New government measures will come into force on 1 June, placing the economy of religious sites into the hands of the United Front Work Department and the Ministry of Finance. The new rules, which also regulate donations and offerings, are meant to promote the “sinicisation” of religion.
Seen as a favourite to replace Premier Li Keqiang, Li Qiang, communist boss in Shanghai and Xi Jinping’s ally, is under attack for his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. If the health crisis spreads, turmoil might follow with serious economic repercussions. A weakened Xi will have to give room to factions that oppose him.
In March trade grew by 12.8 per cent, down from 25.7 per cent in February. Beijing is careful not to violate the punitive measures adopted by the West against Moscow. The Chinese are avoiding new oil contracts with the Russians. Xi Jinping's goal is to find a balance between the US and the EU on the one hand and the Kremlin on the other.
Authorities have detained bishop Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou: he had been freed at the beginning of November after a previous arrest. Msgr. Cui Tai, bishop of Xuanhua, has also disappeared. He had been under house arrest for more than 10 years and there are suspicions of torture.
The two countries reiterated the same position during bilateral security talks. Chinese activities in the South China Sea and East China Sea were at the centre of the discussion. Xi Jinping warns Philippines, as the latter tried to find a balance between the US and China. During the election campaign, Robredo takes a tougher stance towards Beijing while Marcos Jr remains cautious.
The latest pandemic wave has pushed the country from 2nd to 32nd place, blamed on Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy. Experts call for a more effective vaccination campaign. Cambodia, Taiwan, Nepal and Mongolia rank in the top 10, performing better than Beijing.
Today's headlines: North Korea is reportedly restoring a nuclear test site; Indonesia and the Philippines hit by the grain crisis caused by the war in Ukraine; Sri Lanka's exports forcast to fall; Israeli police kill Palestinian bomber; Dialogue between the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow and the EU.
A reflection on the 60th anniversary of the priestly ordination of a spiritual father, a lover and deep connoisseur of China. A life spent teaching young seminarians. "Pray and love God with all your heart," is the advice he always gave.
Today's headlines: Tourism revenues plummet for Qingming festival; Hong Kong police arrest six activists; Facebook removes 400 Filipino accounts ahead of elections; India increases purchases of Russian oil; Posters denouncing aggression against Ukraine hung in Russian universities.
The initiative is part of AUKUS, an Australia-UK-US military pact to contain China. The three will also work together on undersea drones. Australian will spend US$ 2.6 billion to boost its missile defence. Beijing accuses Washington, London and Canberra of starting an arms race. Meanwhile, the United States is selling more weapons to Taiwan.
Today:'s headlines: China's daily Covid-19 case count continues to rise, reaching more than 20 thousand; 6 in 10 Indonesians want Beijing containment policy; Journalists condemned in Vietnam for exposing corruption cases; Kuwaiti government resigns; Kazakhstan declares that it will not help Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions.
From +5.4% to +5%, in line with other East Asian countries. Prolonged conflict leads to 4% GDP increase. The war pushes up inflation. The situation worsens a picture already marked by the return of the Covid-19 pandemic. 16 million new workers in search of employment this year in China.
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