The Beijing Hour

The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers who fell in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea have returned home following a handover in South Korea (01:02). The U.S. president has threatened to bomb Iran again after extending the ceasefire hours before its expiration (10:42). And on this Earth Day, the world marks a decade since global leaders signed the Paris Agreement, aiming to curb global warming (19:12).

China says Japan's accelerating remilitarization is a fact and a reality, vowing to remain vigilant after Japan revised its defense equipment transfer rules to allow exports of lethal weapons (04:03). Iran's supreme leader has reportedly approved new talks with the United States, while the U.S. president has said he will not likely extend the ceasefire beyond Wednesday if no agreement is reached (13:20). And the Trump administration has launched a program to refund billions of dollars in tariffs (23:11).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken with the Saudi prime minister on the phone, discussing the Strait of Hormuz and regional peace (01:00). The winner of the humanoid robot half-marathon has beaten the human world record (12:39). And China is warning against the resurrection of militarism as Japan's plan to revise the country's pacifist constitution sparks protests in Tokyo (24:22).

Israel and Lebanon have begun a ceasefire that Iran says is part of the U.S.-Iran truce deal (01:15). China has slammed provocative actions by Japan's Self Defense Force and urged Tokyo to correct wrongdoings (10:06). And the IMF has highlighted the resilience and influence of China's economy (14:36).

China's economy grew 5% in the first quarter, showing resilience despite headwinds such as the energy shock from the Middle East conflict (01:04). Service consumption is a highlight of China's economic performance, rising 5.5% in Q1 (37:02). Iran and the United States maintain contact through Pakistan about the possibility of new in-person talks (10:18).