The Beijing Hour

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 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 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 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).

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).