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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 Begumithieu on this Thursday, December 18, 2025.
You're listening to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
On today's program, Hainan Province has begun its special customs operations,
a milestone in China's high standard opening up.
China's foreign ministry warns that Japan may be deliberately provoking trouble to justify a military buildup.
The U.S.
president says he wants to take back oil that he says has been stolen by the Venezuelan government.
In business, meeting the energy demand for Hainan's new free trade efforts.
In sports, China's curling teams moving forward in Olympic qualifying.
In culture and entertainment,
China Media Group has unveiled its mascots for Spring Festival in February.
Now the day's top stories.
China has marked a new milestone and it's opening up and upholding global free trade with the formal launch of special customs operations in Hainan province.
A two-tier customs system will facilitate freer trade between Hainan and overseas markets