Emanuele Scimia

The move follows the shutdown of operations by Cathay Dragon, a regional subsidiary. At least 5,300 people will lose their jobs in Hong Kong. Despite government help, the airline loses 219 million euros a month. 43 air carriers have ceased operations since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Sri Lanka’s former intelligence chief reveals that the services had prior knowledge of the attacks of 21 April 2019 against churches and hotels, which left about 280 people dead and almost 600 more wounded. Foreign embassies and intelligence services had also been informed. The then president Sirisena was warned of the danger of the Islamist group blamed for the attacks.

The measure concerns short and medium-term business trips. Visitors in the two countries will not be required to quarantine. Several Asian nations are easing anti-coronavirus restrictions. Contradictory indications from the WHO.

The bishop of Western Kowloon will replace the Most Rev Paul Kwong at the helm of a community of about 30,000 members. Last year he backed pro-democracy protests opposed to a proposed extradition law; however, he also condemned partisan violence by protesters.

However, the figure is lower than analysts’ forecasts (between 5.3 and 5.5%). Recovery driven by exports and tourism. Slow growth of investments and consumption. Doubts about employment data. The reopening to street vendors in Beijing suggests that the working environment is still difficult.

The measure was taken to revive the city’s economy. Earlier this year, the Chinese Communist Party had banned street vending. Local authorities say the initiative is unrelated to a proposal by Prime Minister Li Keqiang. Increased spending and employment in the cities have encouraged the opening of kiosks and stalls.

Between 2015 and 2018, 62,600 workers returned to China. From a high of US$ 24.9 billion in 2016, Chinese lending plummeted to around US$ 9 billion in 2018. Angola saw the largest decline of Chinese workers. More and more local labour is employed by Chinese companies.

Kim Jong-un's call for self-sufficiency comes after the country was brought to its knees by the pandemic and a series of floods. The policy is a veiled attack on China. About 40 per cent of the population is malnourished, but the regime is wasting resources on new ballistic missiles.

The Thai prime minister is under pressure from the country’s pro-democracy movement and the pandemic-related economic crisis. Wang Yi wants Thailand to maintain its "social stability". China announces more investments in Thailand. The new Silk Road conundrum. The US needs its Thai ally in Southeast Asia to contain China.

Yesterday, the authorities imposed an emergency decree that prohibits gatherings of more than four people. New protests scheduled for today. The government is in trouble on several fronts and hesitates to launch a harsh crackdown.

The region’s middle class has been affected. Only South Asia will have more new poor this year. GDP and consumption have collapsed and 48 million jobs have been lost in the second quarter. In 2022, the region’s GDP will still be two points below the pre-COVID level. Apart from Singapore, government support for the poor has been insufficient.

The Chinese president wants the Guangdong city to be the driving force for new reforms. His southern tour echoes Deng Xiaoping’s 1992 visit. The reformist project remains undefined. It goes against a noticeable centralisation of power at the top of the Chinese Communist Party.