Andrew Law

June in China is the month of the Gaokao (the university entrance exam) and the Zhongkao (the secondary school entrance exam), with the usual mobilisation of families anxious about their children’s future. But the structural limitations of China’s current economic system, with 320 million ‘flexible’ workers, are turning yesterday’s dreams into a mere struggle for survival.

On 24 May, more than 400 faithful from Chinese Catholic communities across Italy gathered in Padua to mark the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, established by Pope Benedict XVI. At the same time, at the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai, many of the faithful took part in Mass despite heavy rain. The celebration was presided over by Bishop Shen Bin, with prayers offered for peace and prosperity in the country.

Following the scandal involving the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, a new storm has erupted with Hu Chenglin, president of the Shaanxi Taoist Association – the cradle of this ancient religious tradition deeply rooted in China – being publicly accused. All this despite the emphasis on ‘moral rigour’ in the government’s directives to religions. But when faith is reduced to a ritualised political exercise, the exchange of interests becomes an even stronger temptation.

The second part of a reflection by an AsiaNews source with first-hand knowledge of the Church’s journey in China, marking the year since the death of Francis and the start of the pontificate of Leo XIV. “Silence on the Pope; political study activities dominate. Controls and regulations stifle missionary work”.

An analysis from an observer familiar with the Church's journey in mainland China notes that Pope Leo’s remarks about China clearly show him as the shepherd with the “smell of the flock" hoped for by Pope Francis. For this reason, the faithful today hope to see a change that will give hope for the future, even to those who wish to live their faith in China.

According to popular tradition in China, the year of the two opposing fire elements heralds great social upheavals. The last time this occurred was in 1966, the start of the Cultural Revolution. Two incidents during the New Year period, the sudden interruption of the Henan TV Gala and the messages about the "Red Moon" during the Lantern Festival, confirm how deeply rooted the idea of ​​a connection between heaven and earth remains in times of intense social pressure.

Three issues dominated online discussions in China at the end of last year, as do discussions about the crises in Venezuela and Iran today, reflecting an awakening in Chinese public opinion and a renewed thirst for the truth, beyond government propaganda about phoney prosperity.

A voice from China comments on three attention-grabbing cases involving fellow Chinese abroad caught up in extremely serious transnational crimes related to fraud, drugs, and human trafficking. “In our textbooks, the Opium War of two centuries ago is presented as a national tragedy,” so why when “we are rich and strong,” are we “installing slot machines in the poorest areas of Africa”?

In prison for a year along with a local shop owner, the former "official" head of a diocese in Zhejiang province has denied corruption charges, maintaining that he acted as a priest. Pressure has ben put on Catholics who wanted to be in court to support him. Some argue that his real 'fault' lies in a pilgrimage to Rome or the failure to support the nomination of a bishop imposed by the Communist Party.

Chinese musician and influencer Wang Bo has turned a Taipei politician's quip into a track that has become popular on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in recent weeks. Mainland China has tried to coopt it as a tool against the rebel island's government, but the real message is self-deprecation in the face of widespread dissatisfaction, even in the self-proclaimed “second world power”.

The diocese has sent official notice for Fr Wu Jianlin’s ordination ceremony, calling on all priests and nuns to be present without exception. Ordinary Bishop Shen Bin reportedly supported the choice, stressing that Wu is a member of the Party Conference, and must be a bishop. In the case of the other auxiliary bishop, Mgr Ma Daqin, he has been unable to exercise his ministry since 2012 after he refused to be part of the Patriotic Association.

Chinese social media continues to buzz with calls for the removal of the monk, who is accused of scandals. But the temple's accounts remain covered by ‘state secrecy’. The unauthorised meeting with Pope Francis was only the ‘red line’ that was crossed in a clash that had been going on for twenty years over the economic activities of the Shaolin monks. With private vices that emerge only when political support is lost.