm now ruthless.
Emergency teams remain deployed and under a red alert, with military, police, firefighters and local authorities coordinating the relief efforts.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Beijing down to 18 Tuesday evenings.
Sunny skies and 33 degrees on Wednesday.
Nanchang's 20 this evening, followed by moderate rainfall in 22.
elsewhere in Asia, Bizalabad's 23 overnight then clouds in 36 for Wednesday.
Vientiane's down to 23 followed by some rain and 31.
Phnom Penh's 25 this evening then some rain in 34.
In Africa, Nairobi will get rainfall and 23 degrees on Wednesday.
K�pahdul is down to 19 followed by a slight rain in 25.
Juba's 22 overnight then a slight rain in 34.
And finally to Oceania, Port Vilas 23 this evening then a slight rain in 29.
Pio will get some rainfall and 30 degrees celsius on Wednesday.
It's time for a short break so far this hour.
The Chinese premiers called on the ASEAN and Gulf nations to join Beijing in creating a large shared market.
Western allies have lifted the range restrictions on weapons for Ukraine and far -right Israeli activists have marked the conquest of East Jerusalem and confronted and harassed Palestinians.
Shane Bigomaty, stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Ssh! 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 To 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 After the Talk.
Find us on your favorite podcast. We'll see you there.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour.
One hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, Shane Biggum with you on this Tuesday.
Still to come in business profits have been rising at China's major industrial firms in sports.
Early action from the French Open in culture and entertainment, the world's First of all, with a check of the day's headline news, here's Tien Le.
Thank you, Shane. Premier Li Chiang says China is ready to deepen strategic alignment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council, addressing the inaugural ASEAN -China He called on the three sides to support each other in addressing new challenges in the cause of development and to foster new models of international, industrial, and economic cooperation.
Local police say a hacker organisation backed by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities is behind cyber attacks against a tech company in Guangzhou.
Police in Guangzhou say they have drawn the conclusion from technical analysis and traces of the extracted attack programs and the system locks related to the cyber attacks.
According to the police, the Taiwan hacker organisation has frequently conducted large -scale cyber -asset probes in recent years against over 1 ,000 critical network systems in more than 10 provincial -level regions across the Chinese mainland.
Russia's defence ministry says troops will continue to launch strikes in response to any attacks from Ukraine.
Authorities say the strikes will target military facilities and enterprises of the military -industrial complex. Moscow also said Kyiv has increased the number of drone and rocket attacks.
The defense ministry said they have shot down thousands of drones within the past seven -day period.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia is counting on a prolonged war.
Ukrainian officials said on Monday that Russia launched its biggest drone attack overnight.
night. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that giving up Jerusalem would invite disaster many times greater than the October the 7th Hamas attack.
Netanyahu spoke at a special cabinet meeting marking Jerusalem day.
We never forget Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, the bird of our soul, is the heart of the nation.
If you remove the heart from the body, the body will not exist, and therefore will not allow anyone to remove Jerusalem from our hands.
Jerusalem, our eternal capital, was reunite 58 years ago in a six -day war.
It will never be divided again." He stressed that Gaza will no longer pose a threat.
He also vowed to bring all hostages back dead or alive.
Witnesses say Israeli activists clashed as some of them assaulted Palestinians during a march and others helped the victims. The march and the Israeli security ministers' visit to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound have drawn condemnation from the opposition and the Palestinian Authority.
European Council President Antonio Costa has urged Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza and allow immediate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access.
Costa voiced full support for the United Nations aid plan following a phone call with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Fredrik Metz said Israel's actions can no longer be justified.
I must not state more clearly.
I do not understand the current actions of the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip.
What exactly is the purpose?
Is it to inflict severe harm to civilians?
And in recent days, this behaviour has intensified." Other European leaders have also voiced their criticism of Israel's actions.
The Swedish Prime Minister said Stockholm will summon the Israeli ambassador over Israel's refusal to allow aid into Gaza.
A Norwegian foreign minister has called for a two -state solution to end the conflict.
Germany has rejected Uganda's accusation that its ambassador was involved in subversive activities, calling the claim absurd and baseless.
Foreign Office spokesperson Catherine Dischauer said Germany has no formalised military cooperation with Uganda.
The Ugandan military announced Just this Sunday, it had suspended all defence ties with Germany, citing intelligence reports that Ambassador Matthias Schauer was engaging in subversive actions.
But Ling said it was not aware of any background or context that could explain such allegations.
South Korean police have banned former Prime Minister Han Duxu and ex -Finance Minister Choi Sung -muk from travelling abroad.
A travel ban is part of a probe into alleged insurrection linked to former leader Yongsuk your's martial law bit.
Novak news agency reported that police imposed a travel ban in mid May.
A special police unit investigating former top government officials over insurrection charges questioned Han and Choi on Monday.
Thank you very much. That was Tien -Li with headlines.
Coming up in business, profits have been rising in China's major industrial firms. The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
37 pass now. Stocks on the Chinese Mainland closed lower on Tuesday.
The Shanghai Composite lost nearly two tenths of a percent, while the Shenzhen component was down over six -tenths.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market gained more than four tenths of a percent.
In Japan, the Nikkei gained over half a percent.
Data shows that profits at China's major industrial firms increased 1 .4 percent in the first four months of the year.
The figure accelerated from rise of 0 .8 % in the first quarter.
Surveyed industrial firms saw their combined profits reach over 2 .1 trillion yuan from January to April.
Profits of those companies rose 3 % in April alone.
And for more on China's industrial sector, Michael Wang spoke to assistant professor Shi Fenqi from the school of economics at Peking University.
Big picture first, what stood out to you in the industrial profits of Chinese firms in the first four months?
So, among those industrial sectors, there are three areas that stand out.
First is equipment manufacturing, where it increased by 11 .2 percent in terms of profit.
The second area is the high -end manufacturing, and in particular is the robotics and precision instruments.
And the third area are new energy and new materials, for example, like the renewable energy, the advanced materials, supply chains, etc. So, behind these three major areas, I believe there are two major reasons.
The first is about is at the time where these materials can experience, these areas or sectors can experience a technological upgrade and the second thing is that we do have the policy support to encourage these kinds of technological innovation.
Right. So, then professor, how do you see China's industrial ecosystem continuing to upgrade itself in modernizing the face of trade and geopolitical tensions?
Well, for that first of all, I have to basically we have to admit that in this difficult time, especially with respect to these kind of traditional in industrial manufacturing, it is very difficult with the geopolitical and trade tensions.
With that said, I guess there are three things that can be done.
The first thing is basically just in the earlier in the program.
First of all, we need to engage in continued trade talks with the U .S. and at the same time to try to explore other partnerships.
So that is with respect to trade per se.
And the second thing is that we should continue to invest in R &D so that we can have more upgrade as the state grows.
And the third thing that I guess is important is basically probably we need to, at this time probably we need to think a little bit more about technological and economic self -reliance.
So basically even though trade is very important, we should also focus a little more on domestic consumption and investment.
I was assistant professor Shifan Xi from the School of Economics at Peking University sharing his insights on China's industrial sector.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry has unveiled targeted measures to empower national economic and technological development zones to propel new quality and productive forces.
The zones are important to engines for advanced manufacturing industries and emerging growth points of modern service industries.
They'll receive policies support to deepen integration between scientific innovation and industrial upgrades, speed up the transformation of traditional sectors and foster cutting -edge clusters in strategic fields.
Chinese finance ministry says Moody's decision to affirm the country's A1 rating is a positive reflection of the improving prospects for the country's economy.
Ministry says the government's implemented a series of policies since the fourth quarter, improving economic indicators and stabilizing market expectations and confidence.
It adds that the Chinese economy secured a strong start through the global economy, or though the global economy is facing uncertainty.
The Ministry says rising production and consumer spending and more stable and coordinated economic operations demonstrate strong resilience and vibrant dynamism.
It also says a series of incremental policies will work in concert to provide solid support for high -quality economic development.
President of the European Central Bank has called for a greater international role for the Euro.
Christine Lagarde expressed concerns about the risk posed to Europe by the fragmentation of the international system.
She said the global economic order backed by the US dollar is fracturing.
Multilateral cooperation is being replaced by zero -sum thinking and bilateral power plays.
Openness is giving way to protectionism and there is even uncertainty about the cornerstone of the system, the dominant role of the US dollar.
Any change in the international order that leads to lower world trade or fragmentation into economic blocs will be detrimental to our economy.
Sad. Yes, but. With the right policy responses, there could also be opportunities.
The changing landscape could open the door for the euro to play a greater international role.
The ECB chief also outlined the benefits of the euro's enhanced global role.
They include lower borrowing costs for governments and businesses across the euro area, stronger internal demand, and greater economic resilience.
Lagarde said the shift will allow Europe to better control its own destiny.
The euro currently accounts for around 20 per cent of global foreign exchange reserves, making it the world's second -most -used currency after the dollar.
Many foreign companies in China are adjusting their strategies toward a more localized direction amid global economic uncertainties.
Chen Tong visited a factory of a Swiss building materials producer in East China to find out more.
This is the biggest factory among construction material producers SICA 16 plants in China.
With the annual product value of 260 million yuan, this factory only has 42 people and only 15 of them are production workers.
Digitalization is embedded in nearly every aspect of the firm's operations.
From automotive production to monetary water and electricity usage to sales.
This integration is key to the factory's efficiency.
We definitely see some challenges.
There is definitely an economical downturn that we see in the sales.
So we have to be very smart in managing the cost of the production facilities as well.
Sika is a global company headquartered in Switzerland.
It has been in China for decades.
But one of the key players helping the firm to digitalize is the Chinese internet conglomerate.
Tencent Smart Retail has supported the smart transformation for around 1 ,000 companies with its cloud infrastructure, AI and big data analytics capabilities.
According to our observations, foreign companies are deepening and accelerating cooperation with the Chinese digitalization ecosystem in order to connect know and serve the clients and foreign companies' digital transition in china also shows its commitment to the china market.
I think china market is important for any companies in the world.
We have to be there and we've been there since 30 years.
It is a very competitive market but there's a lot of room for innovation.
In the first four months of the year Over 12 ,600 new foreign firms were established in China.
While China's market remains attractive, growing economic uncertainties have led a broader range of foreign firms adopting the China for China strategy.
Now as Chen Tong reporting, foreign trade companies in China are exploring new markets by leveraging cross -border e -commerce and artificial intelligence, a county in central China's home to over 300 makeup brush companies producing 158 million sets of brushes annually.
Many of the companies in Louis County previously relied heavily on U .S. orders, which accounted for over half of their business.
Cross -border e -commerce has become a key channel for them to explore other markets amid the recent trade tensions.
Huang Junjie says these companies have formed international e -commerce teams. In addition to the United States, more than 100 other countries also need our products.
Our team has been formed and we're now promoting our products in these countries including markets in the Middle East, South East Asia, Europe and Russia.
Authorities in Zhejiang have partnered with 20 cross -border e -commerce platforms to launch an initiative helping foreign trade enterprises expand markets.
But new challenges have emerged, such as language barriers and compliance issues, in new markets.
E -commerce platform Alibaba introduced four AI assistants focused on risk assessment, product operations, customer service, and marketing to address the issues.
Lin Hao is in charge of merchant products on the platform.
If a French buyer contacts a seller, the seller can respond in Chinese, and the AI will automatically generate the reply in French. If you find the language too stiff, you can ask the A .I.
to refine it. Our A .I.
can also identify buyers needs and tailors the response based on their characteristics and information.
Data shows that business opportunities and order volumes have steadily increased in non -U .S. markets such as Europe, Asia -Pacific and Latin America.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour coming up in sports early action from the French Open.
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Our 47 pass now and turning to sports.
Here's Tan Yu. Thank you, Shane.
During In Tennis, Igor Shvantek and Carlos Alcaraz made solid starts to their French Open title defenses.
Alcaraz breezed past Julien Zeperi holding all 14 of his service games.
A day earlier, he attended Rafael Nadal's emotional farewell, calling the 14 -time champion his idol.
Well, Rafa has been my idol since the very first beginning for my career, for my initiatives in tennis and for me to be able to watch his last match here in Roland Garros and be able to be there for the firewall.
So just it was a really special day." World No .1 Yannick Senna stretched his Grand Slam winning streak to 15, finishing strong against Arthur Rindnekenek of France.
This is just his second tournament after doping suspension following his Australian Open win.
On the women's singles, Iga Swantak beat Rebecca Swramkova in straight sets, hitting 25 winners.
Now ranked No. 5, the Polish player hasn't reached the final since winning her third straight Roland Garros title last year.
She says she also got emotional watching Nadal's retirement ceremony.
It's true, there were tears, I think twice during the ceremony, but I really tried to hold it together, so I don't look that bad.
But, yeah, it was an amazing ceremony, and I'm happy that Ron Garros did this for Rafa.
And I'm happy that also the whole Chinese world had the opportunity to kind of come together and just thank him.
Because we all should be grateful for everything that he has done.
Xuan Tech will next face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu who battled past Wang Xinyu in three sets.
Jiang Qingwen remains the only Chinese player left in singles.
In football, Brazil's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay excludes star -forward Neymar. Newly arrived coach Carlo Angelotti has caught up several familiar faces from European football including Vinicius Jr. and Casemiro.
The Italian coach said he will work to make Brazil champions again.
Antony returns to the 26 -man squad after strong season with Real Betis while 18 -year -old Palmera star Estavo earned his first senior call -up.
Real Madrid has appointed Xavi Alonso as their new head coach following Alcardo Ancelotti's departure.
The 43 -year -old returns to the Spanish capital after three impressive seasons at Bayer Leverkursen.
No doubt, this is a very special day for me, and it will be marked on my calendar for the rest of my life.
I'm very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home." Alonso played for Real from 2009 to 2014, winning La Liga and the Champions League and playing a key role in Spain's Golden Era including the 2010 World Cup and back -to -back European Championships.
Venezuela has called up uncapped Lazio teenager Alessandro Milani for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Uruguay.
The 18 -year -old born in Italy previously played for Italy at the youth level before switching citizenship to Venezuela earlier this year Manager Fernando Badista's squad also includes pachuca striker Solomon Rondon into Miami's Télansko Sargovia and Santos midfielders Thomas Rincón and Yavarzón Soteto Venezuela will host Bolivia on June 6 before visiting Uruguay on June 10 The Vino Tinto currently sits seventh in South American qualifying, with the top -six teams earning automatic spots at next year's World Cup.
In basketball, the Oklahoma City Thunder are just one win away from the NBA Finals.
They edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 -126 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to take a 3 -1 series lead.
Shea Gilger's Alexander starred again falling just short of a triple double with 40 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds.
It was his 59th game this season with 30 or more points, the most by any NBA MVP in a single season since Michael Jordan.
And finally reigning champion Bai -Yu Liu will face world No .1 Minh -Nhut Chowroot in a rematch of last year's final at the World Women's Turnabout Championship.
The tournament's top two Cs have each won eight straight matches to reach the final.
Bai swept Xia -Yu Ying 5 -0 to extend her perfect record of reaching the final in every World Championship she's entered since her 2023 debut.
The 21 -year -old now aims to become the first champion to successfully defend the title since Reon Evans did so in 2006.
Thank you very much. That was Tianyu with sports.
Just ahead in culture and entertainment, the world's first humanoid robot fighting competition in Hangzhou.
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Check out Take -Away Chinese, a world that starts with Ni Ha 'ong.
53 past the hour, turning to culture and entertainment now.
The world's first humanoid robot fighting competition has kicked off in Hangzhou, showcasing robots powered by cutting -edge technologies.
Punches, sidekicks and even knee strikes!
This isn't a sci -fi movie but a China Mini Group World Robot Competition, mica fighting series.
In a high -energy, left -streamed showdown, humanoid robots demonstrated a wide range of combat skills.
Four human -operated teams faced off in tense, robot versus robot, skill versus stability combat.
This was truly eye -opening.
I never expected our country's robots could perform such agile movements.
I believe robots have tremendous potential across various industries and daily life applications in the future.
Sun Baoyan, the marketing manager of Unitary Robotics, one of China's top robotics companies and the partner of the event, said a major goal of the competition is to test the movement stability of humanoids.
Sun added that this is one of the key requirements for bringing humanoid robots into everyday life.
This competition will greatly enhance the robot's stability.
We hope humanoid robots will gradually achieve productive capabilities within the next three to five years.
To compete effectively, participating robots have to master complex combat skills while maintaining balance under high -impact conditions.
Prior to the competition, each unit underwent intensive training to prepare for combat scenarios.
We developed a wide array of fighting movements, and each action required specialized optimization.
As you can see, our robot demonstrated exceptional resistance to falling, a direct result of the extensive improvements we've made to our motion control algorithms. With China's humanoid robot market projected to hit 120 billion US dollars by 2030, events like this are shaping the next frontier where robots don't just entertain, they exist, perform and thrive in a real world.
That was a report on the world's first humanoid robot fighting competition in Hangzhou.
The latest Doraemon film, Nub TOA's art world tales, will be in theaters across the Chinese mainland on Saturday.
In the story, Nobita and his friends enter a mysterious forest through a magical portal and meet a young girl who is revealed to be the lost princess of a European kingdom from a 13th century painting.
This marks the 44th installment in the beloved film series, and coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Doraemon movie franchise.
The 21st China International Cartoon and Animation Festival is set to open in Hangzhou this Thursday.
The city's Metro Line One has launched a special animation themed train at Bin Keng Road Station featuring iconic characters.
As a key warm -up event, a stunning drone light show lit up the skies on Sunday and'll continue nightly at 8 p .m in a Tianjiang New Town through June 2.
The National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing is hosting Lung Lung Art Week, a special series celebrating world -class piano music.
Spanning the center's three major venues, the event features solo recitals, Consider performances in a master class.
Lang Lang says hosting its first art week is a deeply meaningful experience.
The event runs through Wednesday.
The archaeologists have unveiled new findings at the Xiaotong site in Eastern China revealing a primitive village dating back over 9 ,000 years.
The discoveries include house foundations, a food processing area, a ditch, a road, and tombs.
Key elements of an early agricultural society.
Originally discovered in 1984, the Xietang site spans around 30 ,000 square meters and sits slightly elevated in the center of a basin.
In April, archaeologists named it one of China's top ten archaeological discoveries of 2024.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Sixty minutes of comprehensive news, your window on China and the world.
57 minutes past the hour.
Beijing down to 18 degrees Tuesday evening.
Sunny skies in 33 on Wednesday.
Nanshengs 20 this evening, then moderate rainfall in 22.
elsewhere in Asia, Islamavads at 23 overnight.
Clouds in 36 for Wednesday.
Vientiane's down to 23 degrees followed by a slight rain in 31.
Phnom Penh's 25 this evening then a slight rain in 34.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting some rainfall and 23 degrees on Wednesday, that's followed by a slight rain, and 25 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
I'm making news today, the Chinese premiers called on the ASEAN and Gulf nations to join Beijing in creating a large shared market and Western allies have lifted the range restrictions on weapons for Ukraine.
On behalf of the staff this is Shane Biggeman, the Chinese capital, hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour.
and open a window to the world together.
Find the Beijing Hour at precisely 6 p .m Beijing time.
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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 grandfather and dad made the living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
Yeah, I'd love to! I don't think I would.
I'd love it so much. The Yellow River, the 2nd longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of Northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 % of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters and what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river?
And what has drawn others back?
Could the Fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024, our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, talked to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen and eco -activists who share a close bond with the river and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos or in our 12 part series, The Yellow River Mosaic available only on CGTN Radio.
