Emanuele Scimia

Today's headlines: Over a million Covid infections in North Korea; Consumer spending slumps and unemployment rises in China; Indonesian President Widodo's approval rating down; Global wheat price rises after heat wave in India; New form of anti-war protest in Russia.

The move made instead by Lithuania triggered Beijing's political and commercial retaliation. According to Jan Lipavský, relations with Taipei can thrive even without name changes. Czechs unhappy with growing trade deficit with Chinese. Prague assesses exit from China-sponsored 16+1 Forum.

The prelate was arrested ostensibly in connection with an investigation into the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which helped people involved in the 2019protests. Other trustees of the charity have also been detained. Released on bail at 11pm local time. The charge is collusion with foreign forces, an offence punishable under a national security law.

Washington expects Beijing to invade the island by 2030. War in Ukraine has not deterred Xi Jinping, but it has had an impact on "how and when" the mainland will make its move. The Taiwanese are taking notes of the damage inflicted by Ukraine’s military on the Russian giant. Tensions are rising between Washington and Beijing after US warship transits through the Taiwan Strait.

The 59-year-old suffered a heart attack induced by work-related stress. Ordained bishop in 2010, he had been approved by both the Holy See and Chinese authorities. Bishop Shao Zumin reappeared in a Beijing nursing home controlled 24/7 by police.

The hacktivist collective warns China against invading Taiwan, urging Beijing to avoid Russia’s mistake in attacking Ukraine. After picking Russian targets, the hacker group is ready to go after Xi Jinping and associates. Noting the sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva, Anonymous warns that China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning could suffer the same fate.

83% say they have been damaged by the lockdown imposed by Beijing. 60% expect profit losses between 6 and 15% at the end of the year. European managers struggle to enter China to assess the situation and make decisions on possible investments. Chinese authorities announce measures to restore the confidence of foreign investors.

The faction to which Premier Li Keqiang belongs has lost four million members in 10 years. 20th Communist Party Congress: the Chinese president wants an ally as the new prime minister. The worsening pandemic and economic crisis only obstacle to Xi, who aims to prevent Comunist Youth League member Hu Chunhua from heading government.

Hong Hao, head of research at a state financial institution, has had his WeChat account frozen and his Weibo account taken down. He had warned of capital flight and the negative performance of the Chinese stock market. Pandemic, crackdown on hi-tech giants, real estate bubbles, and the Russian-Ukrainian war threaten the country's economy.

Forced into "guanzhi", a restriction of movements and activities. Subjected to political sessions to adhere to the official Church and therefore to the Chinese Communist Party. Several religious, still free, fear they will be arrested soon. The Sino-Vatican agreement has not stopped the persecution against the underground community.

A pro-Beijing Election Committee is set to pick Hong Kong’s new chief executive next week. This is one of the reasons first-time voters have stayed away from last December’s parliamentary election when only seven per cent of eligible voters aged 18 to 30 cast their ballot.

European companies are buying Sinopec's surpluses. Despite its quasi-ally status with Russia, China is helping the EU reduce its dependence on Russian gas. Surging prices, not politics, are behind this trend. Meanwhile, China-EU trade is up.