The Beijing Hour

Russia and Ukraine make no major breakthrough in their peace talks in Istanbul (1:00). South Koreans head to the polls in a snap presidential election (23:58). China launches an ASEAN Visa for the ten member countries, and for ASEAN observer Timor-Leste (31:37).

People across China celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with folk activities (03:00). Russian officials say explosions caused the collapse of two bridges and derailed trains in Bryansk and Kursk (13:00). Karol Nawrocki wins Poland's presidential runoff election (22:50).

China is among the more than 30 founding members of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong (1:05). A U.S. federal judge has extended the block on the Trump administration's attempt to bar foreign students from entering Harvard, while a court temporarily reinstated the president's tariffs (11:03). And Israel has approved 22 more settlement sites in the West Bank (25:44).

China has announced projects to help Pacific Island countries to resist climate change over a three-year period (1:05). China says the U.S. announcement to revoke visas for Chinese students is discriminatory (11:51). And China has launched its asteroid sampling Tianwen-2 mission (17:47).

Pacific Island countries attending a ministerial meeting in Xiamen say China treats them as equals and with respect, as they look to expand cooperation (0:58). Hungry Palestinians in Gaza have swarmed a U.S.-backed aid hub in a scene that the United Nations described as heartbreaking (13:17). And the Trump administration is threatening to terminate up to 100 million U.S. dollars of federal contracts with Harvard University (21:46).

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has pledged to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council on free trade and the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative (1:02). Some European countries have removed the range limit for weapons supplied to Ukraine, a move that Russia has called dangerous (21:37). And activities marking Jerusalem Day have drawn condemnation from the Israeli opposition and the Palestinian Authority (22:16).

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is in Malaysia to attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit after wrapping up an official visit to Indonesia, where he stressed peaceful co-existence and the Bandung Spirit (1:00). Russia and Ukraine have completed the largest prisoner swap in over three years, as they claim drone attacks from each other (11:35). And senior U.S. education insiders warn that the Trump administration's crackdown on international student enrollment is threatening universities beyond Harvard (26:18).

Participants at the China-Central and Eastern European Countries Expo are discovering new opportunities, as they acknowledge China and the event's role in upholding free trade (1:02). U.S. federal authorities have charged the man accused of killing two Israeli embassy staffers with murder (11:51). And nutrition supplies and food aid are among the first items that Gazans have received in 11 weeks (17:05).

The China-CEEC Expo has attracted companies from 14 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, along with several more in Europe that hope to win a share of the Chinese market through this platform (1:03). A gunman shot dead two Israeli embassy staff in Washington (12:45). And China's Shenzhou-20 crew has completed its first spacewalk outside the Tiangong Space Station (32:03).

On a tour of Henan Province, Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized mastering core technologies in manufacturing, preserving cultural heritage, and pursuing high-quality development (1:00). China and ASEAN are targeting the end of the year to sign the 3.0 version of their free trade deal (10:35). And the World Health Assembly has adopted the global pandemic agreement (24:38).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Henan Province to advance Chinese modernization with high-quality development and efficient governance (31:42). Chinese officials have reiterated the country's openness to foreign investment (9:49). And Russia and Ukraine have signaled readiness to negotiate for peace, after the leaders spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump (1:00).

China's retail sales expanded 5.1% in April and value-added industrial output grew 6.1%, showing strong momentum despite a challenging external environment (1:00). The foreign ministers of China and Denmark pledge to work together for multilateralism as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic ties (11:55). And Israel's military has begun extensive ground operations in Gaza, while allowing in limited amounts of food (20:52).

China and France have expressed readiness to work together to uphold free trade and advance bilateral and China-Europe ties (1:06). Russia and Ukraine have held their first direct talks since March 2022, following a meeting in Istanbul involving officials from Ukraine, Turkiye and the United States (32:46). And U.S. President Donald Trump has announced $200 billion of deals with the UAE before wrapping up his tour in the Middle East (20:23).

China is urging the United States to address trade and economic concerns through dialogue, stressing that Beijing remains open to talks (1:01). The Russian and U.S. presidents have decided to skip talks with Ukraine in Istanbul (12:42). And Syria's interim leader has welcomed the U.S. president's decision to lift sanctions, while the Middle East expects Donald Trump to use his trip to the region to help bring peace (23:24).

China and Colombia have signed a cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative (1:05). The Chinese mainland has called on people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together to uphold national dignity (14:09). U.S. President Donald Trump has signed billions of dollars of deals during his ongoing trip in the Middle East (21:50).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for promoting peace and unity as he opened a forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (1:05). Many world leaders are speaking highly of the recent trade meeting between China and the U.S. in Geneva (18:03). Hamas has released an Israeli-American hostage after 19 months (24:42).

China and the United States have agreed to remove most of the tariffs on each other's goods following high-level talks in Geneva (1:03). The upcoming fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC forum will see the adoption of several documents on cooperation (10:18). A ceasefire between India and Pakistan is underway, though the two countries have traded accusations of violations (24:32).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has attended a parade in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War in which the PLA Honor Guard took part (1:08). Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng begins a visit to Switzerland on Friday and will meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (11:38). And the U.S. reached a trade deal with Britain, the first since Washington announced sweeping global tariffs (19:08).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed readiness to work with Russia to safeguard the authority of the United Nations, and defend the rights and interests of developing countries (0:59). China expects its new legislation on supporting the private sector to encourage fair competition and healthy growth (10:55). And Pakistan says India will bear the repercussions of recent missile attacks, as India carries out nationwide defense drills (23:58).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has noted the importance of maintaining a correct view on the history of World War II, and urged Beijing and Moscow to safeguard the post-war international order and promote globalization(08:48). Major Chinese financial institutions are lowering rates and rolling out supportive policies to stabilize the economy(03:22). And Pakistan and India have fired at each other in an escalation of regional tensions(18:17).

China and the European Parliament have agreed to lift all restrictions on exchanges as Beijing and the EU mark 50 years of diplomatic ties(01:00). A Russian presidential special representative says the friendship between the leaders of China and Russia is the cornerstone of joint development(05:17). And foreign visitors have enjoyed visa-free travel and immediate tax refunds in China during the May Day holiday(12:59).

Russian President Vladimir Putin says relations with China bring stability to a tumultuous world as he prepares to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit (01:01). Chinese people are showing new interests and following new trends with the way they spend the May Day holiday (07:12). And Israel is threatening a strong response as the Houthi group announces missile attacks on Israeli airports (18:34).

China's commerce ministry says it is assessing the possibility of trade talks with the United States after Washington expressed willingness to negotiate (01:06). China's top economic regulator is moving to implement the country's new private sector promotion law (36:55). And U.S. President Donald Trump has removed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz in the first major shake up of his administration since taking office in January (19:19).

Chinese people are going on immersive tours and finding in-depth travel experiences over the May Day holiday (01:02). South Korea's Supreme Court has overturned presidential front runner Lee Jae-myung's acquittal for violating the election law (11:58). And the U.S. quarterly GDP has dipped to its lowest rate since 2022 (16:19).

Chinese President Xi Jinping is stressing efforts to adapt to the changing environment and scientifically plan for social and economic development goals for the 15th Five Year Plan (01"02). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has joined his counterparts from BRICS countries in backing a statement by chair Brazil on opposing protectionism (11"56). And China's Shenzhou-19 mission is a success with the safe return of the astronauts (15"28).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stressed multilateralism and free trade at a BRICS meeting in Brazil (01:05). The American public has complained about U.S. economic policies barely 100 days after President Donald Trump began his second term in office (12:17). And Canadians have voted to keep Mark Carney as prime minister amid threats from the United States (16:11).

Chinese authorities say they are confident in reaching development targets with policies to stabilize jobs, support foreign trade and boost consumption (01:00). China's top legislature is pushing for a bill to support the country's private economy (39:03). And Iran is mourning the victims of a port blast as authorities deny links with the defense sector (13:57).

China's top leadership has pledged to support companies severely impacted by tariffs, along with measures to boost consumption and expand opening up (01:10). China has once again denied tariff negotiations with the U.S. and called on Washington not to create confusion (01:55). And China's Shenzhou-20 mission is taking zebra fish experiments in space one step further by studying bone loss and cardiovascular regeneration (12:47).

China and Kenya have announced the elevation of ties to a Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, and agreed to set up an example for China-Africa relations (01:01). China's Tiangong Space Station is welcoming a new three-member crew after the successful launch of the Shenzhou-20 mission (07:22). And China says there are no tariff talks with the U.S., denying Washington's claims that the two sides will reach a deal soon (12:00).

China and Azerbaijan have agreed to elevate ties and exempt visas during a state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (01:02). A new three-member crew will head to China's Tiangong Space Station on Thursday for tasks including science experiments and spacewalks (01:57). And the International Monetary Fund has downgraded growth forecasts for the world and major economies as U.S. tariffs loom over global trade (12:48).

The International Monetary Fund/World Bank Spring Meetings have opened amid market turmoil stirred up by U.S. tariffs (01:01). Wall Street and the dollar plunged as investor confidence falters in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and his attacks against the Federal Reserve chair (37:21). And the presidents of Kenya and Azerbaijan are paying state visits to China starting Tuesday (15:26).

Foreign and defense ministers from China and Indonesia have discussed political security and defense cooperation at the first "2+2 dialogue (01:06)." China says it will counter any tariffs deal that the United States makes at Beijing's expense (05:40). And China has pledged visa-free transit and payment convenience among other measures to accelerate the opening-up of its service sector (38:31).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has concluded his state visits in three Southeast Asian countries, after meeting Cambodian leaders and pledging to build an all-weather community with a shared future in the new era (01:08). The IMF warns that U.S. tariffs will weaken the global economy and trigger inflation (15:40). Ukraine says it has signed a memorandum on a minerals deal with Washington (22:33).

Chinese President Xi Jinping says China-Cambodia relations remain rock solid, and he looks forward to deepening cooperation (01:08). China says it will pay no attention to the U.S. tariff numbers game but will defend national interests (10:47). And the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan is advocating sustainability (17:35).

Chinese President Xi Jinping is calling for efforts from China and Malaysia to build a high-level strategic community with a shared future in his talks with Malaysia's king and prime minister (01:07). China posted a GDP growth of 5.4% in Q1, setting up a good foundation for the yearly target of around 5% (13:21). And the Hainan Free Trade Port is showing its attractiveness for global carmakers through the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan (16:08).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Vietnamese leaders and called on the two countries to pursue high-quality development, modernization, and a community with a shared future (01:03). The Chinese president has pledged closer ties with Malaysia and ASEAN (10:30). And China's cross border trips increased by more than 15% in the first quarter (13:13).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to work with Vietnam to deepen ties for the benefit of both countries and the world (01:04). China's foreign trade showed resilience in Q1, rising 1.3% (38:27). And China's box office this year is currently topping the world with around 3.4 billion U.S. dollars (52:40).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to work with Spain and the European Union to safeguard the global trade environment during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (01:11). China raises tariffs to 125% on U.S. goods and will not make further responses to tariff hikes by Washington (11:30). Former South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol has left the presidential residence after his impeachment and removal from office (25:44).

China's commerce ministry and foreign ministry have reiterated the country's call for dialogue to resolve differences on tariffs, and its determination to protect national interests (01:05). Germany's Union bloc and Social Democrats have secured a deal for a coalition government (14:09). China and Spain are seeking closer ties during a visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (21:23).

China's white paper on trade and economic ties with the United States criticizes Washington for its global tariffs, while urging dialogue to resolve differences (01:00). The United Nations chief has rejected an Israeli proposal to control aid deliveries to Gaza (15:44). And sales revenue in Chinese manufacturing continued growth, increasing 4.8% in Q1 (44:15).

Chinese authorities have expressed determination to protect the country's interests in the face of U.S. tariff threats, calling them an act of bullying and protectionism (01:02). Protesters doubt if the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump will help reach a hostage release deal (15:20). And South Korea has confirmed June 3 as the date for the next presidential election (22:36).

U.S. tariffs have sent Asian stock markets tumbling as they continue to spark opposition (01:03). A new trend offering immersive experiences emerged in Chinese shopping centers during the Qingming Festival holiday (15:38). Towns in the U.S. Midwest and South are submerged after days of rain that triggered more flood alerts (21:33).