The Beijing Hour

Chinese President Xi Jinping has opened the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, outlining four proposals and new funding to advance global women's development (01:06). Hamas has released 20 Israeli hostages as part of a peace deal to end the conflict in Gaza (18:48). China's foreign trade rose four percent in the first nine months of 2025, with ASEAN remaining the country's largest trading partner (37:38).

The upcoming Global Leaders' Meeting on Women will mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, with China pledging to advance gender equality, and promote global cooperation for women's development (01:14). The UN has unveiled a 60-day aid plan after Israel and Hamas approved a U.S.-brokered peace deal (18:30). And the U.S. government shutdown continues, causing nationwide flight delays and leaving millions of federal workers and military personnel unpaid (24:14).

The first phase of Gaza's ceasefire begins, marking progress toward hostage releases, aid delivery and a possible final peace (01:04). Beijing and Rome mark 55 years of ties, pledging deeper cooperation in trade, innovation, and culture, as the Chinese foreign minister visits Italy (12:34). China's holiday consumer sales rose 4.5%, led by tourism, culture, and health products (37:43).

Gaza peace talks have stretched into a third day, but Israel and Hamas continue to communicate through mediators (00:58). China's foreign minister is in Europe for a high level meeting with the Italian government and a foreign ministers' dialogue in Switzerland (09:00). The US government shutdown is entering its second week and economists are issuing warnings for the country's ecnomoy (21:50).

Israel and Hamas have held their first day of indirect talks in Egypt on the details of a Gaza ceasefire plan, which concluded with what Egypt describes as "a positive atmosphere." (01:13). No end yet in sight for the US government shutdown, as more attempts to break the impasse on federal funding fail in the Senate (09:31). China sees a travel surge as the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday is coming to an end (19:00).

As China celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival during the National Day holiday, people are spending the long break with family reunions, performances and travels (01:04). Hamas and Israeli delegations are discussing a U.S.-backed plan that aims to reach a ceasefire in Gaza (10:27). And the new French prime minister has resigned a day after his new cabinet is unveiled (19:21).

Vibrant cultural and recreational activities are underway across China to celebrate the National Day holiday season (01:55). Protests are underway around the world after Israel intercepted civilian boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla and detained activists (13:38). Authorities have declared a stabbing attack outside a synagogue in Manchester as a terrorist incident (19:37).

China's railway network set a new single-day record for passengers to start the National Day holiday Golden Week (01:08). Organizers of an international aid flotilla for Gaza say Israeli forces have stopped dozens of boats carrying activists and aid (07:38). The White House says mass lay-offs of federal workers will begin in two days, as the government enters its shutdown (12:08).

Crowds gathered in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing for the flag-raising ceremony on National Day, while Hong Kong and Macao SARs also raised the National Flag for the occasion(01:09). A partial government shutdown is taking place in the U.S. after Congress and the White House failed to agree on a funding deal (08:43). Rescue continues after a strong earthquake in the Philippines killed at least 69 and injured 150 others (21:09).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has led tributes at a ceremony in Beijing, as commemorative events took place across the country to learn about the perseverance and courage of revolutionary heroes (01:03). China's manufacturing activity picked up in September, with the PMI rising 0.4 points from the month before, and the non-manufacturing PMI remaining stable (02:12). And Israel has accepted a U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire plan that includes the release of all hostages (11:17).