Emanuele Scimia

The high-ranking officer who criticised Chinese President Xi Jinping was accused of corruption and factionalism within the Communist Party. For well-known dissident Wei Jingsheng, Xi went after Liu for his ideas on the "nationalisation" of the Armed Forces. Liu is not the first member of the old guard to attack China’s strongman.

Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan detained before the meeting. Two of them, Wang Quanzhang, Wang Yu and Bao Longjun, managed to turn up for the meeting at the EU embassy. The European authorities demand their immediate release and deplore the acts of repression. A few days ago, two other well-known human rights lawyers were sentenced.

Almost 70 per cent reject the latter. Former KMT President Ma Ying-jeou's claim that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have the same national identity does not stand. The idea of "one China" but with different interpretations of what it means was also rejected. For Ma's Kuomintang, the 2024 presidential elections will be an uphill battle.

Economy grows 4.5% in the first three months of the year: expectations were for +4%. Domestic consumption up. Increased bank savings, however, signal a drop in private spending in the coming months. For the future, the astronomical debt of local authorities, which has risen to EUR 7,600 billion, weighs heavily. Foreign investors are hedging their bets and moving part of their assets to other countries.

Indonesians risk losing control of a Chinese-funded high-speed train on Java. Delays in construction have led to extra costs. Chinese lenders are asking for government guarantees. The Sri Lanka scenario is repeating itself. The Widodo administration wants interest rates halved. For critics, Japan’s proposal was preferable.

He passed away at the age of 88 after an illness. Recognised by the Holy See as pastor of the archdiocese since 2016, he officially took office in 2020 with government placet. With 300,000 faithful, Fuzhou's archdiocese is perhaps the richest in China. The archdiocese's history, however, is marked by internal divisions and contrasts.

Today's headlines: A majority of Taiwanese support meeting between President Tsai and US leaders; Arab summit on relations with Syria; India, France and Japan cooperate on Sri Lankan debt; Indonesia assesses tax on foreign tourists; More and more Russians flee to Dubai.

Fr Xie Tianming is thought to have agreed to join the official Church, which implies submission to the Communist Party. Like released clerics, he is undergoing "guǎn zhì”, a period of supervision that ends with a change in mindset. Those who do not obey the Catholic organisations linked to the Communist Party are constantly monitored, unable to perform their ministry.

Today's headlines: China will close its airspace north of Taiwan to recover parts of a falling satellite; North Korea reportedly launched a new type of ballistic missile; Notorious Vietnamese blogger sentenced to six years; In India, references to the fathers of the motherland continue to be erased; Arrests in the Russian Far East of people accused of supporting Ukraine.

Their flight triggered by national security laws. Most now live in Britain, Canada, Australia, Taiwan and the US. 80% have no plans to return to Hong Kong. 90% do not regret their choice to leave the city. More than half work in other jobs, from bartending to mechanics. The obstacle of a new language.

Today's headlines: Japan signs contract for large-scale purchase of long-range missiles; Pakistan vs G20 tourism in Indian-administered Kashmir; Philippines: high inflation hurts Marcos Jr.'s popularity; First human victim of H3N8 bird fever in China; Russian pacifist Kara-Murza asked for 25 years in a prison camp; More pro-EU protests in Georgia.

Today's headlines: Chinese naval and air forces remain around Taiwan; Indian military worried by Chinese construction on Bhutan border; Seoul says US intelligence documents posted on web are fake; Burmese military bomb village and kill 11 civilians; Tensions in Ukraine between population and Orthodox clergy loyal to Moscow.