Emanuele Scimia

India will face the challenges of overpopulation. Countries like Japan and South Korea are facing the opposite challenge of a declining population. In China, the population will start to shrink by 2025. Singapore and Thailand also report low fertility rates.

For Taiwan, this is the first of eight domestically built subs. China will soon be able to deploy its new air carrier, the Fujian, in the Taiwan Strait; the vessel is more advanced than the two already in operation. Tensions remain high between the two sides. In 2022 China almost doubled its incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone.

He was 97. Ordained in 1991 in communion with the Holy See and the approval of the Chinese government, he was sent to a labour camp for his beliefs in 1966 and released in 1980. In 2011 he removed the rector of Shanxi’s major seminary for corruption, clashing with religious authorities linked to the Communist Party of China.

The other news of the day: 2022 was a record year for North Korea's missile tests, India imposes anti-Covid restrictions on travellers from China, Laos changes prime ministers amid economic crisis, the UN General Assembly seeks the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of Israel's occupation of Palestine, Lithuania’s Orthodox Church slams Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Armenia does not want more Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh.

The two leaders meet via videoconference. As Moscow grapples with repeated setbacks in the war against Ukraine; Beijing is under increasing pressure over its mismanagement of the pandemic. Although the two partners reiterated their desire to boost bilateral cooperation, it is highly unlikely that Xi will agree to visit Russia if Putin continues to suffer defeats in Ukraine.

Today's headlines: 700 Isis fighters killed this year in US-led operations; Majority of Taiwanese ready to defend island in face of Chinese invasion; Japan's imperial family consider using social media; India also mourns Pelé's death; Russian Orthodox Church builds administrative-spiritual center in Uganda; Belarus bans Greek Catholic Church magazine.

He served in the archdiocese of the Taiwanese capital from 1989 to 2004. The faithful express admiration for his work, which coincided with a period of major political and social change on the island. His successor, Msgr. Joseph Cheng Tsai-fa, passed away last September.

He succeeds Chrysostomos II, who died Nov. 7. Thirty percent of eligible Cypriot Christians had chosen a trio of bishops; the synod of 16 metropolitans then elected Georgios with 11 votes. Beat two "pro-Russian" contenders. Newly appointed head of Cyprus Orthodox supports dialogue with Catholic and ecumenical Constantinople churches.

Today's headlines: US allocates $10 billion in military loans for Taiwan; Thailand's tourism industry gains ground; Iran: Sunni cleric attacks government over protest crackdown; Rahul Gandhi's 'long march' ends in Delhi; Russia: Patriarch Kirill wants military exemption for clerics; Indian drug under indictment in Uzbekistan.

They join 12 other countries that have initiated checks. Tokyo has lodged a formal complaint with the Chinese government. According to Safeguard, there are 102 illegal facilities in 53 countries. Beijing retorts that everything is in order and that these offices perform bureaucratic tasks. The Netherlands has already closed two posts.

Today's headlines: Covid-19 crisis worsens in China; North Korea accused again of selling arms to Russia; Thai PM Prayut runs again; Premier of Pakistan's Punjab province removed; Iran calls for negotiated solution to crisis between Azeris and Armenians over Karabakh.

Since the authorities lifted tight restrictions following mass protests, only seven people have reportedly died from the virus; yet, hospitals are full, medicines are running low, and ventilators are in short supply. Chinese authorities appear to be minimising the mortality rate for political reasons. Xi Jinping’s mistake was to focus resources on quarantine rather than hospital care.