The trial was supposed to start today and be over by Friday, but the presiding judge contracted COVID-19. The cardinal and five other pro-democracy advocates are accused of running an unregistered charity and could at worse be fined. Experts believe that the original charge of undermining national security was dropped for fear of international reactions.
Chinese delegation barred from visiting the deceased sovereign's funeral chamber. British politicians also sanctioned by China for criticising the rights situation in the former colony. Thousands of Hong Kong citizens paid their respects to Elizabeth in defiance of warnings from the pro-Beijing establishment.
The two leaders meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The Russian leader fully backs China's Taiwan policy, and appreciates Beijing’s “balanced" position on Ukraine. For his part, the Chinese president spreads his wings in Central Asia, the Kremlin’s traditional turf.
The United Nations concludes that the charges against China for crimes against humanity with respect to Turkic-speaking minorities in Xinjiang are “credible”. The proposed EU’s policy would be hard to enforce. Taiwan urges the EU to impose sanctions on China. Beijing prevents a visit by the EU’s intelligence chief.
A new railway line to bring Mongolian coal to Chinese territory opens. Construction work on a new Russian gas pipeline to supply China through Mongolia is due to start in 2024. The United States is also playing its geopolitical game in the region amid rising friction between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar.
The Chinese embassy in Ukraine wanted to prevent the creation of a friendship group with Taiwan in the Kiev parliament. Its promoter denounces the 'Soviet' methods of Beijing, which refused to help Ukrainian civilians when the conflict broke out. Broad support among Taiwanese for the Ukrainian cause.
Taiwan’s population has increased in the past two months, but on an annual basis, the trend is negative. By 2025, one in five Taiwanese will be over 65 years old. South Korea continues to have the lowest fertility rate in the world. Japan too faces a demographic challenge. At its current rate of decline, China will have less than half of its current population by 2100.
The other news of the day: China’s Communist Party plans to change its constitution. The Islamic State group is looking for recruits at the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria. Jailed Indian journalist Siddique Kappan gets bail. Negotiations under Biden's Indo-Pacific Economic Framework are set to start. A St Petersburg area borough calls for Putin's ouster.
The visit is also an indication that the Chinese president feels confident enough about his status at home on the eve of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China. Bilateral deals are set to be signed. Kazakhstanis look to China to counter Russia's influence. Beijing is courting a major provider of raw materials and energy, but bilateral relations are not free from tensions.
Today's headlines: China and India withdraw troops on part of disputed Himalayan border; Delhi reduces rice exports; Medicine prices double in Myanmar; Senior Islamic State leader arrested in Turkey; Russian anti-war priest gains followers on YouTube; Kyrgyzstan: ancient Buddhist temple opened to the public.
The premier wants the country to maintain the policy of "reforms and openness" that underpinned China's economic miracle. With his 'common prosperity', Xi aims to centralise power. National economy in trouble, with a rapidly ageing population. Choice of new prime minister central to future direction.
Today's headlines: Lockdown extended in China's megacity Chengdu; India and Japan strengthen military cooperation; Vietnam: five-year jail term for dissident blogger; Iran has uranium to build nuclear bomb in weeks; Catholic activist arrested in Russia.
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