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

Coming up on our program this morning...

China's foreign minister has taken time to outline some of the expectations for Xi Jinping's forthcoming trip to the United States.

Cultural prosperity being touted as a way to promote Hebei.

Thousands have taken to the streets in Tokyo to oppose the Japanese government's planned changes to the post-war constitution.

In Business... Chinese authorities warning of possible revenue crunch through the rest of this year.

In Sports.... Beijing Guo'an remains undefeated at home in the Chinese Super League.

In entertainment.... a Chinese director is in the running for an Oscar.

Top NewsChinese FM Says Xi's Visit to Bolster China-U.S. Trust, CooperationAnchorChina's Foreign Minister has taken time to outline some of the priorities for Xi Jinping's forthcoming trip to the United States.

CRI's Luo Wen has more.

ReporterNext Tuesday to Friday will be Chinese President Xi Jinping's first official State visit to the United States since taking office around two years ago.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the trip is mostly going to be a trust-building exercise.

"President Xi Jinping's visit is meant to promote mutual trust and dismiss suspicion between the two countries. He will have several conferences with President Obama and people of various circles in the US, with peaceful development and win-win cooperation clearly as the main agenda. He's going to promote the idea that truth and reconciliation benefits both sides, while antagonism only hurts one-another. President Xi Jinping will make it clear that there would be no conflicts between China and USA on specific issues, including world order, as well as order in the Asia-Pacific."A series of collaborative agreements are also due to be signed in areas such as finance, trade, energy and climate change.

But Wang Yi says the main goal of the trip is to reach-out to the average person in the US.

"President Xi Jinping will spend a lot of time interacting with people in different states, different companies and friendly groups. He'll be giving a lot of speeches, as well as meeting with students and teachers. This is one area where a series of significant initiatives are going to be announced. We believe the President's visit will generate a new wave of interest in China in US society."As part of his time in the United States, Xi Jinping will be making a stop at UN headquarters in New York to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

"Together with the international community, President Xi Jinping will talk about the arduous process humanity had to go through to achieve peace. At the same time, the President will also outline China's stand on a number of international issues. He will also announce steps the Chinese side is going to take in support of the United Nations, as well as promoting China's responsibility and obligation in safeguarding world peace."President Xi Jinping's forthcoming time in the US will be the third meeting between himself and U.S. President Barack Obama over the past three years.

For CRI, I'm Luo Wen.

President Xi's Visit to the U.S. as Significant as Deng Xiaoping's Visit 36 years ago: ExpertsAnchorIt's being suggested the forthcoming trip to the United States by Chinese President Xi Jinping will take on historical significance.

CRI's Qi Zhi with more.

ReporterSu Ge heads the China Institute of International Studies.

He says President Xi Jinping's visit to the US this time carries the same gravity as former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States 36-years ago.

"With the changing pattern of international relations, this visit will be a milestone. The relationship between China and the U.S. has entered a new transitional period. China is overcoming difficulties and trying to make breakthroughs in its reform and opening up. That's why the timing and the meaning of this visit are of great importance. Personally speaking, I believe the visit will be as important as Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States years ago."Ruan Zongze, former Minister Councilor with the Chinese embassy in Washington, says he believes the trip to the US is going to have a significant influence on future ties between China and the US.

"Sino-U.S. ties have entered a phase of mutual shaping, which means China will take a more active role in the relationship. There are some new ideas in China about how to reshape and develop the future relationship between the two countries. I believe this visit will have a lasting impact on the Sino-U.S. relations in the next few years, or even for a longer period."It's expected the talks between Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama may touch upon issues connected to the South China Sea, cyber security and human rights.

Yuan Peng, vice-President of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, suggests the meetings between the two should be focused, instead, on areas where both sides can cooperate, rather than differ.

"The current international system is on the eve of a profound change. It is urgent for the both sides to think about the current system and work to co-build a future international order. Global issues like economic cooperation, climate change are of higher priorities than what is currently being talked about in the US media, such as cyber security, human rights and South China Sea issue."Former Minister Councilor Ruan Zongze says while Xi Jinping's trip will be scrutinized by the media, he notes it won't be the first time.

US President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972, as well as former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's visit to the States in 1979 came at times when the relationship between China and the US were at cross-roads.

"In history, there are many times that the top leaders met under an unfavorable environment. For instances, Nixon's visit to Beijing greatly propelled the process of establishing diplomatic ties between China and U.S. while Deng Xiaoping's visit impressed the American people, which helped levitate the bilateral relations between the two countries."Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to spend 4-days on his official State visit before spending some time in New York to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.

Chinese President's Forthcoming Visit to U.S. Will Be a "Milestone" of Bilateral Relations: KissingerFormer US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is touting Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to the US as a milestone in bilateral relations.

Xi Jinping's trip to the US coincides with the primary campaigns being run by the Republicans and Democrats for next year's Presidential election.

Kissinger says people in China need to take what's said in those campaigns with a 'grain-of-salt.'

"Every new president no matter what is said in the campaign has been brought by reality to the recognition that you have this relationship is an integral part of the international system and I believe, I'm confident that this will happen again and I just urge your listeners or viewers to not take every word that is said in the campaign as a final statement."At the same time, Kissinger says the current economic slowdown in China is unlikely to have a major effect on the Sino-US dynamic.

"Having seen how China has evolved over the last 30 years, I look at this as a temporary, almost inevitable aspect of transition from which we should both sides learn that we should synchronize our economic policies in order to make, having a minimum impact on each other."Henry Kissinger was the former US Secretary of State under then-US President Richard Nixon.

He's credited with setting the groundwork for restoring diplomatic ties between China and the US in the 1970's.

Seattle Geared up for President Xi Jinping's U.S. VisitPreparations are underway in the US west coast city of Seattle, which is due to be Chinese President Xi Jinping's first stop on his trip to the United States.

Seattle mayor Edward Murray.

"Well, we certainly have been working with the Chinese government, and with our own government in Washington D.C. to make sure that the president has an opportunity to see the things he would like to see, and visit the people he would like to visit. "China is a significant source of income for Washington State.

Trade between the state of Washington and China hit close to 3-billion yuan last year.

A New Global Order with No Superpower Domination: ScholarsAnchorAhead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, debate is underway about the current framework of the current world order.

CRI's Luo Bin has more.

ReporterFollowing the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990's, many observers suggested the United States became the world's leading Super Power.

However, with China's rise through the prevailing years, some have suggested a new world dynamic is being formed.

Wang Gengwu with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences suggests this theory is somewhat outdated.

"We now have a system where we have one superpower, the United States, but trying difficult, as the United States has found, to maintain a system where it had absolute supreme dominance in world affairs, extremely difficult. And one superpower was never going to be strong enough, you need all kinds of solutions, but for the moment anyway, we have to think in terms of whether we find a new order quickly, or to just simply improve what we now have, to try to improve on it and eventually find something better than better in the hope of one day achieving something that could be permanent and consistent."Professor Barry Buzan with the London School of Economics and Political Science also says he believes the future will be a world without Super Powers.

"There is diminishing unevenness in the system so the core is getting bigger, the number of countries able to benefit from the real modern world of power is increasing, the number of countries that we think of was underdeveloped is indeed decreasing, if you follow that logic forward, this suggests a world without superpowers. It will be a world with great powers and regional powers. But it won't have any superpowers."Buzan says the concept of Super Powers is an outdated philosophy.

"It's pretty strange when you think about it that one country should be able to dominate the whole system, or even one or two countries. So we are heading for, it seems to me, a world without superpowers, nobody's gonna get there anymore. So the world we are heading into is one in which powers are going to be more distributive."Despite this theory, many observers still anticipate China's influence on the world stage to rise.

Professor Robert Keohane with Princeton University says one of the factors leading to this suggestion is the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

"China now finds itself in a situation with respect to the World Bank. Heads of the United States in the past few years have been pursuing intelligent policy. It would have anticipated the AIIB, the United States would not only have endorsed its creation, but would have joined it, not from altruism, but in order to have a voice in the organization."The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were formed out of the ashes of World War II.

Creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has been touted by some as the next step toward the creation of a newer, more inclusive world order when it comes to financing development.

For CRI, this is Luo Bin.

Chinese and American College Students Meet in ShanghaiAnchorAhead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to the US next week, a new push is on to try to promote inter-personal ties.

To that end, CRI has sponsored an event in Shanghai to bring together college students from the US and China, which we've "dubbed University to the World."Reporter"Actually I can see a lot of students are really involved in their studies and not as normal Chinese students imagine that parties and drugs and all that life.""You know it's not easy for young people to find good job, to have a good career development in Shanghai, because you need to be very competitive, you need to do internships and you need to have good relations.""I'd like to reply the question to that student which is why do you care if other people think you are weird. (applause) Do what you want."From campus life to bilateral relations, ten Chinese and American students from Fudan University, Jiaotong University and New York University Shanghai have come together for a heated discussion before an audience of 300 at NYU.

Public Affairs Section Chief at US Consulate General in Shanghai, Brian Gibel stresses academic exchanges are the dynamic force for positive transformation as they build mutual understanding.

"I think tonight was a good example of how important it is for Chinese people and Americans to come together on a people-to-people level, not just government-to-government. You have to go and see for yourself to really understand what a country is like. So we surely welcome Xi Jinping's visit to the United States and we look forward to US and China deepening their relations and moving forward in their global agenda."He noted that currently, 275,000 Chinese are studying in the United States, more than twice as many as Indians which is second on the list. He also observed that through programmes like Fullbright, and President Obama's a hundred thousand-strong, the numbers and diversity of Americans who are coming to China has also been on an unprecedented increase.

Chancellor of New York University Shanghai, Yu Lizhong said through frequent exchanges, people might see they have more common grounds than they have realized and people have individual characteristics rather than just one stereotype. He believed college education has a big role to play.

"So how to learn from different culture and how to work together is a big topic in the age of globalized world. I really hope the live dialogue between Chinese students and American students can help us understand the culture, different culture."The dialogue is also aired live online to NEWS Plus followers on social media platforms such as wechat, sina microblog, and sohu APP.

A similar dialogue between Chinese and American students from Middlebury College, Communication University of China, Renmin University and University of International Relations will be held in Beijing one week later. On the same day, President Xi Jinping will start his official state visit to the US.

For CRI, I'm Wu You in Shanghai.

China calls for deepening people-to-people exchanges with EUVisiting Chinese vice Premier Liu Yandong has delivered a speech at a University in Brussels, calling for closer ties among people from China and Europe.

Liu Yandong is in Brussels to attend the annual China-EU people-to-people dialogue.

She says the future of the China-EU relationship lies in the young people.

"We should fully utilize the high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism to further expand the exchanges between students and other young people from both sides so that they can have a better understanding of each other and deepen their friendship. This is a key way to carry forward our sound relationship."The Chinese vice premier's trip to Brussels coincides with the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and the EU.

Her current European tour will also include a stop in the UK for a cultural exchange session.

China promises control of ozone eatersThe Chinese government is promising to do more to try to control Ozone-depleting substances.

Environmental Protection Minister Chen Jining has made the pledge at an event in Beijing to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

"We will earnestly implement the Regulation on the Management of Ozone Layer Depleting Substances. There's no better time to do this now that the newly amended Environmental Protection Law and the Law on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution have taken effect."Preferential policies are going to be offered to small businesses that are willing to replace outdated technology with more eco-friendly varieties.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

A United Nations report released last year is suggesting the Earth's protective ozone layer is on track to recover in the next few decades.

The Ozone layer is the thin veil of atmosphere which protects the earth from harmful ultra-violet radiation.

Use of airborne chemicals through the years has carved a hole in the Ozone Layer.

Hebei: Cultural Prosperity to Boost Economic DevelopmentAnchorCulture is being touted as one of the selling-points of Hebei's role in the integration of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region around the capital.

CRI's Luo Yu has more from the Luan River Cultural Festival in Hebei.

ReporterThis is Ping Opera, one of the most popular art forms in northern China.

It origins trace back to Luan County here in Hebei.

The County has been officially named "the hometown of Ping Opera."As part of this year's Luan River Cultural Festival, singers, painters and calligraphers from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, or as its being dubbed, Jing-Jin-Ji, are gathering here in the county.

Zhang Junling is a renowned Ping Opera artist.

"With the central government pushing culture in the Jing-Jin-Ji region, we, as artists, are doing our best to help. Luan County is a good example. There is a lot of cultural heritage in the Luan River area. It's history flows out into the culture of Tangshan downstream. I believe Luan County is the root of our culture in Hebei."One of the advantages the Jing-Jin-ji region has is its cultural similarities.

This makes it easier when it comes to communication and collaboration.

Liu Lanfang, vice president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles says the development of culture in the capital region will help promote economic development as well.

"This year's cultural festival in Luan County includes a business and investment conference. In this way, we think cultural activities can provide a platform where business activities are the main performers. As you know, the County has just been named 'the hometown of Ping Opera.' This will help enhance our traditional culture. The local leaders really want to promote cultural development. Luan County itself is on a plain, and doesn't have much in the way of natural resources. This is why the local officials want to develop culture and tourism, because its both necessary and cost-effective."Professor Liang Benfan with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says promoting the local culture will help increase tourism.

"There are a lot of cultural and tourist activities in Hebei. Beijing is massive tourist destination on its own. But the question is, how do we stretch Beijing's influence into other parts of the region? If we can do this, Hebei will be much better-known throughout the world. If we can find a way to better-promote Hebei through reform and innovation, it will go a long way to help generate cash, which will help both the public finances and society in-general."For CRI, I'm Luo Yu reporting in Hebei.

Failed Project Raises Concern over Lottery Fund UseAnchorThe failure of a project for seniors through lottery-funds here in China is shining a spotlight on how lottery funds are being used in this country.

CRI's Yu Yang reports.

ReporterThe massive Starlight Project was launched around 14-years ago.

Three years after its launch, the project was credited with funding more than 30-thousand senior care centers in residential communities across China through some 14-billion yuan, which was raised mostly through lottery sales.

However, a new expose by China Central Television has revealed the project has since collapsed.

The plan's designer is Yan Qingchun, who used to be with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

"It's estimated that 75 percent of these centers have been shut down. In our original plan, all communities throughout the country would be covered under the project. However, it ended in failure in less than three years."Local care center operators who managed the project are being blamed.

It's being suggested most of them profited through renting out the rooms.

Money raised through lotteries in China is designed to promote social welfare.

And with lottery sales shooting up in recent years, lottery-funded projects have also been on the rise.

However, Wang Yukai with the China Society of Administrative Reform suggests more scrutiny needs to be done before projects created through lottery sales are approved.

"The first thing is to work out a feasibility plan. An plans which don't meet standards shouldn't be approved. Local authorities need to be consulted as to whether the plan will work for their community. However, its also important to ensure local officials don't use the money for their own ends."Wang Yukai suggests the Ministry of Civil Affairs should be stripped of its duties as both the lottery regulator and the fund manager.

"The civil affairs department itself is in charge of planning and implementing the projects as well as supervising their implementation. It's impossible for one to play a dual role as an athlete and referee at the same time."A nation-wide audit has found nearly 17-billion yuan raised through lottery sales has been embezzled or misused over the past 3-years.

For CRI, I'm Yu Yang.

Thousands protest before key vote on Japan security billsThousands have taken to the streets in Tokyo to protest the impending changes to the country's constitution.

An estimated 13-thousand people have gathered outside parliament in Tokyo, demanding the new legislation be scrapped.

"Women lawmakers and colleagues are angry at the way this bill is being passed, and its contents, and we need to have our voices heard so we are wearing this sash."Japan's Upper House of Parliament is expected to green-light legislation this week passed earlier by the lower house which will allow Japan's armed forces to go abroad for the first time since World War II.

Under the provided rules, Japanese forces will be able to engage in military action at the defense of an ally.

At the same time, the Japanese government is also expected to approve the country's biggest defense budget in some 14-years.

WeatherBeijing will be cloudy with a high of 27 degrees Celsius.

Overnight temperatures should drop down to 18.

Shanghai will be cloudy with a high of 28 and a low of 20.

In Chongqing, it will see moderate rain during the daytime with a high of 24 and lows of 22.

Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia,Islamabad will be sunny with a high of 36.

Kabul will be cloudy with a high of 27.

Over to North America,New York will be cloudy with a high of 28 degrees.

Washington, sunny with a high of 29 degrees.

Honolulu, cloudy, 29.

Toronto will be cloudy with a high of 25 degrees.

Finally, on to South America,Buenos Aires will be cloudy with a high of 17.

And Rio de Janeiro will be sunny with a high of 31 degrees Celsius.

Headline newsXi to Visit US Next WeekChina's Foreign Minister has outlined some of the priorities for President Xi Jinping's trip to the US next week.

Wang Yi says one of the main goals of the President's trip is to boost mutual trust and ease U.S. worries that the two sides may contradict each other when dealing with international and regional issues.

Xi Jinping is headed to Seattle next Tuesday to begin his first official State visit to the US.

He's also scheduled stop over at UN headquarters in New York to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.

Premier Li urges China, Vietnam to maintain maritime stabilityChina's Premier has sat down for talks with a leading Vietnamese official, with maritime issues high on the agenda.

Li Keqiang has met with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc here in Beijing.

Maritime stability and cooperation were high on the agenda.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc is here in China to attend this year's China-ASEAN Expo.

Central government cars auctioned in cost-cutting moveNearly 4-thousand vehicles previously used by the central authorities have been sold at public auction.

The money raised through the auction has gone to the central treasury.

The vehicles have been sold-off as part of the government's frugality campaign.

Its the latest in a series of steps that have been taken to slim down government since Chinese president Xi Jinping took the office in 2013.

Jack Ma launches rural teachers support programAlibaba CEO Jack Ma has announced plans to provide 10 million yuan to 100 Chinese teachers in rural areas.

The money is part of a charity he's set up.

Education funding in rural China remains a major issue, with an estimated 40-million children only serviced by around 3-million teachers.

Netanyahu vows heavy punishment for Al-aqsa stone throwersIsrael's prime minister is promising to use "all necessary means" to end the unrest taking place in East Jerusalem.

Violence has been taking place around the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Temple Mount, all this week as Jews mark Rosh Hasshanah, the Jewish New Year.

Benjamin Netanyahu has called an emergency meeting of his cabinet after an Israeli man was killed in a car crash linked to the violence surrounding the site.

The prime minister also visited the site on Wednesday.

The compound came under Israeli control following the 6-day War in 1967, but has been left under Palestinian administration in an attempt to ease religious strife.

However, it remains a focal point for strife, as the temple compound is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.

Biz ReportsAnchorTurning onto business news. First, a quick look at the closing numbers across North America and Europe as well as a recap on the Chinese market.

ReporterU.S. markets closed higher on Wednesday, as Wall Street still awaits the outcome of the Federal Reserve's key policy meeting.

At the closing bell,Dow Jones surged 0.8 percent.

S&P 500 added 0.9 percent.

The Nasdaq advanced 0.6 percent.

On the economic front, the U.S. Consumer Price Index for urban consumers slipped 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, missing market consensus.

But at the same time, oil prices continued to rise as traders continue to invest on the low prices.

Gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange settled higher on the back of the lower CPI figures, which has muted expectations for a rate hike this month by the Federal Reserve.

Meanwhile in Europe, the stock markets rose on Wednesday.

At the closing bell,The UK's FTSE 100 climbed 1.5 percent.

Germany's DAX increased 0.4 percent.

France's CAC 40 soared 1.7 percent.

Finally in China, the A-Share market surged on Wednesday, after two days of declines.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index went up 4.9 percent, while the Shenzhen Component Index rose 6.5 percent.

China's Aug. fiscal revenue rose slower, expenditure rose sharplyAnchorThe Chinese government is warning of increasing fiscal pressures through the rest of this year.

This comes on the heels of new stats showing fiscal revenue growth through August has slowed, while spending has picked up.

New figures show government revenues increased by just over 6-percent year on year in August, hitting nearly 970 billion yuan.

This is down sharply from the 12.5-percent rise in July.

At the same time, government spending has jumped 26-percent to nearly 1.3 trillion yuan.

This has prompted authorities to announce a budget deficit of 2.3-percent of GDP for this year.

This is up from the previous target of 2.1 percent.

For more on the revenue situation in China, we're joined on the line by Cao Can, CRI's financial Commentator.

Talking points:

1, What does the two group of figures- slower fiscal revenue growth and sharp increase of fiscal expenditure- indicate?

2, The Finance Ministry says China will continue to face great fiscal pressure for the rest of year. What do you think they can do to balance the fiscal revenue and public expenditure?

3, Do you think China will keep its high fiscal expenditure growth in the following months of this year? Can we see big fiscal stimulus package for the economy later this year?

Back anchor:

That was Cao Can, CRI's financial Commentator.

Assistant head of China securities regulator investigatedThe central government has placed the deputy chair of China's top securities regulator under investigation.

Zhang Yujun, deputy chief of the China Securities Regulatory Commission is being probed for alleged securities violations.

He had been one of 3 assistant chairs of the CSRC since 2012.

Zhang Yujun was the former head of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Details of the allegations against him have not been disclosed.

The probe comes on the heels of a number of senior executives with CITIC Securities being put under investigation.

The three senior staffers, including the brokerage's general manager, are being investigated for insider trading and leaking information.

CITIC Securities is China's largest brokerage.

Brewer AB InBev seeks $275 billion tie-up with SABMillerThe world's largest brewer AB InBev is mulling a takeover of its largest rival SABMiller.

A merged group would have a market value of 275 billion U.S. dollars.

The potential deal will also combine AB InBev's dominance of Latin America with SABMiller's of Africa, as well as their breweries in Asia.

If completed, it would be the biggest M&A deal of 2015 and one the five largest takeovers since 1980.

Google launches donation campaign to raise millions of dollars for refugeesGoogle has announced a donation-matching campaign to help refugees entering Europe.

Google is planning to donate 11 million U.S. dollars to four non-profit organizations that are providing aid to refugees and migrants.

Google says it will match the first 5.5-million-dollar worth of donations globally until it raises $11 million.

HP sees cut of 33,000 jobs over 3 years as demand fallsIt's been confirmed Hewlett-Packard is going to cut more than 30-thousand jobs over the next 3-years years as part of cost saving measures.

This follows on the announcement HP is going to separate into two companies as of November 1st.

This will create Hewlett Packard Enterprises, a corporate technology unit being spun off from HP.

Through the cuts, HP's total workforce is going to be reduced by around 10-percent.

The company is going to be hit with pretax charges of 2.7 billion U.S. dollars.

The layoffs are going to begin immediately.

Costs associated are going to run until the end of fiscal 2018.

SportsBeijing Guoan Beat Changchun Yatai 3-1In football action here in China,Beijing Guoan took a 3-1 home win against Changchun Yatai last night.

Guoan remains unbeaten at home so far this season.

With the victory, Beijing Guoan is still at fourth place in the league standings with 47 points.

-----------Elsewhere in Asia,Dubai club al-Ahli has booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League after getting past Iran's Naft Tehran 2-1 in Dubai.　Naft Tehran coach Alireza Mansourian.

"Congratulations for Al Ahli. They got a result, so we have to continue in our league and in the next four months we have again a play-off... and I'm proud of my playes, because we have a lot of young players, 19, 20, 21, 22 (years old) ... in our career, I mean, from 45 years ago, it's the first time that we've made this position, Champions League."　Next up al-Ahli is last season's runners-up al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia.

----------In other action,Japan's Gamba Osaka has also advanced after defeating Jeonbuk Motors in a 3-2 thriller.

They will next meet Guangzhou Evergrande for a place in the final.

----------In Europe,Liverpool are visiting to France to take on Bordeaux in the Europa League after suffering back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.

Manager Brendan Rodgers.

"We've just got to improve the performance level. In the opening games we had some good results in five games but I want to see greater control in our game, greater intensity and more creativity. But of course, that is something that will come by improving performance in our league and obviously consequently when you come to Europe as well."Liverpool currently sits 10th place with 7 points in English Premier League with just 2-wins in 5 matches.

Arctic Ocean World Record challenge completed by Chinese skipper Guo ChuanIn sailing,Chinese sailor Guo Chuan has completed his trans-Arctic journey.

"Very happy, yes, we made it. Good Bye! Let's say good bye to the Arctic Ocean!"The 13 day trip saw him set out from the northwestern Russian port city of Murmansk, and sail through the Russian Arctic to the Bering Strait.

The trip is being touted as a world record.

Zheng Saisai and Xu Yifan Advance at Japan OpenIn tennis,China's Liang Chen and her partner Chuang Chia-Jung have reached the third round of Japan Open after taking out a Japanese duo in straight sets.

Meanwhile, Chinese pair of Zheng Saisai and Xu Yifan have been bounced, going down to Japan's Misaki Doi and Kurumi Nara in a three set tie-breaker.

In women's singles,American Madison Brengle and Christina Mchale, Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium and Ajla Tomljanovic from Croatia all progressed after winning their matches in straight sets.

----------Over to the Quebec Open,Germany's Annika Beck has made it to the third round of the tournament, knocking out Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4.

Other competitors like Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Poland's Paula Kania are also through.

Hangzhou to Host 2022 Asian GamesZhejiang's capital Hangzhou has been officially tapped to host the 2022 Asian Games.

Hangzhou was the only candidate city.

It will be the third time the regional games will be held in China.

Beijing and Guangzhou hosted the previous two events.

The last Asian Games were held last year in the South Korean city of Incheon.

The next Asian Games are going to be held in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in 2018.

Los Angeles among five finalists to host 2024 Summer OlympicsThe International Olympic Committee has confirmed 5 cities as candidates to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

"The IOC is welcoming five outstanding cities to a very strong competition about hosting the Olympic Games 2024. This five cities are Budapest (Hungary), Hamburg (Germany), Los Angeles (United States of America), Paris (France) and Rome (Italy)."The host city will be selected by the IOC in 2017.

Selection and financing procedures by the International Olympic Committee have been eased through this round.

This comes on the heels of numerous cities dropping out to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, leaving only Almaty and Beijing in the running.

Beijing won the bid last month.

Lithuania Defeat Italy 95-85 in OvertimeIn basketball,Lithuania has rallied to beat Italy 95-85 in overtime in the quarter-finals of the EuroBasket championship earlier this morning.

Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors scored a game-high 26 points and 15 rebounds in the victory.

Lithuania, three-time champions and silver medalists two years ago, will next play Serbia, which beat the Czech Republic 89-75.

Brittany Lincicome Speaks as USA prepare for Solheim CupIn golf,Final practice rounds have been taking place ahead of this year's Solheim Cup in Germany.

Team USA's Brittany Lincicome says the spectre of their last few losses at the event aren't going to affect them.

"You know, it's golf. It is what it is. And the European team has so many awesome players on it. We just haven't had our A-Games, I guess, the last couple of years. And this year we're kind of changing it up a little bit with Juli (Inkster) leading us.　We're not doing the face painting and the ribbons and all that 'rah rah' stuff.　We're going to let our clubs do the speaking.　We're going to go out there and hopefully handle business. It's tough. The European team has a very strong team, as do we. It's golf, whichever way it falls, it falls."Led by seven-time major champion Juli Inkster, the US team will attempt to win the title for the first time since 2009.

The Solheim Cup is the Women's golf version of the Ryder Cup.

Europe in Colorado two years ago.

This was a follow-up to their victory over the Americans in Ireland in 2011.

F1 Singapore GP to proceed despite haze situationIn Formula One,Organizers of the Singapore Grand Prix have decided to push through with the race this weekend despite the haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia.

Air quality remains at unhealthy levels as fog and smoke shroud the island.

Organizers said the haze situation is volatile so it is not possible to predict the air quality for the race weekend.

Air quality readings will be posted on the race's official website and mobile app to help spectators make informed decisions.

Singapore is home to formula one's only night race. It will be held on the street circuit at Marina Bay.

EntertainmentMountains may Depart vies for Oscar considerationChinese director Jia Zhangke has revealed that his latest film "Mountains may Depart" is to be submitted for this year's foreign-language category at the Academy Awards.

The movie tells the story of a family that moves from China to Australia, highlighting their romantic trysts, hopes and the disillusionment felt over two generations in a society changing at breakneck speed.

The film unfolds predominately in the director's own hometown of Fenyang in north China's Shanxi province, beginning in 1999 and spanning all the way to a future date, set somewhere in 2025.

The English-language film, which screened at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, is scheduled to hit cinemas in the Chinese mainland on October 30.

According to earlier reports, Jean-Jacques Annaud's new film Wolf Totem was also expected to be submitted for the Academy Awards.

The official announcement of China's submission is expected to be made by the end of this month.

Caitlyn Jenner seeks to make name, gender transition officialOlympic gold medalist and reality TV celebrity Caitlyn Jenner has filed paperwork to make her name and gender transition official.

But she has requested for a private hearing citing threats she has received in recent months after the sex change operation.

Jenner, who won a gold medal in the men's decathlon at the 1976 Olympics, has been married three times and is the father of 10 children and stepchildren.

Beyoncé has a brand new track dropping this week with Naughty BoyQueen of surprises Beyoncé has done it again - she'll have a brand new track out tomorrow.

The singer will feature on Naughty Boy's new single 'Runnin' ' alongside Arrow Benjamin, which will be released worldwide on September 18.

Naughty Boy confirmed the news on Twitter with the official artwork, before revealing a brief snippet of the track ahead of its full premiere.

'Runnin' ' actually leaked online last month, but that version only featured Arrow BenjaminIt's some of the first new material we've heard from Beyoncé since her self-titled album back in 2013.

The star shocked the world by releasing the record to iTunes unannounced.

Naughty Boy's new album will serve as the follow-up to his 2013 debut Hotel Cabana.

Pink Floyd icon returns with "Roger Waters The Wall"The iconic Pink Floyd album "The Wall" – first released in 1979 - has comes to life once more in a documentary about one of band's founding members, Roger Waters.

Under the leadership of Roger Waters, Pink Floyd became one of the most influential rock bands ever.

The film tells Waters' personal experience of losing his father when he was just 5 months old and believing as a child that if he had tried hard enough, he could "somehow get him back."At a recent interview, Waters spoke about his tradition of inviting 20 wounded men to his shows, calling it a "rewarding" experience to spend intermission talking to them.

Commenting on his controversial departure from the band after 20 years of success, Waters said that he felt he needed to "get out from underneath the umbrella.""Roger Waters - The Wall" will be shown in select theaters in the US on Sept. 29.

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

Recapping our top stories this morning...

China's foreign minister has taken time to outline some of the expectations for Xi Jinping's forthcoming trip to the United States.

Cultural prosperity being touted as a way to promote Hebei.

Thousands have taken to the streets in Tokyo to oppose the Japanese government's planned changes to the post-war constitution.

In Business... Chinese authorities warning of possible revenue crunch through the rest of this year.

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