Emanuele Scimia

Police is out in full force to prevent people from remembering the massacre carried out by the Chinese authorities on June 4, 1989. Some act individually near Victoria Park, site of the traditional memorial vigil. US and EU diplomatic missions light candles on the windows of their buildings. For Beijing, the events of 33 years ago do not deserve to be remembered.

Over 50s can't find work and receive no welfare benefits. Those who stay in the countryside earn €1,400 a year, but the cost of living is three times that amount. The economic crisis does not help. Premier Li Keqiang called on to repair the damage caused by Xi's "mini Great Leap Forward".

Victoria Park will be empty again. The authorities want to erase the memory of the fallen of 4 June 1989 killed by the Chinese government. The organisers of the traditional commemoration are in prison. Even the Catholic Church fears the security law.

The UWSA is the most powerful ethnic militia in Myanmar, a state within a state like Hezbollah in Lebanon. Wa forces did not join other armed groups to fight the ruling junta. They are often used by China as a means to put pressure on Myanmar’s military.

​More than 90% of Japanese think the government should prepare for an armed crisis along the Taiwan Strait. 41% want changes to their country's 'pacifist' constitution; 61% favour strengthening military deterrence against China. Chinese military overflights near Taiwan continue: 30 aircraft identified today.

The agreement involved some 10 island nations in the region. However, the parties agreed to work together in five areas, but not security. For the members of the Pacific Islands Forum, the priority is the fight against climate change and post-COVID recovery, not big power geopolitical confrontation. Beijing poorly prepared its diplomatic initiative.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, backed by Moscow Patriarch Kirill, weighs heavily on the decision. Still no reaction from the Russian Orthodox. Opportunities for osmosis between the Ukrainian Orthodox led by Onufry and the autocephalous Church in Kiev.

The ruling will be used to prevent the Chinese from trampling on Manila's maritime rights. It is a change compared to the policy of outgoing Head of State Duterte. However, Marcos Jr does not want to take sides in the geopolitical confrontation between China and the US, like most leaders in Southeast Asia.

China could miss the growth targets set by the government. The current economic situation is worse than at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Li is called to solve the economic problems created by Xi's policies. From here to the Communist Party Congress in the fall, the two leaders and their factions will be vying for power.

According to the Hong Kong Democracy Council, more than three-quarters are under the age of 30, more than 15% are under the age of 18. At least 179 opponents are in custody; 1,159 are on trial. Yesterday, well-known jurist Benny Tai was sentenced. While awaiting trial, Card. Zen says "martyrdom is normal in our Church": yesterday he celebrated a Mass for Catholics in China.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity is not a free trade agreement. Its 13 members include India. Its focus is on international standards for investments in infrastructure, supply chains and the digital economy, but without tariff reductions it may not work. China speaks out against attempts to sow division and confrontation.

The trial against him and five pro-democracy activists will begin Sept. 19. The charge of threatening national security is dropped. New charges of failing to register a charitable fund wth preliminary hearing today, the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. Meanwhile, the diocese cancels traditional masses for the Tiananmen massacre.