新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2015/05/26

搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号：tingroom，领取免费英语资料大礼包。

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese Capital.

Coming up on our program this morning...

A fire at a seniors care center in Henan has left over 3-dozen elderly Chinese people dead.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken part in an inspection¹ tour in a coastal² city in Zhejiang.

Chinese Premier³ Li Keqiang has overseen⁵ the signing of numerous deals as part of his time in Chile.

In Business.... the Chinese stock markets have rallied ahead of the release of a new report on this country's military strategy.

In Sports.... Real Madrid sacks its head coach.

In entertainment... the Star Wars franchise⁶ is set to be screened in China, in full, for the first time.

Top NewsAt least 38 Killed, 6 Injured in Fire Accident in C. ChinaAt least 38 people are dead following a fire at a nursing home in Henan.

Six others are being treated in hospital for injuries. Two of them suffer serious injuries.

A fire broke out in the facility in Lushan County, which is in the Pingdingshan area, around 8 last night.

It took crews around an hour to knock down the deadly blaze.

Few other details have been made available.

The facility is home to around a hundred seniors.

It remains⁷ unclear at this point what sparked the blaze.

Xi visits ZhoushanChinese president Xi Jinping has arrived in the coastal city of Zhoushan in Zhejiang for an inspection tour.

The city is home to one of China's marine⁸ economic development areas.

Xi Jinping has made a stop at an industrial park on an island off the city's coast.

"We have just laid out the China Manufacturing 2025 strategy. We should push the manufacturing industry toward the top of the pyramid, especially in areas such as engineering and equipment manufacturing."Zhoushan is also home to part of the country's strategic oil reserve.

"The strategic oil reserve is of great importance for our country. The oil reserve base in Zhoushan is complete, and is blessed with a bright future. We should make full use of its advantage, and use it to lay a solid foundation for the country's oil reserve strategy."Xi Jinping is also calling for a greater focus on the development of Zhejiang's vast rural areas.

China, Chile Push for Closer Trade TiesAnchorNumerous deals, including a multi-billion US dollar currency swap⁹ agreement, has been signed between the Chinese and Chilean governments as part of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's time in the country.

The details from CRI's Qi Zhi.

ReporterChinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet have overseen the signing of various deals connected to areas such as politics, trade, finance, mining, agriculture, production capacity and science and technology.

The People's Bank of China has also entered into a 3-year currency swap agreement worth 22 billion yuan, or around 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.

Li Keqiang says China and Chile are going to look at upgrading their decade-old free trade agreement.

"We've decided¹⁰ to apply zero-tariff¹¹ to cover 97 percent of our products this year. In addition we've just signed an agreement to upgrade our Free Trade Agreement. An upgrade of the China-Chile FTA is expected to further expand bilateral¹² trade and at the same time raise the trade quality."Under the deals, a renminbi clearing bank is also being established in Chile, the first in South America.

The Chinese Premier says the government is going to encourage Chinese companies to bid for construction projects connected to Chile's "two-ocean tunnel," which connects the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Li Keqiang says his time in Chile also marks a pair of important milestones¹³.

"This visit of mine to Chile coincides with the 45th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Chile. And it is also the 10th anniversary of the signing of the free-trade agreement between China and Chile. Therefore this visit has very important commemorative significance because of those two historic moments."Chilean President Michelle Bachelet suggests Li Keqiang's visit is another landmark¹⁴ in bilateral ties.

"Mr. Premier, your visit to Chile will mark a clear starting point for our work in pursuit of a deeper understanding. We know that the prosperity from our relation will result in bettering living conditions and more development opportunities for our countries and our people."Chile is the last stop of the premier's four-nation Latin American tour.

He's also made stops in Brazil, Columbia and Peru.

For CRI', I'm Qi Zhi.

Former Chiliean ambassador calls of new areas of cooperation with ChinaA former Chilean Ambassador to China is calling for more cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Fernando Reyes Matta says Premier Li Keqiang's time in the country should help in this respect.

"I think the premier's visit marks a new beginning in the bilateral ties in many ways. We have enjoyed a stable cooperative relationship since the FTA was forged 10 years ago. What we need now are new areas and new products of cooperation."Premier Li Keqiang's entourage in Chile includes several well-known Chinese writers, including Nobel laureate Mo Yan.

Matta says he believes Chinese writers can help create a cultural bridge between the two countries.

"The visit of the Chinese writers shows that China and Latin America need to establish and develop a new type of relationship, different from the previous one. We have set up a mechanism¹⁵ to welcome more Chinese young writers and to have more contacts with them. We warmly welcome their visit and are very excited and extremely interested in having communication with them."Chile is home to pair of Confucius Institutes and more than 20 other schools which teach Chinese language and culture.

China calls deepening political trust among Asian coutnries during CICA non-governmental forumThe Chinese government's leading political advisor¹⁶ has taken part in a regional security conference here in Beijing.

Yu Zhengsheng has delivered a speech to a non-governmental meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

He says Asia's development faces numerous challenges.

"We call on Asian countries to further build on political trust and a new model partnership¹⁷, to set up a community of shared destiny and enjoy a partnership of mutually beneficiary. Also dialogues on security issues should be further strengthened and a cooperation platform is needed for solving security issues, thus to achieve the most national interests while solving security issues on the basis of non-interfering domestic affairs and taking care of the concerns of all relevant parties."More than 200 representatives from CICA member states and observer states have taken part in the conference.

Marking One Month since the Deadly Earthquake in NepalAnchorA ceremony has been held in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu to remember those killed in the earthquakes which have devastated¹⁸ the country.

CRI's Niu Honglin has more.

ReporterAround 400 people have gathered in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, to mark one month since the first massive earthquake hit the country, killing¹⁹ thousands and leaving tens-of-thousands more homeless.

The group has held hands to form a human chain around a historical monument destroyed in the quake.

"People are still scared because of the continuing aftershocks even after one month has passed since the big earthquake. Many of our houses are still cracked or damaged and people are still living in tents. We are still scared."Hundreds of families are still living in open camps and temporary shelters and many schools remain shut.

Jamie McGoldrick, the UN's Resident Coordinator²⁰ in Nepal, says the country needs billions of dollars to help rebuild.

"The flash appeal we launched a month ago was for 423 million (US) dollars. And that covered all key emergency sectors²² for a three month period. We find ourselves now at a target of only 22 percent funded and so that is some 92 million dollars - a very big gap in what we need to make sure that response to this crisis is effective, efficient."Elhadj as Sy, with the International Red Cross says they've currently aiming to raise around 90 million US dollars to help with the relief efforts.

"The first was about 35 million dollars, and now with the projection²³ into longer term and reaching up to 7 hundred thousand people with recovery, so we are projecting additional needs, the total need is raising up to nearly 90 million dollars. This kind of disaster leaves many invisible wounds. People are traumatized; people are scared; people are really shocked. The first step to solve this kind of problem is to set up shelters.

At the same time, the United Nations is warning around 70-thousand children under the age of 5 are at risk of malnutrition²⁴.

UNICEF also says it's concerned about the long-term health of many of Nepal's children, saying many will have to deal with both physical and psychological scars left by the massive earthquakes.

For CRI, I'm Niu HonglinNepal Speaks Highly of China's Rescue EffortAnchorMeanwhile, China's rescue work in Nepal has been appraised²⁵ by both locals and government offocials.

CRI's Xie Cheng has more.

ReporterAfter the destructive earthquake on April 25th, a Chinese government rescue team, non-governmental aid workers and volunteers rushed to disaster hit areas.

They have carried out medical treatment, epidemic²⁶ prevention, supplies donations and rebuilding work in the quake-affected²⁷ areas.

Chinese medical teams have received praise from local officials.

General Rana is the Nepalese Army's Health Minister:

"One of them is military, and one of them is government, the two are the only that prevent diseases, and I'm telling you, they've done a wonderful job, we don't have epidemic disease, we are still very careful. Probably never see any epidemic disease."According to incomplete statistics from Nepal, 107 medical teams from over 30 countries have been to earthquake-stricken areas. China accounts for one fifth of these, and is a main force behind the earthquake relief work.

The Chinese government and NGOs have provided the earthquake hit nation with relief materials valued over 100 million yuan, or over 16 million US dollars.

Nepal Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey speaks highly of China's rescue work.

"Chinese rescue team arrived here, and they have saved the lives of some of our peoples, they brought them out of the ruins and similarly they medical team also came, and injured people got treated by them, this has extended the ties between our country Nepal and People's Republic of China, our neighbor."Liu Jianchao with China's Foreign Ministry²⁸ says China's assistance to Nepal is not over.

"We'll negotiate with Nepali government to see what other help they need next. We'll try our best to offer further assistance."The two major earthquakes have affected nearly 40% of Nepalese people, leaving 8,000 dead.

Nearly one third of the houses in Nepal have been damaged.

For CRI, this is Xie Cheng.

Tunisian soldier kills 7 in barracks rampageTunisian authorities say a soldier who went on a killing spree at a military barracks in the capital, Tunis, is believed to have been suffering from mental issues.

Belhassen Oueslati with the Tunisian Ministry of Defense²⁹ says the Corporal shot and killed 7 of his fellow soldiers before turning the gun on himself.

"Today's operation consisted in a soldier stabbing his comrade at the guard post, and then taking out his gun and opening fire on the rest of the soldiers who were present near the flag."Ten others were wounded in the attack.

One remains in serious condition.

Tunisian authorities haven't provided a possible motive³⁰ for the incident, other than suggesting the soldier had "family and psychological" issues.

The incident took place at a military barracks in Tunis, not far from parliament and the Bardo National Museum where jihadist gunmen killed 21 foreign tourists and a police officer in March.

Tunisian officials say they don't believe this incident is terror-related.

Tens of thousands Attend mass funeral for 21 Shi'ite Muslims Killed in Suicide Bombing in Saudi ArabiaTens of thousands have gathered at a mass funeral for 21 people killed in a sectarian bombing last week in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi security forces kept their distance from the event.

Funeral organizer Sayed Ayman says the outpouring of grief cuts across sectarian lines.

"This incredible number of people have come here from not only Al-Qatif but from all over the country, and there are not just Shi'ite but from many different sectors as well as foreigners."A suicide bomber³¹, claimed by the Islamic State, targeted a group of Shi'ite Muslims at a mosque³² in the city of Qatif.

Shi'ites are a small minority in the predominantly Sunni kingdom.

The vast majority of Shi'ites in Saudi Arabia live in Qatif.

11 Killed in Powerful Tornado³³ in N MexicoAt least 11 people are dead after a powerful tornado ripped through the northern Mexican city of Ciudad Acuna.

Around 180 others have been hurt.

The powerful twister has damaged some 350 homes, knocking down walls and ceilings.

Mexican officials say most of those killed were outdoors when the tornado hit.

Authorities are warning the death toll³⁴ could still rise, as searchers are still sifting³⁵ through the rubble³⁶ to look for victims.

The city of Ciudad Acuna, located next to the US border, is home to around 135-thousand people.

UAE eyes "first Arab unmanned probe" to Mars by 2021Officials with the United Arab Emirates are suggesting the country's newly-founded space agency have plans to sent an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021.

Mohamed Al-Ahbabi, director of the UAE Space Agency, says the goal is part of a broader plan to develop more home-grown talent in science to try to diversify³⁷ the local economy.

"We are building capacity in UAE, we're investing in people, and the only way is through education. We're targeting early stage of education, middle and advanced stage. So we are coordinating³⁸ with schools for curriculum to inject some science subjects, we are also talking to local universities to establish tracks in space and aerospace³⁹."The UAE is investing some 5.5-billion US dollars into its Mars program.

The Gulf-Arab country has already launched a pair of satellites into space.

It has plans to send a third satellite into orbit by 2017.

UAE officials are hoping the country can become a strategic launching area, given its vast amount of desert space.

China Cracks down on Illegal Coral FishingThe Chinese Coast Guard is warning of a dramatic rise in the poaching of wild red coral.

Around 80 people have been arrested over the past year in connection with the illegal harvesting of red coral worth over 100 million yuan.

Hu Xuedong with the Chinese Coast Guard says the methods being used to harvest red coral is very bad for the environment.

"The way red coral is harvested is very harsh. Heavy stones are tied to steel cables, which slams the net into the ocean floor. This basically acts as a plow⁴⁰ on the seafloor, and causes heavy damage, affecting the local food chain. It is a predatory, destructive harvesting method. It should be banned worldwide.

Red coral, highly valued as jewelry⁴¹, grows only 3 to 4-centimeters in 20 years.

It has been a protected species in China since 1988.

International conventions also limit its trade.

Certian forms of red coral can fetch upward of 10-thousand yuan per gram.

China Compulsory⁴² Certification set to regulate child safety seatAnchorNew regulations have been announced connected to car seats for children.

The new rules, which become active on September 1st, will ban the sale of child safety seats which don't have the China Compulsory Certification.

CRI's Yu Yang has more.

ReporterA recent survey conducted in Beijing is suggesting most parents believe car seats are important.

"A child safety seat is very necessary. It protects the child in the car. It is safer than sitting on the seat without one."However, the same survey also shows many parents in China have little idea what to look for when buying car seats.

Hu Wenhao with the General Administration of Quality Supervision⁴³, China's quality watchdog, says with the new 3C certification rules, parents won't have to worry about buying a defective⁴⁴ car seat.

"Starting from September 1st, 3C certification is a must for products on sale. You will still need to check whether the seat has the certificate or not. Beyond that, you'll also need to choose the right size of car seat, depending on the age and size of your child."Hu Wenhao also says they're doing studies to determine which seats may be the best choice for consumers.

"The research is meant to evaluate whether the car seat is easy to use, whether it is comfortable for children, and whether it is easy to make adjustments. If the seat is easy to use, it should only take three minutes to install. However, some seats have taken us more than ten minutes to install."The most recent stats are suggesting only one-in-five families in China use car seats.

The same analysis also shows around 6-percent of those who use car seats for their children have no idea how to properly install them in the vehicle.

For CRI, I'm Yu Yang.

International CES Asia Opens in ShanghaiAnchorA Consumer Electronics Show has opened in Shanghai, the first of its kind in Asia.

CRI's Qian Shanming has more details.

ReporterOver 250 exhibits have been set up in a 20-thousand square-metre arena⁴⁵ in Shanghai's Pudong district.

The three-day event is meant to showcase both international and Chinese technology.

CES Asia director John Kelly says setting up a show in China just made sense.

"Time and time again we heard that China would be the place to do such a show. There are several factors for that. One; there's a rising middle class here in China with disposable income. There’s a lot of technology enthusiasts⁴⁶ here, just the sheer size of the market. These are all factors that play into why companies put such an emphasis on this marketplace. Behind the United States, this is the second largest marketplace in the world for consumer electronics."Numerous Chinese companies are showcasing their latest technology in Shanghai.

JD Smart is showcasing their new DingDong Smart Speaker.

JD Smart's Chief Technology Officer, Leslie Liu, says Chinese companies are making a lot of headway when it comes to technological⁴⁷ advancements⁴⁸.

"Ten years ago it's hard to imagine that a Chinese company will be a major player in the very competitive domain⁴⁹ such as home automation or telecommunication⁵⁰, but today it's happening. This is a great opportunity for JD to showcase to the world that the Chinese company not only can make, but also can innovate⁵¹."Numerous vehicle-makers are also showing off their latest tech advancements.

International automakers, including Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen and Ford⁵² have displays at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Mike Tinskey, Ford's Global Director for vehicle electrification⁵³ & infrastructure⁵⁴, says advancing new tech for their vehicles in China is one of their top priorities.

"Technology is driving the entire market and everything, every consumer that we're probably selling to probably has embraced a smartphone, probably has a high speed data plan, and the vehicle needs to be an extension and we need to embrace all that connectivity and offer them all the features. So, I would say that at equal or more anywhere in the world China is important relative to a technology standpoint."Stats suggest consumer technology spending hit one trillion US dollars last year, with sales in Asia making up around one third of that.

The Consumer Electronics Show in Shanghai runs through Wednesday.

For CRI, I'm Qian Shanming.

Recipe to start a restaurant in Hong KongAnchorYoung entrepreneurs are said to be opening a growing number of restaurants in Hong Kong, despite soaring rental⁵⁵ rates and labor⁵⁶ costs.

CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Li Jing reports.

ReporterAlan Chan is a native of Hong Kong. He quit a promising⁵⁷ job in the banking⁵⁸ sector²¹ and opened a boutique Taiwan-themed restaurant last year.

"We don't want to bring Taiwanese food directly from Taiwan to Hong Kong, so we want to give a twist, where accommodating the Hong Kong crowd. We use some very renowned⁵⁹ Taiwanese food, say fired chicken, we turn it into chicken waffle. The food itself speaks, then that turns into word of mouth."Customers in Hong Kong are spoiled and picky because they can easily find alternatives to feed their appetite, so food quality is the priority. Victor Arminjon owns an Asian noodles restaurant and says the right business partner is also important to guarantee a successful restaurant.

"I spend more time making sure my team is happy than my customers are happy, because with no team, there's nothing. Customers don't forgive you for your inconsistency at all. So if you are good one day, you have to be good from now on."Butchers Club Executive Chef Aarik Persaud says to compete in Hong Kong's already very competitive food and beverage⁶⁰ industry, you have to differentiate⁶¹ from the market.

"You need to be able to push through your marketing⁶² and social media and your message. Sell yourself, shout louder than the next guy, I mean there are another half a dozen of places you can buy 100 dollars burger. Going out talking to people and communicating, telling your stories, talking about our business, creating that personal connections with the guests is extremely important. "After two years of operation, Butchers Club is extremely popular and has five restaurants in Hong Kong. Its owners have ambitious plans for expansion both at home and abroad. In a place where it seems like restaurants open and close by the minute, this is a rarely seen success. Aerik says there is no substitute to hard work, and it is important to appeal to people's taste buds.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.

Syria-Ukraine Flight OpensSyrian observers are lauding⁶³ a Ukrainian government decision to resume flights into the country.

The first commercial flight from Europe in some 3-years landed in Syria on Sunday.

Michel Haddad, the director of a private university in Syria, says the re-establishment of flights in and out of Syria will make life much easier for people travelling to and from the country.

"The facility of movement from Latakia airport to Kiev airport is better than going through Beirut and having to stop on the border and go through a lot of hassle. The road and the hotels are expensive there so going directly is better, even to go to Europe directly through Kiev is safer and better and there is a huge Syrian community in Ukraine."Only 10 passengers took the flight from Kiev to the coastal city of Latakia.

The European Union has maintained a travel embargo⁶⁴ for commercial airlines into Syria shortly after the civil war broke out in the country in 2011.

WeatherBeijing will be sunny today with a high of 35 degrees Celsius⁶⁵.

Overnight temperatures should drop down to 21.

Shanghai will be cloudy with a high of 27 and a low of 20.

In Chongqing, it will see moderate rain during the daytime with a high of 25 and lows of 22.

Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia,Kathmandu, slight rain, 31.

Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 36.

Kabul will have cloudy with a high of 24.

Over to North America,New York will be overcast⁶⁶ with a high of 19 degrees.

Washington, slight rain with a high of 24degrees.

Honolulu, slight rain, 24.

Toronto will see slight rain with a high of 31 degrees.

Finally, on to South America,Buenos Aires will have slight rain with a high of 18.

And Rio de Janeiro will be cloudy with a high of 27 degrees Celsius.

Headline newsAt least 38 Killed, 6 Injured in Fire Accident in C. ChinaAt least 38 people are dead following a fire at a nursing home in Henan.

Six others are being treated in hospital for injuries. Two of them suffer serious injuries.

A fire broke out in the facility in Lushan County, which is in the Pingdingshan area, around 8 last night.

It took crews around an hour to knock down the deadly blaze.

Few other details have been made available.

The facility is home to around a hundred seniors.

It remains unclear at this point what sparked the blaze.

China, Chile Push for Closer Trade TiesChina and Chile have signed a host of cooperation deals including a multi-billion US dollar currency swap agreement, as part of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's time in the country.

The deals cover such areas as politics, trade, finance, mining, agriculture, production capacity and science and technology.

The People's Bank of China has also entered into a 3-year currency swap agreement with Chile's central bank worth 22 billion yuan, or around 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.

The two sides are also going to look at upgrading their decade-old free trade agreement.

Under the deals, a renminbi clearing bank is also being established in Chile, the first in South America.

China to tighten⁶⁷ supervision of state assetsChina's state-owned enterprise watchdog is promising an increase of supervision to protect against the loss of state funds.

The increase in supervision includes the establishment of a board of directors to oversee⁴ state-run companies which are becoming involved with the private sector.

Government-backed supervisors⁶⁸ are also being considered as an option to ensure state money isn't squandered⁶⁹.

The Chinese government has been opening up the state-run sector in a bid to make it more efficient.

Chinese couple arrested at Lisbon airport on suspicion of money launderingA Chinese couple have been detained in Portugal on suspicion of money laundering⁷⁰.

The couple were caught at the airport in Lisbon carrying 3.5-million yuan in cash.

The couple, a 47-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, live in Portugal.

They were planning to travel to Shanghai when they were arrested.

French Flight Escorted in US for Anonymous⁷¹ Bomb ThreatThe US Air Force was forced to scramble⁷² a pair of fighter jets following a bomb threat against an Air France flight heading into New York.

Police in Maryland received an anonymous bomb threat connected to a flight flying into JFK from Paris.

A pair of F-15's were sent up to monitor the flight as it approached New York.

The flight itself was eventually cleared and landed without incident.

Biz reportsAnchorFirst, a quick check on the closing numbers across North America and Europe.

Our reporter Niu Honglin.

ReporterU.S markets were closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.

The markets will re-open later on this Tuesday, with many watching closely to how they'll react to comments made by Fed Chair Janet Yellen on Friday.

Yellen delivered a speech suggesting the Fed may still be on-track to raise interest rates this year, despite the slowdown of the US economy over the past couple of months.

Meanwhile in Europe, the markets in both London and Germany were also closed for national holidays on Monday.

This focused the spotlight⁷³ on Spain and Greece.

Spain's benchmark index shed some 2-percent after the regional elections put a number of new politicians into power, even though the country's ruling party took majorities in 11 of the 13 regions being contested.

Suggestions by a leading Greek cabinet minister that the country is going to default on an IMF debt payment next month sent Athex Composite Index down some 3-percent.

And in France, the CAC 40 shed half-a-percent.

China encourages more private investors⁷⁴ to join the public infrastructure buildingThe Chinese government has released a new list of areas it is hoping to court private-sector involvement in infrastructure construction.

A list of more than a thousand proposed infrastructure projects are being highlighted for potential Public-Private Partnerships⁷⁵.

The projects themselves are said to be worth some 2 trillion yuan.

They cover sectors such as transport, water conservancy and public services.

Qu Hong with the National Development and Reform Commission says they hope the new list of projects will help generate interest in Public-private partnerships.

"There is detailed⁷⁶ information about the projects. The information should help better-inform private investors about the projects local governments are working on. This should help potential investors better understand how public-private partnerships will work."The list includes projects in 28 different provinces and municipalities across the country.

It's unclear at this point whether foreign investors will be allowed to bid on the projects.

Chinese shares climb to highest level in 7 yearsAnchorChina's A-share market has hit its highest level in some 7-years.

Monday's trading in Shanghai saw the Index surge 3.4 percent, with total volume coming in at a record 2-trillion yuan.

At the same time, the Shenzhen Component⁷⁷ Index jumped nearly 2 percent yesterday.

Stocks connected to security, the military and construction were bolstered⁷⁹ ahead of the impending⁸⁰ release of a new report later on this Tuesday connected to China's military strategy.

The military sector gained more than 4 percent.

For more on the Chinese stock market, we're joined on the line by Gao Shang, analyst⁸¹ with Guantong Futures⁸².

Talking points:

1, Some analysts⁸³ say that the bullish performance will probably continue throughout the week. What is your opinion?

2, The bull run has led the market surge to 3000 point and then hit 4000 points. Now it has reached 4800, approaching to the next thousand benchmark. An analyst says it is just a matter of time that the A-share to hit a record high this year, and surpass the 6124 point in history. What do you think of that?

3, Lots of young investors flooded the two bourses in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Media report says that in a university in Xi'an, almost half of the students have invested in stocks. What do you want to say to the post 80 and 90s new comers.

Back anchor:

Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures.

Profits at China's state firms continue declinesNew stats suggest profits of China's state-owned enterprises have continued to slide through the first 4-months of the year.

Government stats show the combined profits of Chinese SOEs have dropped just under 6-percent so far this year.

The companies have still pulled in some 110 billion U.S. dollars worth of profits to the end of April.

The decline in profits appears to be slowing.

SOE profits through the first 2-months of this year were down by some 20-percent plunge⁸⁴.

Petrochemical, oil and construction materials sectors have been posting notable profit declines.

Transport, electronics and power generation are seeing increases in profits.

The latest HSBC flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index shows manufacturing activity has continued to contract in May.

China adjusts personal imports tariffs⁸⁵ to spur consumptionThe Chinese Finance Ministry is lowering tariffs levied⁸⁶ on the import of certian consumer goods.

Import tariffs are being cut in-half on clothes, shoes, baby products and cosmetics⁸⁷.

The Finance Ministry says the move is being made, in part, to try to limit the number of Chinese tourists who go on cross-border shopping sprees.

The tariff adjustments will begin on Monday.

This is the latest in a series of tariff reductions the government has been introducing to try to bolster⁷⁸ consumer spending in China by making products cheaper for import.

China's banking giant ICBC takes over Turkish lenderThe Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has completed its acquisition of a 75-percent stake in Turkish bank Tekstilbank.

Tekstilbank mainly caters⁸⁸ to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as retail⁸⁹ customers.

The purchase of the majority stake is the first Chinese banking foray into Turkey.

ICBC says its also prepared to make a full purchase of Tekstilbank if the Turkish government will allow it.

ICBC is now active in 42 countries and regions around the world.

SportsFootball: Real Madrid Fires Coach Carlo AncelottiIn football news:

Real Madrid have fired head coach Carlo Ancelotti just one season after he led the club to their 10th European Cup title.

Ancelotti was signed to a three-year deal with Real that was supposed to run through to next season, but club president Florentino Perez announced Ancelotti's exit in a press conference.

Perez insists that Ancelotti will have a place in Real Madrid's history, but says the team needs a change:

"Carlo Ancelotti has earned in these two years my affection and the affection of the board of directors and supporters. Carlo is already part of our history because we won the 10th Champions League with him as a coach. But as everybody knows, at Real Madrid we demand the best and we think it is time to give a new boost."In this past season, Real Madrid was ousted⁹⁰ out of the Champions League, failed to win La Liga and couldn't advance in the Copa del Rey, which they won in the 2013-2014 season under Ancelotti.

It's rumored⁹¹ that Napoli coach Rafa Benitez could replace Ancelotti.

Perez said Real's new coach will be announced next week.

Football: Norwich Back in Premier League After English Championship WinIn on-pitch football action:

Norwich earned a return to the Premier League after beating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the English Championship playoff final.

Norwich manager Alex Niel, who has been credited with the squad's tournaround, says he's happy, but focused on the challenge of next season:

"I am delighted. I am absolutely delighted, but I am just focused on what I want to do and we managed to achieve it. I am really, really pleased. I'm not really an emotional type. That might come later on when I get a few drinks."Over in the Italian Serie A;AS Roma notched⁹² a place in the group stage of the Champions League next season with a 2-1 win over Lazio.

In the Asian Champions League:

Beijing Guo'an prepare for their match against South Korean club Jeonbuk Motors.

A scoreless tie would be enough to send Beijing through to the last eight of the tournament.

French Open: Sloane Stephens Beats Venus Williams, RecapIn Tennis, from the French Open:

Taking a look at women's action—American Sloane Stephens beat former champ and compatriot Venus Williams 7-6, 6-1, serving the veteran her second first-round loss at the French Open in three years.

Stephens says that she didn't know what to expect when facing Williams, but hanging tough helped her through:

"I have never played her in a real match. So I didn't know if she was going to boss me off the court or like how that was going to go. But I knew if I just stayed in there and played my game that it would be a good match."Williams skipped the post-match press conference and issued a statement saying that Stephens was the better player that day. Williams added that she will now focus on the grass court season for Wimbledon.

In other women's action:

Both Zhang Shuai and Zheng Saisai of China crashed out of the tournament.

Maria Sharapova overcame 21 unforced errors to beat Kaia Kanepi 6-2, 6-4. After, the second-seed Sharapova was booed by the crowd for skipping the on-court press conference.

In men's action:

Andy Murray beat Facundo Arguello 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, kicking off his French Open campaign in fine form.

Murray says he felt in control of the court against his a tough opponent.

Also through is no. 4 Tomas Berdych who beat Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 7-5, 6-3.

Eleventh-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez is the highest seed that is out after going down to Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

NBA Playoffs PreviewIn hoops⁹³ action from the National Basketball Association playoffs:

The Golden State Warriors⁹⁴ are one win away from sweeping⁹⁵ the Houston Rockets when they meet for game 4 of the Western Conference finals at 9 a.m., Beijing time.

A win for the Warriors would earn them their first NBA finals berth⁹⁶ since they won the title in 1975.

NHL Playoff PreviewIn the National Hockey League Playoffs:

The Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks hit the ice for a pivotal game 5 in the Western Conference Finals at 9 a.m., Beijing time.

The series has been a grueling one, spanning 17 hard-fought periods in just four games.

Entertainment"Star Wars" saga⁹⁷ to be screened in China for the first timeFor the first time ever Chinese movie goers will finally get to watch all six movies in the "Star Wars" saga on the big screen.

"Star Wars" Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance are getting ready for the first-ever screening of the complete saga in China, ahead of the debut⁹⁸ of the latest installment⁹⁹, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which opens worldwide on Dec. 18.

The franchise will be screened at the 18th edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Shanghai Film Festival organizers and Walt Disney are collaborating¹⁰⁰ for the saga's theatrical¹⁰¹ debut.

The festival begins on June 13 to the 21, and hosts the prestigious¹⁰² Golden Goblet¹⁰³ award ceremony, alongside the Jackie Chan Action Movie Week and the Asian New Talent Award.

Cannes president praises development of China's movie industryThe President of the Cannes Film Festival has praised the diverse film production in China.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Pierre Lescure, said a new model is being built within Chinese film making, and it will grow further as new companies are investing in production, and there will be more Chinese films proposed each year at Cannes.

He added that the creation of cinemas in China is amazing, which according to him would boost the cinema production over the globe, adding fast-growing new technologies and encourage young filmmakers to produce more.

Lescure is the former head of the private TV channel Canal+, he was elected unanimously as president of the festival in 2014, replacing Gilles Jacob.

The 68th Cannes Film Festival came to an end over the weekend with French director Jacques Audiard winning the top prize, the Palme d'Or, for his movie "Dheepan."Chinese film "Silent Witness" to get South Korean remakeChinese crime thriller¹⁰⁴ "Silent Witness" is to get a remake in South Korea.

Korean production house Yong Film bought the rights to remake the movie originally directed by Fei Xing.

Jung Ji-woo, director of 2012 Korean film "Eun-gyo," will take the directorial duty of the film's Korean version and is currently developing the project.

"Silent Witness" was released in China in September 2013 and starred Chinese superstar Aaron Kwok and Chen Sicheng.

The film has grossed over 29 million U.S. dollars from ticket sales since its release.

Details of casting, financing and distribution have yet to be confirmed.

"Tomorrowland" takes number one spot in North AmericaDisney's latest movie "Tomorrowland" narrowly managed to beat out "Pitch Perfect 2" in North American Box Office sales over Memorial Day weekend.

The science-fiction adventure film stars George Clooney and was directed by Brad Bird, the man behind "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol¹⁰⁵.""Tomorrowland" disappointed with a just over $32 million debut.

Universal's "Pitch Perfect 2″ came in a close second talking around $30 million over the weekend.

The a cappella comedy's domestic total currently stands at $125.4 million.

Warner Bros. "Mad Max: Fury Road" had a solid hold in third place, adding $23.8 million in its second weekend and pushing its domestic total to $87.3 million.

CBS's "Supergirl" series leaked onlineThe first episode of CBS's "Supergirl" series has leaked online, six months before it was scheduled to air.

BitTorrent news site TorrentFreak has desribed the leak as a "complete surprise" to the pirating community.

Two versions of the 46-minute episode made their way onto torrent¹⁰⁶ sites.

The episode shows former "Glee" star Melissa Benoist as Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El, struggling to get to grips with both her newfound powers, and life in New York City.

There is speculation¹⁰⁷ that the leak is actually a marketing ploy¹⁰⁸ by CBS, as the pilot is reportedly free of any watermarks or warnings that might distinguish it as an advanced screening copy.

The incident is unlikely to affect "Supergirl's" viewing figures because the show's debut is still so far away.

That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.

A quick look at the headlines before we go...

A fire at a seniors care center in Henan has left over 3-dozen elderly Chinese people dead.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken part in an inspection tour in a coastal city in Zhejiang.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has overseen the signing of numerous deals as part of his time in Chile.

In Business.... the Chinese stock markets have rallied ahead of the release of a new report on this country's military strategy.

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.

分享到：