The Beijing Hour

The leaders of the CPC and KMT stressed the value of communication across the Taiwan Strait as they met in Beijing during a KMT delegation's visit to the Chinese mainland (01:03). Participants from the dawn of ping-pong diplomacy 55 years ago have revisited a historically significant venue in Beijing (16:34). And Israel's prime minister is seeking direct talks with Lebanon after a wave of deadly strikes against Hezbollah (24:06).

Iran has accused the United States of violating key parts of Tehran's ceasefire proposal, after Israel launched intense strikes across Lebanon under a disputed ceasefire deal (01:07). Ships have turned back amid reports that the Strait of Hormuz is closed again (08:27). And the Chinese Kuomintang party delegation has experienced drone delivery, cultural exchanges and other activities in Shanghai before heading to Beijing (20:09).

The United States and Iran have agreed to call off strikes and continue negotiations in Pakistan in a move welcomed by the international community including China (01:07). China has vetoed a resolution on reopening the Strait of Hormuz at the UN Security Council, saying it's biased against Iran (07:31). And the Chinese mainland says compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family as a KMT delegation visits the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (14:04).

Chinese Kuomintang party Chairperson Cheng Li-wun is visiting Shanghai, Jiangsu Province and Beijing, bringing a delegation from the Taiwan region (01:01). Iran has rejected a U.S. peace plan and is demanding a permanent end to the war and the lifting of sanctions (07:30). And Chinese shoppers have spent heavily on novel, smart and green products and services during the Qingming Festival holiday (36:44).

China's transport authorities have estimated more than 840 million passenger trips during the Qingming Festival holiday - a 6% increase - as people traveled to honor ancestors or enjoy the spring, boosting consumer spending (01:09). Iran says it will retaliate after U.S. President Donald Trump set a Tuesday deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on Iranian infrastructure (10:13). And Chinese authorities have issued guidelines to encourage AI-powered e-commerce (36:51).