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This is the Beijing Hour, examining the.
Events that impact and shape China and.
The rest of the world.
This is the Beijing Hour, one hour of news and information brought to you every weekday.
Now here's your host, Shane Bigham with you on this Monday, January 20, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, Israel and Hamas have now completed the first swap of prisoners and hostages under the ceasefire that took effect on Sunday.
Chinese Vice President Han Jung has met with vice president elect J.D.
vance ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration.
And people across China are getting ready for the annual Spring Festival celebration.
In business, China holds its prime rates for loans and mortgages steady.
In sports, the Asian Winter Games has lit the flame for the upcoming competition in Harbin.
In culture and entertainment, China Media Group reveals highlights of the upcoming Spring Festival gala.
Now check in the day's top stories.
Israel's release 90 Palestinian prisoners who've boarded buses from the International Committee of the Red Cross to Palestinian Authority controlled areas.
This came hours after Israeli hostages returned home following their release from Hamas captivity in Gaza.
The prisoner release is based on a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas which took effect on Sunday.
The three phase pact brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States aims to end Israeli strikes that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
Hamas will free three or four hostages every week, while Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli jails.