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 Bigum with you on this Tuesday, February the 10th, 2026.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China's released a white paper on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, including the central government's responsibilities.
The latest Munich security report has warned that the world's entered the wrecking ball politics phase.
Tuesday marks the Kitchen God Festival, or Little New Year on the Chinese lunar calendar, one week ahead of Spring Festival.
In business.
China's RD investment and research funding surged over the course of the 14th Five-Year Plan.
In sports, Chinese skiing stars bagged the country's second medal of the Winter Olympics.
In culture and entertainment.
Pre-sales for China's Spring Festival movie market have already cracked 100 million yuan.
Now checking the day's top stories.
China's released a white paper titled Hong Kong Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems.
The white paper details the fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and the central government's responsibility for national security matters concerning the city.
It says, the central governments applied a holistic approach to national security and effectively exercised overall jurisdiction over the special administrative region, in accordance with the country's constitution and Hong Kong's basic law.
It also highlights Hong Kong's achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities for safeguarding national security and development of the one country, two systems policy.
The White Paper says Hong Kong's endeavours to safeguard national security are at their core efforts to uphold and advance the One Country, Two Systems policy and protect the fundamental human rights, dignity and well-being of the region's 75 million residents.
Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee, says the Special Administrative Region will fully support the White Paper and meet all the requirements under it.
He stresses that the White Paper is the most severe warning against traitors in the Chinese territory.
The White Paper on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong is very important.
It provides guidance.
We need to seriously learn the important points and the spirit of the White Paper.
I have learned three things from the White Paper.
First, the struggle for Hong Kong to safeguard national security never ceases.
There is always a risk for our national security.
We have to remain vigilant.
Safeguarding national security is the jurisdiction of the central authorities.
We need to locally legislate laws to safeguard national security.
We have to fulfill our constitutional duty to safeguard national security.
We have to make sure that we will achieve high-quality development under national security.
The White Paper reminds us of the risks that undermine national security.
The propagation of the White Paper is the most severe warning to traders of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong SAR has completed local legislation for Article 23.
We also enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The national security law and the safeguarding national security ordinance work as one.
We will safeguard national security, protect Hong Kong people's interests and, with full force stop, prevent and punish acts that undermine national security.
That was Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee.
Hong Kong has seen significant improvements in economic growth and international confidence since the implementation of the national security law in June of 2020.
The city's GDP reached $407 billion in 2024.
That was up 2.5%.
Preliminary estimates have also placed Hong Kong's GDP growth in 2025 at 3.5%.
Capital markets have strengthened, with IPO fundraising in the first half of 2025 rising sevenfold to $14 billion, ranking first globally.
By the end of 2024, the number of overseas and Chinese mainland companies operating in Hong Kong had increased 10 to nearly 10000.
Hong Kong's international status and confidence have also strengthened alongside the recovery.
Last year the city ranked as the world's freest economy, placed third as a global financial center and returned to the top three in world competitive rankings.
With more.
Joe Fung spoke to Dr Xiao Liu from the National Academy of Development and Strategies, Renmin University of China.
What message does the document send out and what's your overall reflection on its content?
I think the first message is about the solid affirmation or solid confirmation of the one country, two system framework.
The White Paper actually unequivocally states that maintaining national sovereignty, national security and development interest is the highest principle of the one country, two system policy.
The White Paper also positions national security as the prerequisite for the practice to proceed steadily and achieve long-term success.
And I think the second message is the legitimization of central government action or the central government implementation of the particular policy and other kind of behavior.
The white paper justifies the central government exercise of overall jurisdiction, particularly the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which was passed by the National People's Congress in May 2020 as a national law.
This is necessary in the lawful response to the severe challenges posed by the 2019 anti-expedition bill protest.
Actually, it's also the so-called radical protest, radical movement in Hong Kong.
And the white paper frames these actions as measures to restore order, restore social order and political order and political stability, making the national security law at the watershed moment that brought Hong Kong from chaos to order and from order to further prosperity.
And I think the third message is about the further clarification, the further clearance of the shared responsibility between the central government and also the Hong Kong FAR government.
We know that the central government bears the fundamental responsibility for national security, which matters concerning Hong Kong.
While the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the SAR, also bears the constitutional responsibility to protect and to preserve the national security.
So the white paper highlights the completion of the Article 23 legislation by the Hong Kong SAR as a significant milestone in fulfilling this constitutional responsibility.
The White Paper says measures such as the formulation and implementation of the Hong Kong national security law and improvements to the city's electoral system represent a milestone in advancing the cause of one country, two systems.
How do those measures guarantee such advancement?
On the one hand, the Hong Kong national security law, it acts as a safeguard.
It restores the order and stability.
We know that the extradition bill protest, the radical protest, threatened to destroy the one country system framework.
So the NFL.
The national security law, ended this period of turmoil by legally defining and punishing acts of succession subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, and it also protects the one country principle.
We know that the two systems come from the one country principle.
The national security law firmly establishes the principle of patriots administering hong kong.
By legally ensuring that the governing power is firmly in the hands of patriots, It prevents anti-China forces from infiltrating the government and undermines the system from within.
The national security law also creates a favorable environment development.
We know that, with the stability restored, the national security law actually acts as a catalyst for further economic prosperity and economic development.
Investors and business people, actually, they require a predictable and a safe environment.
Only with the long-term stability and kind of positive prediction can they come to Hong Kong and invest and do business.
On the other hand, the improvement of the electoral system also provides a guarantee for the social stability and the political stability of Hong Kong.
We know that the electoral system actually ensures governance by the patriots.
We know previously, the reformed electoral system, including the election committee, ensures that only those who uphold the one country, two system principle and are committed to the Hong Kong stability can enter the governance.
The electoral system also promotes rational and constructive politics, rather than these irrational and polarized and those kind of disagree for the sake of disagree politics.
But the new system, with its broader representation across different sectors of society, encourages candidates to focus on overall well-being of Hong Kong rather than those kind of narrow, radical agenda and other kind of issues.
That was Dr. Xia Lu from Remen University of China.
The white paper has come out just a day after the region's high court sentenced Jimmy Lai, an instigator of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong, to 20 years in prison.
Lai was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and one charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.
Ronnie Tong Kawa is an executive counselor in Hong Kong.
During an interview with Mira Liu.
He said the length of Jimmy Lai's sentence is well within expectations.
Mr. Lai, indisputably, is a very rich person.
He controls a major media in Hong Kong.
He has friends in high places in the United States, high officials, as high as the Vice President or even the President of the United States.
And so his influence is very great.
A person of that kind of influence, persuading a foreign power to impose sanctions on its own country is a very, very serious matter.
And to put it in the right perspective, if you compare that we say a terrorist placing a bomb in a station, in a train station or bus station, the damage would be localized.
But a sanction on a whole nation would affect livelihood.
And so you can imagine the severity of the offense.
And therefore the court obviously wanted to demonstrate that this is a serious offense.
It has to carry a certain degree of deterrent effect.
Given, Jimmy Lai is the first person under national security law to be charged for collusion.
How significant is this case in the broader picture of Hong Kong's jurisdiction system?
Hong Kong will be facing very, very serious issues if another case of this nature were to happen.
On the other hand, one will have to understand to collude with a foreign power.
You need a certain amount of influence yourself.
So in this respect, it's an exceptional case.
So I think the significance of this case lies in demonstrating that the court in Hong Kong would deal with a case under national security law in a very strict manner.
It would allow after latitude to the defendant, but it would deal with it strictly in accordance with not only with normal legal principles but also observing the requirements of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights under UN and also according to rule of law principles.
And I think that is something which everybody can see for themselves is what is happening in Hong Kong.
That was Ronnie Tongkawa, an executive councillor in Hong Kong.
The foreign ministry is urging respect for China's sovereignty, without any meddling in the affairs of Hong Kong or China's internal affairs.
The remarks are a response to statements issued by several countries, including the US, the UK, Australia and the EU, expressing concern after the sentencing of Jimmy Lai.
Zhang Yibing has more.
Spokesperson said on the case of Jimmy Lai, some countries and institutions interfered in China's internal affairs and maliciously speared the rule of law in Hong Kong.
He said, China firmly opposes such actions and has lodged stern representations with the relevant countries and institutions.
He also stressed Hong Kong's affairs is purely China's domestic affairs.
No other country has the right to interfere with it.
And he said the Hong Kong SAR judiciary's deliberative sentences is based on the facts and law, which is legal, just and cannot be questioned.
That was Zhang Yibing reporting.
Coming up, the Chinese foreign ministers in Europe ahead of the 62nd Munich Security Conference.
POS Plus, a selection of the best podcasts in China, covering history customs music, literature and in-depth dialogues.
Find your way to a wealth of Chinese culture and thinking, all on POS Plus.
14 past the hour.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Hungary on Wednesday before traveling to Germany to attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference, where he's scheduled to address the events of China's session.
Earlier, the Munich Security Conference issued a report warning that the world has entered a period of wrecking ball politics.
The report sets the tone for the conference's upcoming meeting from Friday to Sunday.
Nearly 50 heads of state will attend the event.
Natalie Carney has more.
What the report highlights is how long-standing security norms are not so much norms anymore, driven in part by what the report describes as wrecking ball politics from major powers.
It painted a rather stark picture of the decaying post-World War II international order and the apparent erosion of trust between traditional allies, in particular the deepening transatlantic tensions, with European leaders increasingly recognizing that political and military reliance on the US, at least under the Trump presidency, is no longer a certainty and leading European nations to call for greater autonomy, particularly in defense.
The report also mentions questions being raised in Europe over whether the United States is still truly a liberal democracy.
In regards to Ukraine, it confirms that the conflict there remains a central focus and symbol of European security.
Domestically.
The report highlights growing economic uncertainties at home, rising radical forces and public distrust in traditional leadership, and how that is breeding skepticism about future political and security prospects across the continent.
In all G7 countries surveyed for this report, only a tiny proportion of respondents say that their current government's policies will make future generations better off.
Therefore, the report urges European states and like-minded partners to adopt bolder diplomatic and political strategies to uphold the rules-based system, arguing that simply reacting within this current framework is insufficient.
The annual Munich Security Report serves as a playbook of sorts for upcoming discussions at the Munich Security Conference this weekend.
That was Natalie Carney reporting.
Iran says it's willing to dilute its most highly enriched uranium if all financial sanctions are lifted.
The statement is one of Tehran's most direct indications of its position in talks with Washington so far.
Iran's firmly refused U.S. demands to cease all uranium enrichment.
President Mazut Pazeshkian says the latest round of talks is an appropriate opportunity to strike a fair and balanced deal.
He also urged the U.S. to avoid excessive demands.
Tehran and Washington held indirect negotiations in Oman on Friday to revive diplomacy.
Tensions have built up after US President Trump sent a naval flotilla to the region, which has raised fears of new military action.
The Iranian economy has persevered despite years of U.S. sanctions.
The restrictions have forced many industries to turn to domestic production, but business owners say they're now facing a new set of challenges.
Sapir Sarami reports.
Inside this automotive turning and machining workshop, production continues, despite growing pressure.
U.S. sanctions have boosted demand for locally made components. that were once heavily imported.
But producers say access to raw materials and spare parts remains a major challenge.
When our machines break down, we import spare parts from China, as these parts are not available in Iran at all.
This is especially true for mechanical and electronic components.
Without importing these parts from China, our machines have to remain idle, which directly affects production.
On top of supply challenges, infrastructure problems are adding further strain.
Frequent electricity outages regularly disrupt production and push up costs.
One of our most serious problems is the frequent power outages.
When electricity is cut, we have no choice but to shut down the workshop and send workers home.
These outages are very costly for us.
Sometimes the power is cut twice a day, forcing us to work on weekends to compensate for lost production time.
Labor shortages have also emerged as a growing concern, as fewer people are willing to take on industrial jobs.
Our main concerns are raw materials and labor.
Finding workers has become extremely difficult.
When we post job advertisements, out of 100 applicants, perhaps only one is willing to work, as most people prefer app-based taxi services.
While business owners struggle to keep production going, economic pressures hit employees hardest, especially as currency weakens and living costs rise.
Honestly speaking, due to fluctuations in the exchange rate and the rising dollar, my debts and loan installments have been overdue for several months.
Under these conditions, it has become very difficult for us to maintain a normal standard of living.
Workshop owners often find ways to cope, securing at least the basics for themselves.
But for workers, Unstability can mean falling behind and struggling to make ends meet.
As Iran adapts to sanctions through domestic production, businesses carry on.
Yet it is the most vulnerable who continue to bear the heaviest burden.
The United Nations is warning of a humanitarian collapse in Cuba, as it faces an energy crisis following US tariffs on countries selling oil to the Caribbean nation.
Authorities have warned airlines of a fuel shortage amid strict oil rationing.
Residents are also struggling with paralyzed public transport and limited access to services.
Luis Chirino has more from Havana.
Having endured a long-standing economic crisis, the new U.S. tariffs have made things even worse.
At gas stations, long queues due to fuel shortages, fewer buses running and longer power cuts affecting homes, hospitals and other state institutions.
In a recent TV appearance, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the people about the need to ration fuel and electricity.
The oil blockade by the U.S. is having a ripple effect throughout the Cuban economy.
Critical social services, including health care and special education, are feeling the impact.
At Havana's oncological hospital, the blackouts affect patient care and potentially threaten lives.
Our professionals want to provide health.
Our professionals only want to offer health quality, medical protocols, technical procedures, research and drug production.
But these things need energy, which comes from oil.
So this is a measure aimed to affect the Cuban people by limiting the performance of our health workers.
At a local school.
Cuban special education authorities said the US oil blockade affects students' transportation logistics and limits the use of electrical training and therapy equipment.
These measures adopted by the Donald Trump administration and the executive order in particular, worsens the current situation of the Cuban people in an inhumane manner, I would say, and with a significant impact on our special education system.
So, under these conditions, we keep looking for ways to provide at least the basic attention required by our children.
Cuba has reiterated its willingness to hold talks with Washington, but as equals.
So far, there has been no public response from the White House.
In an effort to caution the US action, Cuban authorities have initiated a rationing program for fuels and electricity.
The expansion of renewable energy systems.
That was Luis Cherino on the intense fuel crisis in Cuba.
U.S.
Justice Department's allowed Congress to review unredacted files on Jeffrey Epstein.
It comes after lawmakers criticized the DOJ for over-redacting the files.
Meanwhile, Epstein's close associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, has pleaded the Fifth Amendment, refusing to answer questions at a closed virtual House oversight deposition.
Tony Waterman reports from Washington, D.C.
This is the first day that lawmakers can access these unredacted files, some three million of them.
So that is a lot of digging to do.
Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin was among the first to view the files.
Only about 30 or 40, he said.
But in those files, he says he saw a lot of examples of the DOJ flouting the law by not redacting the names of survivors, but instead blacking out names of people who are not victims, like the Victoria's Secret CEO, Les Wexner, and President Trump.
And Raskin wasn't the only lawmaker to raise concerns.
That bothered me were the names of at least six men that have been redacted that are likely incriminated by their inclusion in these files.
We're seeing redacted versions.
I thought we were supposed to see the unredacted versions.
And that's because the documents produced to justice from the FBI, from the grand jury, was redacted when they got it.
According to the New York Times, President Trump, including mentions of his family, his Mar-a-Lago estate and other related words, shows up more than 38000 times in these files.
Of course, the president has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but there are questions as to why his DOJ may be covering up his name.
This review though, comes on the same day that Jeffrey Epstein's longtime confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell, invoked the Fifth Amendment to dodge questions into the federal government's handling of the case.
Her lawyer said that she would only talk on one condition.
If President Trump grants her clemency, her lawyer saying this is to protect her during her appeal in her case, Also adding on social media that both presidents, Trump and Clinton, are innocent and only Maxwell can explain why.
Of course, she was the closest person to Jeffrey Epstein.
She knew all of these individuals very personally.
She's also serving this 20 year prison sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking of minors.
Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Maxwell, although it's unclear if he'd grant her clemency.
A lawyer for one of the survivors, though saying that even if Maxwell did speak, she'd lie about what happened.
Meanwhile, this probe is going to continue.
The Clintons, former President Bill Clinton and also the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
They are going to be sitting down for their depositions at the end of this month, calling for it to not be done behind closed doors, but out in public, so Americans can hear exactly what they have to say.
That was Tony Waterman reporting.
Coming up, celebrating the Kitchen God Festival one week ahead of the Lunar New Year.
You've been listening to programs from CGTN Radio.
We invite you to visit us online for more audio, pictures and in-depth reports.
At radiocgtncom, you can access a wide range of programs and find your favorite news, talk features, entertainment shows and podcasts.
Hear the difference with CTTN Radio.
25 past the hour.
Tuesday marks the Kitchen God Festival, also known as the Little New Year on the Chinese lunar calendar.
In Hubei Province, communities in the Ensure, Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture have held a vibrant carnival, blending songs, dances and folk customs with interactive experiences.
In Jiangxi.
A dazzling bench dragon stretching over 100 meters long paraded across the main square in Wuyuan County.
A bustling spring festival market fair is open for business in Inchuan, offering holiday goods as well as cultural performances and folk activities.
A New Year pork banquet in Sichuan province has brought together over 1,000 visitors.
The large reunion meal showcases how traditional celebrations are uniting communities and ushering in the new year with warmth and joy.
As the Year of the Horse is approaching, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has released a global message to send best wishes to those celebrating Spring Festival.
Happy Lunar New Year.
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we celebrate the symbol of energy, success and the courage to forge ahead, qualities our world urgently needs as we confront conflict, inequality and the climate crisis.
This season of renewal reminds us that together we can build a safer, more inclusive future.
Let us continue to advance our shared commitment to peace, dignity and sustainable development for all.
May the spirit of the horse bring you health, happiness and prosperity.
I extend my gratitude to China and the Chinese people for championing the cause of multilateralism and global solidarity.
Xie xie.
The Chinese New Year officially begins on February 17th.
The Chinese community in the Nigerian capital is staged a temple fair to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The event at the China Cultural Center in Abuja featured activities, including cultural performances, attracting over 1500 people.
The activities covered wushu, tea art, calligraphy, food, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Organizers also displayed the promotional video of the China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala.
Zhou Hongyu, with the Chinese embassy, said bilateral ties have become a model of South-South cooperation and they go beyond economic ties.
Director General Joseph Tegbi of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership praised the outcomes of bilateral cooperation, especially in infrastructure development.
He said one of the examples is the 1 billion national integrated poultry project, inspired by Chinese agricultural models.
We welcome Chinese businesses to Nigeria, encourage partnerships and prioritise capacity building, skills transfer and shared growth.
In return, Nigeria will continue to offer a welcoming environment rooted in hospitality, trust and mutual respect.
As we celebrate this new year together, let us embrace the spirit of the house.
Other attendees also express admiration for China's development and extended best wishes.
Tuesday marks the 55th anniversary of the China-Nigeria diplomatic ties.
At 29 past the hour, Beijing down to minus 4 tonight.
It'll be sunny and 10 degrees on Wednesday.
Shanghai's overcast and 4 degrees and then sunny and 13.
Chongqing will be cloudy and 7 overnight, then overcast and 15.
Nanchang's getting a light rainfall this evening, down to 3 degrees, followed by sunshine and 13.
Last is cloudy tonight and tomorrow, a low of minus 6 and a high of 10.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be getting a light rainfall and a low of 8 this evening.
It's overcast and 20 on Wednesday.
Vientiane will be overcast tonight and tomorrow.
A low of 18, a high of 32.
Phnom Penh is overcast and down to 22 degrees this evening.
Heavy rainfall and 32 degrees Celsius tomorrow.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, China has released a white paper on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, including the central government's responsibilities.
The latest Munich security report has warned that the world has entered the wrecking ball politics phase.
And Tuesday marks the Kitchen God Festival, or Little New Year on the Chinese lunar calendar, one week ahead of Spring Festival.
Shane Bigum with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers.
From the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet.
Right there, in the midst of all, beats the heart of humanity.
What if those other heartbeats were to stop?
Would ours keep on ticking?
Ever wondered what's actually going on in Africa through the perspective of an African?
How are things really going between China and Africa?
What's the narrative of this relationship?
Well, get a perspective with China Africa Talk.
Hear from African diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, Chinese natives and more.
Get on our wavelength every week to find out what's real with China Africa Talk.
Find us on your favorite podcast.
We'll see you there examining the events that impact and shape china and the rest of the world.
This is the beijing hour one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, shane biggum, with you on this tuesday, still to come in business.
China's r?
D investment and research funding surged over the course of the 14th five-year plan.
In sports, Chinese skiing stars bagged the country's second medal of the Winter Olympics.
In culture and entertainment.
Pre-sales for China's Spring Festival movie market have already cracked 100 million yuan.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at CGTN Radio.
But now with the check of the day's headlines, here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has visited primary-level officials and residents in Beijing ahead of the Spring Festival.
On Tuesday morning, he toured a community canteen and an apartment complex for seniors.
The Chinese leader, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also went to a downtown commercial area to learn about local services, elderly care, festival market supplies and the development of distinctive urban districts.
A senior official of the Communist Party of China has called for steadfast efforts to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and advance national reunification.
Wang Huning was speaking at a work conference on Taiwan affairs in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday.
Wang stressed the need to uphold the One China principle and the 1992 consensus, combat Taiwan's separatist forces and oppose interference by external forces.
He highlighted efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and support Taiwan compatriots, especially young people who seek to study, work and live on the Chinese mainland.
The official also emphasized support for Taiwan business, people and enterprises on the mainland, so that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can share the opportunities and achievements of Chinese modernization.
China has again urged the international community to jointly safeguard the outcomes of World War II and regional peace and stability.
A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson was commenting on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takeuchi's claim that Japan's self-defense forces should be written into the Constitution through an amendment.
Spokesperson Jiang Bin said there are signs that right-wing forces in Japan are seeking to challenge the post-war international order through military, public opinion and legal means.
He urged the international community to remain highly vigilant and curb such moves.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the country will push for a clear and substantive outcome document at the APEC leaders' meeting later this year.
He was speaking at the opening session of the first senior officials' meeting of APEC China 2026 in the southern city of Guangzhou.
Wang said China will work to advance the free trade area of the Asia-Pacific and help draft a blueprint to upgrade regional connectivity.
The Chinese foreign minister also said the country will promote digital, intelligent and green transformation among APEC members and deepen cooperation on development-related governance issues.
The United Nations has expressed concerns over the growing fuel shortages in Cuba.
Stefan Juderic is the spokesperson for the Secretary General.
He says the UN is monitoring the situation in the country and working with the government to provide more support, including food water, sanitation and health care.
We are concerned about the growing fuel shortages and their impact on people.
This includes disruptions to the delivery of clean water, medical care, food and other critical aid in parts of Cuba that were hard hit by Hurricane Melissa last October.
Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that there are also concerns that the fuel scarcity could have implications on the operations of airports in Cuba.
The concerns come as Cuban aviation officials warned airlines that there is not enough fuel on the island for airplanes.
U.S.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month threatening to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba.
The move further escalated Washington's economic blockade against the island nation.
Canadian political and business leaders are pushing back against US President Donald Trump's threat to block the opening of the nearly completed Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The bridge linking Ontario and Michigan is set to become the third crossing at the busy Windsor-Detroit Gateway, which handles about a quarter of Canada-US trade and is key to the North American auto industry.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens called Trump's remarks unreasonable, while the President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce warned that blocking the bridge would be self-defeating.
The US47 billion project is funded by Ottawa, with costs to be recovered through tolls shared with Michigan.
Trump has argued the US should own at least half of the bridge and threatened to stall its opening unless compensated.
A shift from his support for the project during his first term.
And coming up in business.
China's RD investment and research funding surged over the course of the 14th five-year plan.
Beijing hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
37 past the hour now.
In business, stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed higher on Tuesday.
The Shanghai Composite was up nearly a tenth of a percent.
The Shenzhen component gained slightly.
Digital media and publications were among the top gainers.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index increased nearly six-tenths of a percent.
In Japan, the Nikkei gained almost 2.3%.
Meanwhile, international precious metal prices fell on Tuesday.
As of the time of writing, the gold spot price stood at around US5052 per ounce, down around a tenth of a percent.
The silver spot price declined nearly 1%.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan has set the goal of significantly boosting scientific and technological self-reliance.
This follows major progress during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, marked by several key achievements.
The added value of major high-tech manufacturers rose by 42%.
National RD investment grew nearly 50, reaching 36 trillion yuan overall, over half a trillion US dollars.
R&D intensity hit nearly 2.7%, surpassing the EU average.
Investment in basic research has risen sharply, increasing by over 70 from 2020 levels to reach nearly 250 billion yuan.
The country now leads the world in total R&D personnel.
For five years.
China has ranked first globally in top journal publications and international patent applications.
For more.
Michael Wong spoke with Professor Guy Keke from the Beijing Institute of Technology's School of AI.
Professor Guy, we know that substantially advancing the level of China's technology self-reliance and strength is one of the primary objectives for economic and social development during the country's 15th five-year plan period, which runs from this year to 2030.
How do you see Chinese companies breaking through key technology bottlenecks and elevating their positioning in the global industrial value chain?
This is a very complex issue.
I would like to mention two points that are very important.
First, the competition in high-tech products.
In a sense is a competition of the entire industry supply chain.
For example, the chip issue we already discussed, the bottleneck.
The bottleneck issues actually lie in specific technological bottlenecks within the industry supply chain.
Therefore, dealing with key technologies challenges shall remain a major area of investment for us.
Second is regarding talent.
The main input for high-end products comes from high-end talent.
We need to empower enterprise development through multiple channels, such as university-industry cooperation and talent sharing.
That was Professor Guy Kuka from the Beijing Institute of Technology, talking about China's innovation ecosystem.
A recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers indicates a significant increase in optimism among Hong Kong's CEOs regarding economic growth.
70 of respondents expressed confidence in global economic growth, up from 62 last year, while confidence in the regional economy jumped to 61, up from 40.
98 of Hong Kong CEOs are optimistic about revenue growth over the next three years, although their outlook for the near term remains more cautious.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has climbed to first place among the world's top 100 innovation clusters.
This comes as China accelerates the development of the country's innovation hubs, supported by a new National Venture Capital Guidance Fund.
Hong Kong has reclaimed its position as the world's largest IPO market in 2025, raising nearly HK287 billion roughly US37 billion.
The figure released in a white paper last week represents a yearly surge of over 225%.
Large-ticket deals dominated the market, led by Chinese battery giant CATL and miner Zhejin.
Companies listed on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, known as A-plus-H listings, were another major driver, accounting for nearly half of total funds raised.
The report says Hong Kong's IPO momentum is likely to extend into this year, bolstered by a robust pipeline of companies awaiting listings.
The customized robot rental business is gaining momentum in Beijing as Spring Festival approaches.
Gao Li is the head of a robot leasing company in the city.
He says, January saw a notable rise in demand for customized robot rentals compared to previous months, accounting for 60 of total orders.
As demand rises, Gao has been expanding his robot team.
Gao's company has moved to a new office area twice as large as the previous one.
The robots do tasks including restaurant food delivery, serving as tour guides at scenic spots and even performing street dance at events.
In 2025, China established more than 1,500 robot rental companies, a yearly increase of 48%.
Experts say, as robot supply continues to rise and daily rental prices for individual robots are declining, more and more robots are making their way into ordinary households.
The large leaf tea industry in Muzhushan is brewing a sustainable transformation, turning green landscapes into golden opportunities by marrying organic farming with technology.
The southern region is enriching its soil and its people.
The tea has not only boosted farm incomes, but is also brewing a vibrant blend of ecotourism and cultural heritage.
This is an AI-generated report.
Po Yangdi is a graduate student majoring in agronomy and seed science at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University.
On December 4th, 2023, the Wuzixin Large Leaf Tea Technology Park was officially inaugurated.
Shortly afterward, Hou Yangdi became one of the first graduate students to settle there, writing his research paper in the vast fields and mountains of Wuzishan.
This is a gas sampling chamber.
It serves as a baseline to assess the overall impact of our various fertilizer formula treatments on the soil in the tea garden.
This data serves as the health report for the tea garden.
To help tea farmers develop better fertilization strategies, The team at the technology park where ho young D works has conducted organic fertilizer experiments to compare the effects of different fertilizer formulas on tea plant growth.
They also provide hands on training to local tea farmers on practical skills such as soil enrichment and pest control.
Through the two years of field experiments conducted here, we have utilized organic fertilizers to improve the soil and enhance both the yield and quality of tea trees, thereby increasing the income of local tea farmers.
Our evaluation also revealed that the tea leaves treated with our fertilizer formula showed significant improvements in color, aroma and taste, particularly in terms of amino acid content, fragrance and sweetness.
Today the Wuzishan Large Leaf Tea Technology Park has collaborated with a village collective enterprise to establish a 40 mu research and education base.
This tea garden covers nearly 40 mu. and is entirely dedicated to organic tea.
It has already obtained organic certification.
After the village enterprise receives this certification in 2025, the quality of our tea will be more convincing and influential.
Before President Xi visited, our average annual income was just over 30000 yuan per year, as we sometimes had to sell fresh tea leaves and couldn't process that much by hand.
In recent years, our annual income has reached around 70,000 to 80,000 yuan per year.
This year, the price of tea has increased significantly compared to last year.
The finished tea we sell now fetches 500 to 600 yuan per jin.
Nourished by technology.
The tea gardens are flourishing, and the bountiful harvest of the tea farmers reflects Hou Yangdi's own growth and achievements.
The first time I arrived here at Xiuwei Man Township in Wuzishan, I felt surrounded by mountains.
It was like stepping right into a mountainous region.
But when we first started working here, it was really tough.
These tea mountains are especially steep.
My partner and I had to climb up to fertilize, dig trenches and run all over the hills.
There were a few really close calls.
A couple of times I fell hard, my backside was really sore afterward.
These two years of research life in Xiuman Township have really pulled me from the pages of textbooks into the reality of the fields.
The knowledge I've learned has been put to practical use, and that gives me a strong sense of accomplishment.
With the improved quality of tea, visitors are now drawn here by its reputation driving the diversified development of the rural economy.
Many villagers have secured employment opportunities close to home by participating in tea tourism integration projects.
That was a report on the large leaf tea industry in southern China.
The first Chinese-made large cruise ship, has handled one million passengers since its commercial debut two years ago.
The operator of the Adora Magic City has announced the news via its website, saying it aims to propel the growth of China's cruise economy and establish a Chinese benchmark for the global cruise industry.
According to the firm, construction of the company's second ship, the Adora Flora City, is over 90 complete.
A China state shipbuilding corporation will deliver the vessel this year.
It will then operate on international routes from its base in southern China.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports.
Chinese skiing stars beg the country's second medal of the Winter Olympic Games.
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 passed and turning to sports now.
Here's Yong Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
We begin with the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Team China skier Ailin Gu has clinched the silver in the women's freestyle ski in the slopestyle final, delivering China's second medal at the Games.
Himoyne Kitson reports from Milan.
China's superstar skier Ailin Gu claimed silver in a slopestyle event in Livigno.
Basically, it was a replay of what happened in Beijing four years ago, with her fierce rival from Switzerland, Mathilde Gremont, claiming the gold medal, but the scores were extremely close.
Gremont 8696 and goo 8658.
Bronze went to megan oldham from canada.
Of course goo was chasing the gold but considering the high level of technicality on show, it was a fantastic result.
Now her next events are the big air and the half pipe, both events she won gold for in beijing, and her qualifying for the big air will start on saturday.
So really, eileen goo is just getting going.
That was Hermione Kitson reporting.
China is preparing for its second appearance in the luge event at the Winter Olympics.
Pablo Guterres spoke to the Chinese contingent on how far the sport has come and what lies ahead.
For decades, luge knowledge stayed largely within Europe, with former athletes becoming the coaches who shape the sport.
That cycle is beginning to change. now as a coach with this new generation of Chinese athletes?
I love this sport.
If I have experience for actually Juan Yebo represents the growth of China's luge program.
At just 25.
He helped make history as one of the country's first Olympic lugers at the Beijing Games in 2022.
Now he stands trackside, helping train a new generation of athletes.
They have a strong fire and they want to do better.
Every athlete wants to join the Olympics.
This is the dream, I think.
Much of China's progress in luge traces back to coach Norbert Huber, an Olympic medalist, world champion and winner of 11 World Cups, who has spent the past eight years helping to shape the country's growing program.
Is that the goal to create a full program that can compete at the level of the Germans, the Italians, the Austrians?
This is every time it's possible, but takes time.
This is maybe in four, eight years it's possible.
And then we need the young athletes, these guys come up.
But we must, we look, we fight for these athletes.
Training on European tracks like the one here in Oberhof, Germany, has been critical to their success.
These tracks are considered technical runs that challenge precision, control and confidence on the ice.
Illusion of race can be decided in a blink of an eye.
That's the difference between being remembered and being forgotten.
Coach Huber knows that.
And he says that's why they're working so hard this year, so that we can never forget China's Olympic appearance in Cortina.
That was Pablo Gutierrez reporting.
In the final of the Women's Snowboard Big Air, Zhang Xiaonan finished 5th with 1445 points, equalling the best result ever by the Chinese delegation in these events.
Kokomo Morasi won the gold medal.
Zhang ranked fifth among all competitors after the first round.
However, she lost her balance in the second.
In her third and last round, she chose a more difficult trick and scored 70.25 points.
The result secured fifth place overall.
In the men's ski jumping normal heel individual, China's Song Qiwu finished 31st, also setting a new best result for the Chinese team in this event.
Philipp Reimann claimed the gold.
In football, Chelsea is set to take on Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
It marks one month since Liam Rossnier became head coach.
Yeah, it takes time, but in terms of what's been really encouraging and really pleasing is that the players have taken on so much information, so many team meetings, not many training sessions, and they've put into practice what we've wanted in the main.
So yeah, pleasing, pleasing signs, but we need to continue in that vein.
Leeds beat Chelsea 3-1 in their last meeting in December, but Chelsea's form has improved under Rosanier.
The team has won all four of its league games since his arrival.
Chelsea currently sits fifth, just one point behind Manchester United.
Leeds is in 16th place, six points above the relegation zone.
Thank you very much.
That's Yang Guang with sports.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour and coming up in culture and entertainment.
Pre-sales for China's Spring Festival movie market have already cracked 100 million yuan.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat the odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
At 52 past the hour.
In culture and entertainment, pre-sales for new films over the Spring Festival holiday in China have already topped 100 million yuan.
The holiday lineup offers diverse genres like comedy, action, and animation.
Pegasus 3 is leading the pre-sale box office.
The film shows a racer adapting after a final competition.
That was closely followed by director Zhang Yimou's latest film, Scare Out.
China Media Group has premiered its 2026 Spring Festival Gala promo in North Macedonia.
It lit up a giant screen in downtown Skopje, drawing curious crowds.
Local students showed great interest in Chinese culture.
The promotion and the gala seems like a really interesting event which I would love to attend one day hopefully in the future, which I believe showcases the most beautiful parts of Chinese culture.
Spring Festival is the most important traditional Chinese holiday and it falls on February 17th this year.
Chinese investors in Côte d'Ivoire have launched a new language and cultural center aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
The initiative seeks to bridge linguistic gaps by teaching French to Chinese residents and Mandarin to Ivorians, amid growing trade and cultural exchanges.
Joy Kiruki, Juma, has details.
In Côte d'Ivoire's capital Abidjan, the sound of lion dances mixed with Ivorian rhythms as officials and community leaders gather to inaugurate the Chinese Language and Cultural Center.
Representatives from the Ivorian Ministries of Culture and Education joined members of the Chinese embassy and local community for the launch, describing the centre as a new platform for cultural diplomacy.
This centre, dedicated to the study of Chinese arts and culture, is important to us Codivorians.
We cannot equip our young people with cultural knowledge without proper spaces for learning, expression and training.
In that sense, this initiative reinforces the government's cultural policy, especially its focus on educating and empowering the youth.
The founder of the center, Lin Ying, outlined the motivation behind the initiative, saying the project was born out of a desire to build friendship through language.
Beyond language classes, the centre offers programmes ranging from traditional dance and drumming to martial arts painting, fencing and even artificial intelligence.
For Wessi Dano-Jaksaristid, a Chinese martial arts instructor, teaching kung fu to African students is a fulfilling venture.
I've been teaching here for two years.
I have been teaching Kung Fu at this center for two years now and I'm really happy to teach Chinese martial arts to my African brothers and to show them a little bit of Chinese culture.
Students say the training is opening doors both professionally and personally.
I've been learning it for around two classes and I find it fun and interesting that I get to learn a new language, because I will be able to speak Chinese when I grow up and if I visit China one day, I can be able to communicate with others fluently.
Backed by the Chinese government through its embassy.
The center plans to organize cultural exchange trips in the coming months, further deepening people-to-people links between China and Cote d'Ivoire.
An exhibition focusing on the history, culture and art of the Sakyam Monastery in Shizhong is taking place at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
The museum and the Shizhong Cultural Heritage Bureau organized the event together.
The event displays more than 200 cultural relics.
The display has four sections covering the monastery's history, its role in national unity, its art and its treasures.
The exhibition will run until May 10th.
Built more than 900 years ago, Sakyam Monastery is renowned for its huge collection of artwork, including Buddha statues frescoes, scriptures and porcelain pieces.
It's home to one of the world's largest bronze Buddha statues.
Malta has launched new stamps for the Chinese New Year.
It's the third year for these special stamps now, and the design mixes traditional Chinese art with modern styles, sharing wishes for good luck and success in the year of the horse.
We're at 57 past the hour, Beijing down to minus 4 this evening.
It'll be sunny and 10 on Wednesday.
Shanghai's overcast and 4 overnight, then sunny and 13.
Chongqing will be cloudy and down to 7 degrees, then overcast in 15.
Nanchang is getting a light rainfall this evening.
It's down to plus 3, sunny in 13 tomorrow.
Lhasa will be cloudy tonight and tomorrow with a low of minus 6 and a high of 10.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is getting a light rainfall and a low of 8 degrees this evening.
Wednesday will be overcast in 20.
Vientiane's overcast overnight and tomorrow a low of 18, a high of 32.
Phnom Penh's overcast in 22 this evening, followed by heavy rainfall in 32 degrees.
And that's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, China's released a white paper on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, including the central government's responsibilities.
And the latest Munich security report has warned that the world has entered the wrecking ball politics phase.
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 the living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 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.
