Emanuele Scimia

Giants Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense and Raytheon are targeted by the Chinese government. Washington approved two sales worth US$ 4.2 billion. The Chinese move is likely to have little practical effect. Taiwan is forced to buy due to threats from China.

Thousands gather in front of the German embassy. They accuse the sovereign of exercising his prerogatives from Bavaria, where he spends most of his time. German authorities: We are examining the activities of the Thai monarch; in case of violations there will be immediate consequences.

It will approve the guidelines of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), and those of a medium-term strategy renamed “Vision 2035”. “Double circulation” strategy to combat the effects of the pandemic and US pressures. Xi Jinping could aim for "presidency for life".

Defying bans, they flood social media with hundreds of thousands of posts criticizing the communist regime in Vientiane. They ask for a change to fight corruption and poverty. Milk Tea Alliance online movement grows, in support of protests Thailand and Hong Kong (and critical of China).

The unemployment rate among university graduates rose by 4% in September. The country will find itself at the end of the year with 5 million new unemployed in the 20-24 age bracket. Consumption collapses (-6.6%). First glimmers of protest.

She was arrested along with her husband after defending dissident jurist Xu Zhangrun. The petition was also signed by prominent law professors like He Weifang and Zhang Qianfan. Organizers: False charges; the arrest is illegal. Petitions ignored by authorities.

Approved by a large Parliament majority, it abolishes a 2015 constitutional law passed to stem the excesses of the executive. The Rajapaksa family's dominion over national politics strengthened. The Catholic community, civil society and even Buddhist faithful oppose the move.

Taiwan welcomes the US decision. China strongly criticises it, promising a “legitimate and necessary response”. During the Trump presidency, Taipei bought weapons worth US$ 653 million. Washington's move threatens to increase already high tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Geng was arrested for illegally publishing more than 8,000 titles on 9 September, along with her husband whose fate is unknown. For Xu, this is an excuse to hold her for defending the academic after he was jailed. The law professor is a well-known critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Outside resistance is challenging the president’s power, says the former professor at the Chinese Communist Party School. A member of the "second red generation", which includes dissident tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, she wants to see the country democratise. Cooperation between progressive forces at home and foreign countries can help regime change. If China remains totalitarian, it will seek global domination by 2049.

Anti-government organizations are also calling for a new constitution and reform of the monarchy. The prime minister seeks a solution and withdraws the recent decree banning public protests. A special session of Parliament is called. The country is in economic crisis: GDP estimated at -7.1% this year.

Taiwan accuses two Chinese diplomats of beating up one of their officials in Fiji during the celebrations of Taiwan’s national day. Chinese Foreign Ministry claims its officials were provoked since such celebrations violated the one-China principle. The tension between the two countries continues to rise. Poll finds that most Taiwanese do not believe that war will break out.