01/28/2015CHINA Shanghai government calls for more children or the city will collapse By the end of the year, a third of all residents will be 60 and over. Forgetting 35 years of the country's violent one-child policy, an official with the Family Development Bureau blames women who choose a career over family for the problem. The existing hukou system of family registration, which penalises migrant workers, comes in for criticism. Shanghai
(AsiaNews) - The drop in China's working age population stems from the desire of many women to develop their careers and
the rising cost of bringing up children. In view of this, "qualified young
couples" should have one or two children as soon as possible, said Fan Hua, director of...
01/27/2015CHINA Zhejiang, Hong Kong journalist arrested for investigating cross demolition The woman, Jiang Yannan, was released after a long interrogation: she had been followed and those she interviewed harassed. The authorities have knocked down over 400 Christian crosses in a government campaign of "rectification". Chinese journalists increasingly targeted: still no news of Zhang Miao and Xin Jian.
01/27/2015TIBET - CHINA Beijing sends a new flood of Han migrants to Lhasa: Tibetans risk disappearing The central government pushes 280 thousand citizens to move in the Tibetan capital to "support the advancement of the region". The government in exile: "With this excuse, they are in fact marginalizing the natives from every sphere of influence". Since the launch of migration policies to date, non-Tibetans living in the region have increased tenfold.
01/26/2015INDIA - UNITED STATES Obama and Modi reach nuclear deal without giving details After years of deadlock, the two powers take an "important step" to implement an earlier 2005 US decision to provide India reactor components. The US leader shortens his visit to fly to Saudi Arabia. China cast its shadow over the meeting.
01/26/2015CHINA In China, one third of all online products is fake (or hazardous to human health) According to official statistics, up to 350 million Chinese have shopped online. A government-backed study indicates a high risk for consumers, state TV reported. Bootleg products include a mobile phone with a fake circuit board, toys without proper safety certification, and ordinary soil sold as fertiliser.
01/26/2015VATICAN Pope Francis, "rabbits" and the colonization of families by Bernardo Cervellera The controversy over Catholics who have children "like rabbits" has overshadowed the Pope’s message about ideological attacks on the family a "colonization" to be freed of. The UN and development agencies funds used for "reproductive health". Collaboration with other religious traditions, including Jews and Muslims vital to counter this "ideological colonization".
01/24/2015CHINA-VATICAN In 2015 China set to ordain independent bishops against the Holy See. Possible reactions of Catholics by Bernardo Cervellera The State Administration for Religious Affairs has launched plan’s that includes new ordinations without papal mandate. Beijing hardens towards the Holy See. Already now faithful refuse to participate in the ceremonies of the illicit bishops. A return to Maoist politics: the ideal of the Party is to destroy religions. The anti-corruption campaign of Xi Jinping has not yet touched the corruption of the Patriotic Association and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, who have stolen 13 billion euro.
01/23/2015VATICAN Mass media: learning a more authentic and human communication from the family In his message for the 49th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Francis calls the family "the paradigm of communication." In it, as in the womb, you learn encounter, language, prayer, closeness, forgiveness. The media often treat the family as "an object" over which to wage ideological battles and not as a place in which to learn to communicate. We need to "relearn to tell, not just to produce and consume information".
01/23/2015NORTH KOREA - CHINA - SWEDEN Han, a N Korean refugee in Sweden who crossed 7,000 km to escape dictatorship and poverty The 17-year-old boy has (forged) Chinese papers and speaks with a strong North Korean accent. However, Swedish authorities fear he may be a phony refugee, and wants China's help to identify him. The young man says he forded a frozen river, entered Russia, travelled on the Trans-Siberian railway, and crossed two continents to escape the regime. Now he could be sent back to his death. A Seoul-based NGO calls on the Swedish government to "err on the side of ensuring the boy's safety".
01/23/2015TAIWAN Taipei: 'Christian Life Communities' reflect on youth education by Xin Yage Associated with the Jesuits, these communities appear for the first time in 1563, on the initiative of Fr Jean Leunis. Since then, they developed quickly across the world. Delegates from 13 Pacific region countries are expected at this year's Regional Assembly.
01/22/2015CHINA Shanxi: fight against "superstition" leads to hunting witches and feng shui masters
Shanxi's provincial authorities have launched a two-month-long campaign against superstitious activities, which includes the organisation of pro-science events. However, the practice of feng shui and witches and shamans are part of China's ancient tradition, and have become an important tourist attraction. Thus, some fear a negative grassroots backlash.
01/22/2015KOREA - RUSSIA - CHINA Kim Jong-un chooses Russia for first state visit "Pyongyang accepts" invitation to visit the country for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. List of invitees includes South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who has yet to confirm her presence. The North Korean dictator interrupts the family tradition and does not go to Beijing.
01/21/2015TIBET Chinese mining threatens Tibetans' environment and life Fresh protests against mining operations break out in Qinghai Province. Locals slam mountain deforestation and waterways pollution caused by complicity between mine owners and local and central government officials.
01/21/2015CHINA China’s labor force collapses: four million less in a year The National Bureau of Statistics publishes data on 2014. The total population is growing, but not enough to cover the increase in retirees and to ensure the sustainability of the welfare state, the health system and pensions. Competitiveness of national exports also at risk, the real engine of economic expansion in past 30 years.
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