Hwang Doo-Jin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted murder of his partner. Local bishops urge people to avoid prejudice and abuse. The conviction has been appealed. There are fears of discrimination because the accused belongs to a small immigrant community.
This year's work program for Catholics has been drawn up by bishops and the Patriotic Association. Deepen the history of the Party, the Long March, Socialism, aligning with the leadership of Xi Jinping. A Theological Forum on Sinicization is also planned. More than a "pastoral" program, it is a political program in which the "independent and autonomous Church" is exalted.
They are part of the group of 80 big brands accused of doing business with Xinjiang companies that exploit forced labour. Giant Toshiba will close relations by the end of the year. The US and Britain have already imposed restrictions on imports of Chinese cotton.
The Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent reminds us of “this cunning enemy, interested in our eternal condemnation, our failure”. Yesterday afternoon Francis visited Ms Edith Bruck, a poet who survived the Holocaust.
For Lithuania’s Deputy Foreign Minister, the European Union needs a common policy towards China. The latest 17+1 summit is a flop. Xi Jinping fails to keep his promises on investments. Germany and France remain cautious. Estonian intelligence warns that China wants a “silenced” world under its dominance.
The Holy See’s total revenues reached € 260.4 million against € 310.1 million in expenses, with an expected deficit of € 49.7 million in 2021. Most spending (68 per cent) will go apostolic activities; 17 per cent will pay for patrimony and other assets management, and 15 per cent to administration and service activities.
Michael Ngan organised protests against Hong Kong’s extradition bill, its handling of the pandemic, and the security law. For him, Hong Kong civil servants are accountable only to Hong Kong authorities. Police arrest university student for supporting Hong Kong independence.
The Chinese have not respected "phase one" of the trade agreement. The US expects the growth of agricultural purchases from China. Biden and Congress press Xi Jinping on human rights. The blacklist of Chinese hi-tech companies remains. US warships intensify presence in the South China Sea. Blinken at work to restore alliances and involve Europe.
The church was built in 2000, with all the permits and praise of the local authorities. There are two reasons for the destruction: the land’s commercial value and erasing the "showy" symbolism of the religious building. The policy of "sinicization" launched by Xi Jinping and implemented in Zhejiang and Xijiang. 16,000 mosques were also destroyed or damaged. The appeal to the Pope and the Vatican.
In a video message to the 65th Religious Education Congress organised by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Francis states that there is a need for a community that can support us, that can help us and in which we help each other to look forward, to a tomorrow in which we will have to “act in the Samaritan’s style”, that is, by “letting myself be struck by what I see.”
Kim Jong-un wants to eradicate all forms of "anti-socialism". Detainees already on the rise for violations of anti-pandemic regulations. His battle against "reactionary thinking" to strengthen the regime. Covid and the floods have aggravated the economic crisis in the country, crippled by food shortages.
Global debt is equal to 355 percent of global GDP. China's debt jumped by 335 per cent of GDP. Countries are going into greater debt to support companies and workers. The trend will continue in 2021. Finding a balanced exit strategy will be the big challenge.
He will have to await trial for threats to national security in custody. Judge Pang: If released he could repeat the offense. Also indicted for helping 12 democratic activists escape, later arrested and sentenced in Shenzhen. Already on trial for his role in the anti-extradition movement.
Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government issue a decree to “better” manage the flow of news and network traffic, ostensibly to protect the country’s traditions, morals and national security. In reality, the goal is to manage and repress dissent. For activists, the decree threatens more and more people.