Emanuele Scimia

State censorship frustrates the WHO inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak. Chinese researchers told how to report the pandemic. The exchange of information with the outside is prohibited. Unauthorised research has been retracted. China’s scientific credibility takes another blow.

The World Health Organization report on the origin of the pandemic has been published. Transmission from animal to human remains the most probable hypothesis. The WHO chief reveals that the Chinese have not provided all the data. US government: Beijing must guarantee full access to investigators.

Leaders’ arrests, anti-COVID measures and internal divisions have weakened the anti-government youth movement. Calls for changes to the monarchy have frightened older generations. For Thai political scientist, the “stifling” status quo is bound to persist.

Reduction in the number of deputies elected by direct suffrage. Most MPs will be chosen by the pro-establishment Electoral Committee. Pre-emptive police check on would-be candidates. Carrie Lam: Democrats can be elected, but only if they are "patriots".

Hundreds of millions of yuan have been lost due to drop in sales. Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities are exploited in labour camps. The campaign against US and European brands that do not buy local cotton has been a failure. Nike shoes are still sold on the B2C platform founded by billionaire Jack Ma.

They are used for smartphones, electric vehicles and precision weapons. Beijing is the world's leading producer and accounts for 60% of Japanese imports. Demand for precious metals on the rise due to decarbonisation efforts. The US and its allies fear that the Chinese will use them for geopolitical purposes.

According to the Filipinos, 200 Chinese maritime militia boats are stationed near Whitsun Reef, a disputed coral reef. The impact of the crisis on the 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines. Washington supports Manila. Biden wants to build a united front to contain China’s expansionism.

Farmers have been protesting over the past four months against a reform promoted by Prime Minister Modi, blocking railway tracks and a highway linking the federal capital to Uttar Pradesh. Talks between the farmers’ unions and the government are at a standstill. Industrialists complain that the post-pandemic recovery is being jeopardised.

The move has not gone down well with many people, who accuse the authorities of killing traditional culture. In some cities, fireworks and cremations have also been proscribed. Xi Jinping is manipulating Chinese traditions to boost his regime's control over society.

Nine British citizens and four organisations that denounced human rights violations in Xinjiang targeted. On March 22, the Chinese sanctioned European Union personalities and institutions. China responds to punitive measures from the US, Europe, the UK and Canada. London and the EU see Beijing as a "systemic" threat.

Cotton producers in China's autonomous region are accused of exploiting forced Uyghur labour and other Muslim minorities. Communist youth start a campaign to boycott Western clothing brands. Beijing is flexing its economic muscles to block US and European sanctions.

North Koreans are banned from possessing and using these weapons. On March 21, Pyongyang fired two cruise missiles. Washington says the launch confirms the threat posed by the Kim regime and US is reviewing its policy on North Korea. The role of Beijing.