Emanuele Scimia

The country’s last 832 counties designated as "poor" have been lifted out of this condition. Apparently, the goals set by Xi Jinping have been achieved. However, for critics, the threshold used by the authorities is too low. The gap between cities and countryside is growing; two million more internal migrants are poor. Consumption is falling due to the pandemic. Prime Minister Li Keqiang also expressed doubts.

The capital’s teachers visit their students every three days. Lessons on TV or online for middle and high schools. It is not known whether these measures are also applied outside the city. Zero cases of contagion for the authorities, but the province of Chagang, on the border with China, is in full lockdown.

Farmers are marching towards the capital to protest against the recent agricultural reform, which liberalises agricultural markets. Small farmers complain that the new law favours large groups. For Prime Minister Modi, the new law will help tens of millions of farmers. The Catholic Church speaks out on the issue.

Tensions between the two countries will remain, but managed by prioritizing diplomacy. Competition in trade, technology and security; collaboration on climate, Covid-19 and nuclear proliferation. The Taiwan problem. Critical observers: Biden will re-propose Obama's "warmongering" policies.

He was among the few world leaders not to have done so yet. So far the US president-elect had only been vaguely congratulated by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Analysts: Xi moved after Trump authorized the start of the transition and announced fresh sanctions on Beijing companies.

Protesters rallied in front of the country’s main investment bank, controlled by the monarch, to avoid clashes with police and loyalist groups. The pro-democracy movement wants limits on the monarch’s political role and crown assets. A dozen anti-government leaders are under investigation for "lèse majesté".

The prime minister pushes for further growth centred on domestic consumption. Local government “official” debt is close to US$ 4 trillion, plus US$ 1.8 trillion in hidden debt. The "Li Keqiang Index" is used to measure economic performance.

First recourse to the draconian law in three years. Sentences of up to 15 years’ prison for those who insult the king. The young democrats want the resignation of the "coup leader" Prayuth, a democratic constitution and limits on the powers of the monarch. Another major protest is scheduled for today.

In his new book, out on 1 December, the pontiff mentions the suffering of Xinjiang’s Muslim minority. For China, the Pope’s remarks have "no factual basis at all". The internment camps are a tragedy. For analysts, the Pope is cautious on the subject so as not to wreck the agreement on episcopal appointments.

More than 30 people have been arrested under the law. The delivery man, who is the third person formally charged, is currently in custody. As police dragged him away, he shouted: “Spread the news, democracy is cultivated with blood and sweat.” Another indicted man, Tony Chung, was allegedly beaten in detention.

The choice of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State is read in this direction. The Chinese are hoping for a change of approach after the Trump era, marked by unpredictability. The US Congress wants to maintain a hard line towards the Asian giant. The incumbent president initiates the transition process.

Growth should reach an estimated of 1.8 per cent by the end of 2020. This positive figure was achieved thanks to rising exports in the first nine months of the year (+ 4.2 per cent). Taiwan’s democratic model is an alternative to China's authoritarian system. South Korea and Japan are in trouble.