The Beijing Hour

Dozens of foreign leaders, senior officials and diplomats will gather in Beijing next week for China's Victory Day events (01:05). The United States is the only UN Security Council member to have not denounced what the other members call a manmade famine in Gaza (25:10). The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce has released the 2025 list of China's Top 500 Private Enterprises, highlighting increased revenue and net profit (45:03).

Trade volume between China and Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries reached a record 512 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 (01:07). Hundreds of thousands of Israeli demonstrators demand an end to the conflict in Gaza and the safe return of all hostages (18:16). China's total trade in services reached a record 3.9 trillion yuan (545 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2025 (39:25).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called the country's relationship with Russia the most stable, mature, and strategically valuable of the major power relations (01:06). The international community has condemned an Israeli strike on the only functioning public hospital in Gaza that killed civilians and journalists (16:29). China has established the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system, and is playing a leading role in the global green transition (36:23).

Postal services worldwide are suspending deliveries to the U.S., as Washington prepares to scrap duty-free treatment on low-value parcels (01:11). The Chinese foreign minister has called on China and South Korea to keep their ties on the right track and achieve steady and sustained growth (31:45). Chinese customs authorities say the country remains one of the top three trading partners for 157 countries and regions worldwide (36:34).

China is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin late August, the largest in the group's history (01:12). The Chinese foreign minister has called for advancing the country's all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with Pakistan during the final leg of his three-nation tour in South Asia (12:33). Israel's prime minister has threatened the demise of Gaza City if Hamas fails to disarm and release hostages (25:36).

China has celebrated the 60th founding anniversary of the Xizang region, with the country's leader attending a celebration in Lhasa (01:17). The foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached a deal on cooperation during their dialogue in Kabul (15:16). The Israeli military is calling up tens of thousands of reservists as it prepares to take control of Gaza City, a move that has drawn much criticism from the world (25:22).

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Xizang to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of the Autonomous Region in southwestern China (01:14). China will showcase new-generation armaments during its Victory Day parade on September 3rd (08:18). India's prime minister has hosted China's foreign minister and said the two countries are partners, not rivals (19:59).

China has expressed hope to work with the international community to play a constructive role in reaching a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis (04:11). Top Chinese and Indian diplomats have acknowledged that bilateral relations are showing a positive trend and continuously improving (08:26). Hamas and other Palestinian factions say they have accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal (25:55).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed security guarantees with other European leaders ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who held talks with Russia's leader last week (01:10). Xizang continues to progress in cultural and ecological development 60 years after its founding as an autonomous region (07:46). And the International World Games Association president has spoken highly of the quality and atmosphere of the World Games that just concluded in Chengdu (21:45).

China is seeing less energy consumption and more forest coverage after 20 years of pursuing the vision that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." (01:02) China is remembering its contribution to the allied victory in WWII, 80 years after Japan's unconditional surrender (11:29). And the leaders of Russia and the United States are preparing to discuss a settlement of the Ukraine crisis at their summit in Alaska (23:07).