Emanuele Scimia

Many are returning to their rural areas of origin. A "social time bomb" ready to explode. So far unemployment benefits for only 2.3 million urban workers out of a total of 430 million. There are already some small protests. Independent study, later withdrawn: 70 million Chinese have lost their jobs to the pandemic, three times government estimates. From 22 May the issue will be addressed by the National People's Assembly.

It is the first time since February 15th. Register only 4 cases, all imported from abroad. Deaths: the most affected are those over 80; no one under 25. A winning model, more "democratic" than China's draconian one. Taiwanese democracy also excels in the fight against lung disease.

For some media, the European Union toned down its initial assessment of fake pandemic news. According to an official EU report, China is spreading conspiracy theories and false information to extol its own handling of the crisis and blame other countries.

Scheduled for early March, it had been postponed due to the Covid-19 emergency. The regime wants to reinforce the idea that the crisis is over. Cracks emerge in consensus on Xi Jinping's handling of the crisis. A delegate from the Consultative Conference asks the government for a comprehensive plan to combat coronavirus.

Judge Kwok Wai-kin caused a stir after justifying attacker who wounded three pro-democracy protesters. He compared the three to “terrorists”, claiming that despair was behind the attacker’s "abnormal" act. Activists fear that Beijing is manoeuvring Hong Kong judges.

The well-known human rights lawyer served a sentence of over four years. After his term of imprisonment, he was put on lockdown in Shandong because of the coronavirus. On April 26, he attempted to reach his wife, who was hospitalized. It is not clear whether he will be able to stay in Beijing with loved ones. Suspicion of torture in prison.

China is second; India, third; and Saudi Arabia fifth. In 2019 US$1.917 trillion were spent on weapons. The US and China are in an arms race whilst India is caught between China and Pakistan. Saudi Arabia spent more than Israel. Spending is also up in Russia, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

People must respect social distancing, wear masks, and book online to attend services. Meetings in large indoor spaces remain a source of concern. Half of all the cases are connected to the Shincheonji Christian sect. The lowest number of cases since February 18 was recorded yesterday.

No unusual military activity along the 38th parallel. Satellite photos show that the North Korean leader's special train is located in Wonsan. The US continues to say that it has no precise indication on his state of health.

The coronavirus pandemic has squeezed global demand. Sales by Chinese refineries dropped by 20 per cent. Non-tax revenue could drop to US$6.7 billion in Indonesia. Malaysia could lose up to US$3.8 billion. Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei are also expected to suffer financially.

In a YouTube video he says he was arrested by the police and quarantined for a month. He had spoken about Wuhan's crematory ovens, which worked for 19 hours a day in February. There are no reports of two other journalists. During the pandemic, many who criticized the regime disappeared.

Some 10,702 cases have been reported with 240 deaths. People must observe basic health rules to avoid contagion, including social distancing. Each community will have to pick a manager to ensure compliance with prevention measures. Concern for the economy remain as GDP growth slows to 1.3 per cent.