The Beijing Hour

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Breaking news, business, up-to-date sports, and the hottest entertainment happenings, from the unique Chinese perspective.

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1422 episodes

From disorder to stability: white paper highlights Hong Kong's national security achievements

China's latest white paper highlights Hong Kong's national security efforts and achievements under "One Country, Two Systems (01:07)."The Munich Security Conference has issued a report, warning that the world has entered a period of "wrecking-ball" politics (13:36). The Kitchen God Festival, or Little New Year, is celebrated across China with parades, folk performances, markets, and community feasts that bring warmth and joy (25:23).

59m
Feb 10
China's hosting of APEC meeting to boost regional cooperation, global growth: official

The high court in Hong Kong has sentenced Jimmy Lai to a 20-year prison term for his role in anti-China riots in the city (01:07). A senior diplomat says China will help boost Asia-Pacific cooperation and advance regional economic integration, as the APEC China Year kicks off in Guangzhou (07:17). China records about 1.4 billion passenger trips in the first week of the Spring Festival travel rush (36:51).

59m
Feb 09
Iran-U.S. nuclear talks begin in Oman

Nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. are underway in the capital of Oman, the first meeting since Washington joined Israel's 12-day bombing of Iran last June (01:01). The Chinese mainland has spoken highly of the resumption of a think tank forum between the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Kuomintang (13:36). The last nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the U.S. has expired (25:02).

59m
Feb 06
Xi urges stable China-U.S. ties, coordination with Russia in calls with Trump, Putin

The Chinese president has held separate calls with the U.S. and Russian leaders, urging stable ties with Washington, while calling for deeper China-Russia cooperation to uphold the UN-centered world order (01:03). The UN chief warns that the expiry of the U.S.-Russia New START treaty poses a serious risk to global security (18:43). China's new "Export to China" program aims to boost imports and widen access to its consumer market (40:23).

1s
Feb 05
China's top policy paper highlights "regular, targeted assistance" in rural work

Chinese authorities say this year's No.1 central document outlines several key tasks and supporting measures to advance agricultural and rural modernization (01:42). A report says China remains a top destination for global investors, with foreign enterprises fueling its innovation ecosystem (37:37). Reports say that the Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, originally planned for Turkiye, will take place in Oman on Friday, a venue preferred by Tehran, amid tensions after a U.S. warplane downed an Iranian drone (24:06).

59m
Feb 04
President Xi calls for deeper China–Uruguay ties, strengthened cooperation across sectors

The Chinese and Uruguayan presidents have met in Beijing to deepen their strategic partnership and expand trade and investment cooperation (01:07). Beijing has hosted a key interparty exchange for the first time in nine years to discuss cross-Strait cooperation (11:45). The U.S. and Iran will hold nuclear talks in Istanbul, with both sides signaling readiness for diplomacy while warning of serious consequences amid heightened military tensions (22:41).

59m
Feb 03
Tensions persist as Iran, U.S. keep door open to dialogue

The Uruguayan president is in Beijing for a week-long state visit, becoming the first Latin American leader to visit China in 2026 (01:05). Iran's supreme leader has warned that a U.S. attack would trigger a regional war, as President Donald Trump said he hopes for a deal despite rising military pressure (10:43). China's 2026 Spring Festival travel rush is underway, driving a surge in travel demand as people return home for the holiday (36:47).

59m
Feb 02
UK PM says it's important to maintain dialogue, cooperation with China

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses the U.K.-China Business Forum in Beijing, saying it's important to maintain dialogue and cooperation with China (01:05). Iran says it will hold live-fire exercises on Sunday and Monday in the Strait of Hormuz (14:56). U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order threatening new tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba (24:08).

59m
Jan 30
Leaders of China, UK agree to develop long-term, stable ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Beijing and agree to develop long-term and stable ties (01:06). The Chinese envoy to the UN says China supports maintaining stability in Iran and opposes military adventurism (17:02). The French president reaffirms support for Denmark and Greenland, calling for European unity (24:04).

59m
Jan 29
U.K. PM begins official visit to China, first one since 2018

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Beijing for a four-day official visit to China, the first trip to the country by a British head of government in eight years (04:28). The U.S. president says another armada is on its way to the Middle East following the arrival of the Abraham Lincoln carrier group (15:04). The Chinese mainland reiterates that relying on external forces to seek secessionism in Taiwan is a dead end (20:24).

59m
Jan 28
Xi calls on China, Finland to deepen bilateral cooperation

Meeting with visiting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for bilateral cooperation in energy transition, agriculture, forestry, and innovation (01:03). Iran says it has extraordinary capability to defend itself after a U.S. aircraft carrier and supporting warships arrived in the Middle East (11:41). Official data shows profits for China's major industrial firms rose in 2025, marking the first annual increase since 2021 (18:34).

59m
Jan 27
Finnish PM begins official visit to China

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo says his visit to China aims to explore business opportunities and further promote Finnish exports to Asian markets (01:06). More than a dozen people are confirmed dead after a passenger vessel sank off the southern coast of the Philippines (24:23). Global leaders from the public and private sectors have gathered in Hong Kong for the Asian Financial Forum (39:45).

59m
Jan 26
Japan's PM dissolves Lower House, triggering Feb. 8 snap election

Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken by phone with his Brazilian counterpart, urging both nations to better defend their shared interests and those of the Global South (01:12). The lower house of Japan's National Diet has formally dissolved ahead of a general election (05:30). U.S. President Donald Trump says the White House is negotiating a deal to secure Washington's total access to Greenland with no time limit (18:14).

59m
Jan 23
China hits all major annual and five-year targets for agricultural, rural development: official

Chinese officials say the country has hit all major annual and five-year targets for agricultural and rural development (01:02). U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out the option of seizing Greenland by force, but he still wants to take over the island (08:31). The U.S. has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization, but the WHO says Washington still owes money (18:26).

59m
Jan 22
Vice premier reiterates China's commitment to further opening up at Davos 2026

Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has urged all countries to secure the world's future through cooperation (01:08). U.S. President Donald Trump says NATO would not be very strong without the U.S. (10:20). China has sharply criticized the EU's new cybersecurity measures which could target Chinese telecom suppliers (20:14).

59m
Jan 21
China outlines strategy to boost domestic demand and stabilize prices

Chinese officials have laid out a strategy to address economic imbalances and promote stable growth (01:05). China's UN envoy has called on the international community to jointly prevent Japan from reverting to the path of militarism (07:11). Investigators at the site of a high-speed rail crash in Spain say they have found a vital clue that could reveal the cause of the accident (18:30).

59m
Jan 20
China's 2025 GDP grows five percent, highlighting economic resilience

Officials say China's GDP in 2025 grew five percent, meeting the annual target (01:09). Relations between the U.S. and Europe continue to sour over the Greenland issue, with both sides considering tariffs (14:08). The Syrian interim authority and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces sign a new ceasefire and integration agreement (24:54).

59m
Jan 19
Leaders of China, Canada call for new bilateral strategic partnership

The leaders of China and Canada have called for a new type of bilateral strategic partnership (01:20). Iran's deputy U.N. ambassador has warned the U.S. at a Security Council meeting that it will respond to any act of aggression (13:30). Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been sentenced to five years in prison (19:14).

59m
Jan 16
China, Canada look to strengthen bilateral ties

China and Canada are looking to strengthen bilateral ties as foreign ministers of the two countries meet in Beijing (03:24). Iran has reopened its airspace after closing it for nearly five hours (14:27). Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen says fundamental disagreements remain with the U.S. following their talks over the status of Greenland (20:39).

59m
Jan 15
DPP authorities' reliance on external forces threatens Taiwan compatriots' interests: mainland

China says it supports the Iranian government and people and hopes they overcome current difficulties and maintain stability (01:06). The Chinese mainland says the DPP authorities' reliance on external forces threatens the safety and interests of the people in the Taiwan region (13:34). A crane collapsed on a passenger train in northeastern Thailand, killing dozens (24:06).

59m
Jan 14
Xi urges advancing Party self-governance with higher standards, more concrete measures

At a plenary session of the CPC's top anti-corruption body, the Chinese leader calls for efforts to press ahead with the anti-corruption fight (01:04). The Chinese foreign minister says it is the opportune time for China and the African Union to enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation (11:51). Iranian authorities accuse the United States and Israel of inciting the violent demonstrations over the past weeks (22:26).

59m
Jan 13
Canadian PM to visit China

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will pay an official visit to China this week (04:42). U.S. President Donald Trump says he is weighing a range of responses to the protests in Iran, including possible military options (14:05). China and the European Union have agreed that China's EV exporters should receive general guidance on price commitments for the EU market (38:46).

59m
Jan 12
China, African Union pledge deeper ties, shared development

During the ninth China-African Union Strategic Dialogue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on China and Africa to deepen cooperation (01:09). Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez says her country has not been what she calls "subjugated" by the United States (12:26). Iran reports a nationwide internet blackout, as protests erupt in Tehran (24:10).

59m
Jan 09
China urges Japan to abide by nuclear non-proliferation treaty obligations

China has urged the Japanese government to abide by its nuclear non-proliferation treaty obligations (01:08). The U.S. has seized two tankers that it says are linked with Venezuelan oil shipments (13:05). Protests and anger have erupted over the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman in the latest immigration crackdown by the Trump administration (22:36).

59m
Jan 08
Chinese mainland names two more die-hard "Taiwan independence" secessionists

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi begins an official visit to Africa, with stops in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho (01:07). The Trump administration faces heavy criticism from over 30 Western hemisphere countries as the Organization of American States holds a special session to discuss the Venezuela crisis (14:54). The Chinese mainland adds two individuals to its list of die-hard secessionists seeking separatism in Taiwan (32:24).

59m
Jan 07
U.S. attacks on Venezuela condemned at UN Security Council emergency meeting

The president of South Korea and the prime minister of Ireland continue their visits to China (01:04). Many countries have condemned the U.S. military attacks on Venezuela at a UN Security Council emergency meeting (12:17). China is tightening export controls on dual-use items to Japan that could be used for military purposes (23:48).

59m
Jan 06
China, Ireland pledge to work together for fair trade, international order

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls on China and Ireland to maintain friendly exchanges, enhance understanding, and address each other's major concerns (01:05). China is urging the U.S. to immediately release the Venezuelan president who was forcibly seized by U.S. forces over the weekend (13:51). The world's biggest group of oil exporters has decided to keep its oil output unchanged despite the U.S. attacks on OPEC member Venezuela (25:23).

59m
Jan 05
Switzerland mourns deadly ski resort fire that killed around 40

People across China and the world are reacting to President Xi Jinping's New Year speech that highlighted innovation, high-quality development and a shared future for humanity (01:07).Switzerland is in mourning after the New Year fire at a ski resort that resulted in at least 40 deaths (17:21).China's New Year holiday box office has topped 500 million yuan, or about 71 million U.S. dollars (52:32).

59m
Jan 02
Celebrations held across China to ring in 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a New Year speech, calling for efforts to achieve new progress in "the story of China's miracle" (01:03). Cities and towns across China have held celebrations to ring in 2026, as have many others all over the world (10:33). Swiss authorities fear that an explosion at a ski resort has killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others (23:31).

59m
Jan 01
Chinese president delivers New Year speech

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a New Year speech via China Media Group and the Internet (01:05). Beijing says the military exercises around Taiwan served as a warning to separatist forces on the island, and against foreign interference in the Taiwan question (10:40). The United States announces sanctions on 10 individuals and entities, targeting Iran's drone trade with Venezuela (19:27).

59m
Dec 31, 2025