Emanuele Scimia

They returned home on May 7 after two weeks of coronavirus quarantine. They had been arrested for joining students and workers who wanted to create a free union in a Shenzhen company. The connivance of the official union with the regime.

Choekyi spent four years in prison for producing a shirt that celebrated the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. Liver and kidney damage from treatment received. For the past few days he could hardly speak. The family was also persecuted.

The pro-Beijing former LegCo chairman spoke about statements made by mainland officials who escribed Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement as a “political virus” that needs to be eradicated. Politics in the territory is polarised with scuffles breaking out over who chairs LegCo’s House Committee. Meanwhile, 171 teachers have been accused of misconduct for their support of protests. In April, 25 pro-democracy figures were arrested.

It is the second message of support for China. Pyongyang is politically and economically dependent on Beijing. Collapse in trade between the two regimes. Kim needs Chinese goods to modernize his country.

It is the 20th day in a row under 20 cases of infection and third under five. South Koreans can resume their daily activities, while respecting some basic precautions. Public facilities are open. From next month 19 air connections with foreign countries will be restored. 100 million masks to face a possible second wave.

A Chinese intelligence paper disclosed by Reuters makes this claim. For the US, China is exploiting the pandemic to advance its military and strategic interests in Asia. The two are facing off in the China seas. An invasion of Taiwan is unlikely at this time. For Shen Dingli, mutual distrust is hard to reduce anytime soon.

The North Korean leader did not undergo any heart surgery. In recent weeks, rumors circulated about his poor health or even death. The regime is grappling with the global pandemic. US Study Center: Pyongyang is building new missile site.

Last year he shouted "down with Li Peng" during the former Chinese premier’s funeral. Chen refuses to plead guilty. Many inside and outside China have criticised the Communist Party for its handling of the pandemic crisis.

High school will start first, then all the others. Contagion cases continue to decline. 99% of the country's schools have completed preparations for the reopening. 14 million masks for students. The success of the South Korean model.

Launched by the European Union, the initiative aims at raising US$8.3 billion to develop, produce and distribute a vaccine. So far, every country has funded national research projects. The race between China and the United States to find a cure has acquired a geopolitical dimension. Pope Francis has called on all countries to join the common effort.

Writer Fang Fang’s diary is set to be published in June in English. This has sparked an avalanche of nationalist criticism. Two scholars have been accused of "inappropriate speech". Many intellectuals who criticised Beijing over its handling of the pandemic crisis have disappeared.

A second wave of infections is feared. Hospitals are operating beyond their capacity. For experts, systematic testing is needed to contain the outbreak. In Tokyo, only 11,000 people have been tested. Unemployment is rising, but the worst is yet to come.