The Beijing Hour

The World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance has concluded in Shanghai, with major governance initiatives and innovative outcomes released (01:06). Iran says it has received proposals from the mediators for the resumption of negotiations with the United States and de-escalation of tensions in the region (11:17). Andy Burnham becomes the seventh UK prime minister in a decade after Keir Starmer formally steps down (19:50).

Addressing the opening ceremony of the World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the country's major measures to support global development of artificial intelligence (01:15). Hostilities between the United States and Iran have continued, despite the memorandum of understanding they signed in mid-June (17:19). China's foreign exchange market held steady in the first half of the year, weathering increased turbulence in global financial markets (36:08).

The 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance will begin on Friday, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence while shaping discussions on global governance on the sector (01:06). Hostilities between Iran and the US military have intensified a day after the US re-imposed its naval blockade on ships to and from Iranian ports (11:58). Beijing has expressed appreciation for Papua New Guinea's decision to close its "Taipei Economic and Cultural Office" (19:54).

Officials say the Chinese economy expanded 4.7 percent in the first half of the year, laying the groundwork for the country to achieve its annual growth target of 4.5 to five percent (01:04). The US has struck Iranian targets before re-imposing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has attacked US military targets in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain (12:15). A fire in a building under renovation in Brussels has killed seven people (20:12).

Iran has warned the US against interfering in the management of the Strait of Hormuz after the US president said his country is reinstating a blockade on Iran in the strait (01:06). The Chinese foreign minister says China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to seek common development while meeting with his Kazakh counterpart in Beijing (23:07). China's foreign trade in goods in the first half of the year reached nearly 25.5 trillion yuan, marking the first time the figure surpassed 25 trillion yuan in that period (40:29).

China has released a critique of the so-called South China Sea Arbitration Award, unveiling its major flaws in legal application, factual findings, and evidence assessment (01:02). China's east coast continues to respond to the intense rainfall from Typhoon Bavi, as the storm moves inland and loses strength (15:17). The US and Iran continue to exchange fire in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region (24:48).

China and Namibia are pushing forward cooperation as the two presidents meet in Beijing (01:10). Authorities in East China have stepped up emergency preparations as Typhoon Bavi approaches (16:01). China's Long March 10B rocket has made history as the first Chinese launch vehicle to be successfully recovered after an orbital mission (41:16).

Cleanup and relief operations are underway in south China's Guangxi following typhoon-triggered floods that have killed at least 39 people (01:02). The interim ceasefire between the US and Iran is facing uncertainty as both sides continue to trade strikes (10:34). The NATO summit has wrapped up in Turkiye, with internal disputes still unresolved among member states (21:43).

Beijing has held a meeting to award China's highest sci-tech honors, with President Xi Jinping presenting the top awards (00:59). Large areas of southern China are reeling from flooding triggered by torrential rains from the 10th typhoon to hit the country this year (10:10). US President Donald Trump says he believes the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is over, following the worst escalation of violence since the deal was implemented (21:04).

China marks the 89th anniversary of the Lugou Bridge Incident, the start of Japan's full-scale invasion and China's whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression (01:02). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on China and Norway to work toward an early conclusion of a free trade agreement during talks with his Norwegian counterpart (07:57). The UN welcomes Hamas' announcement that it will transfer the administration of Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic committee (33:21).

Leaders of China and Montenegro have exchanged congratulations to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties (01:03). Public mourning continues in Iran as millions walked in a funeral procession for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (10:02). China has sent 80 tons of humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Venezuela, where the twin quakes last month killed thousands of people (15:29).

In a meeting with his Danish counterpart, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Denmark and strengthen cooperation in various sectors (01:03). A Chinese envoy has urged all parties to avoid threatening rhetoric and military adventurism, and to return to dialogue, amid unrelenting tensions between the US and Iran (09:35). A trial aiming to treat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is underway (20:15).

As the Communist Party of China has marked its 105th founding anniversary, the international community is paying attention to its long-standing vitality (01:02). Iran and the US have wrapped up another round of indirect talks in Doha, with no sign of progress toward a lasting peace (16:05). Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has declared seven days of national mourning for the victims of last week's twin earthquakes that had killed nearly 2300 people as of late Wednesday (21:43).

The Communist Party of China has honored its outstanding members on the occasion of its 105th anniversary, with General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee conferring the July 1st Medals, the Party's highest honors (01:04). Hong Kong has marked the 29th anniversary of its return to the motherland, holding a flag-raising ceremony and a gala (15:59). Indirect talks between Iran and the US have resumed in Doha, with Qatar and Pakistan serving as mediators (22:05).

As the Communist Party of China marks its 105th founding anniversary on Wednesday, new data shows its membership topped 101 million as of the end of 2025, reflecting its continued growth among people from all walks of life (01:35). Uncertainty surrounds the next round of US-Iran talks in Doha, with Washington confirming the talks while Tehran denying (12:52). A UN representative in Venezuela says officials are procuring thousands of body bags, as the number of deaths from last week's twin earthquakes is likely to rise (24:58).

China and Belarus have pledged to maintain strategic communication and strengthen bilateral relations during their presidents' meeting in Beijing (01:06). The US and Iran have reportedly agreed to halt recent hostilities and renew talks about the Strait of Hormuz (12:40). Rescue teams and aid are pouring in to Venezuela following the deadly twin earthquakes last week (19:14).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held separate meetings with Cambodian People's Party President and Senate President Hun Sen and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing, pledging to promote cooperation with the two countries (01:16). Rescue efforts are underway in Venezuela for hundreds of people trapped under rubble after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday (09:31). The UN maritime agency has suspended an evacuation operation for ships and sailors stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz amid an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman (21:00).

Two powerful earthquakes that jolted Venezuela on Wednesday had killed over 160 people by early Thursday, with around 1,000 injured (00:51). The Annual Meeting of the New Champions or the Summer Davos has wrapped up, with business leaders hailing the "China Opportunity 2.0" idea (09:04). Scientists have discovered a rare marine blue hole in the South China Sea, which could help unlock new clues about the evolution of marine ecosystems (23:47).

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has addressed the annual meeting of the Summer Davos in Dalian, saying the country's economy has demonstrated stability, innovation, vitality and integration with the rest of the world (01:03). China's "first secretaries" are helping to revive and inspire the country's rural communities (20:27). A supercomputer in China has outranked its US counterparts as the world's most powerful (44:11).

The Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, is underway in Dalian, northeast China, gathering more than 1,700 global business leaders (01:02). Iran says it will continue its peace talks with the United States following the discussions in Switzerland over the weekend (09:10). Andy Burnham has been sworn in as Labour Member of Parliament in Britain, a step closer to his goal to become the new prime minister (20:05).

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign as Labour Party leader and will step down as Prime Minister once a successor is chosen (00:59). Mediators say Iran and the US have agreed on a roadmap to reach a final peace deal within 60 days (07:46). The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo is underway in Beijing, featuring six major supply chain exhibitions and a supply chain services zone (36:43).

People across China are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, with activities including making Zongzi — sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves — and holding dragon boat races (01:05). The US and Iranian negotiators are not meeting in Switzerland on Friday as planned, despite the agreement to stop the war and seek a permanent peace deal (11:26). The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 890 (23:28).

General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee has called on Party members to carry forward revolutionary traditions and strive for new accomplishments (01:08). The presidents of Iran and the US have digitally signed the memorandum of understanding on ending the war, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the extension of a ceasefire (13:01). The annual G7 summit has concluded without issuing a final communique for the second year in a row (24:22).

China has released a white paper on its principles, proposals and actions on global governance, outlining its efforts to uphold multilateralism and its wisdom in promoting a better world (01:05). The Myanmar president is continuing his state visit to China (11:23). The Iranian foreign minister stresses that ending the war with the US must include Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon (25:06).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Myanmar counterpart in Beijing, calling on the two sides to steadily advance key cooperation projects (01:02). The US and Iran have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war, ahead of the formal signing on Friday (09:48). The number of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 800 (23:03).

US and Iranian officials have confirmed an agreement on a framework to end the war, halt the US blockade on Iranian ports, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz (01:01). Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing is in Beijing for a state visit to China (13:57). The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 780, including over 170 deaths (22:08).

Participants at the two-day Forum on Global Human Rights Governance in Beijing have discussed how to balance green development with human rights protection (07:17). US President Donald Trump says he called off strikes against Iran scheduled for Thursday night, again claiming a deal is near completion (15:19). A UN report says conflict, violence and persecution displaced more than 117 million people by the end of 2025, the first decline in forced displacement in a decade (24:13).

China has released a new national human rights action plan aimed at ensuring the people's fundamental interests are safeguarded (1:27). The US and Iran have traded a new round of strikes (11:09). Post-disaster reconstruction is underway in the Philippines after the powerful earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday (20:28).

A senior CPC official says China and the DPRK have reached new consensus on bilateral ties (01:06). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is calling for better understanding and mutual trust through dialogue in remarks marking the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations (06:02). The number of people killed in Monday's powerful earthquake in the southern Philippines has risen to 45 (12:56).

General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee has wrapped up a two-day state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, saying he and the DPRK leader reached consensus on developing bilateral ties in the new era (01:07). The 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines on Monday has killed at least 37 people and injured 500 others (09:18). The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed 101 Ebola deaths and 550 cases since the start of the outbreak last month (21:35).

The leaders of China and the DPRK have held talks in Pyongyang, vowing to achieve greater progress in bilateral ties (01:04). Analysts warned that global ocean surface temperatures are nearing record highs as the world marks World Ocean Day (19:10). OPEC+ has decided to raise its oil production target for the fourth time in four months (42:23).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Lao counterpart who is on a state visit to China (01:11). Israeli and Hezbollah forces continue to trade attacks despite a ceasefire deal, killing more Lebanese residents and an Israeli soldier (15:53). As Africa battles the Ebola outbreak, a Chinese health worker shares his perspective from the ground (21:45).

The Lao president arrived in Beijing from Zhejiang Province to continue his state visit in China (01:02). Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says its navy targeted a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman, while Washington has denied the claim (11:51). The WHO chief says he's encouraged by efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak (20:27).

Lao president Thongloun Sisoulith has visited tech companies in Hangzhou, the first stop of his five-day state visit to China (01:04). Hostilities between the US and Iran have flared up, pushing bilateral negotiations into a stalemate (09:54). Beijing has warned that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan could face consequences for seeking support from external forces at the expense of national interests (18:53).

The Lao president has begun a five-day state visit to China, starting in the eastern city of Hangzhou (01:08). Iran has reportedly halted indirect talks and peace deal negotiations with the United States, while Washington says talks with Tehran are continuing (12:04). Officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have confirmed more Ebola cases (24:30).

The US and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend as the two sides continue to talk about a peace deal (01:03). China has expressed grave concerns over Japan's move to deepen cooperation with NATO (11:57). Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to deal with rebel attacks even as they manage an Ebola outbreak (22:12).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stressed the importance of enhancing the voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized countries while attending a meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN (01:01). Strategic stability is one key topic at the Shangri-La Dialogue (18:19). And US officials say Washington and Iran have an MoU to extend the ceasefire and launch talks on Iran's nuclear program, but Tehran denies a deal is finalized (21:00).

China is among over 50 countries and international organizations that launched a Global Partnership for Poverty Alleviation and Development, which aims to explore pathways to eradicate poverty at its roots (01:08). China is urging Japan's policy makers to act with caution on the National Intelligence Council, noting that intelligence agencies in Japan have historically paved the way for militarism and aggression (10:09). And US President Donald Trump says Iran will not receive sanctions relief in exchange for giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium (20:49).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has presided over a UN Security Council meeting and highlighted China's efforts in promoting peace and providing assistance (01:02). Profits of China's major industrial firms rose more than 18 percent on a yearly basis during the first four months of the year (36:46). And Japan has enacted a law to establish a National Intelligence Council, but the move has drawn protests from citizens demanding explanations (22:51).

Chinese President Xi Jinping says China and Serbia should better align development strategies, implement the mid-term action plan for Belt and Road cooperation, and advance cooperation in transport and energy infrastructure (01:00). China and Pakistan have issued a joint statement reaffirming friendship and mutual support, as Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wraps up an official visit (31:41). And US forces have struck launch sites and mine-laying boats in southern Iran (12:39).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Serbian counterpart, who has visited the Great Wall and Tian'anmen Square, during his first state visit to China (01:01). President Xi also met with the Pakistani prime minister and said Pakistan is a priority in China's neighborhood diplomacy while commending Islamabad's mediation efforts in the Middle East (31:41). And China's Shenzhou-23 astronauts, including a crew member from Hong Kong, are inside the Tiangong Space Station (14:29).

Participants at the APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting in Suzhou are discussing topics such as regional economic integration and digital cooperation (01:09). The prime minister of Pakistan says relations with China have continued to grow in strength and strategic significance amid changing regional and global dynamics (06:18). We look at how efforts at developing infrastructure and ecological protection have changed lives and the environment in Xizang 75 years after its peaceful liberation (11:34).