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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 Begham with you on this Tuesday, June third, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program Russia and Ukraine agree to another prisoner swap and fail to make a breakthrough at the latest peace talks.
Washington's pushing its trading partners to submit their best offer on trade negotiations ahead of a Wednesday deadline and South Koreans are voting for a new president and turnout at polling stations has been heavy.
In business China's travel number is for the Dragon Ball Festival holiday in sports, tennis highlights from Roland Garros.
In culture and entertainment, the International Festival of Intangible cultural heritage.
Now check in the day's top stories.
Russia and Ukraine have made no major breakthrough on a peace agreement as they held a new round of direct talks in Istanbul, but they agreed to another prisoner exchange during the meeting on Monday, the largest since the onset of the conflict.
Mihail Bardavide reports.
On Monday, direct talks between a Russian and Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul lasted less than an hour.
Both sides exchanged proposal of their terms for a ceasefire to be implemented.
Moscow did not agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire.
However, it did make an offer.
We have proposed a specific ceasefire for 2 -3 days in certain areas of the frontline.
This will now be worked out by our military specialists and with the Ukrainians.
Though there were no major breakthroughs during the second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine here in Istanbul, the two sides did reach an agreement on a major prisoner exchange which will include all severely wounded as well as young soldiers under the age of 25.
It was also emphasized that these exchanges will continue moving forward. Following the talks the Ukrainian president's Chief of Staff Andrey Yirmak also announced that their want returned to Ukraine.
Moscow officials stated they sent children to Russia in order to protect them from the conflict.
Ukraine has also again requested the next meeting between the two countries to be between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine.
We propose to Russian side to hold a meeting by the end of this month from 20 to 30 of June.
This is crucial for making progress in negotiations process.
We have been telling Russia for a very long time, this war must end.
And the whole world supports us in that.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stated that Turkey would take steps toward organizing a leaders meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine and that he would also invite U .S. President Donald Trump to join.
Erdogan said his goal is to turn Turkey into a center for peace talks.
That was Mihail Bar -David in Istanbul.
Humanitarian AIDS no longer just the lifeline for the hungry in Gaza, but has become a gamble with life itself.
Palestinians seeking food are now forced to risk their lives as they attempt to reach aid separated from them by distance and Israeli forces.
Nadir Al -Tibi has more.
With Israel allowing limited aid entry, distribution points have been designated in areas under its military control, forcing this pray Palestinians to walk long distance to reach them.
According to local reports, 31 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured after Israeli forces opened fire on civilians at aid distribution sites.
These sites, which are operated by the Gaza humanitarian foundation, were meant to be safe havens for those seeking food and in crucial necessities Israel has denied it fired at civilians.
Wisam Khalid went with her husband to collect food aid but the trip nearly cost them their lives her husband was injured.
We went to the Nazarim corridor to receive humanitarian aid.
But it turned out to be a huge risk.
My husband was wounded.
This is the reality in Gaza.
Instead of returning with food and aid, we come back wounded, carried away.
Mother of five Nabil Al -Nasjar is among those who refuse to go to the Gaza humanitarian foundation's America -run aid centers.
I don't want to go to the American centers.
This is not aid. It's a trap set for the Palestinian people by the occupation army.
The Americans are no better than the Israelis.
They might even be worse.
Gazans rely almost internally on humanitarian aid, which Israel has heavily restructured.
Many families have been cut off from their food supplies, leaving over 2 million Palestinians facing hunger amid fear and destruction.
We hear there's aid in Rafah and Nazirim, but we don't see any.
I can't afford to go there, and we are too scared of what could happen.
My grandchildren go to sleep hungry.
Two nights ago the youngest woke up crying from hunger.
I wept with her. Despite the entry of some aid convoys, the United Nations says that the aid -reaching Gaza doesn't meet even the minimum needs in what has become the hungriest place on earth.
Here in Gaza, it's not enough to go hungry.
You also have to walk a long way through a gunfire and you pray you're lucky enough to get your hands on a package while the world debates how to distribute aid.
Dozens are left wondering who will survive to receive it.
That was Nadra Al -Tibit reporting.
Iran's accused Western parties of exploiting the International Atomic Energy Agency to advance their political objectives.
Tehran says it will reject any deal with the US that prevents it from enriching uranium.
This comes as Egypt hosted talks between Iran and the IAEA.
The Iranian foreign minister says the country is interested in nuclear power but only for peaceful purposes aimed at growing the economy.
The nuclear watchdog says it wants more transparency over some of Iran's activities.
Adel al -Maruki has more from Cairo.
Egypt is joining Arab and European mediation efforts aimed at brokering a new Iranian nuclear agreement with the United States.
On Monday, Cairo brought together the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Arakshi.
This comes ahead of an IAEA governor's meeting next week set to discuss its latest report on Iran.
The Middle Eastern country has for years been under sanctions over its nuclear program.
The report says Iran has stepped up its uranium enrichment process vital in the production of nuclear weapons and has unreported nuclear activities.
In this area of nuclear technology trust is not enough.
Trust is one element, verification is the other element, which needs to be there.
So this is why we are here discussing with Egypt, discussing with Iran there is a need for more transparency.
This is very, very clear in Iran that the IAEA is inspecting Iran permanently, and we do have a wealth of information of what happens there.
And also, when there are doubts, we try to clarify them." Arakshi, on the other hand, accused the IAEA report of being politicized and based on misleading information.
The top Iranian diplomat stressed that his country will reject any deal that deprives it from enriching uranium, a process which is also needed in the development of non -aggressive nuclear technologies such as energy production, medical applications, agriculture and industrial processes.
Enriching uranium is a great achievement and a scientific pride for us Iranians.
It is a right based on international law.
We reject nuclear arms. We do not aspire to acquire that.
If the aim is to deprive Iran from any peaceful nuclear practices, we will not reach an agreement.
We want a region free from nuclear arms. The side that has nuclear arms and threatens to use it is Israel.
Iran's enriched uranium reserves are estimated to be 45 times more than that agreed upon in a 2015 agreement with the U .S. Arakshi and Grossi have also met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al -Sisi who warned against any escalation with Iran.
Egypt says the Middle East cannot sustain more military escalation that could bring the region into what it called a comprehensive war.
For decades ties between Egypt and Iran have been tense.
Recently though, the two countries have started a period of warmer ties, exchanging official visits including one by Iranian President Mazal Pazeshkian in December.
That was Adel El -Maruki reporting.
Coming up, Washington is pressuring its trading partners ahead of a Wednesday deadline.
In a world increasingly divided, can diplomacy speak with a new voice?
From Hong Kong, a bold new initiative is taking shape.
The International Organization for Mediation, or ILMED, promises to settle disputes not with judges and rulings but with conversation and consensus.
Is this a fresh flexible alternative to the courtroom or so -called challenge to the existing Global Legal Order.
This week on the chat lounge, we dive into the future of peaceful dispute resolution.
Feel the power of dialogue wherever you listen to podcasts and on CGTN radio.
The Trump administration is reportedly asking countries to provide their best offers on trade negotiations by Wednesday, as officials seek to speed up talks with some partners ahead of a deadline.
Media reports say a draft letter to negotiating partners As for their best proposals in key areas including tariffs and quotas for the purchase of U .S. industrial and agricultural products, a letter says the U .S. will evaluate the responses within days and offer a possible landing zone that could include a reciprocal tariff rate.
The European commission's expressed regret over the U .S. decision to increase steel tariffs.
Spokesperson Olof Gill says the commission is ready with countermeasures if negotiations fail to result in a deal.
We strongly regret the announced increase of steel tariffs from 25 % to 50 % by the US.
We believe that this decision adds further uncertainty to the global economy, and increases costs for consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
It also undermines our ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated solution with the US.
I remind you that we are currently finalizing consultations for an expanded list of countermeasures.
If no mutually acceptable solution is reached both the existing and possible additional EU measures will automatically take effect on July 14th or earlier circumstances require.
Top European officials also say they're pushing hard for a trade deal with the US and that the bloc could possibly buy more natural gas from the US and lower the duties on cars.
US President Donald Trump says he's dismissed the use of a zero -for -zero outcome but EU officials say it's still on the table.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Trump's move to double tariffs on steel and aluminium is an act of economic self -harm that'll increase the costs for consumers.
The country's trade minister also criticized the levy saying tariffs are not the act of a friend.
Greg Navarro spoke to Chief Economist Tim Harcourt from the University of Technology Sydney to find out more.
Those comments by Australia's trade Minister came after US President Donald Trump doubled down on the 25 percent tariffs on all steel imports into the country announced earlier increasing them to 50 percent.
Trump said the increase was in part of an effort to further secure the steel industry in the United States.
For Australia the US tariffs on steel are really about the impact to the exports themselves not when you consider that Australia sends relatively little steel to the United States less than 10 percent of its total steel exports.
For Australia's government It's the idea of tariffs placed on an ally that's fought alongside the United States and every war in the last century has a free trade agreement in place with the U .S. and the fact that Australia consistently runs a trade deficit with the U .S., meaning the value of U .S. exports to Australia are worth more than its imports from Australia.
The idea that tariffs were not the actions of a friend was first vocalized by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year, who unsuccessfully tried to get an exemption to the tariffs.
Yeah, it's not the act of a friend and not the act of an ally frankly, I mean the defence secretary said in Shangri -La that Australia should increase its defence spending strategically.
Well it's very hard for us to increase our defence spending if we're being hit by US tariffs all the time.
So honestly if you want us to be a defence ally I think it's better to have a more open you know tariff free trade policy than we could really defend effectively.
Australian Trade Minister Don Ferell said in a statement those tariffs are an act of economic self -harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade.
I was Greg Navarro in Sydney.
A water dispute between the US and Mexico is worsening political tensions and human suffering along the border, a region already hit hard by climate change in recent years.
Alastair Barberstock visited the area to find out more.
The U .S.-Mexico border, where the Amistad reservoir supplies water to Texas and northern Mexico.
At the dam that marks the international frontier, political tensions over the two country's water -sharing treaty have left levels on the south side critically low.
Within days of Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs over Mexico's water deliveries to Texas, Mexico's federal government drained the Amistad reservoir to its lowest ever levels, worsening the water problems in this region, already struggling with prolonged drought.
On the Mexican side in Acuna, Paula Ybarra watches the water levels drop daily.
They're still emptying the reservoir.
The floodgates are open 24 hours a day.
Its levels are less than 10 percent.
So we're worried. The US president has forced Mexico into delivering its water and we're afraid of running out.
As Mexico drained its reservoirs the region erupted in protests observed by water scientist Rosario Sanchez.
People were protesting.
The state of Cahuilla protested.
The cities protested.
The mayors protested like hey, what I'm supposed to do in the summer without water.
The Mexico -US water treaty, signed in 1944, stipulates Mexico deliver over 2 billion cubic meters of water to Texas every five years.
But former Coahuila state federal Congressman Lenin Perez says those continued water volumes will leave his region high and dry.
Trump needs to realize that we can't deliver these quotas of water when those water volumes simply don't exist. Climate change is a reality.
It doesn't rain. We don't have enough water and we are approaching a crisis.
The Rio Grande has lost 80 % of its natural flow over the last hundred years.
It's not like Mexico is going to invent water out of nothing.
And it's not like Mexico doesn't want to comply.
It wants to comply.
Who has the priority?
Where does the human right to water sit in this context, at transpandering scale?
That was a report on the water dispute between the US and Mexico.
A school in China's southernmost city is teaching students about conservation efforts in the South China Sea with new ways.
It's introduced new courses and outdoor classrooms to make the learning experience fun for students.
Lin Hua spoke with the principal of the school in Sanshe, Hainan Province.
At the school history museum, yearbooks document the unique courses offered to students.
Guoxing says education goes beyond imparting knowledge.
It must also promote history and culture of the islands and reefs.
To dissent, the school has introduced specialized courses like South China Sea Geography and Marine Protection.
Classes are being held in coastline areas and locations such as research bases and Xansha's meteorological station.
We further upgraded the Marine Culture course, transforming it into a curriculum focused on the history and culture of the South China Sea.
This course introduces the children to Sancha's rich cultural and natural resources.
We also invited elderly residents from the Sancha Islands to come and share their stories with the students.
The school also organizes extracurricular activities such as waste sorting, fire and traffic safety courses.
The aim is to guide students in developing good habits and enhancing their safety awareness.
We aim to transform the children from being learners into promoters.
We hope they can put some knowledge to their parents, grandparents and elders.
In Sanxia, Guoxing and all the teachers continue to serve as gardeners, sowing the seeds of civilization across Sanxia's islands and reefs.
As Lin Wu reporting, sea turtles, ancient mariners that have roamed the oceans for over 100 million years, play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. In Trinidad and Tobago, a group of committed conservationists has spent more than three decades patrolling the beaches at night to protect the leatherback turtle, the largest sea turtle on Earth and ensure a safe return to nest, Lei Xiangping reports.
It's just after sunset in May and the patrol team is cheering up for a long night on Mathura Beach. With nesting activity on the rise, the team faces a demanding shift. Team leader Ray Stagani says, the job is challenging but vital.
For six months, right, from March 1 to August 31, for that entire six month period, every After more than an hour of waiting, the core finally came scene, a ladybug has emerged from the sea and is preparing to nest. The massive turtle begins to dip a final shaped nest nearly a meter deep using her hand the flippers.
As she works the patrol team moves into action tagging and recording essential data.
So the purpose of tagging a turtle is so that we could have records of the number of turtles that nested on our beach for the six month period.
And why is this important?
This is important because with the number of turtles year after year, so we have seen a fluctuation, right?
With some some years we'd see a rise in the number of turtles coming to nest. Sometimes we'll see a slight decrease or decline in the number of turtles.
However, if we do encounter a two or three year period with a constant decline in the number of turtles coming to nest that is cause for concern and it raises an alarm.
As the turtle begins to lay her eggs, Richter becomes completely focused, ensuring the process continues undisturbed.
Leadback turtles classified as endangered return to their birthplace to nest, guided by instinct.
Between March and August, hundreds came ashore at Matra Beach, a protected nine -kilometer stretch divided into 18 patrols.
each night two volunteers are assigned to each dorm, stay on duty into early hours often until 3 a .m. Richter has been involved in total conservation for 12 years now he knows the nesting process by heart.
So he will lay two different sizes of eggs.
Initially you see some large ones like tennis balls and coming down to the end of the laying process you'll see some tiny ones like The large ones are the yolk filled eggs those are the ones that will yield or give you the baby turtles or the hatchlings.
The tiny eggs are spaces in the nest. After two months, between six to eight weeks when the hatchlings are about to emerge from the nest, the tiny eggs or the yolkless eggs disintegrate, they break down and it helps to loosen the sand.
It makes it easy for the hatchlings to climb out of the nest. Right, how they climb out of the nest?
They use each other in a ladder formation to get to the surface.
Over the past 30 years, poaching rates at Matora beach has plummeted from 30 percent to zero.
And the new generation of guardians is stepping up.
Kanisha Clark joined the patrol seven years ago, she says, it's exhausting work, but inspiring.
I would say almost every night, I'm here from 7 .30 to 3 a .m. on mornings.
I go home because I want to take a quick nap and then back out again.
Every night you learn something new.
Every day is a nice experience because you encounter different sizes of the leatherbacks.
You encounter different species of otters.
Thanks to strong conservation measures, Mantua Beach has also become an ecotourism hotspot.
Sam from the UK is back for the third time.
I've seen four or five of the other species, but the only place I've come to see leatherbacks is right here in Mathura and that's why I'm now back for the third time.
It was excellent the first time we went down that path and there she was right there in front of us and we saw one turtle and I came back two months later and we saw three turtles.
Lauren visiting from New York says she's deeply moved by the commitment of the local patrol team.
I appreciate their effort.
I think that level of commitment has to be because they're really, they see the value in conservation.
It's not just, you know, for a tourist experience.
It's because they see the value in having the animals here.
So, I'm 100 % in support of that.
And I'm glad that I get to benefit from it.
Under the cool Caribbean night sky, the work is both grueling and gratifying.
From 7 p .m. until well past 2 a .m., the team collects data, monitors nests, and safeguards a species whose survival depends on their vigilance.
As dawn approaches, the team packs up.
Near the patrol office stands a simple sign, Enter By Permit Only, a rule and a promise to the turtles who return here year after year.
For the Beijing Hour, this is Lei Xiangping reporting from Mathura, Chindat and Tobago.
Coming up, South Korean voters are choosing the country's next president.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday in a snap presidential election, capping one of the most tumultuous chapters in the country's political history.
By 6pm local time, voter turnout had reached a record high for that hour in any Korean presidential race.
Jung Yoon has more.
Polling stations across South Korea opened at 6 a .m., with voting hours extended by two hours to accommodate the extraordinary nature of the election.
This vote follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Seo -kyul, whose controversial attempt to evoke emergency military rule ultimately led to his removal from office.
The two main contenders are Li Jiaming of the left -leaning Democratic Party, and Kim Moon -su of the conservative People Power Party.
Li is leading in final polls, while the conservative bloc has been left reeling after Ryung's Oster.
Since the former president's departure from the party in May, the party has struggled to restore public confidence.
Pre -election surveys by major polling agencies showed Lee support ranging from 44 .9 to 49 .2%.
As of 6 p .m., turnout had reached 76 .1 % – 0 .4 points higher than the same time during the last presidential election in 2022.
The National Election Commission expects between 70 and 80 % of the ballots to be counted by midnight.
While the final result may not be certified until Wednesday morning.
In the previous election, Yong Seo -kyo's victory became apparent by 2 a .m. In 2017, Moon Jae -in's lead was evident as early as 10 p .m. on election night.
The winner of the vote will take office immediately after the National Election Commission formally certifies the results.
For the Beijing Hour, this is Zhang Yun.
in Seoul. The pro -EU Polish government sees the opposition candidate's victory in the country's presidential election as a major blow, and the prime minister's called for a confidence vote on his coalition in an attempt to demonstrate continued support.
Elio Somolankiewicz has more.
Poland has made its choice, but it is one that could set the new Trump -backed right -wing president on a collision course with a center -right pro -EU Prime Minister, Donald Tusk.
Even before his win, Karl Navrovsky made it clear.
He would use his veto power if he became president.
We will not allow Donald Tusk to have a monopoly on power.
A bad government that doesn't care about public finances and deprives us of our big dreams and aspirations.
Nowrozki will likely continue the work of outgoing right -wing President Andrei Duda and continue to stall the work of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, particularly in areas like judicial reform, media regulation and LGBT rights.
Some at home believe not much will change.
I don't believe that Nowrozki has no political affiliation.
He's still from the P .I .S.
and will do what Kaczynski wants.
Nothing will change.
It was a very close call.
I can see that Poland is very divided.
I hope that Mysore Novrotski also wants what's best for us.
The European Union offered formal congratulations, but with a tone of concern.
As always, we will seek good cooperation building on the very good cooperation that we have with Poland.
And this is what also president von der Leyen is looking forward to.
We are are confident that the reforms that have been started by the Polish government will be pursued and will continue.
Noworowski is aligned with Poland's former ruling Law and Justice Party, it's clashed with the EU over judicial reforms and rule of law.
This could potentially deepen Poland's isolation within the EU, but the Warsaw -Burdapast Axis could gain new momentum within EU politics.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed Noworowski's victory as a sign that Central Europe continues to stand strong in defense of its Christian values and sovereignty.
Noworowski's biggest support could be much further afield.
Donald Trump met Noworowski during his campaign and publicly endorsed him.
Warmer military and energy cooperation between Warsaw and Washington could develop even further under Nowarowski's leadership.
In a deeply polarized Poland, this result marks the start of what could be a turbulent new chapter.
That was Aljo Sommelinkovic reporting.
At 29 past the hour checking the forecast in Beijing's down to 16 on Tuesday evening.
It's cloudy in 34 on Wednesday, Nanchangs down to 21 degrees followed by clouds in 31.
elsewhere in Asia, Islamabads 20 overnight then cloudy in 33 on Wednesday, Vientiane dips to 24 followed by a slight rain and 32 Nompens at 25 overnight a slight rain and 35 tomorrow in Africa Nairobi will get a slight rainfall and 25 degrees on Wednesday.
compatolas down to 19 followed by rain and 26.
Chibos 23 this evening then a slight rainfall and 37 degrees celsius.
It's time for a short break so far this hour Russia and Ukraine agree to another prisoner swap but fail to make a break through at the latest peace talks.
Washington is pushing its trading partners to submit their best offer on trade negotiations ahead of a Wednesday deadline.
The South Koreans are voting for a new president and turnout at the polling stations has been heavy.
Shane 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 pressures, even the solid ground beneath our feet.
And right there, in the mist 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?
Again, how are things really going between China and Africa?
What's the narrative of this relationship?
Well, get a perspective with China Africa Talk.
Hear from African diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, Chinese natives and more.
Get on our wavelength every week to find out what's real with China Africa Talk.
Find us on your favorite podcast. We'll see you there.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing hour.
One hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host. Shane biggum with you on this Tuesday.
Still to come, in business China's travel numbers for the Dragon Ball festival holiday, in sports we have tennis highlights from Roland Garros, in culture and entertainment the International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage, contact us you can email radio at cgtn .com or follow our ex -account at CGTN radio.
First of all, a check of the day's headline news.
China's launched an ASEAN Visa for ten member countries and four ASEAN observer Timor -Leste.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China will issue visas for business personnel from the eleven countries and their spouses and children who meet the requirements.
The visa will allow multiple entries within five years and a maximum stay period of 180 days.
Lin said the visa aims to further facilitate the cross -border movement of people within the region.
Police in south China have destroyed nearly 1600 kilograms of drugs in commemoration of the country's fight against opium smuggling in the 19th century.
They burnt the drugs in an incinerator at a new energy -power generating plant in Hainan province.
The drug burning took place on Tuesday, which marked the 186th anniversary of the Hooman opium destruction in Guangdong province.
The incident took place when senior official Lin Zishu ordered the destruction of around a thousand tons of smuggled opium confiscated from foreign dealers.
The move is regarded as China's first battle against opium.
UN Secretary -General António Guterres is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of UN personnel the Houthis are holding in Yemen.
Spokesperson Stephane Dujarrick delivered the message.
The Secretary -General renews his call for their immediate and unconditional release, including those held since 2021 and 2023 and most recently, detentions in January.
He also reiterates the strongest condemnation of the death and detention of a World Food Programme colleague that took place earlier this year.
Guterres is demanding a full explanation from the Houthi de facto authorities and has repeated his call for a transparent and thorough investigation along with full accountability.
According to de Jarek, the Houthis are holding 23 UN personnel.
UN General Assembly's elected former German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, as president of its upcoming 80th session.
Baerbock received 167 votes in favour out of 188 ballots cast, with 14 member states abstaining.
She'll officially assume the presidency in September, succeeding current General Assembly President Philamon Young of Cameroon.
In her remarks following the election, Bierbach acknowledged the significant challenges ahead.
Why we need to be bold, ambitious, and ready to take difficult decisions.
The UN -AD initiative should not be a mere cost cutting exercise.
Our common goal is a strong, focused, nimble, and fit for purpose organization, one that is capable of realizing its core objectives.
lives. We need a United Nations that delivers on peace, development and justice.
U .N. Secretary -General Antónik Guterres also highlighted the historic nature of her election, noting that Baerbock will be only the fifth woman ever to lead the General Assembly.
This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.
President -elect Baerbock's vision, better together, is an inspiring, I thank Van Nijen for today's world and the global problem -solving system embodied by the United Nations to address these challenges.
Berbach served as Germany's foreign minister from 2021 until earlier this year.
Millions of South Koreans headed the polls on Tuesday in a snap presidential election following the ouster of President Jung -Suk -yol.
Voters hope the next leader can bring unity and stability.
Our society has been filled with anxiety and division.
I hope the next president can unite this divided society and show a new path.
Korean politics is in a state where cooperation and bipartisan governance are not functioning.
Politicians refuse to embrace policies if they were from their opponents.
I hope they can embrace opponent's policies if there are good policies.
Pre -election polls showed liberal candidate Lee Jae Myung leading comfortably.
fueled by widespread frustration after Yoon's controversial attempt to invoke martial law back in December.
Conservative contender Kim Moon -soo has struggled to gain support beyond his base as his People Power Party remains divided over Yoon's legacy.
In recent months, protests have erupted for and against Yoon.
His impeachment and formal removal from office left the leadership vacuum, disrupting foreign policy and shaking financial markets.
The winner will be sworn in immediately on Wednesday, serving a single five year term without the usual two month transition period.
Authorities have released new details and charges against the suspect in a fiery attack on demonstrators in Colorado.
The FBI identified the attacker as 45 year old, Mohamed Sabri -Solomon. He now faces Colorado state charges, including 16 counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts of using an incendiary device and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device.
FBI Special Agent in charge Mark Mahalik has told or said investigators believe Solomon acted alone but added that anyone who may have assisted him will be pursued.
If we uncover evidence that others knew of this attack, or supported the subject in this attack, rest assured that we will aggressively move to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Solomon allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and other incendiary devices in an attack on demonstrators who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and at least 12 people were injured.
The FBI has called the incident a targeted terror attack.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour coming up in Business, China's travel numbers for the Dragon Ball Festival Holiday.
The Beijing Hour, your window on China and the rest of the world.
At 38 past the hour in Business, stock markets on the Chinese mainland close higher on Tuesday, the Shanghai Composite was up over 4 10th of a percent.
The Shenzhen component gained almost 2 10ths, cosmetics and personal care led the gainers.
Elser in China, the Hong Kong stock market closed higher, with the Hengxing index up over 1 .5%.
In the meantime the Nikkei in Japan remained almost flat.
Official data shows that across regional trips in China likely reached 657 million during the three -day Dragon Ball festival holiday that just finished, up 3 % from a year earlier.
The country recorded 6 million cross -border trips during the holiday, marking a 2 .7 % increase.
The busiest travel day was June the 1st, with cross -border trips reaching nearly 2 .1 million.
Around 231 ,000 foreign nationals entered the country visa -free during the holiday, marking a nearly 60 % increase.
China's been steadily refining its visa policies to promote greater cross -border mobility.
Since late 2023, the country has introduced a series of traveller -friendly measures.
It's now granting unilateral visa -free access to citizens of 43 countries, and it allows visa -free transit for up to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries.
Latest Caixin survey shows China's manufacturing PMI came in at 48 .3 in May, down 2 .1 points from April.
The reading was largely in line with the official PMI released on Saturday.
Caixin survey mainly covers small and medium sized enterprises, particularly export -oriented and tech firms. The number below 50 indicates the activity in the sector shrank for the first time since September last year.
According to the survey, manufacturers attributed the decline to weakened global demand, mainly due to US tariff policies.
This led to a continued slump in overall new orders.
For the second consecutive month, with more, Zheng Junfeng spoke with Professor Liu Baocheng from the University of International Business and Economics.
Taixing PMI, the manufacturing one, looking not very strong, 48 .3, a downfall of almost more than 2 % from the month of April, which is quite significant.
What do you think led to this sharp downfall?
I think we're not really doing too bad overall on the Chinese economic performance but the hardest hit are really the smaller ones because the largest, particularly the state -owned firms, remain above the threshold into a slight expansion period but at the smaller one, is they're getting very vulnerable to a number of shocks.
So one of course, you know, I visited a number of factories, you know, working on the garments, bags, et cetera.
And they are very savvy and they're very responsive to market conditions and they are able to grab opportunities but also they are also very agile in dealing with risks now that the U .S. is giving so much so a big uncertainty not only for the U .S. domestic market but also for the whole world with regard to tariff and also non -tariff barriers et cetera.
So this, you know, they give them a very strong warning that they need to hold on it.
And plus, as a matter of fact, actually half a year ago, they just for fear of the U .S. punitive tariff across the world, much of the export were handled into the United States, into the inventories already.
So therefore, there is a period of, you know, slow moving.
And then of course the employment is also a big issue because right now, you know, whether they are, you know, going to hire a lot more of the new, you know, graduates from universities or whether they want to keep those old workers.
But the dilemma is that because the government has been supporting them to have the trade in program to replace some of the old operations into new machines and the old workers need some time really to get adapt to it or they need to have new hire to learn those type of skills.
So, you know, these are really particularly the situation that they are facing.
but you know, 48 percent is still manageable at the moment.
Now much is really waiting for, you know, whether government support program can be further delivered by giving them better the text rebates, and also by, you know, providing them more of the free training to have the new skills to be adapted to the high quality development program and also with the training, new equipments, so I think, you know, but still very hopeful.
Professor Liu Baocheng from the University of International Business and Economics offering his insights on the latest PMI figures.
China's social logistics demand maintained steady growth in the first four months of the year.
Industry data shows the total social logistics value rose 5 .6%, over 115 trillion yuan or roughly 16 trillion U .S. dollars from January to April.
On the consumer side, the logistics value for household goods rose 5 .9 % with the rate accelerating compared to the first quarter.
In April alone, nearly 88 percent of the 41 major industrial sectors saw growth.
Equipment manufacturing and high -tech manufacturing sectors posted strong growth at around 10 percent.
Logistics value of imported goods experienced a decline as tariff threats brought uncertainty to global markets.
As trade tensions rise in global markets become increasingly uncertain, Chinese manufacturers are finding new paths to global success and one way is to harness the power of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Nadia Swann reports from Zhengzhou in Central China.
I'm at one of the world's most advanced autonomous vehicle manufacturing facilities.
It's the Chinese bus manufacturing company, Yutong, but this isn't just about technology.
It's part of a bigger picture driving the future of global trade.
With global trade tensions running high, Today, Chinese companies are looking beyond traditional markets using the Belt and Road Initiative to tap into opportunities across Europe, Central Asia and beyond.
Utah adopts a diversified approach to global market development, meaning we formulate tailored aspects for each country.
For example, in Europe we design products to meet their energy saving, emission reduction and low carbon requirements.
In Africa, we focus more on environmental adaptability.
Similarly, in central Asia and the CIS, we design products suited to local environmental conditions and ensure compliance with the regulations of each country.
Chinese -made EVs are playing a key role in the green revolution, but complying with harsh environmental conditions in different parts of the world needs innovation.
With sustainability a priority, companies like Yutong aren't just exporting vehicles, they're exporting solutions to the world's most urgent environmental challenges.
For the coal climate in northern Europe, Yutong has developed low -temperature solutions such as intelligent temperature control and pre -combustion heating to ensure reliable vehicle operation in low -temperature conditions.
With a high -temperature environment in the Middle East, Yutong has equipped vehicles with high -capacity air -conditioning systems that can cool down rapidly ensuring a comfortable interior temperature and delivering a more human -centered experience for both drivers and passengers.
The company has made major breakthroughs in the field of new energy and grown its R &D production and manufacturing capabilities.
These EVs are reaching new destinations rapidly via the China -Europe Railway Express, an overland route connecting China with major European cities and international shipping for hundreds of products.
The China -Europe freight trains have, so to speak, opened up a new route to Europe, Central Asia and ASEAN.
Compared with traditional sea and air transportation, we have provided the continuaries with more choices and logistic solutions.
The Belt Road initiative isn't just a transport network, it's a trade lifeline.
The future of global trade is being redefined, not just by geopolitical shifts, but by Chinese innovation in sustainability and logistics.
Made in China is heading for a much greener future.
Now it's Nadia Swan reporting.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's projected global economic growth to stand at 2 .9 % this year and in 2006 in its latest economic outlook report.
Projections are down by 0 .2 points from its March forecast for 2025 and a tenth of a point for 2026.
The report warns that rising trade barriers and heightened policy uncertainty in recent months have dampened business and consumer confidence, stifling trade and investment.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour.
Coming Coming up in sports, tennis highlights from Roland Garros.
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.
Now with sports, here's Jan Guang.
Thank you, Shane. In tennis, Novak Djokovic is through to the quarterfinals at the French Open after a comfortable win over Cameron Norrie.
This marks Djokovic's 100th win at Roland Garros.
It was one of the best and maybe not the best in terms of how I was striking the ball.
I think I played solid.
I can always expect myself to play better.
but I think you know considering the opponents form as well and the last 16 rounds and the occasion I think was a very good match. I mean from my side a very solid performance, straight set win again.
I'm pleased with the way things are going and obviously matches only get tougher so I look forward to the next challenge.
Looking for his fourth French Open singles title Djokovic will next take on Alexnder Sivirev. Sivirev moved into the French Open quarter finals after Thailand's Grisball was forced to withdraw in the second set of their match. 12 number -3 says he's ready.
The guy won 24 Grand Slams, he's never gonna be a black horse.
He definitely knows how to play tennis.
He definitely knows what it means to to be on the big stage and to to play big matches, there is no doubt about that.
Top -ranked Yannick Sinne has also booked a place in the last state.
He knocked out Andrei Rublev in three sets.
With victory, Sinne and extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches.
Sina is a three -time major champion who won the US Open last September and Australian Open this January.
Now he will try to get to the semi -finals at Roland Garros for the second consecutive year and will play Aleksandar Bublik.
He has, you know, incredible feel with the ball, so let's see what's coming.
I tried to play some consistent tennis, good tennis, and then we see how it goes.
Bublick becomes the first man from Kazakhstan to reach the quarterfinals at Grand Slam tournament.
He beat Jack Draper in four sets.
In women's tennis, Madsen Keys has booked a French Open quarterfinal meeting with Coco Gauff.
She reached the last date, after beating Haley Bobdisty in straight sets.
I'm really happy with my play.
Haley I think is a fantastic tennis player and I knew kind of going into the match that I was going to have to kind of up my level and any opportunity that I could just try to capitalize it on it.
So overall really happy with the win and excited for the next round.
She will next take on Coco Galf for a placement semi -finals.
Galf reached the quarterfinals of the French Open for fifth straight year after beating Ekaterina Alexandrová in straight sets.
Louis Boysen has sent sharkwaves around Roland Garros, she upset third seed Jessica Pegula in three sets to reach the quarterfinals.
Yeah, it's really amazing for me to do that.
I'm so proud of me and of my team and I hope to win more matches here.
Awaiting her in the last eight is Mira Andrieva who defeated Daria Kasatkina in street sets.
Meanwhile, John Schrei and Marcello Avrolo have advanced to the mixed doubles semifinals marking John's first ever appearance in the final four of the Roland Garros mixed doubles.
The president of the European Olympic Committee has taken time to talk about the preparations for the 2026 Milano -Cortina Winter Olympics.
Spyros Kaprolos expressed full confidence for the organisers.
It's going to be games with some challenges.
Well I think that distances from Milano to Cortina are quite big so it's very difficult for people to be able to assist and be present in all the events.
But I think that the Italians, they have shown throughout the years that they're very good organizers they through the flexibility, through their fantasy, through making different plans they are able to always deliver first -class events and so I'm sure that Milano No mars for any games will be excellent games." Kapralos also shared his views about the growing role of China in global sports.
He lauded China as a major sporting power after hosting top events like Summer and Winter Olympics.
Now China is a big power in sports.
China has, is organizing lots of big events.
They have organized Summer and Winter Games.
You know, Beijing is the only place that has organized both Summer and Winter Games.
and I think also organising many other events, World Championships, Asian Games, Youth Olympic Games.
I think all these things show the commitment of China to sport and I think that China has managed to bring sport and people together.
The EUOC President also expressed hopes for closer collaboration with China through the Association of National Olympic Committees.
Finally, in football France is making preparations for their Ibiza Nations League semi -final against Spain.
Head coach M. Didi Deshawn selected five PSG players, such as Lucas Hernandez and Bradley Baccala.
These players just won the champion's league, beating Inter Milan 5 -0 in the final latest on climate change, energy and sustainability, only in under 30 minutes.
Each week we speak with global experts, from energy policy pioneers to wildfire historians uncovering the stories that matter most. Climate watch is your go -to source for insightful, inspiring conversations.
Tune in to Climate Watch on your podcast platform and let's navigate the path to a successful In culture and entertainment, Chengdu's hosted the weeklong International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Li Qiong explores how traditional tea culture remains timeless and how technology is breathing new life into it.
Here in Chengdu, tea is more than a drink.
It's a way of life.
Awwww! From street corners to city parks, teah stalls, like the one exhibited at the festival, are a familiar sight.
The art of tea pouring with lost belly kettles originated in Sichuan over a century ago.
People in Chengdu are especially fond of tea, most commonly green or floral types, brewed with exceptionally fine and tender young buds.
The kettle's long spout cools the boiling water to around 80 degrees Celsius as it pours just right for these kinds of tea.
But even the craft as hands -on as tea pouring is getting a high -tech twist. At this booth, a tea -making robot handles the entire process, boiling, brewing and pouring, with impressive precision.
Its moves may be mechanical, but customers say the tea still tastes just right.
This robot learned teemaking techniques from the 17th generation inheritor of the imperial tribute tea tradition dating back to Emperor Qianlong's era.
While there are still slight differences in pour speed, it's getting very close.
Young people love seeing heritage skills combined with smart technology.
It helps the traditions reach a much broader audience.
The robot is just one part of a bigger vision.
Our priority is to build a smart tea house with not only robot tea masters, but also life -like robots to greet guests, emotional support robot pets and holographic 3D images of intangible cultural heritage.
These robot pandas can smile, cry and interact with people.
Relaxing and a massage chair that simulates traditional Chinese techniques, I found myself savoring both the warmth of tea poured by a real person and the promise of a futuristic tea house, where heritage and innovation go hand in hand.
I was Lee Chung reporting.
Our data shows that China's box office revenue reached around 460 million yuan or nearly 64 million US dollars, during the Dragonball festival holiday much higher than that of last year.
Hollywood action film Mission Impossible, the final reckoning topped the chart grossing around 190 million yuan during the holiday period.
Several animated films including, Endless Journey of Love, were also popular.
Twelve local dragon boat teams have raced in the annual Dragon Ball festival in Hele, one of the birthplaces of Dragon Boat culture on the island province of Hainan.
In 2015, The China Dragon Boat Association named it China's Dragon Boat Town.
Since the Song dynasty, He Le has continued the tradition of hosting Dragon Boat races.
Five day art exhibitions running in Yangon.
The show features calligraphy and paintings from 8 artists with sales funding charity donations to support Myanmar -born Chinese artists the exhibition opened on may 31st it runs until wednesday we're at 57 past the hour checking the forecast before we go for the day beijing's down to 16 degrees tuesday evening cloudy skies and 34 on wednesday nanchung's at 21 overnight then cloudy and 31 elsewhere in asia islamabad's down to 20 degrees it's cloudy and 33 on wednesday vientiane's 24 overnight then a slight rainfall and 32.
Epidome pans down to 25.
That's followed by a slight rain and 35 tomorrow.
In Africa, Nairobi's getting some rain and 25 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Compel is at 19 this evening, then a slight rain in 26.
Juba's down to 23. That's followed by a slight rain and 37.
And finally to Oceania.
Port Vila is 24 overnight, then a moderate rainfall in 28.
Appial will see some rain Wednesday and 29 Celsius.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
Making news today, Russian Ukraine to agree to another prisoner swap, but failed to make a breakthrough in the latest peace talks.
And South Koreans are voting for a new president and turn it to polling stations has been heavy.
On behalf of the staff, this is Shane Bigum 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.
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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.
Today, about one hundred million people live within its water basin, making up nearly 9 percent 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 boatman 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 Our reporters visited the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, talked to the herders, farmers, boatmen, fishermen and eco -activists who share a close bond with the river and present their stories in pictures, podcasts and videos, or in our twelve part series, the Yellow River Mosaic available only on CGTN radio.
