Emanuele Scimia

Now 90, the former head of state under the Khmer Rouge was given a life sentence for complicity in the genocide of two million Cambodians. Only three members of the old communist regime have been convicted so far. Cambodia’s current Prime Minister, Hun Sen, does not want any more trials.

The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress will discuss the measure next week. Hong Kong authorities would prefer not to have it imposed like the national security law. Local banks could be caught between Western sanctions and Chinese countersanctions. Singapore and Tokyo might benefit. For pro-Beijing groups, the law is a deterrent.

China announced US$ 6 million in funding for development projects. Western governments only provide humanitarian aid. The crackdown by Myanmar’s military against the resistance continues. The former Burma is the country where Chinese companies commit the highest number of human rights violations.

Irked by its decision to allow Taiwan to open an office in the Baltic country under its own name, the Chinese government wants Lithuania to recall its ambassador to Beijing. The Lithuanians are eager to cooperate with the Taiwanese. Lithuania is disappointed by the meagre benefits of closer relations with Communist China.

According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders, Liu risks an unfair trial and torture once at home where he was already penalised for ties with human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong. Angela Merkel is the main backer of an EU-China investment agreement, held up by the European Parliament.

Pyongyang’s missile programme is going ahead as well. North Korea should already have 40-50 nuclear warheads and more than 650 ballistic missiles. Kim Jong-un is pursuing his military plans despite the country's disastrous economic situation, aggravated by the pandemic.

Pandemic pushed debt up to 280 per cent of GDP in 2020. Local governments’ "hidden" debt threatens the country’s financial stability. The authorities have reacted by blocking investment in infrastructure. The impact of government clampdown on hi-tech giants and private tutoring remains unclear.

The country commemorates the 76th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on the city. Kazumi Matsui: Young people encourage nuclear states to change their policies. Premier Suga talks about 'realistic' solutions. Prayers of Catholic faithful. Nuclear weapons worldwide number more than 13,000.

Online content from newspapers and social media targeted. The government wants to silence "citizen journalists". Foreign reporters receive death threats from Chinese Communist Party Youth for their coverage of the floods in Henan. Censorship law in arrival in Hong Kong. Study: 350 fake social profiles discredit Chinese dissidents and opponents of the regime.

The Royal Navy’s new flagship aircraft carrier kept away from Chinese-occupied militarised island outposts. For China, coming within 12 nautical miles is a violation of its sovereignty. The UK, Germany and France are trying to back the US without provoking China. India is also sending warships to the area.

Pro-democracy activists fear being investigated for supporting political pluralism. Local authorities banned 21 pro-democracy candidates from running for the local parliament. EU’s condemnation of the crackdown in Macau elicits China's usual response. Free voices like Steve Vines and Kacey Wong flee Hong Kong.

The Delta variant of Covid-19 spreads from Nanjing outbreak. 27 cities and more than 10 provinces affected. Beijing isolated from new areas of infection. Infections also in Henan, devastated by recent floods. In July, the index of manufacturing activities dropped again.