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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 Bigham with you on this Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, China's intensifying its opening up with improvements to customs operations at Hainan Free Trade Port.
The embattled Japanese prime minister has reiterated his intention to keep his job following a meeting with senior members of his party.
The head of the UN's condemned Israeli airstrikes that struck UN facilities in Gaza.
In business, China -EU green cooperation.
In sports, China earned some gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
In culture and entertainment, a trailer has been released for an English version of a Chinese animated blockbuster.
Now checking the day's top stories.
China is intensifying its opening up by moving toward island -wide independent customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port on December 18.
This means flows between Hainan and overseas markets will be managed under simplified procedures.
The proportion of zero -tariff products in Hainan Free Trade Port will increase from 21 % to 74%.
China's top economic regulators formulated new policies to conduct independent customs operations.
They include implementing a more favorable zero -tariff policy, adopting more relaxed trade management measures, establishing more convenient customs clearance procedures, and enforcing a more efficient supervision model.
model. National Development and Reform Commission Deputy Head Wang Changlin explained the significance of the independent customs operations.
The island -wide independent customs operation marks a new phase in the Hainan Free Trade Port.
It also represents a long -term, continuously advancing mission.
In accordance with the arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, we will leverage the independent customs operation as an opportunity to implement policies for tangible results.
We will expand opening up, refine the institutional framework, accelerate the establishment of an advanced economic system, and build Hainan into a pivotal gateway for China's opening up drive.
China's been adhering to a more targeted and rules -based trade policy over the past decade, with the Hainan free trade port being the most typical example.
And for more on the issue, Wang Ziheng spoke to Liu Baocheng, director of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics.
So Professor Liu, what does Hainan's shift to island -wide independent customs operations signal about China's evolving approach to trade liberalization and global economic integration?
This reflects the growing emphasis on the systematic opening rather than a one -off type of preferential measures.
At a time when global trade is facing rising protectionist, Hainan is now positioned as a counter example to showcase China's intent to remain a key player in the globalization process by integrating China and its particular regions, whereas more of the whole world global economy.
And more importantly, it is there to align China's high standard trade and investment rules together with the regional integration program and also in confirmity with the market actual framework.
So it illustrates China's ambition to play a more active role in shifting the global rules in trade investment rather than adopting the tit -for -tat type of approach towards the protectionist trend.
So with duty -free goods coverage expending significantly, how might these new policies reshape investment incentives and industrial activity within this island province?
This creates a strong incentive for global and domestic investors to reposition their value -added and export -oriented service -heavy operations at Hainan to take advantage of such a reduced operational cost and simplified trade procedures.
So industries such as advanced manufacturing, biotech research and development, new energy technologies, and digital services are likely to gain traction.
And together, with the booming of the tourist industry, to put together a sort of ecosystem that is there to support the industrial diversification, innovation, and cross -border collaboration.
So in the long Right.
The last question, how does the two -tier customs system balance the goals of openness with the need to protect China's broader domestic market?
compromising its domestic and microeconomic management.
So on one hand, it facilitates the deep liberalization with Hainan, allowing for the impulse of goods, services, capital and talents, the highly favorable conditions to stimulate the local development.
On the other, it also creates a regular buffer that prevents certain type of arbitrage, shipment, or uncontrolled leakage of duty -free goods into the broader Chinese market, so the firewall functions to ensure that the national terrorist structure, industrial policies, and customs protection will remain intact.
It also gave policymakers the flexibility to pilot some of the bold reforms in a controlled environment that may be able to proliferate along a large territory in the mainland, which is a very successful experience during the Chinese reform and opening process.
So in essence, the two -tire type of system reflects China's commitment to progressive risk -managed openness.
It's really a hallmark of its evolving model of economic globalization while maintaining its own structure of macro economic governance and management.
That was Liu Baocheng with the University of International Business and Economics.
China travels become a buzzword in recent years, with rural tourism emerging as a powerful driver of local development.
Many villages across western China, which were once impoverished, are turning into viral destinations thanks to eco -friendly development and the preservation of their natural beauty.
One such place is Bianmago Village in Qinghai province just an hour's drive from xining the village is now surrounded by rolling hills and blooming flowers drawing in tourists from across the country every summer we're joined live now with guayan who's visiting biannmago to tell us about the or how ecotourism is transforming that mountainous village thanks for joining us guayan can you tell us how the local government and villagers work together to turn biannmago from a poverty -stricken village into a popular eco -tourism site.
Well, Shane, good evening, Shane.
Actually, Bien Ma Go Village, which I'm visiting, is a great example of how eco -friendly development can lead to real transformation.
Just about 10 years ago, it was still a poverty -stricken village in Qinghai, but with the support of local authorities, both financial support and policy supports, the village launched the various uh tourism projects including the most famous one which is uh called the bianmar go flower sea scenic area project and the manager of this project told me that they are they've been focusing on preserving the environment while building tourism infrastructure like improving roads upgrading their water systems and restoring the natural landscape at the same time, they encouraged the villagers to open farmstays,
small restaurants and doing some very small businesses on their own and develop local agriculture as part of the rural tourism model.
By combining ecological restoration, agriculture and tourism, the village created a comprehensive tourism zone that now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Now back to you, Shen.
What kind of impact has this tourism had on daily lives in terms of income, infrastructure and cultural preservation?
Well, tourism has significantly improved both the economy and daily life in Bien Ma Go Village.
Since the flower sea, which I have mentioned, this area opened in 2016, the village has welcomed more than 2 million visitors, generating over 50 million yuan in their income from entrance tickets, farm stays, local snacks, cuisines and some agricultural products.
Today, there are over 50 farm -ins and over a dozen guest houses run by the local residents with over 160 villagers working in tourism related jobs and the average annual income, I think it has grown from just 2 ,000 yuan in 2015 to more than 16 ,000 yuan today.
day, and the village's collective income now exceeded 4 .5 million yuan.
But what really surprised me when I arrived was something more, I think it's something more cultural.
A lot of local residents would casually ask me, are you going Langshan today?
I'm sure you haven't heard this word before.
And at first, I had no idea what they mean.
Later, a local friend explained that Longshan, literally wandering the mountains is now a popular way to greet someone, almost like saying, are you going out to enjoy your life today?
I think it's a reflection of how deeply this relaxed nature lifestyle has taken root here.
I think this term Longshan or this is kind of a popular lifestyle.
It's not just about sightseeing.
It's about living a a casual and happy lifestyle.
And what I've seen here are blue sky, white cloud, and very beautiful scenery.
But a local friend told me that when she was a little girl, this place was once remote and barren, struggling with poverty and harsh conditions at high altitude.
To turn this around, the villagers introduced some tree species species that could survive the rocky soil and live in this harsh soil conditions.
I think this kind of long shed lifestyle has become possible because of better ecological protection, beautiful rural environments, and some new tourism infrastructure.
This Bien Ma Go village shows us that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.
And when the ecological environment thrives, so do the people.
Back to you, Shan. Thank you very much. That was Guoyan enjoying the Longshan lifestyle in Qinghai province.
European leaders are set to visit China on Thursday to attend the China -EU summit and meet the Chinese leadership.
The two sides released positive signals prior to the visit, but uncertainties remain.
Li Jianming has more on what to expect from the summit and the challenges lying ahead.
China's foreign ministry has announced that Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, will visit China on Thursday to meet with the Chinese leadership.
The visit of the EU leaders come at a time when China and the EU are about to celebrate their 50 years anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Prior to the visits, both sides have released positive signals.
earlier this month china released trade data stressing the nature of economic complementarity between china and the eu over the past 50 years the economic and trade cooperation between china and the eu has been complementary with bilateral trade volume increasing more than 300 fold also in this month china and eu announced simultaneously lifting all restrictions restrictions on mutual exchanges.
In the current circumstances, both sides believe that it is crucial for China and the EU to enhance dialogue and cooperation.
As agreed between the two sides, China and the European Parliament have decided to simultaneously lift all restrictions on mutual exchanges.
Given the positive gestures, challenges remain.
Heated topics like rear Earth, EV, and trading balances are awaiting for progress.
In a recent speech, Ursula von der Leyen has extended kind regards to China at the beginning.
In just 50 years its GDP has grown by more than 10 times, villages were replaced by mega cities, more than 800 million people lifted themselves out of poverty While some of her rhetoric cast uncertainties to the incoming dialogue.
This, for instance, allows China to flood global markets with subsidized overcapacity, not just to boost its own industries, but to choke international competition.
China endorsed the goodwill in this speech, while also pointing out some of the accusations are based on double standards.
Institute's historically the EU has been a major provider of subsidies with those for aircraft agriculture and other sectors all having been ruled as violations by the wto in recent years rather than correcting these erroneous practices the EU has redoubled as efforts to intensify its subsidy programs experts also suggest that the China EU relations should be viewed in a bigger a picture we should have you our relationship more comprehensively not at the focus on the imbalance in goods that you import more from China but if you calculate of the servers after the China imported more from Europe
so there's huge potential for the substrate IP are all that's bronze having managed expectations it would be overly optimistic to expect a substantial breakthrough from a one -day meeting here in Beijing as China said 50 years anniversary of diplomatic ties is a good time for the EU to have a more rational understanding and to take more pragmatic and proactive approaches on China.
That was Li Jiaming reporting.
Coming up, Japan's prime minister vows to stay on after meeting with senior party members.
China has broken ground on what's said to be the world's largest hydropower station high on the Qinghai -Sizang or Tibet Plateau, a new engine for green energy.
But beyond clean power, what will What will the massive project on the Yarlong -Zangbo River mean for China's vast west and its South Asian neighbors?
What challenges lie ahead and could it reshape regional cooperation?
Join us as we explore the facts, the controversy, and high -stakes engineering behind this mega project on this week's Chat Lounge.
Wherever you listen to podcasts and CGTN Radio.
Sixteen minutes past the hour.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has reiterated his intention to remain in office.
He denied reports of his imminent resignation and emphasized the need to avoid a political vacuum.
Speaking after meeting senior figures from the Liberal Democratic Party, Ishiba said they did not discuss his resignation at all.
Ishiba is facing a critical political juncture as discontent within his ruling LDP threatens to derail his leadership following the party's loss in the recent upper house election.
U .S. President Donald Trump's announced trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The deal with Japan will result in Tokyo investing $550 billion into the United States and paying a 15 % reciprocal tariff.
It comes after Trump's meeting with Japan's top negotiator at the White House on Tuesday.
The U .S. will drop threatened tariffs on Indonesia from 32 % to 19%.
Indonesia will eliminate tariffs on over 99 % of U .S. goods.
and scrap non -tariff barriers facing U .S. companies.
Trump also announced a trade deal with the Philippines after meeting with his Philippine counterpart at the White House.
Jim Spellman reports from Washington, D .C.
After Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s meeting at the White House, U .S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that a trade deal had been reached.
U .S. goods shipped to the Philippines won't be charged a tariff, But products from the Philippines entering the U .S. will face a 19 % levy, down slightly from the 20 % Trump had said would go into place on August 1st. No other details were released.
And we do a lot of business with you.
It's a lot of income coming in for both groups.
But I was surprised to see the kind of numbers.
They're very big, and they're going to get bigger under what we're doing and what we're proposing.
trade between the u .s. and the philippines totaled twenty three and a half billion dollars last year of course we're all very happy to be here to once again reaffirm the very strong ties between the Philippines and the United States the ties that they go back over a hundred years and considering the context in which we live these days especially in my part of the world this has become this has evolved into as important a relationship as is possible supposed to have. Regional security was also on the agenda for Marcos, who met with U .S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and later with Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth on Monday.
At the Pentagon, both sides reaffirmed commitment to the U .S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
And this pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels, including our Coast Guards, anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.
That drew a response from Beijing.
Cooperation between the U .S. and the Philippines should not target or harm the interests of any third party, nor should it provoke confrontation or escalate regional tensions.
The Philippines takes over the rotating chairmanship of the regional economic group ASEAN in 2026.
At the White House Tuesday, Marco says he sees no conflict in having good relations That was Jim Spellman reporting.
European leaders say they hope to reach a fair agreement with the U .S. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is one of them.
We are approaching the divisive phase in the customs dispute with the U .S. We need a fair, reliable agreement with low tariffs.
This trade policy between partners, America and Europe, must strengthen the transatlantic market and not weaken it.
Otherwise, this dispute will cause even greater damage than it already has, especially for customers on both sides of the Atlantic.
French Industry and Energy Minister Marc Faraci vowed countermeasures if a deal cannot be reached.
We specifically emphasize that if any agreement cannot be reached before August 1st, a series of countermeasures must be promptly initiated.
This includes the European Commission imposing additional tariffs on US products totaling over 90 billion euros, alongside the deployment of previously unused tools, particularly the anti coercion instrument.
This non -tariff of instrument encompasses measures such as export controls, restrictions on online advertising for digital platforms, and other essential countermeasures.
The objective is to establish a more resolute and credible negotiating stance.
Minister also said the EU -U .S. negotiations over the past three months have yielded no results, and the U .S. stance has become tougher.
U .S. President Donald Trump announced 30 % tariffs on EU products starting August 1.
Canadian Prime Prime Minister Mark Carney called trade negotiations with the U .S. complex, vowing to protect his people's interests.
But, you know, they're complex negotiations and we use all the time that's necessary and agree something that's in the interests of Canadians, if that's available.
Trump announced a 35 % tariff on Canada starting August the 1st. The Trump administration has announced that the U .S. will once again withdraw draw from the U .N. cultural agency.
UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay described the move as regrettable.
I deeply regret President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO, a decision that will take effect at the end of December 2026.
This decision contradicts the fundamental principle of multilateralism and may affect first and foremost our many partners in the United States of America.
The UNESCO chief added that the U .S. withdrawal is unsurprising and its financial impact will be limited.
The U .S. State Department said Washington made the decision due to what it saw as UNESCO's policy to advance divisive social and cultural causes over the Israel -Palestine conflict.
The UNESCO chief said Washington's claims contradict the reality of the agency's efforts.
This is the third time that the U .S. has left UNESCO and the second time under President Donald Trump.
The administration announced withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the World Health Organization, and the U .N. Human Rights Council since Trump began his second term.
Coming up, the U .N. condemns Israeli airstrikes that hit U .N. facilities in Gaza.
Gaza. You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
60 minutes of comprehensive news, your window on China and the world.
At 23 past the hour, the U .N. Secretary General's condemned Israeli strikes hit U .N. facilities in Gaza, including a warehouse used by the World Health Organization.
Antonio Guterres made the remarks during a high -level debate at the UN Security Council.
Mitch McCann reports from New York.
The World Health Organization says its staff and their families were endangered when Israel attacked its staff quarters in Gaza, causing a fire and extensive damage.
The WHO also says several of its staff members were handcuffed, stripped and interrogated on the spot.
The WHO added that its main warehouse in Gaza was damaged on Sunday in an attack that triggered explosions explosions and sparked a fire inside.
Speaking at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, the Secretary General expressed his frustration with the attacks.
I am appalled that UN premises have been struck, among them facilities of the UN Office for Project Services and the World Health Organisation, including WHO's main warehouse.
This is despite despite all parties having been informed of the locations of these UN facilities.
These premises are inviolable and must be protected under international humanitarian law without exception.
Israel did not respond directly to the allegations but noted that it had been in prior contact with international organisations operating in the area.
It also said that it had detained several individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism without specifying whether that was related to the incident involving the WHO.
Mr. Guterres' comments came during a high -level open debate on Tuesday promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways countries can address the growing challenge of unresolved disputes, which often lead to prolonged conflicts.
At Tuesday's meeting, the U .S. representative devoted part of America's statement to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukraine. Russia must cease its attacks on civilians and fulfill its obligations under the charter.
We call on other UN member states to stop providing Russia with the means to continue its aggression.
Meanwhile, China's permanent representative to the United Nations implored member states to reflect on the UN charter as a means to resolve international disputes during this challenging period in global geopolitics.
The Charter is the bedrock that mustn't be shaken on which international order is built.
It is not an a la carte menu that one can pick and choose from.
The international community should reject the law of jungle, whereby more powerful nations bully the less strong ones.
The Security Council also unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday urging all member states to make use of mechanisms aimed at peacefully resolving disputes.
That was Mitch McCann reporting.
Gaza's civil defense authorities say an Israeli airstrike west of Gaza City killed 15 more Palestinians, including six children.
The local health authorities say over 59 ,000 Palestinians have died since the Israel -Palestine conflict began in 2023.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society says they recovered the bodies of three people killed after being targeted by the Israeli army While trying to flee Deir el -Bala to a safer area, Rami Almagari reports from Gaza City.
In Deir el -Bala town, there has been intensive Israeli airstrikes, bombardments and shootouts in the areas where the Israeli army had ordered the population to evacuate over the past couple of days.
So far, more than a dozen people have been reportedly killed, and others are being hit by the Israeli army in different locations over there, including homes and shelter tents in Deir el -Bala town.
Also, there has been a report about the landing by some Israeli army helicopters into the Abu Hurli Junction.
that was the junction, the roadblock, the notorious roadblock prior to the Israeli disengagement from Gaza in 2005.
This could signal some kind of a massive Israeli operation over there that comes amid some kind of fears and reports that Israel might be taking over those areas and dismembering the Daraballah town and central Gaza Strip from the southern parts of the Gaza Strip as well as the northern Gaza Strip areas, including Gaza City.
This is a plan that has been highlighted by different commentators and observers in the region over the past two weeks.
That was Rami Amigari reporting.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says the world is grappling with a worsening food crisis driven by soaring prices and global disruptions.
FAO chief economist Maximo Torero warned that global food systems remain dangerously fragile and he cited the COVID -19 pandemic and the Russian conflict with Ukraine as major drivers of food price inflation.
A 10 % increase in food prices was associated with a 3 .5 % increase in moderate or severe food insecurity and a 1 .8 % increase in severe food insecurity.
These impacts are especially acute in Africa and Western Asia, where food imports dependence and currency depreciation make food even less affordable.
Torero emphasized the need for better governance, strong policy frameworks and coordinated international action to prevent future shocks.
At 29 past the hour, checking the forecast ahead of the break, and Beijing's down to 25 degrees on Wednesday evening.
Thundershowers in the forecast and a high of 30 for Thursday.
day a whole hot and inter -mongolia is down to 20 and then heavy rainfall and 23 degrees in shanxi province datong is 16 overnight with a heavy rain and a high of 27 nanchang's down to 28 and then sunny in 36 elsewhere in asia islamabad's 23 overnight it's getting a slight rain in 31 on thursday vntn's down to 24 followed by some rain in 29 but on pens 25 this evening then overcast conditions and 33 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, China's intensifying its opening up with improvements to customs operations at Hainan Free Trade Port.
The embattled Japanese prime minister has reiterated his intention to keep his job following a meeting with senior members of his party.
And the head of the UN's condemned Israeli airstrikes that struck UN facilities in Gaza.
Shane Bigham with you.
Stay with us here on The Beijing Hour.
Shhh. Listen up. Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers.
From the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers.
Even the solid ground beneath our feet.
And 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 Bigham with you on this Wednesday.
Still to come, in business, China -EU green cooperation.
In sports, China earns some gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
In culture and entertainment, a trailer has been released for an English version of a Chinese animated blockbuster.
To contact us, you can email radio at CGTN .com or follow our X account at CGTN Radio.
But now, checking the day's headlines, here's Tianyu.
Thank you, Shane. China is intensifying its institutional opening up by moving toward island -wide independent customs operation in the Hainan Free Trade Port on December 18.
This means flows between Hainan and overseas markets will be managed under simplified procedures.
The proportion of tariff lines with zero -tariff products in Hainan Free Trade Port will increase from 21 % to 74%.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has held a video meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic.
The two sides conducted discussions on China -EU economic and trade cooperation and other key issues.
Wang also brought up the issue of the EU's inclusion of two Chinese financial institutions in its 18th round of sanctions against Russia.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has reiterated his intention to remain in office.
He denied reports of his imminent resignation and emphasized the need to avoid a political vacuum.
Speaking after meeting senior figures from the Liberal Democratic Party, Ishiba said they did not discuss his resignation at all.
Ishiba is facing a critical political juncture as discontent within his ruling LDP threatens to derail his leadership following the party's loss in the recent upper house election.
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution aimed at reinforcing international coordination for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Resolution 2788, backed by all 15 members of the Council, urges all UN member states to make full and effective use of the Peaceful Dispute Resolution tools outlined in the UN Charter.
These include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, judicial settlement, and regional arrangements, among others.
The UN chief addressed the Council after the vote.
Peace is a choice, and the world expects the UN Security Council to help countries make this choice.
This Council is at the centre of the global architecture for peace and security.
Competition between states is a geopolitical reality, but cooperation, anchored in shared shared interests and the greater good is the sustainable pathway to peace.
The resolution calls on all member states to ensure full implementation of council decisions related to dispute resolution and urges the UN Secretary General to continue using his good offices in mediation and preventive diplomacy.
It also appears to regional and sub -regional organizations such as the African Union, ASEAN and the Arab League to enhance their roles in settling disputes peacefully.
The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and an increasing number of protracted conflicts worldwide.
UN Secretary -General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
He also urged the unconditional release of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian access.
Guterres stressed that these conditions must be met to pave the way for a renewed political process aimed at achieving a a two -state solution.
Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to have a state.
I've said many times that the denial of the right of the state of Israel to exist was a form of anti -Semitism.
And I'm a strong supporter of that right and of the security of the people of Israel.
But my belief is that Israel will only be secure if there is a Palestinian state.
The UN chief also urged the international community not to give up on diplomacy.
These remarks come amid escalating violence and humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where aid agencies have repeatedly reported restricted access to civilians in need.
And finally, China's ambassador to the UN has called for a renewed global commitment to multilateralism, urging nations to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation.
Speaking at a UN Security Council open debate, Fu Cong stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He underscored the United Nations Charter as the foundation of the international order, warning against what he called law of the jungle, where powerful states dominate weaker ones.
The Chinese envoy also urged greater support for regional organizations like the African Union, ASEAN and the Arab League, and endorsed stronger partnerships between these groups and the United Nations in resolving regional conflicts.
Thank you. That was Tianyu with Headline News.
Coming up in business, we look at China -EU green cooperation.
The Beijing Hour. Your window on China and the rest of the world.
37 past now. And with business, here's Wang Zihang.
Thank you, Shane. Stock markets in the Chinese mainland closed mixed on Wednesday.
The Shanghai composite was slightly up.
the Shenzhen component lost nearly 0 .4%.
Agricultural and insurance shares led the gainers.
Elsewhere in China, the Hong Kong stock market ended higher with the Hang Seng index up over 1 .6%.
Meantime, stocks in Japan also ended higher with the Nikkei up over 3 .5%.
Cooperation in carbon market development has been a key component of China -EU climate cooperation.
The partnership between the two sides dates back to the year 2014.
Since then, China and the EU have maintained close communication and cooperation on carbon market development.
In August last year, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation in Carbon Emissions Trading, laying the groundwork for deepening exchanges on carbon market development.
Now for more, Zhou Fang spoke with Wu Changhua, the president of the Global Climate Academy.
Ms Wu, thank you for joining us.
We know the EU launched its carbon market in 2005.
It was the world's first major cap -and -trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
And China established its own carbon market in 2021.
Cooperation in this field has been a focus.
So what major achievements have been made in carbon market development between the two sides?
Well, I think the ETS story is a highlight of the EU -China collaboration in terms of as a policy instrument to pricing carbon as a very important policy instrument to accelerate climate mitigation.
I played sort of my role in the very beginning around 2011 -2012 to really facilitate the more conversation, discussion bilaterally in order to build up more synergy for EU -China to work more closely together.
One focal area that was agreed upon in the end as the core of bilateral collaboration on pricing carbon is the ETS.
So what happened next is that we started capacity building.
So China domestically started to roll out the voluntary carbon market at the regional level.
We set up this seven regional market like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, among others.
The two sides officially started this capacity building process in 2013.
And so between 2013 and the 2021, when China finally officially kicked off its own ETS, over that period of time.
And so EU China have been really dedicated to work with each other, we learned a lot.
Even today, yeah, no matter how complicated the situation might be, ETS remains the highlight, you know, of representing how constructive, productive, you know, the bilateral collaboration could be.
China, of course, 2021 started the first sector, electricity focus, power sector focus, emissions trading.
Now it's standing to four other sectors there.
So if you look at the current coverage of the emissions, there are 60 % of Chinese total emissions already covered there, right?
That's a huge, huge progress because we are linking carbon pricing, linking market based instrument to address emissions there.
So now in China, we already have, so the ETS, the emitted trading market mechanism, we build up the infrastructure, institutional capacity.
capacity. So it's a sort of a normal operation of the day.
Market -based instruments for emissions trading, the core agenda, is to help price carbon, differentiate, identify price on carbon as a policy incentive for emitters to somehow want on one side to invest in emission reductants, to clean energy alternatives, to energy efficiency efficiency improvements, technology, innovation among others.
That was President Wu Changhua of the Global Climate Academy offering her insights on China -EU green cooperation.
The southern Chinese island province of Hainan is aiming to increase its marine economy to over 300 billion yuan, or around 42 billion US dollars, within a decade.
It also strives to become a leading maritime province, Lin Bo reports.
reports. At 1 ,500 meters below the South China Sea lies Xinhaiwan, China's first domestically developed ultra -deep water gas field.
It produces over 4 .5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, the highest yield in the country.
Through coastal terminals in Sanya, Zhuhai and Hong Kong, the gas continuously flows into the Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, Guizhou Bay area and the Hainan free tree port were also being connected to the national pipeline network to benefit both industrial and residential users.
Hainan is also ramping up offshore wind power development.
Last month, the Datang Danzhou 1 .2 million kW offshore wind farm successfully completed its final marine environmental inspection.
Hainan offers an excellent foundation for green energy development.
Coupled with Minyang's self -developed wind turbines, we've established the world's first offshore wind power integrated biomass gasification to methanol project here.
Hainan has become a key hub for deep -sea scientific research. Sanya Nanshan Port, as China's first public home port for scientific expeditions, boasts top -notch facilities that attract an increasing number of research vessels and teams. The Yazhoubei Science and Technology City is home to multiple universities, and Nanshan Port is China's southernmost home port for scientific expeditions.
Its convenience for marine research activities is exceptionally high.
From 2018 to 2024, Hainan's marine production value is projected to rise from 142 .3 billion yuan to 270 .7 billion yuan, nearly doubling.
By 2024, marine production is expected to account for over one -third of the province's GDP, reaching 34 .1%.
There was Lin Wo reporting.
Now, China has stepped up credit support for technology companies this year, with half of the sector's small and medium -sized enterprises receiving loans by the end of the second quarter.
According to the People's Bank of China, the proportion of tech SMEs receiving loan support increased 3 .2 points compared to the same period last year.
Outstanding loans to tech SMEs in local and foreign currencies stood at nearly 3 .5 trillion yuan, or about 484 billion US dollars by Q2, surging almost 23%.
This growth rate outpaced the overall loan growth by 16 points.
Outstanding lending loans to high -tech firms in local and foreign currencies rose 8 .2%, 1 .4 points higher than the overall loan growth rate.
The Chinese Public Security Ministry says the number of visa -free entries into China in 2024 surpassed 20 million, an over 112 % increase from the previous year.
According to the ministry, the number of foreign entries into the country last year exceeded $32 .5 million.
The number was 80 .7 % higher than that of 2023.
The International Monetary Fund has warned that US trade tariffs will have negative impacts on the global economy with limited effects on solving rising imbalances.
The IMF said in its annual external sector report that in the short term, tariffs would reduce global demand, lead to a negative supply shock, especially for the imposing countries, and add to inflationary pressures through rising import prices.
The agency also said that tariffs can diminish domestic demand by undermining consumer and business confidence, increase financial market volatility and lead to persistent appreciation of the US dollar.
In addition, unpredictability about tariffs pose risks to global investment and growth.
According to the IMF, countries will respond to rising imbalances by raising trade barriers, leading to increased economic fragmentation.
The International Monetary Fund has warned that Argentina's international reserves remain at critical levels, urging the country to take additional steps to strengthen them.
The IMF says the country's external assessment is subject to exceptionally high uncertainty and depends on the implementation of structural reforms that boost competitiveness and productivity the agency says it is necessary to maintain a solid trade balance attract foreign direct investment and safeguard external sustainability it also advocated for a more flexible exchange rate along with a gradual easing of remaining foreign exchange restrictions as well as reforms to create a a more open and market -oriented economy.
Thank you very much. That was Wang Zihang with Business.
Coming up in sports, China earned some gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
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At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, China claimed the golden team technical routine in artistic swimming.
Following their earlier victory in the team free routine, it marks their second team title at this year's championships.
Head coach Zhang Xiaohuan called the win a dream come true.
I have told our swimmers they should focus on themselves.
We should keep cool and deal with every detail in the techniques.
This routine demands a lot from the swimmers, and they remain underwater for a relatively long time.
We also increase the difficulty level, so we take more risks.
The swimmers were under big pressure during the performance.
This is the first time we fight against our arch rivals in the recent three years.
We expected a lot before the competition and dreamed for the success for a long time.
With this result, China has swept both completed team events.
Alongside Xu Huiyan's solo technical gold, the team now holds three titles.
They will return to the pool for the team acrobatic routine final on July 25th.
Meanwhile, World Aquatics President Hussain Al -Mussalam spoke with CMG in Singapore, highlighting the evolution of artistic swimming and praising China's strong performance in the sports.
The athletes can jump now higher to show themselves in the air more.
This is what's been changed.
The other change that the result is more transparent to everybody.
It's more change that the underwater technology is being used.
So this is good for the development of the sport.
And the impact was really, really very positive.
I think China is one of the nations that take aquatic sports seriously.
That's why now we see China doing fantastic at the artistic school.
That was World Aquatics President Hussain Al -Musallam.
Turning to tennis, Wu Yibing cruised past Francisco Memphis 6 -3 -6 -1 to advance to the second round of the City Open, earning his first main draw win of the ATP Tour season.
season. Memphis, a former champion in Washington and a semi -finalist in three of his past five appearances, took an early 2 -1 lead.
But Wu found his rhythm, reading off five of the next six games to claim the first set.
Memphis struggled to respond and never recovered in the second.
Wu, who made history by winning the 2023 Dallas Open as the first Chinese ATP Tour champion, now faces Alexei Porprey in the next round.
The Australian who received a first -round buy is preparing to defend ranking points from his Maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal last summer.
Elsewhere, fellow Chinese player Buin Chakda also advanced, defeating David Goffin in straight sets.
Here we next face Alex de Minou.
In football, Chloe Kelly scored the winner in extra time as England pulled off a dramatic 2 -1 comeback win over Italy to reach the Women's European Championship final.
final England coach serena Vickman said she felt many emotions after the hard footway I have many emotions again um I'm feeling relieved I'm feeling happy um it feels a bit surreal making a final again but we're here and we're going to the final so we need to recover a bit we know with the players we have in the squad and if we change a bit we bring more players upfront that we can always score a goal because we've shown that multiple times and we had to wait a little bit longer for it now but at the end we did italy struck first in the 33rd minute when barbara born and sia fired into the roof of the net
following a sharp move down the right england dominated possession but struggled to break down italy's tight defense with low range efforts posing in little threats.
As time ran out, 19 -year -old Michelle Aguilerman seized a loose ball in the box and fired home in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force extra time.
England kept up the pressure and when Emma Svirini brought down Beth Meade in the box, Kelly stepped up for the penalty.
Though her initial shot was saved, she buried the rebound to clinch the win.
England now advanced to the final where they will face either Spain or Germany.
And finally, China's women's basketball team bounced to the semifinals of the Rhein -Württemberg University Art after a thrilling 75 -70 win over Japan on Tuesday.
China earned its spot in the quarterfinals by topping Group D with victories against Portugal, Romania and Chile.
Japan finished second in Group C with a 2 -1 record. Japan started strong hitting an early three -pointer and building a nine -point lead in the the first quarter.
China responded taking their first lead late in the second quarter though Japan still led 36 to 34 at halftime.
After the break both teams traded baskets but China's Tian Yuanyuan dominated fourth quarter trading back -to -back three -pointers to secure a crucial lead.
Japan launched a late surge but China held on to clinch the win.
Tian finished with a game high 20 points while Liu Yitong contributed 17.
For Japan, Asahina Azusa scored 17.
China will will now face Poland in the semifinals.
Thank you very much. That's Yang Guang with sports.
Just ahead in culture and entertainment, a trailer has been released for an English version of a Chinese animated blockbuster.
From north to south, east to west, people in China are chasing their dreams and leaving their mark.
Want to know how they beat their odds and made a difference?
Footprints brings you the true life stories of their journeys.
At 53 past the hour, in culture and entertainment, CMC Pictures released a new trailer for the English -dubbed version of the Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 on its official Weibo account.
The 73 -second preview showcases the voice performance of Oscar -winning actress Michelle Yeoh.
The release comes ahead of the film's theatrical return to North America, Australia and New Zealand on August 22nd.
In February, the film opened in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with Chinese audio and English subtitles.
The animated fantasy tells the story of the mythological figure Ne Zha, and debuted globally in China during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Audiences around the world have flocked to theaters, helping the film to gross around 2 .2 billion US dollars.
Ne Zha 2 has climbed into the top five highest -grossing films of all time globally, and it surpassed all previous animated releases to become the highest -grossing animated feature in history.
A new museum is open to the public in central China, offering free admission.
Visitors can explore the rich history and cultural heritage of the Luoyang Ancient City Ruins and view a collection of precious artifacts.
Ding Siu -Wei has more.
Covering approximately 8 ,000 square meters, the Luoyang Hangwei Ancient City Ruins Museum The museum features three main exhibition halls and a boutique gallery.
Over 1 ,300 precious artifacts are on display, including bronze murals, tomb inscriptions, stone steles, coins, and Buddhist statues from the Han and Hui periods around 2 ,000 years ago.
It showcases Luoyang's urban civilization as the era's largest city and the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road.
I learned a lot through this visit.
The renovated museum offers many immersive experiences that appeal to young people, fostering greater interest, acceptance and emotional connection to history.
From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Northern Wei Kingdom, the city of Luoyang has chronicled a 1 ,600 -year -long historical narrative, witnessing numerous significant events in ancient Chinese history.
It also laid a solid foundation for the prosperity of the Sui and Tang dynasties that followed. Through architectural storytelling, technological empowerment, intellectual property revitalization, and scholarly research, this museum showcases the important archaeological discoveries and research achievements related to the ancient Han and Wei city ruins.
That was Ding Siyue reporting.
reporting. Orochin elder Nei Shumei is keeping her community's cultural heritage alive by singing traditional Zandaran folk songs, inspiring younger generations and showing how art connects the past to the future.
Zandaran is inherited from the elders in our primeval forest and is unforgettable.
When we're happy, we sing about whatever we see, especially when good friends come to visit.
Ney lives in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and belongs to one of China's smallest ethnic groups with a population under 10 ,000.
Last year, a short video of Ney singing went viral, touching viewers with her clear and heartfelt voice.
The Orachan rely on oral tradition to pass down their history, stories and skills, making voices like Ney's essential to preserving their cultural legacy.
legacy. Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero's great art exhibition is opened at the Guangdong Museum of Art in Guangzhou.
The exhibition features over 80 iconic works, including oil paintings and distinctive sculptures, offering a vivid portrayal of Latin America's social landscape and spirit.
Curator Wang Shao -chung described how the art is a conceptual tool, inviting introspection, critique, and reflection.
Botero is one of the world's most celebrated modern artists and a national treasure of Colombia.
This is the first exhibition of Batero's work in southern China.
The exhibition runs through November 23rd. 57 past the hour.
Checking the forecast before we go for the day.
Beijing's down to 25 degrees this evening.
Thunder showers in a high of 30 on Thursday.
Ho -Hat in Inner Mongolia is down to 20, followed by heavy rainfall in 23 in Shanxi province Datong is 16 overnight then heavy rainfall in 27 Nanchang's at 28 this evening and then sunny in 36 elsewhere in Asia Islamabad's down to 23 a slight rainfall in 31 for Thursday Vientiane has 24 degrees overnight then a slight rain in 29 degrees in Africa Nairobi's overcast and 24 degrees Celsius on Thursday that's it for this edition of the Beijing hour making news today China's intensifying its opening up with improvements to customs operations at Hainan free trade port.
The embattled Japanese Prime Minister has reiterated his intention to keep his job following a meeting with senior members of his party.
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.
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He can't live without the Yellow River in his eyes.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made 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 China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 per cent 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 the time of digital transformation from 2021 to 2024 our reporters visited the upper middle and lower reaches of the yellow river talk to the herders farmers boatmen fishermen and eco -activists who share a close bond with with the river, and present their stories in pictures, podcasts, and videos, all in our 12 -part series, The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
