Get the unmissable news stories of the day.
This is the Beijing Hour.
Examining the events that impact and shape China and the rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour.
One hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, Shane Begum with you on this Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, the Chinese president's New Year message calls on the nation to confidently overcome challenges and pressure.
Thousands mark the New Year by gathering at Tiananmen Square for the morning flag raising ceremony.
And experts look to the future as China and the EU mark 50 years of diplomatic ties this year.
In business, marking the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization, in sports, action from the Chinese table tennis super league, and culture and entertainment, China Media Group rings in the New Year with a grand cultural display.
Now checking the day's top stories.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has delivered his New Year's message for 2025, calling on the nation to remain confident while working hard to overcome challenges and pressure.
The president also extended his warm wishes for the year ahead.
Pan Dong has details.
While reviewing China's achievements over the past year, President Xi highlighted the country's solid progress in high quality development, food security, urbanization and rural revitalization, and green transition.
We have proactively responded to the impacts of the changing environment at home and abroad.
We have adopted a full range of policies to make solid gains in pursuing high quality development.
China's economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory, with its GDP for the year expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan mark.
In China's endeavor to foster new quality productive forces, new business sectors, forms and modules have kept emerging.
President Xi noted the record high production of 10 million new energy vehicles in 2024.
He also named several innovative and technological breakthroughs.
For the first time, the China 6 lunar probe collected samples from the far side of the moon.
The Mengshan drilling vessel explored the mystery of the deep ocean.
The Shenzhen -Zhongsan link now connects the two cities across the sea.
The Antarctic Qingling station is now in operation on the frozen continent.
All this epitomizes the lofty spirit and dreams of the Chinese people to explore stars and oceans.
President Xi also highlighted China's role in global governance, including further cooperation among the global south and more advances in high quality belt and road cooperation.
He noted the various bilateral and multilateral forums China has attended over the year.
The Beijing Summit of the Foreign on China -Africa Cooperation was a full success.
We put forward China's vision at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, APEC, G20 and other bilateral and multilateral forums.
We have contributed greatly to the maintenance of world peace and stability.
President Xi recalled the celebrations in 2024 for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
He also emphasized the importance of the 20th CPC Central Committee's third session, saying the meeting called for further deepening reform and opening up.
With 2025, the final year of China's 14th five -year plan, President Xi pledged that China will make greater strides in the year ahead.
We will implement more proactive and effective policies, pursue high -quality development as a top priority, promote greater self -reliance and strength in science and technology, and maintain sound momentum in economic and social development.
The Chinese economy now faces some new conditions, including challenges of uncertainties in the external environment and pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones.
But we can prevail with our hard work.
President Xi highlighted the progress and changes in the Macau Special Administrative Region as it celebrated the 25th anniversary of its return to China.
He called for better implementation of the One Country, Two Systems policy to maintain long -term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau.
He also expressed China's stance on the Taiwan question and its commitment to reunification.
Amid a turbulent world, President Xi stressed the importance of rising above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision and caring for the future of humanity with great passion.
China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
We must jointly create a better future for the world.
That was Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering his New Year's message for 2025.
And for more on the Chinese President's New Year Address, Li Dongning spoke to Wang Huiyao, founder of the Centre for China and Globalization.
President Xi reviewed China's achievements in 2024, such as gains in high -quality development and efforts in boosting new -quality productive forces, and he also vowed to complete the 14th Five Year Plan.
So what do you think are China's priorities for economic development in 2025?
I think Xi's speech was quite encouraging and quite stimulating as well because basically he summarized what has been achieved in 2024, and also he highlighted that in 2025 we're going to continue to finish the 14th Five Year Plan.
But also in his speech, you can see he has attached great importance to the livelihood of the people, also to the new productive forces, and he actually emphasized that we have achieved a lot of that progress in 2024.
Like, for example, China has embarked on over 10 million EV cars, and also China has achieved many breakthroughs in science and technology, and also land on the back of the moon, and many of those achievements.
So I think 2025 is that despite of the turbulence and challenges of a different environment, and also because of the economic structures, China actually is going to continue to forge ahead of its policy that has been set at the 20th Party's Congress Third Plan.
So that is really the key message he's given.
This speech is very condensed, lots of information, lots of encouraging words, and a lot of basically down to earth, the hearts of the people that affect daily life, and for example, the schooling, childcare, healthcare, all the looking for young people for jobs, the president should touch all those
things. So I think it's really very short that 2025.
We're starting actually another year of 2025.
We just finished the first quarter of the century.
We're starting the next three quarters of the century, first day today.
So I think that the Chinese government and the president actually have a consistent approach towards this economic and people's lives as a priority for the government.
To really develop is the key, and that's really the key message he's had.
Indeed, he touched upon a lot of very, very specific, real issues in terms of people's sense of gains and happiness, such as the increased pensions and lowered mortgage rates, expanded cross -regional medical services, etc., etc.
But with all that being said, what challenges need to be tackled as the government aims to improve people's livelihood and which institutional measures are necessary to ensure their sustainability?
I think that's actually is the key.
I think the president should actually stress that as well.
So basically what we need to do is really, all the government levels has to work very hard and actually have to work with the people.
To do that, we have to really keep deepening the reform and, of course, opening up.
That's still the message I think that the government is having.
So in terms of the future, we have to do more in terms of most structural exchanges, the economic of the performance.
The president should particularly mention in his annual New Year speech of high -quality productive forces, high -quality growth as well.
So let's do the high -quality growth.
So that means we have to really enhance the service sectors, also all the areas that the president should mention about it, school, education, health care and, of course, also social affairs and, of course, also the livelihood of the people.
So that is really the key message.
I think also he thought about the global environment and we have to maintain good cooperation with all the countries.
We have to strengthen the global governance.
We have to work with all the global South countries.
We need to really be active to contribute to China's share.
We need to continue the Belt and Road and all those messages are there.
So I think it's quite clear China will embark on a path that has been set by the CPC and we continue to improve, to enhance and to enlarge and to really unleash the more productive powers and forces for the coming year.
That was Wang Huayao, founder of the Center for China Globalization, sharing his insights on the Chinese president's New Year address.
Coming up, thousands rung in the new year at the flag -raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square.
Dive into news like never before with Deep Dive, the podcast from CGTN Radio.
Join our global reporters for captivating stories and thought -provoking conversations.
Search Deep Dive on your favorite podcast platforms and get ready to dive in.
Eleven minutes past the hour, thousands of people gathered at Tiananmen Square in Beijing braving the cold to witness the first flag -raising ceremony in the Chinese capital this year.
As Wang Huayao reports, this is a moment symbolizing hope, unity and a fresh start.
At 7 .36 a .m., precisely when Beijing was covered in the first rays of sunlight, onlookers all held up their phones and cameras with their eyes fixed on the soaring national flag.
Tiananmen Square was packed with locals and tourists, many of whom waited through the night for this moment.
As cheers erupted for the first flag -raising ceremony of the new year, flocks of pigeons were released, soaring over the square, symbolizing hopes for well -being, peace and prosperity in 2025.
Many of the spectators lined up outside the square at midnight to get a good spot, despite freezing temperatures of about minus eight degrees Celsius.
We arrived before 3 a .m.
We are university students in Beijing, and watching the flag -raising ceremony here tops the must -do list for us since we study and live in the capital.
We came all the way from Xinzhen to witness the flag -raising ceremony.
It's an exciting experience.
For the new year, I wish everyone happiness.
Every time I watch the flag -raising ceremony, I feel emotional and deeply moved.
This year I hope to achieve more at work contributing to our country's development.
I come from the Sichuan province, and I'm a member of the Tibetan ethnic group.
Watching the flag -raising ceremony on the first day of the year feels truly meaningful.
For 2025, I wish good health for my family, friends and loved ones.
At the Tiananmen Square, the start of 2025 is marked not just by tradition, but also by the shared aspirations of people from all walks of life.
It's a powerful reminder of the hope, joy and unity that carries us into the new year.
That was Huangyue reporting.
Many cities across China have hosted various New Year celebrations.
The activities included lantern fairs, light shows, firework displays, parades and gatherings.
Locals in Chongqing have celebrated the New Year with lively cultural performances.
Gongming has more from the southwestern Chinese city.
I'm here in Chongqing, and one of the city's most famous and vibrant tourist spots, Shanqingxiang, also known as Mountain City Alley.
You can tell from the name itself, give away its charm, a place that perfectly blends Chongqing's unique mountainous geography with rich history.
And this area preserves historic architectures and old street culture, while incorporating traditional style with modern commercial elements.
It's a cultural and tourism landmark held as a new symbol of Chongqing.
And New Year's Day and also this place buzzes with energy, locals as well as visitors from all over the country and even abroad flock here to explore the charming little shops, taste the locals' snacks and just soak up the vibrant atmosphere here.
And one highlight you simply can miss is the region's distinctive tea culture and this kind of tea.
And here people, they can enjoy a cup of tea under the winter sunshine, chatting with family and friends while immersing themselves in a joyful vibe.
And you might also catch traditional cultural performances, like the dramatic face changing act of such an opera and also the captivating long -spot teapot art.
And these performances not only entertain but also showcase the folk traditions that from an inter -grow part of China's tea culture.
And also in this New Year holiday, Chongqing's cultural and tourism department has planned over 100 special events.
There will be more than 30 exhibitions and interactive experiences across the city's major museums, offering visitors a chance to dive into history and art.
And also for fans of live performances, theaters across the city will host Broadway musicals and New Year symphony concerts.
Giving both locals and tourists the chance to fully enjoy the cultural celebrations.
That was Gong Ming reporting.
Chinese astronauts aboard the country's space station have sent New Year greetings.
Shenzhou 19 crew members Tsai, Xu Zhe and Song Lingdong said they wish for more remarkable achievements for China's manned space program in 2025.
I hope that all of you can join me, full of energy, forge ahead courageously and running into the year of 2025.
I wish for a space laboratory to achieve fruitful results and for everyone to have a bumper harvest and an endless good fortune.
Astronaut Wang Haozi introduced Xiao Hong, a robot serving as a special assistant for them.
In the future, Xiao Hong will be upgraded to perform tasks such as cabin inspection, inventory management, product status checks and question answering, becoming our smart assistant.
Together with Xiao Hong, I wish everyone a happy New Year.
The astronauts have been in orbit for two months, and they will continue to conduct experiments, tests and spacewalks in 2025.
Cities around the world have held activities to ring in the New Year.
Locals displayed fireworks and held light shows in New Zealand and Australia, which were among the first countries to welcome 2025.
Similar activities also took place in Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
In Japan, many people visited temples to make New Year wishes.
People across Africa have expressed hopes and aspirations for the New Year.
I would tell my country's officials, happy New Year.
I wish you good health and that together we can achieve all that we need and that everything would be better for each other.
I'm hoping to grow myself, I'm hoping to go back to school, finish my master's degree and upgrade.
I'm also hoping to become a better man, a family man.
For me personally, my hopes for 2025 is to grow in terms of financially, my craft, and maybe finding maybe a wife, maybe, I think so.
I just want to expand in every area I can.
And then to touch lives, the situation of the country, we can see how things are on a daily basis.
There are so many things that I would like to see change in our country next year.
The first is our living conditions.
There's a Congolese musician who sang a song in Sohili titled, what are the citizens requesting?
He's called wazekwa.
Basically, people want to get more money to live decent lives.
Palestinians in Gaza said they hope that the war will end soon, with the siege lifted and security and peace prevailing.
Anadra Al -Tibi has more from the Strip.
With the start of the celebrations of the arrival of 2025, the people of Gaza are still suffering from the ravages of the conflict that has been ongoing for more than a year.
CGTN visited the charge of St.
Preferious in Gaza city, where dozens of Christians who used the charge as their shelter gathered on a Christmas eve in an atmosphere of sadness.
The activities were limited to prayers and supplications to stop the war that has been ongoing for about 15 months.
The usual manifestation of joy, decorative lights and the usual Christmas tree that the city has been accustomed to decorating every year for decades were completely absent.
We are here mostly displaced members of the Christian community inside the church.
We hope that the war will end and we are waiting to hear the good news that this aggression against us will stop and the war will stop.
Fortunately, a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Gaza has begun to take shape.
It is expected to provide a shorter truce and a moment of peace for the people of Gaza who have lost thousands of their loved ones in the ongoing war.
When I think of 2025, it's hard to think of many positive things, but we hope for the better because we made the same exact wish in 2024.
And unfortunately and tragically enough, none of this happened and we went through another year of hardship and tragedies and much of the agony continues to happen.
My only hope, my only wish that 2025 is going to be different at least with one hope.
If I'm asking for one thing, it will be a ceasefire.
Nersli Hamawad volunteered to move between the tents of the displaced to treat people wounded from continual bombing.
After hospitals ran out of room for any more patients, she told CGTN about her wishes for the new year.
My first wish is for the war to stop so that the massacres and injuries to children that we experience every day stop.
My second wish is for me to have a single location with medical equipment in order to treat a larger number of cases without moving between tents to save time and effort.
The Israeli War in Gaza has acclaimed more than 45 ,000 dead and more than 100 ,000 wounded, most of them women and children, and the majority of Palestinians have been displaced from their destroyed homes.
Despite the ongoing war here in the coastal strip, the Palestinians are looking forward to the new year with a lot of hope for peace and returning to their cities and homes from which they were displaced.
Even though they have been subjected to a lot of destruction.
That was Nadra L. Tebe reporting.
Coming up, China and the EU are marking 50 years of bilateral ties this year.
They are coming back.
Prominent overseas Chinese scientists are accelerating their pace of returning to China.
What are the key driving forces?
Does it herald another room in scientific research and technological development in the country?
How long may this trend continue?
Find out on this week's chat lounge on your favourite podcast platform and CGTN radio.
Twenty -two past the hour, 2025 marks 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union.
China has become the EU's second largest trading partner.
But trade tensions have increased in recent months.
William Denslow has more from Brussels.
100 ,000 trips and counting.
Since 2011, this freight train has carried more than $400 billion worth of goods from China to the European market.
For half a century, trade has been a major driver of ties between China and the EU.
And today, it continues to pick up steam.
The 50 years have been really, really important for China and the EU.
What we can say from the business perspective, we've seen that the importance of the euro has been constantly growing over the past decades, and in particular in recent years.
Back in 1980, Germany imported $1 .9 billion worth of goods from China.
Over the next 20 years, that grew exponentially.
By 2023, bilateral trade between China and the whole of the European Union exceeded $770 billion.
But relations have soured over recent months, especially after the EU's decision to impose additional duties on Chinese -made electric vehicles.
Commission officials here say the relationship isn't black and white, and a focus should be on de -risking, not decoupling, from China.
How do we need to reset?
Both Chinese and EU diplomats recently participated in a forum here in Brussels to mark the 50 years of diplomatic ties.
A chance to take stock and discuss challenges including the transition to green and digital economies, sometimes called the dual transition.
China and Europe are both facing the dual transition.
That actually is also the direction of the world.
So we have to continue on the cooperative spirit to jump out of the so much focus on geopolitical demands to start the cooperating.
Trade tensions persist, but some panellists at this event urged both sides to engage in constructive competition.
Despite the fallout over EV duties, there's a hope that climate policy can be a source of cooperation.
One of those areas is green management.
We know that green connectivity in China is one of the areas where it's a bit lacking and where cooperation would be more needed.
Carbon pricing is of course one of the areas which have been quite fruitful over the past years.
While current relations face challenges, both sides have made strong commitments to a clean energy transition.
After 50 years of cooperation, leaders say that green is the color of future EU collaboration.
That was William Denslow reporting.
Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary since China's foreign investment law took effect.
The law aims to better protect the rights and interests of foreign investors.
Wang Mengjian has more on how the laws boosted foreign investor confidence as they operate in the Chinese market.
To open doors wider to enhance a sense of gain among foreign investors, China's foreign investment law has been effective for five years now, with foreign investor enterprises continuing to expand their footprint in the Chinese market.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the country saw new foreign investor enterprises grow 8 .9 % in the first 11 months of 2024, the highest level ever for the same period.
In 2023, China's actual Foreign Director Investment, or FDI, hit more than 1 .13 trillion yuan, or about 158 billion US dollars, a historic high.
The country's FDI exceeded 1 trillion yuan for the first time in 2020 and continued stable expansion in 2021 and 2022.
It has opened up more sectors for foreign investors, especially in the areas like services, healthcare and high -tech industries.
It has also made the business environment of China more transparent and thorough.
The law has also provided better legal protection, as foreign firms will get access to government procurement markets through fair competition.
The move is especially attractive for high -tech foreign -invested enterprises, as they pay more attention to intellectual property protection than labor -intensive ones.
For these foreign investors, especially losing high -tech industries, once they know that their patents and innovations are well protected by the Chinese government, this will help build trust among these investors.
The 2023 data is a clear sign of the law's role in building trust, as China's high -tech industries attracted FDI worth about 423 billion yuan, accounting for a record high of 37 .3 % after total.
To improve the future business environment, China emphasized fostering new drivers of foreign trade by expanding trade in services and exports of cross -border e -commerce, a just -concluded central economic work conference.
By implementing foreign investment law, China has boosted its appeal among foreign investors with a broader development space for foreign companies in trade, innovation and investment.
That's why experts believe the Chinese market could be one of the best choices for foreign companies now and in the future.
28 past the hour, Beijing down to minus 4 Wednesday evening.
Thursday will be sunny and plus 3.
Nan chunks down to 4 overnight and then cloudy in 18 degrees.
Else around Asia, Islamabad's down to 7 this evening, then overcast in 21 on Thursday.
Vientiane's down to 17, then sunny in 29.
Phnom Penh dips to 23 degrees, then overcast in 31.
In Africa, Nairobi will get a slight rainfall and 27 degrees on Thursday.
Kampala's down to 22, then a slight rain in 26.
Juba's 23 this evening, then overcast in 38.
And finally to Oceania, Port Vila's 23 overnight, then a slight rainfall in 30 degrees Celsius.
It's time for a short break.
So far this hour, the Chinese president's New Year message calls on the nation to confidently overcome challenges and pressure.
Thousands mark the New Year by gathering at Tiananmen Square for the morning flag -raising ceremony.
And experts look through the future as China and the EU mark 50 years of diplomatic ties this year.
Shane Beggem with you.
Stay with us here on the Beijing Hour.
The best military commander is not he who fights a hundred battles and wins every one of them.
The best military strategy does not lead to the desiccation of the enemy's capital city.
Decoding the Art of War will help you understand why there's no art in war and how since they stayed undefeatable using the science of war with fun stories and insightful breakdown of famous battles.
Find Decoding the Art of War wherever you listen.
What do they truly mean?
Embark on a century -long journey with CGTN radio's latest offering.
Echoes of Koulian, a gripping audio drama series inspired by real -life tales.
From unexpected encounters to heartfelt reunions, immerse yourself in a narrative of love, peace and enduring friendship.
Listen to Echoes of Koulian on radio .cgtn .com and all major podcast platforms.
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 Beggem with you on this Wednesday.
Still to come? In business, marking the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization.
In sports, we have action from the Chinese Table Tennis Super League.
In culture and entertainment, China Media Group brings in the New Year with a grand cultural display.
To contact us you can email radio at cgtn .com or follow our X account at CGTNradio.
First of all, I'll check out the day's headline news.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered his New Year's message for 2025, calling on the nation to remain confident while working hard to overcome challenges and pressure.
The president said China will implement more proactive and effective policies to maintain sound momentum in economic and social development, prioritizing high quality development and greater self -reliance in science and technology.
He said the Chinese economy faces uncertainties in the external environment and the pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones.
However, he said he's confident the nation will rise above those challenges.
President Xi said China will embrace even broader prospects in pursuing Chinese modernization through deepening reform and opening up.
At his third plenary session, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China sounded a clarion call for further deepening all -round reform.
We will march forward in great strides to advance reform, opening up as the trend of our times.
Reviewing 2024, President Xi said that China's economy is rebounded and is on an upward trajectory with the GDP expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan mark for 2024.
Cities across China have hosted various New Year celebrations.
Major cities held lantern fairs and light shows with landmark buildings aglow with inspiring New Year greetings.
Activities showcasing local traditions took place in many of China's old towns and villages.
There were parades, gatherings and banquets with performers in traditional attire entertaining the public.
The winter of fish harvests and ice snow festivities continued across the north while flower markets captivated the south.
The celebrations in Hong Kong and Macau culminated with dazzling fireworks and multicultural performances.
On New Year's Day, families in Gaza's Al -Sadaqah camp faced the harsh reality of displacement in the longing for peace.
36 -year -old Najila Abu Al Aoun carried out her daily chores outside of her tent as she talked about her hardships.
As a 36 -year -old woman, what I've experienced over the past year and four months of war has aged me to 60 years.
I've had to fetch drinking water, standing lying to secure food for my children.
These tasks are meant for men, but unfortunately, many women have been displaced without their husbands.
I'm currently displaced with my family.
I and others, even the children, pray for peace during this time.
Sharif Al -Sharif shares the painful experience of his 10th displacement.
I have been displaced for the 10th time now.
No one pays attention to our suffering.
No one cares about us.
We are managing on our own.
We are openly asking for peace for the whole world and the Arab and Islamic nations to know we want peace.
Enough of this situation.
We can't bear it anymore.
Over a million people in Gaza are experiencing similar displacement or deals.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has highlighted the city's accomplishments and set goals for 2025.
In his New Year address, Adams briefly spoke about a woman who died after being set on fire inside of a subway train.
A house goes out to the family, a horrific incident to have to live through.
Just watching that tape, just really, I couldn't even watch it all the way through.
It was just a bad incident and it impacts on how New Yorkers feel.
But it really reinforced what I've been saying.
People should not be living on our subway system.
They should be in a place of care.
Dabrina Kowam, a 57 -year -old woman from New Jersey, died after a man set her on fire inside of a Brooklyn subway car on December 22nd.
The NYPD revealed that she had a Tom's River, New Jersey address and a brief history in New York's homeless shelter system.
Sebastian Zapata was accused of setting Kowam on fire.
The 33 -year -old Guatemalan national was arrested shortly after police released his images to the public.
Zapata has been indicted on charges of murder and arson and remains in custody.
Federal immigration officials confirmed that he'd entered the U .S.
illegally. Adams also commented on his presence during the extradition of UnitedHealthcare's CEO shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione.
The New Year address also showcased Adams' ongoing focus on public safety and governance.
South Korea has begun releasing the bodies of victims from the Jeju airplane crash to families while investigation continues.
The aircraft burst into flames after a failed landing attempt at Muen International Airport, killing all but two of the 181 people on board.
Authorities have set makeshift tents at the airport for families waiting for more information on the crash.
Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of taking control of the Panama Canal from the United States.
President Jose Raul Molina declared the canal would remain in Panama's hands forever.
He rejected Donald Trump's recent remarks, suggesting the U .S.
might attempt to regain control.
The canal is going to stay in our hands forever.
Today we see the Panamanian flag flying freely, as if it has always been there.
It is important that our young people know and keep in mind the high cost of struggle and blood that involved raising that flag in that place as an unmistakable sign of sovereignty.
That history of patriotism should be the inexhaustible torch of inspiration and an example of tenacity for future generations.
Trump criticized the 1999 transfer as a foolish decision, citing ridiculous fees for using the canal and hinted at reclaiming it during the second term.
Molina paid tribute to former U .S.
President Jimmy Carter, who signed the 1977 treaty enabling the canal's transfer to Panama.
The canal, built by the U .S.
in the early 1900s, facilitates global trade and remains vital to Panama's economy, generating roughly 20 % of its annual revenue.
This is Shane Bingham in the Chinese Capitol, coming up in business, marking the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization.
38 past the hour, major stock markets were closed on Wednesday due to the New Year holiday.
In China, the markets will resume operations on Thursday.
Wednesday marked the 30th anniversary of the official commencement of the World Trade Organization.
Over the past three decades, the WTO has vowed to promote open and free trade.
Dai Cai reports. China joining the World Trade Organization in 2001 was a historic moment.
Not only for China, but also for the rest of the world.
After all, back then, it was a new member with a massive market, a rich labor force, and manufacturing resources.
Since joining the WTO, China has kept its promises, improved its market economy, and worked to make the business environment easier for both trade and investment.
Now, the outcomes have been rather obvious.
China's per capita income has increased multiple times.
It's now the world's largest exporter and the second largest importer.
Not long ago, I had the chance to talk with the WTO's chief economist, Ralph Olsa.
He said that international trade is not a zero -sum game.
China has really been a poster child of trade -led development, showcased how an approach of embracing international markets can help lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
But the good thing about international trade is that it's not a zero -sum game.
It's a win -win proposition.
So other countries have benefited from China's integration into the global trading system, too.
Going beyond then just providing more affordable goods, China's role throughout global trade has also enabled greater technological development.
China was able to make huge progress in terms of technological adoption, innovation, and also application in every sector of the economy.
China established a global production chain, a value chain, which allowed the Chinese industry to have a much bigger scope for development and resilience when they come through some sort of cynical turbulence.
Economists I spoke to also believe that with China joining the WTO, the global economy now has more diversified consumption choices.
And China, in turn, has become a steady contributor to the international pricing system.
The WTO aims to optimize global resource distribution.
Even as globalization faces setbacks today, that goal remains unchanged.
Thirty years is enough time to reflect and think about how to pave the way forward, even in the face of challenges.
That was Dai Cai reporting.
China's first energy law has come into effect.
That law is expected to strengthen the legal foundation in China's energy sector, ensuring energy security and promoting green and low -carbon transformation.
Yuli has details. The energy law aims to support the development and utilization of renewable energy and increase the proportion of non -fossil energy consumption.
It encourages individuals and businesses to adopt a green and low -carbon production attitude and lifestyle.
The law formally integrates hydrogen, previously classified as hazardous chemicals, into the energy management system.
For the first time, hydrogen is recognized as energy under national law, clarifying its energy attribute and opening up chances to promote the development of the hydrogen energy business.
The law also defines the legal significance of green electricity certificates and supports increased green electricity used throughout society.
Green electricity certificates, or GECs, were piloted in 2017 to build a renewable electricity market -based mechanism.
GECs are the sole way to validate renewable energy production and consumption.
According to official figures, China had issued 3 .55 billion GECs by October 2024.
The energy law will promote the transformation of energy security.
The energy law sets the order of importance for developing and using fossil fuels and green energy.
It also makes it clearer which energy type is more important for development and use and makes it easier to switch to non -fossil energy in a safe, reliable and orderly way.
Experts say as the core and regulating law in the energy industry, the energy law has constructed the institutional system for green and low -carbon energy development.
Now that the energy law is in effect, China has an almost full system for regulating energy.
The nation already has the electricity law, coal law, renewable energy law and energy conservation law among other laws, rules and administrative regulations.
According to the experts, the energy law is more comprehensive than those separate laws spelling out how different types of energy should be used and giving basic rules for making sure that the growth of all types of energy is coordinated.
That was Yuli reporting.
China Eastern Airlines has started using China's C919 jetliner for regular flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The first flight carried 157 passengers taking off from Shanghai Hongzhou International Airport for Hong Kong International Airport on New Year's Day.
China Eastern is the first airline to use the C919 for scheduled commercial flights to Hong Kong.
The company plans to conduct one round -trip flight daily.
Hong Kong is China Eastern's ninth city using the C919 for regular flights.
The new plane model has carried more than a million passengers since starting commercial operation in May of 2023.
Tesla's new battery factory in Shanghai has begun trial production.
Mass production is expected to start in the first quarter of this year.
The mega factory is the first of its kind that Tesla has built outside the U .S.
The facility has an initial annual production capacity of 10 ,000 units.
Experts believe the plan is a good example of cooperation between China and the U .S.
to advance energy storage and energy saving technologies and address climate change.
Bloomberg reports that the world's 500 richest people vastly increased their wealth in 2024, hitting a record combined net worth of US $10 trillion.
The strength of technology stocks in the U .S.
is a contributing factor in their gains.
Elon Musk leads the pack with a fortune of US $442 billion, and that's nearly twice as much as he had at the start of the year.
Other tech billionaires on the list included Mark Zuckerberg, Jensen Hong, Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos, Michael Dell, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin.
Those eight tech titans made more than US $600 billion this year, accounting for 43 % of the $1 .5 trillion increase among the 500 richest people.
Other winners when it comes to net worth this year included Chinese billionaires Ponnema, Leijun, and Chen Tianshe.
The UN report says economic growth in the Arab region is expected to reach 2 .5 % in 2024.
The growth is expected to accelerate in 2025, reaching 3 .9%.
The report says increased demand for phosphates and gas are driving growth in middle -income Arab countries.
But Arab countries torn by conflict continue to face severe contraction.
In 2024, Palestine's GDP contracted by at least 13 .3%, and Sudan's GDP by at least 12 .6%.
The report highlights concerns regarding the region's rising unemployment rate, projected to reach 11 .5 % in 2024.
China started building the world's largest electric transport ship in Yicheng, Hubei province.
The ship can carry a maximum weight of almost 14 ,000 tonnes, and it will be equipped with 12 lithium batteries.
Upon completion, the vessel can save around 620 tonnes of fuel per year.
The China Maldives free trade agreements taken effect with more than 95 % of products between the two countries exempted from tariffs.
A Chinese electronics manufacturer expects its exports to the Maldives to rise by 20 % under the agreement.
The agreement will improve the competitiveness of products.
We are now in negotiations with our Maldivian clients to further expand our export.
With tariff reductions and exemptions under the FTA, we anticipate our export in 2025 will increase by 20%.
The agreement will benefit a wide range of products, including ships, steel, furniture, ceramics, and fruit and vegetables from China, and seafood, nuts, and wooden ornaments from the Maldives.
You're listening to The Beijing Hour.
Coming up in sports, we have action from the Chinese table tennis Super League.
In sports, the Chinese table tennis Super League action, Shandong Weichao beat Shanghai Estate 3 -0 in the men's semi -finals.
Men's doubles, Liang Jincun and Lin Yunjue beat Xu Xin and Zhou Kai in four sets to grab the first points for Shandong.
In men's singles, Paris Olympics, men's singles gold medalists Fan Zhendong met world number one Wang Chucin.
Wang took the first two games 11 -9, 11 -5.
Fan found his form in the third and won 11 -5.
Wang then regained control in the fourth to win an 11 -3, winning the match 3 -1 and putting Shandong ahead 2 -0.
I prepared a lot before when I knew that we were playing against Shanghai.
I hope I can show my best while meeting a world -class athlete.
Fan Zhendong says he could have played better.
I got into the match slowly, especially the beginning of the first two games.
I couldn't catch up, which made me passive on court.
Although I won the third game, I was left behind in the fourth, which showed that I played poorly.
Liang Jincun beat Zhou Kai in the third match -up.
Shandong Weichao will meet Hubei Huangshir base in the final.
In tennis, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrios were knocked out of the doubles competition in Brisbane.
The wildcard pair lost out to top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus in a super tiebreaker.
Mektic and Venus won in three sets.
In singles play, Djokovic reached the second round and says he's pleased to see in the new year with a victory.
Last year I played a match, the United Cup in Perth just before midnight.
And again, here in Brisbane, so it's kind of a tradition happening each year.
Thanks for choosing to come on the New Year's Eve to spend with us on the court here.
Appreciate it. Djokovic also expressed excitement about his new coach, Andy Murray.
He's actually skiing at the moment.
He has a family skiing trip.
Sending my love to all the Murray family.
I hope he doesn't get injured skiing before he comes to Melbourne.
That wouldn't be great.
But yeah, we spoke before the match.
We're communicating daily, so I'm excited, obviously, to have him in my team, in my corner.
For 20 -plus years, he's been across the net.
For the first time ever, he's on the same side of the court, so it should be fun in Melbourne.
Awaiting Djokovic now is veteran Gail Monfils who Djokovic has never lost to in 19 meetings.
In the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers have won their eighth straight game, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 122 -110, to spoil LeBron James' first game after turning 40 years old.
Jared Allen scored a season -high 27 points, and Donovan Mitchell added 26 for the Cavaliers.
Austin Reeves led the Lakers with 35 points, followed by Anthony Davis with 28.
LeBron James scored 23.
He became the first player in NBA history to appear in games in his teens and his 40s.
The Toronto Raptors have extended their losing streak to 11 games, going down to the Boston Celtics, 125 -71.
Seven players scored double digits for Boston, led by Jason Tatum, with 23.
Scotty Barnes had 16 points for the Raptors.
Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers, 120 -112.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the LA Clippers, 122 -86.
The Oklahoma City Thunder got past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113 -105.
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Phoenix Suns, 117 -112.
Shenzhen has clinched their second victory in a row, beating Zhejiang 105 -102 in the CBA on Tuesday.
Trevor Thompson had 22 points and 14 boards for Shenzhen, followed by Markel Johnson with 17 points.
Gabriel Russell -York scored 32 for Jejeong, a game high.
Jeong Su has suffered the second consecutive defeat recently, losing to Fu -Jian 103 -96.
Zhejiang contributed 23 points and 8 rebounds for the winners.
Archie Goodwin led Jeong Su with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists.
Arsenal set to take on Brenford in the English Premier League.
Out of their New Year's Day visit, Arsenal head coach Michael Arteta expressed praise for the opponent.
They are very tough.
I think they are a really, really good team.
You see the record, they have a home team.
Last week it's remarkable.
They evolved and adapted as well, the qualities in the team because of the players they have right now, so very impressive.
Arteta also insisted Arsenal will continue to fight to catch Premier League leaders Liverpool.
I don't know and that doesn't depend on us, you know.
And we have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day, every day.
And, I mean, if somebody wins all the matches, congratulate him and let's go to the next season.
But if they don't, which in the history hasn't happened, we will be there.
Liverpool's 9 points ahead of the Gunners in the league standings.
Arsenal stands in third place with 36 points followed by Chelsea and Newcastle.
Beijing Guayans announced that its defender Yu Dabao will quit playing as a first -team player and become a football academy coach in the new season.
Despite quitting the first team, you will not leave Beijing Guayan.
He will continue to work for the club as a coach at the football academy.
You joined the Beijing club back in 2015.
He has made 229 appearances in the following 10 seasons, scoring 27 goals and producing 21 assists.
A football invitational event between a young team from Ethiopia and their Chinese counterparts has taken place in southwest China.
Rongzheng County is the birthplace of the Guizhou Village Super League, also known as Sunqiao, which has gained attention in China and globally due to the passion for football and the area's rich ethnic cultures.
During the halftime break, the Ethiopian team performed a cultural presentation featuring dances and music representing their different nationalities.
Initiated in 2023, the Guizhou Village Super League attracted over 1 ,000 football enthusiasts from over 50 countries and regions, including France, Liberia and the United States, to take part in friendly matches in Rongzheng.
Official data shows the output of China's sports industry reached over 3 .6 trillion yuan, around US $500 billion in 2023, with an added value of around US $1 .5 trillion.
The figure is from the 5th National Economic Census results.
It shows the sports industry accounted for 1 .1 % of the country's GDP, and that was up slightly from the previous year.
Coming up in Culture and Entertainment, China Media Group brings in the new year with a grand cultural display.
Discover the realities and responses to our changing climate with Climate Watch.
Uncover critical issues such as the Maasai Morris disrupted world abuse migration and the drop in the Panama Canal's water levels.
Delve into solutions for a sustainable future.
Tune in to Climate Watch on your favorite podcast platform.
Become more eco -conscious and take action to protect our planet.
54 past the hour, China Media Group has staged a grand new year gala featuring a rich tapestry of Chinese culture.
The sale into 2025 gala's main stage was at Tianping Lake at the foot of Mount Tai in Tai An, the home of Confucius.
The event included martial arts, folk songs, dances and other performances featuring traditional Chinese culture.
The gala also included a program displaying China's efforts to bring intangible cultural heritage to schools.
In 1987, UNESCO listed Mount Tai on its list of world cultural and natural heritage.
As we enter the new year, let's take a look at the key moments that shape the arts and cultural landscape in China.
Julian Wagon has more.
In 2024, five iconic symbols of Chinese culture won UNESCO recognition putting the spotlight on China's rich cultural heritage.
The Spring Festival, China's most important celebration, was added to UNESCO's Intentional Cultural Heritage List.
Known for such vibrant traditions as lighting firecrackers, pasting cuplets on door panels and family reunions, the festival has transcended its agricultural roots to become a global symbol of renewal and unity, celebrated by some 20 percent of the world's population.
The Beijing Central axis, a 7 .8 kilometer stretch dating back to the Yuan dynasty, was inscribed as a world heritage site.
This historic axis, home to many of Beijing's most iconic landmarks, embodies traditional Chinese urban planning, reflecting a philosophical pursuit of harmony, balance and order.
Its recognition by UNESCO came after more than a decade of meticulous restoration efforts, highlighting its role as a living narrative of China's history, culture and values.
Meanwhile, another three Chinese cultural elements, namely traditional Li textile techniques, the Cheng New Year festival and traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges, were also included on the list.
These three elements had previously been placed on the 2009 list of the Intentional Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
With these additions, China now holds the world's largest number of UNESCO Intentional Cultural Heritage entries for the total of 24.
That was Julian Weigandt reporting.
China has marked a major milestone in its efforts to reclaim the country's lost cultural treasures, with notable achievements made in the repatriation of relics and enhanced international cooperation.
One of the highlights was Italy's return of 56 Chinese cultural relics back in November.
Primarily from the northern provinces of Gansu, Qinghai and Shanxi, these relics boast rich historical, artistic and even scientific value.
Another key achievement occurred in April when the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China reclaimed 38 cultural relics from the United States.
In addition, China strengthened international cooperation in protecting cultural heritage.
To date, China signed cooperation agreements with 27 countries.
These packs focus on preventing the illicit excavation, theft and trafficking of such relics.
Through the collaborative approach, China aims to create a stronger global network for protecting its cultural heritage and ensuring the rightful return of looted artifacts.
An exhibition of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures has officially kicked off its China tour.
The first stop is the northern city of Taiyuan.
Over 130 exhibits are on display.
58 past the hour, Beijing is down to minus 4 on Wednesday evening.
Thursday will be sunny, the highest plus 3.
Nanchung is down to 4, then cloudy in 18 degrees.
elsewhere in Asia, Islamabad is 7 overnight, then Thursday is overcast in 21 degrees Celsius.
Bien Tian is down to 17, then sunny in 29.
Phnom Penh is 23 overnight, then overcast in 31.
In Africa, Nairobi is getting a slight rainfall and 27 degrees on Thursday.
Kampala is down to 22, then a slight rain in 26.
Juba is 23 overnight, then overcast in 38.
Finally, to Oceania, Port Vila 23 this evening, then a slight rain in 30.
A pea will see a slight rainfall Thursday in 29 degrees Celsius.
That's it for this edition of The Paging Hour.
Making news today, the Chinese President's New Year message is called on the nation to confidently overcome challenges and pressure.
On behalf of the staff, this is Shane Bigham 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.
Round Table Connecting China and the world.
We bring you fun and timely discussions about what's affecting our lives everywhere, every day.
Tune in to Round Table, where the East meets the West, and understanding is the goal.
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.
