Get the unmissable news stories of the day.
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 Tuesday, March 31st, 2026.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, pakistan's four ministers visiting china on tuesday for discussions on the iran war and other issues of regional and international concern.
The world trade organization has issued a declaration regarding the world's first multilateral investment agreement and cuba is getting its first oil shipment of the year, despite the ongoing us sanctions on the country.
In business, China's manufacturing returns to growth after two months of contraction.
In sports, Team China starts strong at the International Table Tennis Federation World Cup in Macau.
In culture and entertainment, the Discover China cultural tour has kicked off in Beijing.
And now the day's top stories.
Pakistani Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is visiting China on Tuesday to hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
China says it believes the four ministers will strengthen strategic coordination on international and regional issues, such as the situation in Iran.
They also aim to make fresh efforts at stopping the war and maintaining regional peace and stability.
Iran's parliament's approved plans to impose fees and restrictions on ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposal outlines a toll system based on the Iranian currency and reinforces what officials describe as Iran's sovereign authority over the crucial energy waterway.
Meanwhile, U.S.
President Donald Trump reportedly told aides he's willing to end the war with Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.
The Wall Street Journal, citing officials, said Trump and his aides recently assessed that a mission to pry open the energy waterway will push the war beyond his timeline of four to six weeks.
Trump is sending mixed signals, threatening further strikes and hailing diplomatic progress.
Nick Harper reports.
The idea of oil, the idea of the U.S. taking Karg Island has very much come to the fore.
Donald Trump has mentioned it on several occasions in person in interviews and also on social media.
At one point, he said that he wanted to take the oil.
It said it was his favorite thing to try and do.
That is a key export oil hub. for Iranian oil leaving the country.
However, Donald Trump also said that some stupid people back home are warning him against the possibility of a ground invasion and the possibility of seizing that oil.
Lots of things that could go wrong.
There are fears that it could claim American lives if there are boots on the ground.
There are fears it could raise oil prices even higher.
But also Iran is warning that it would punish its regional partners forever.
So the possibility of more retaliatory strikes.
And while all of that Donald Trump has also been speaking about the discussions that are ongoing.
This is what he had to say about the latest in the rounds of talks with Iran.
We've had very good negotiations today with Iran, getting a lot of the things that they should have given us a long time ago.
We'll see how it works out, but they're very good.
Obviously, bear in mind, that's a very different story to what the Iranians are saying.
They are saying that in direct talks, direct talks, those have not yet taken place.
But there is the possibility of a meeting in Pakistan.
But still the US president is putting out those mixed messages, talking about escalation but also talking about diplomacy, and in a social media post first thing monday morning here he said that the united states, even though it was in serious discussions, was looking to escalate the conflict, saying that if the strait of hormuz was not reopened immediately And if a deal was not reached shortly, the US would be targeting electric generating plants, oil wells and mentioning once again Carg Island.
That was Nick Harper in Washington.
G7 finance and energy ministers are pledging to stabilize the oil market.
They said after a meeting that they're ready to limit broader economic spillovers from recent volatility.
Ross Cullen has more from Paris.
Well, the emergency talks addressed the economic fallout of the war in Iran.
In a statement after the meeting, the finance and energy ministers from the G7 group said quote They added that they back appropriate efforts to sustain supply in global oil and gas markets.
But they cautioned other countries to quote refrain from imposing unjustified export restrictions on hydrocarbons and related products.
The squeeze on oil and gas supplies has pushed prices higher, with chain reaction effects for countless industries.
G7 nations like France and Italy have had to react to shore up support for their gasoline markets.
Paris has imposed a limit on prices at the pump and Rome has cut 25 cents from the cost of fuel.
Now central bank governors from the G7 nations also joined the meeting to discuss the ongoing financial effects of the conflict.
Germany's annual inflation rate has now reached 2.7% in March.
That's the highest level since 2024.
Energy prices in the G7's second biggest economy have surged 72 in March, which is the first increase in more than two years.
That was Ross Cullen reporting.
Spain's closest airspace to U.S. warplanes taking part in attacks on Iran.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles says the U.S. and Israeli strikes are illegal and unjust.
I think everyone knows what the Spanish position is.
It is a very clear position.
From the very first moment it was made very clear to the American military and forces and therefore the bases are not authorized and, of course, the use of Spanish airspace for actions related to the war in Iran is also not authorized.
Spain's economy minister said the restriction is part of a decision by the government not to participate or contribute to a war which it described as unilateral and against international law.
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has been one of the most vocal opponents of the US in Israeli attacks on Iran, calling them reckless and illegal.
We asked Professor Wang Jin at Northwest University what the move from a NATO country suggests about the divisions within the alliance.
Israel, United States.
They feel alone because nobody, particularly their allies in the European country.
They deny to offer the very direct assistance for United States and Israel in this war against Iran because they have different understandings.
From their perspective, they believe that the war was resulted from United States and Israel unilateral attacks against Iran, rather than other kind of the mutual war.
So that's why they hope that once the war could be ended, the United States and Israel, they should do something very assertively and very actively.
And also, on the other hand, the United States' plan to end the war, particularly to ask assistance from the European allies, cannot be accepted by the European countries, because they ask the European countries to gather the military forces, to gather the military presence, to impose new pressure against Iran, and that could lead to the casualties of the European countries forces and also that could further enlarge and escalate the tension that is happening right now.
So that's why the gap I think the gap between the European countries and the United States and Israel are now become more and more widening and the divisions become more and more clear.
That's why I think maybe the United States and Israel will be more lonely with the war going on.
That was Professor Wang Jin, on disagreements over the war in Iran between the United States and its allies.
The US national average retail price of gasoline crossed 4 a gallon for the first time in more than three years.
Surging fuel prices have started to weigh on US household finances, which were already grappling with rising costs.
Tony Waterman examines the cost of war for Americans.
Paul Shields watches his pennies.
The Army veteran is on a fixed income and the recent spike in gas prices is eating into his budget.
It's horrible.
I fill up like around a half a tank.
For this car, it may cost me like $27.
I just spent $40.
So that's a huge jump.
Prices at the pump have surged nearly 35 since the conflict in Iran began, putting fresh pressure on households already strained by an affordability crisis.
And some Americans are now worried that gas is just the first pain point.
It seems like everything kind of follows the fuel.
You know, once the fuel goes up for everything airline, you know cabs Uber, you know your personal vehicle, you know tractor trailers, diesel is high.
So once the prices go up on automotive or automobiles or transportation, then everything seems to tank and follow.
Groceries could be next hit by the triple threat of soaring costs of fuel, fertilizer and freight, all linked to Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz.
Fresh produce meat, dairy and seafood are expected to see the fastest price spikes due to their reliance on temperature controlled fuel intensive logistics.
Iranian strikes on natural gas facilities could also drive utility prices higher, with the US getting more than 40 percent of its electricity needs from natural gas.
That will put a drag on consumer pocketbooks, consumer spending.
It will actually delay certain expenditures.
And so what that means, the U.S. could see a recession.
It would likely be a relatively mild recession if it does happen.
But certainly you won't see a boom as a result of what's going on in the United States.
The Trump administration is trying to offset rising prices by easing oil sanctions on Russia and Iran, temporarily allowing foreign flag ships carrying oil at US ports and tapping into the US oil reserve.
Experts say the only thing that will drive prices lower is a ceasefire.
But even then, it will take months for things to return to normal.
Between the infrastructure damage, the uncertainty in the region.
It's going to be hard to get to a path back to 60 per day.
We see a floor at around $70 to $80 per barrel.
For how long?
For at least the next six to 12 months.
Which means the higher prices Americans are paying for everyday essentials could remain elevated well into next year.
That was Tony Waterman on the economic impacts of the Iran war.
Rising energy prices are also taking a toll on UK households, despite government promises of support.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer held an emergency meeting last week alongside Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, to address the economic fallout from the war in Iran.
Starmer said he has no meaningful concerns about energy supply but warned Britain must prepare for the possibility of a prolonged conflict in the region.
However, as Stuart Smith reports, many UK residents are already struggling with rising energy bills.
Like an estimated 1.5 million homes in the UK, Annie Jones's house has an oil tank.
It provides her with both heating and hot water.
But the community oil buying scheme that she's part of here in southwest England was suspended when the Iran conflict broke out.
No suppliers will quote a firm price for fear of wild fluctuations before they deliver.
In such a volatile market, it's leaving huge questions about the cost.
They won't give you a price on when you first order it.
The price will be on the day that they deliver it.
And they're saying two to three weeks delivery.
So I would have been paying about 55p a litre.
But I know neighbours of mine are now paying about £1.30.
So yes, everything is getting more and more expensive and expensive.
Perhaps we just have to get used to that.
With a log burner and the spring weather starting to warm up, Annie has turned off her heating and is saving the oil she has to give her hot water.
For those not reliant on oil tanks, with price fixes and national caps on costs, bills haven't gone up yet.
There are warnings though of significant rises in the coming months.
The UK government has promised to step in if prices spiral, but have warned that support will be limited.
Contingency planning is taking place for every eventuality, so that we can keep costs down for everyone and provide support for those who need it most, acting within our ironclad fiscal rules to keep inflation and interest rates as low as possible.
A month after it started, the conflict in Iran has had a huge financial impact on many in the UK.
Petrol prices are up 11% in the last month.
Diesel is up 20%.
The average fixed two-year mortgage rate has jumped to almost 55 as fears linger over inflation and possible interest rate rises by the Bank of England.
And it's the uncertainty over future prices that's causing concern over household bills.
Even before the Iran conflict.
Latest figures showed more than two million UK households were in debt to their energy suppliers.
Charities are now warning many more are having to cut back on essentials to try to make ends meet.
That was Stuart Smith on people in Britain facing higher costs of living.
Coming up, the WTO's declaration regarding the world's first multilateral investment agreement.
Find your way to a wealth of Chinese culture and thinking, all on POS Plus.
At 15 past the hour, delegates at a WTO conference have issued a joint declaration toward implementing the world's first multilateral investment agreement during the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Cameroon.
Delegates also adopted an agreement on electronic commerce, which will strongly bolster the development of global digital trade.
Ministerial decisions were also adopted regarding fisheries subsidies and small economies.
Furthermore, a consensus was reached on WTO reform.
The Chinese delegation actively promoted negotiations, helping bridge differences and contributing to the results.
China's constructive role was highly commended by the host country and the WTO chief.
WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala describes a new, more agile approach to the ministerial conference.
She said ministers focus their time on debating necessary WTO reforms and discussing recent turbulent developments in global trade.
We are trying a new way of working.
We are trying to model the reforms. that we're looking at.
We work more swiftly, nimbly.
We didn't spend time negotiating an outcome document, like ministers normally would have done, because we wanted ministers to spend time debating reforms and talking about the recent developments in trade.
We're having a turbulent time in global trade and they spend time talking to each other about this and about the reforms.
The conference took place against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions.
Over 120 delegations from the WTO members participated, including more than 80 ministers.
The conference was postponed due to extended talks, with some issues left unresolved, including tariffs on electronic transmissions.
Organizers are expecting more than 200 product debuts at the China International Consumer Products Expo next month double the amount from the last edition.
More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions are participating.
International exhibits will make up 65% of the total display.
This year's expo in Hainan Province begins on April 13th and runs for six days.
Cao Qufeng has more.
The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo, or CICPE, will be held from April 13th through 18th in Haike, the capital of southern China's Hainan Province.
This will be the first international trade expiry after the official release of China's 15th Five-Year Plan and the first edition of the event since the Hainan Free Trade Port fully launched island-wide special customs operations.
The move toward island-wide independent customs operations highlights China's commitment to high-level opening up and to building an open global economy.
It also marks a new phase for the Expo, one that is increasingly international, professional and market-driven.
The Ministry of Commerce will focus on creating stronger synergy between the Expo and the Hainan Free Trade Port, leveraging the port's policies to support the expo's high-quality growth, while enhancing the expo's platform role to better serve the port's development.
As a national-level trade fair in China focused on consumer goods.
This year's CICPE will feature more than 3400 brands from over 60 countries and regions.
International exhibits will account for 65% of the total, up 20 percentage points from last year.
And this year, product debuts will be one of the highlights.
A series of world debuts, Asia Pacific premieres and China launches will take place, bringing the world's finest products and cutting edge technological innovations to the stage.
Highlights include the latest.
The organizers say this year's expo will be more than just a showcase for global consumer brands.
It will also serve as a gateway for businesses to explore and tap into the unique advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Ultimately, this expo is about connection, opportunity and a shared belief in open markets.
That was Cao Qufeng reporting.
Audiovisual experience provider Dolby recently opened its global flagship experience center in Shanghai.
Chen Tong spoke with Dolby Laboratories Vice President, Javier Fonseas, about bringing immersive experiences to Chinese customers.
This is Habia Fosias, Vice President of Dolby.
Yes, if you love watching films, you may have heard of it.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Dolby, it's a premium audio-visual technology that delivers exceptional, immersive experiences.
Happy Year.
Traveled to Shanghai with the single mission of preparing for the opening of the world's first ever flagship center to experience Dolby tech innovations.
If I ask you to pick one song that we can have the best experience, Which one will you pick?
Well, I picked one song from Ariana Grande Seven Rings because I think the Atmos music is uniquely special.
I think it's just got that sensual feeling that makes you feel like yeah, you're having a private concert.
So you should check it out.
Inside this flagship experience center, Dolby offers a variety of experiences.
From music to e-sports and car audio.
Dolby does not sell anything to the consumer, so we rely on our partners.
And the good thing about Shanghai is we have all of them here in Shanghai.
But with phone dominating our life 24 hours a day, do you think that's a challenge?
Actually, I agree with the tendency.
People are using their phones more and more, and they're using them on the go outside the home.
But in a way, I think, because they're spending so much time with their phones, they're actually expecting more from their phones.
And what we find is that we actually have requests to adapt our technology, both our audio and our video technology for the phones.
And it's not only requests on phones, but also on cars.
Javier told me that China has Dolby's most active business partners.
China's Li Auto, for instance, is the first car in the world to provide the most advanced visual and audio Dolby techs.
A lot of the new energy vehicles here in China, they push us to do new things.
For example, when we introduced music, they said, oh, but why just music?
Why don't we have like audiovisual content?
So they pushed us to, hey, why don't you add Dolby Vision to our screens?
Why don't you help us get... you know, services like Bilibili in the car.
That explains why this experience center is set up right here in Shanghai.
What impressed me most is what Javier said.
They pushed us to do new things.
Though phones are bringing revolutionary changes to the entertainment industry, Chinese music streaming companies try hard to offer better experiences on your mobile device.
Music in cars is all news.
That's why Chinese car makers also want to provide visual experiences.
I think this story is not only about foreign companies showing business optimism in China, but also about the Chinese companies inspiring foreign firms to innovate.
That was Chen Tong reporting on Dolby and its Chinese partners.
Coming up, Cuba is set to receive its first oil shipment of the year despite U.S. sanctions.
And find your favorite news, talk, features, entertainment shows and podcasts.
Hear the difference with CTTN Radio.
23 past the hour.
A Russian tanker is delivering roughly 730000 barrels of oil to Cuba, marking the island's first such delivery this year.
Experts say the shipment could feed Cuba's daily demand for nine or ten days.
The U.S. oil blockade on Cuba has deepened the energy crisis.
It triggered blackouts, crippled hospitals, and slashed public transport.
U.S.
President Donald Trump said he has no problem with the Russian oil tanker delivering relief to the island.
The White House said there has been no change in the sanction policy for Cuba.
Security lines at U.S. airports got much shorter on Monday.
Transportation Safety Administration officers began receiving back pay for working during the government shutdown.
In Houston, wait times dropped from four hours to 10 minutes or less.
Atlanta and Baltimore also saw big improvements.
TSA workers said they received some back pay with the rest expected next week.
President Donald Trump ordered the payments to ease airport delays.
While the busy spring break travel season continues, it's still unclear how long federal officers will stay in terminals.
Travelers are hopeful that the long lines and missed flights are finally over.
There are concerns about whether the infrastructure in Mexican cities can cope with World Cup crowds as the country prepares to welcome football fans from around the world for the sports showpiece event coming up in June.
Alistair Baverstock reports from Guadalajara guadalajara mexico, where the clock is ticking.
As a fifa world cup host city, guadalajara is expecting millions of football fans later this year and while security concerns tend to generate headlines, local experts say a far greater problem is looming as the city prepares for that surge in visitors Water.
Drought-ridden western Mexico has a long-standing issue with the scarcity of water.
It's estimated that Guadalajara's aging infrastructure loses half of its already limited supply, much of it drawn from nearby Lake Chapala to leaks.
What's more, the region's rivers are some of the country's most polluted.
In the southeast part of the city, the contamination is visible and foul smelling.
The impacts have been terrible.
A lot of people are sick because of contamination from the river, mainly with cancer and kidney problems.
However, these problems are not limited to water above ground, says Professor Carlos Escudero of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara.
Guadalajara's water treatment plants are not enough for a city of 5 million people.
The water comes out cloudy with particles, and studies have identified heavy metals, pesticides and other contaminants.
Escudero says the arrival of World Cup visitors to the city in June and July will add more stress to the system.
If water isn't properly managed, from planning and conservation to handling wastewater, increased consumption will put even more pressure on Lake Chapala.
And for those who do come, the message is clear.
Don't drink the tap water.
To avoid health problems in Mexico, it's better to drink tequila than tap water.
That was a report from Mexico on the country's potential water problem during the World Cup.
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza have marked Land Day amid the ruins, a holding on to hope of rebuilding.
The annual commemoration opposing Israeli land policies recalls the 1976 killing of six Palestinians by Israeli forces.
In Hon.
Yunis Raja al-Aqad is living in a tent and says they remain resilient and committed to staying on their land.
No one forgets their land or their home.
Land Day is a day that is very dear to us because this is our land and will remain our land.
And we are steadfast.
Despite the wars and everything that happened to us, we are still standing steadfast on our land.
A fragile ceasefire has paused a two-year war, but local officials say Israeli strikes have killed nearly 700 Palestinians since the truce.
Key aspects of a U.S. ceasefire plan remain unimplemented.
The countdown's begun for humanity's first lunar launch in 53 years.
NASA's clocks are ticking at Kennedy Space Center, where the rocket is set to lift off Wednesday evening with four astronauts for the Artemis II mission.
NASA Associate Administrator Amit Shastaria says they're ready.
The vehicle's ready, the system is ready, the crew is ready and behind this flight stands a campaign.
Landings, a lunar base, A nuclear propulsion into deep space.
That begins, not ends, with what happens on Wednesday evening.
Well, after orbiting Earth, the Orion capsule will take them to the moon and back.
NASA's last crewed moon mission was Apollo 17 back in 1972.
Police in Italy say thieves have stolen three paintings worth millions of euros from a private museum near Parma.
The heist occurred on the night of March 22nd, with the suspects forcing open a door and escaping through the gardens.
They completed the robbery in under three minutes.
The stolen works are from Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse.
We're at 29 past the hour.
Beijing will be getting showers overnight.
It's down to 9 degrees.
Wednesday is cloudy and 18.
Shanghai is getting a light rainfall in 11, followed by overcast conditions in 20.
Chongqing is cloudy and down to 13, followed by moderate rainfall in 26.
Nanchang will see moderate rain in 11 tonight, then sunny in 22.
Las is getting sleet.
It's down to 5 overnight.
Tomorrow is cloudy in 16.
Elsewhere in Asia.
Islamabad will see a light rainfall in 15 and then overcast conditions in 26.
For Wednesday
Vientiane will be cloudy tonight and tomorrow, a low of 24 and a high of 38.
Phnom Penh is getting overcast skies in 25, followed by cloudy conditions in 37 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour.
Pakistan's foreign minister is visiting China on Tuesday for discussions on the Iran war and other issues of regional and international concern.
The World Trade Organization has issued a declaration regarding the world's first multilateral investment agreement.
And Cuba's getting its first oil shipment of the year, despite the ongoing US sanctions on the country.
Shane Bigham with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
Shh, listen up.
Can you hear the heartbeat of our world?
It's vibrant and pulsating with the essence of life itself.
From the stem of trees to the gurgle of rivers, from the silent strength of mountains to the icy whispers of glaciers, even the solid ground beneath our feet, right there, in the midst of all beast, a 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.
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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.
I'm Shane Begum with you on this Tuesday.
Still to come...
In business, China's manufacturing returns to growth after two months of contraction.
In sports, Team China starts strong at the International Table Tennis Federation World Cup in Macau.
In culture and entertainment, the Discover China Cultural Tour has kicked off in Beijing.
To contact us, you can email radio at cgtn.com or follow our ex-account at cgtnradio.
Now checking the day's headlines, here's Tianyu.
Thank you, Shane.
China says three Chinese vessels recently sailed through the Strait of Hormuz after coordination efforts.
A spokesperson from the foreign ministry stressed that the strait and its surrounding waters are an important corridor for the trade in international goods and energy.
The spokesperson reiterated China's call for a ceasefire and a return to peace and stability in the Gulf region.
U.S.
President, Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran's energy plants and oil wells if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz.
The comments came after Iran called Washington's peace proposal unrealistic and fired waves of missiles at Israel.
Israeli forces said they intercepted two drones from Yemen two days after the Houthis joined the conflict by firing missiles at Israel.
The European Union's energy chief has told members to prepare for a prolonged disruption to energy markets as a result of the Iran war.
European gas prices have jumped more than 70 since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began at the end of last month.
The EU supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly, since Europe imports most of its energy sources from outside of the Middle East.
But Brussels is concerned about Europe's supply of refined petroleum products such as jet fuel and diesel.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government is exploring humanitarian aid and potential fuel arrangements with Cuba.
One thing is humanitarian aid, another is the trade agreements we have with Cuba.
That also involves oil shipments, as some are humanitarian while others stem, as I've said, from long-standing agreements going back decades.
This isn't new.
We're working with them on both fronts.
Her comments follow U.S.
President Donald Trump's statement that he has no objection to a Russian tanker delivering oil to the island, despite longstanding US restrictions.
Sheinbaum said Mexico distinguishes between humanitarian assistance and trade, adding that any cooperation would build on existing ties.
Cuba is preparing to receive a sanctioned Russian vessel carrying roughly 730000 barrels of oil to help ease severe shortages that have led to widespread blackouts and disruptions to basic services.
Philip Lazzarini is ending his term as head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, known as UNRWA.
He expressed sadness because nearly 400 of his staff were killed in Gaza, a record for the United Nations.
He also felt bitterness over what he calls violations of international law.
When we talk about the respect of international law, we have seen that this blatant disdain and disregard the fact that everything has been conducted without any Respect of the rule of war has also allowed now the spread of a conflict into Iran, with no justification to initiate such a large-scale war impacting the entire region.
Lazzarini said the ceasefire in Gaza is in name only.
People still live in rubble and struggle to find clean water.
He warned that without money, Angra may not survive.
He also said no other group can replace it in Gaza.
Today, you do not have an existing alternative in Gaza.
UNRWA is certainly the only organization which has the manpower, the expertise, the community trust when it comes to public health or education services.
There is no other NGOs or UN organization, but we also know that the Palestinian Authority is not ready to take over these services.
Lazarini now looks forward to spending time with his family and writing about his experiences.
And finally, the Australian government says it is investigating five platforms for failing to comply with the world's first social media ban for children younger than 16.
The federal government's e-safety commissioner said it has identified poor practices, including allowing children to repeatedly attempt to bypass age assurance methods and filling to provide pathways for reporting age-restricted accounts.
Companies that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent children younger than 16 from accessing their platforms face fines of up to US495 million, or nearly US34 million.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
37 past now.
Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed lower on Tuesday.
The Shanghai composite was down around 0.8%.
The Shenzhen component decreased over 1.8%.
Sports and forestry shares were among the top gainers.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained nearly two-tenths of a percent.
Japan's Nikkei declined more than one and a half percent.
China's factory activity saw a notable rebound in March, returning to expansion territory above the 50-point mark after two consecutive months of contraction.
The purchasing manager's index stood at 50.4, up 1.4 points from February.
This marks the fastest manufacturing growth in one year and the rebound exceeded market expectations, with a Reuters poll forecasting 501.
The National Bureau of Statistics attributed the improvement to the rapid resumption of work and production following the spring festival holiday and increased market activity.
The subindex for production stood at 514, up from 496 in February, while the gauge for new orders came in at 516, up three points from the previous month.
Hitech Manufacturing posted a PMI reading of 521, up 06 points from February and remained in expansion territory for the 14th consecutive month.
Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing PMI, which includes sub-indexes for service sector activity and construction, came in at 581 in March, up by 06 points on a monthly basis.
For more on the latest PMI, Michael Wang spoke with Liu Jierqin, a senior fellow at Renmin University's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies.
So March's manufacturing PMI shows production and new orders, so supply and demand both back above that key 50 level, but new orders jumped three percentage points higher versus production's 18 percentage point gain.
What does this tell you about demand post the spring festival holiday lull?
I think these figures in March are very encouraging.
We see a very positive and nice picture of our economic development in March, not only because of the Spring Festival, but also from the supply chain and demand side.
Both sides have shown their resilience and confidence in growing up their efforts to develop the economy.
First we see the production side and also the new orders have showed a good picture for the near future.
We see that a good demand is all three major indexes.
One is the manufacturing PMI index.
The other second is the non-manufacturing.
The third is the comprehensive PMI index.
All these three index, at the same time, increased or improved to a positive area.
This is very surprising, also very good sign for China's economic development.
That shows at least two points.
One, is that we have already adopted our right policy in the right time for the right purpose.
All these policies have already shown their effectiveness and also functioning very well.
And secondly, from the reaction, the relation between the market and also the administration from policy side also very good well-managed, well-cooperated and coordinated.
That shows that the combination of the functioning of the whole picture.
We show that they are really very positive and also very satisfactory, also very optimistic for the time to come.
And that was Liu Zhicheng, senior fellow from Renmin University, talking about China's latest PMI numbers.
The World Data Organization has held its first ever assembly in Beijing, marking a major step toward global cooperation on data governance.
Around 500 people attended the event, including scientists and government officials.
The organization's a non-governmental, non-profit body set up voluntarily by members of the global data sector.
Its goal is to provide a platform for international data collaboration.
Organization president Tianyu says the group comes at a crucial time.
As everyone knows, this wave of AI fever is extremely intense and the most important characteristic of this AI development boom is data-driven.
How to fully unleash the potential of data to drive faster development of the digital economy.
I believe This is a common challenge facing all humanity and it requires a globally recognized platform to promote solutions to these issues.
China's digital infrastructure has advanced rapidly.
By the middle of last year, the country had built more than 48 million 5G-based stations, with its total computing power ranking second in the world.
Headquartered in Beijing, the World Data Organization is the first professional international body focused on advancing data development and governance.
By 2030, it's expected to become an internationally influential platform and a trusted hub in the data field.
The world's most powerful cargo drone has conducted its first flight in central China.
A prototype of the Norinco Luca unmanned transport aircraft took off from the Zhengzhou Shengjia Airport and stayed in the air for around 30 minutes before landing at the same site.
Engineers checked the model's flight controls avionics, electronics and power systems, seeing that it's achieved desired results.
The aircraft's intelligent systems controlled the flight, monitored by human controllers.
The Norinco Luca measures 17 meters long, with a wingspan of 25 meters, and has a takeoff weight of 7 metric tons.
The drone boasts a maximum payload capacity of 3.5 metric tons.
It can carry over 1700 cotton coats or 700 disaster relief tents in a single trip, delivering supplies over long distances.
It has a maximum range of more than 3000 kilometers, roughly equivalent to a non-stop direct flight from Beijing to Urumqi in Xinjiang, Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Toys are often how children first discover the world around them.
In southern China, one city has turned that curiosity into a hub for toy production and innovation.
Shanghai, in Guangdong province, is widely known as the world's toy capital, producing toys that reach children across the globe.
Sergey Gordeev takes us inside the industry.
Toys are how we, as children, first encounter and discover the world around us, and Shanghai in southern China is known around the world as the world's toy capital.
It officially carries the title of the toy capital of China, with the 68000 local toy companies producing more than half of all the plastic toys made in the country.
This company takes building blocks to another level.
Hi.
Nice to meet you.
This way.
All right.
We will do the landscape of the world.
Especially now we focus on Chinese architecture more, which is very now gets more attention from the customers all around the world.
How many of these sets do you make per year?
It's around one million sets we make.
Chinese aesthetics now is getting more and more popular in the world.
What makes it so unique?
You can see that all the Chinese architecture is really connecting to something that really resonates with buyers around the world.
The company exports to over 50 countries and regions.
And the world now comes directly to Shanghai, sometimes even on flights chartered specifically for international buyers.
But China is not just its buildings.
It's also its stories.
And this company brings Chinese legends to life.
Hi, Sergey.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Let me show you around.
What is very meaningful to us is to bring the Chinese culture and history to the rest of the world.
Here is the character Monkey King from the Journey to the West.
It's very popular with the foreign buyers.
So how does the Monkey King come to life?
It all starts with an idea.
This is our chief designer, Mr. Li.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
So these are the Monkey King.
We have a traditional Chinese one, an Aussie market one, and a cyberpunk one.
The Monkey King figure has over a thousand pieces that have to perfectly fit together and hold up as a structure.
And now it's time to make it real.
A mold is used to compress plastic into the right shape.
Then plastic is injected into each mold.
This is our future monkey king.
The pieces are then sorted and assembled into individual sets.
And finally packaging.
Now the Monkey King is ready to be shipped to customers all over the globe.
Right now there is a growing interest in China.
This helps explain why the sales of Chinese style architecture and action figures have boomed recently.
I really like the toys from Shanghai.
They're very creative.
The creativity and quality of the toys from Shanghai are truly amazing.
And here it is a thriving Chinese industry built to bring joy to children around the world and maybe even awaken an inner child in all of us.
That was Sergey Gordeev reporting.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports Team.
China starts strong at the International Table Tennis Federation World Cup in Macau.
Sideline Story brings you all things sports related the hottest topics, latest events, juiciest stories, all with a very personal take.
Subscribe to sideline story podcast for heated sports discussions covering events that are happening in china and around the world.
47 past the hour.
And with sports now, here's Yang Guang.
Thank you, Shane.
China made a strong start in the group stage of the International Table Tennis Federation World Cup in Macau.
Defending champion Sun Yingsha cruised past Chinese Taipei's Li Yujun 3-0 in their first singles meeting.
Sun says she aims to go further in the tournament.
To be honest, she played really well on those three points.
I mixed up my serves a bit at the table, made some adjustments and tried different things.
Her returns were solid and the competition was still intense out there.
I had a strong desire to win.
I just wanted to take it step by step, get through the group stage first, give my all in every match and go for better results in the tournament.
Wang Manyu beat Portugal's Fu Yu 3-0 while Kuai Man edged Francis Charlotte Lutz 3-2.
On the men's side, Chen Yuanyu defeated New Zealand's Ding Shu 3-1.
I wasn't very familiar with my opponent, so I focused more on my own game.
It was my first match, so I also needed some time to adjust to the venue, the ball and the overall conditions.
I just tried to settle in step by step and find my rhythm.
48 players per event are split into 16 groups, with only group winners advancing.
At Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, China has claimed the five-balls title at first leg in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The three-day competition featured 89 gymnasts and 22 group teams.
The series serves as a qualification path for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Individual neutral athletes finish the second, followed by Uzbekistan.
Upcoming World Cups in Tashkent, Baku and Milan will continue the qualification process for the Olympics.
In the CBA, the league-leading Shanghai Sharks edged the Shanxi Loons 100-96, extending their winning streak to 13 games.
Shanxi stayed close, with Liu Dong and Kyle Guy combining for 14 second-quarter points to give the hosts a half-time lead.
Shanghai responded in a tight fourth quarter as Brandon Goodwin and Li Hongquan attacked basket Reagan control before Zhang Jinlin sealed win with a decisive dunk.
Goodwin led all scorers with 31 points and 7 assists, while Li added 16.
Guy had 30 for Shanji and Jia Mingru chipped in 12.
In the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to nine games, with a 129-114 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Victor Wimbanyama delivered a standout performance, scoring a season-high 41 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, while recording the fastest double-double in NBA history.
Mbayama shot 17 for 27 from the field and 3 for 6 from 3-point range, marking his 14th game this season with at least 30 points.
In football, Italy faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday, aiming to qualify for their first World Cup in 12 years.
Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso described the match as a make-or-break for the team.
We know what's at stake.
It's fair to say, we're all feeling the tension today, including me, our president, Giuseppe Fuori, and everyone we've been in touch with.
We need one final match to finish the job.
The full-time world champions reached this stage after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European play-off semi-final.
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their spot after overcoming Wales in the penalty shootout.
Bayern Munich and Portugal's Rafael Guerrero will part ways at the end of the season, with his contract expiring.
The 32-year-old joined the Bavarians from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, making 89 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.
He helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and the German Super Cup.
Ghana has partied ways with manager Otto Addo just around two months before the World Cup.
His dismissal follows a 2-1 loss to Germany and a 5-1 defeat to Austria.
Despite having stars like Antoine Emmanuel and Mohamed Koudous, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
The German-born coach won 8 matches and lost 9 in 22 games in charge of the West African nation.
He began his second stint as a national team manager in March 2024.
Ghana will face Panama on June 18 in their World Cup opener.
And finally, China's men's football team lost 2-0 to Cameroon in the 2026 FIFA series in Australia, recording one win and one loss so far.
Cameron opened scoring the third minute with a fast break and added another in the ninth off a corner kick, capitalizing on China's defensive lapse.
In the second half, China made four substitutions, boosting their attack but failing to score.
All right.
Thank you very much.
That's Yong Guang with sports.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming up in culture and entertainment.
The Discover China cultural tour is kicked off in Beijing.
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.
53 past the hour.
The Discover China cultural tour is kicked off at Beijing's Shuni Grand Theater, with 12 ambassadors and diplomats from 40 countries attending.
This year, diplomats will visit cities such as Beijing, Chongqing and Guangdong province to explore China's culture and tourism, while witnessing the progress of Chinese modernization launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2021.
The programs welcomed over 500 diplomats from over 100 countries.
The number 70 takes center stage in a new exhibition showcasing the works of nearly 100 artists from across the globe born in the 1970s.
Zhang Mengwan has more.
In China, artists born in the 1970s occupy a unique transitional space, as they are known for bridging the past and present.
That's why their work carries a sharp sensitivity to rapid urbanization.
For example, this piece, L'étranger, is by Chen Yujun, an artist born in 1976.
It explores how individuals search for a sense of belonging amid constant change.
The characters in this painting.
They seem like they are together, but their gazes and the things they are doing are not the same.
So here's the question, are we the outsiders of our own era?
And, of course, the exhibition features several pieces from foreign artists.
Like Everything Big Starts with Something Small, by Spanish artist Javier Caliha, who was born in 1971.
The exhibition in a way sets up a dialogue scene, leading visitors to see how this generation of artists is collectively pushing the boundaries of perception and ideas.
Worth noting.
The museum's free entry days have also drawn a stream of visitors eager to experience it firsthand.
Just a step away, a different story unfolds in another hall of the museum.
Echoes of Her Century, running from March 10 to May 31, presents exhibits by nearly 200 female artists from more than 20 countries and regions around the world.
Fang Jingbi's iconic work Portrait of a Lady in Pink blends Western realism with the spirit of traditional Chinese painting, while Pan Yuliang's Moonlight Sonata uses warm tones to create a sense of serenity as a woman plays a guqin.
And the largest piece on view, Rainbow Waterfall, a heavyweight in contemporary abstract art.
People are now more likely to describe them simply as great artists not, as they used to great female artists.
Two exhibitions, hundreds of works.
It's happening at Lone Museum of Westerbund this spring.
Seventy and echoes of her century do more than hang art on walls.
They open portals.
Together, they remind us that art's deepest power isn't in answering questions, but in creating spaces where the questions themselves can finally breathe.
That was Zhang Menglan reporting.
Celine Dion says she's feeling good, confirming she will perform again in Paris this fall.
Over these last few years, every day that's gone by, I've felt your prayers and support your kindness and love.
Even in my most difficult times, you were there for me.
You've helped me in ways that I can't even describe.
And I'm truly so fortunate to have your support.
The singer made the announcement on her 58th birthday, thanking fans for their support, as she's dealt with health issues over the past several years.
The concert succumbed two years after Dion performed at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
An art exhibition featuring Chinese painting is underway at the Tianjin Art Museum.
The exhibition shows how Chinese painting has developed over the past century, combining traditional brush techniques and modern technology.
Running until April 10th, the exhibition marks the first stop of a six-city touring program.
We're at 57 past now, checking the forecast before we go for the day.
Beijing will be seeing showers overnight.
It's down to 9 degrees.
Wednesday is cloudy and 18.
Shanghai will see a light rain at 11, followed by overcast skies in 20.
Chongqing is cloudy this evening, 13 degrees, moderate rainfall in 26 for tomorrow.
Nanchang will see a moderate rainfall in 11, followed by sunny conditions in 22.
Alas, it's getting some sleet, but the low is 5 and it's cloudy in 16 tomorrow.
Elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad will be getting a light rainfall in 15 this evening, overcast in 26 for Wednesday.
Vientiane will be cloudy tonight and tomorrow, a low of 24 and a high of 38 degrees.
Phnom Penh is getting overcast skies in 25 tonight, followed by cloudy conditions in 37.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today Pakistan's foreign ministers visiting China on Tuesday for discussions on the Iran war and other issues of regional and international concern.
And the World Trade Organization issued a declaration regarding the world's first multilateral investment agreement.
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 6 p.m.
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.
The Yellow River is so noble and elegant.
Both my grandpa and dad made a living from the river.
Would you like to move away from the Yellow River?
I don't think I will.
I love it so much.
The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is regarded as a shaping force in the history, economy and culture of northern China.
Today, about 100 million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 of the country's population.
How is climate change felt at its headwaters?
And what are the locals doing to cope with it?
What are the descendants of the boatmen doing?
What has kept some people from leaving their home village by the river?
And what has drawn others back?
Could the fading fishing community revive in a time of digital transformation?
From 2021 to 2024.
Our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, 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, all in our 12-part series.
The Yellow River Mosaic, available only on CGTN Radio.
