The population drops by 850,000 with India set to become number one. In 2022, the GDP grew by only 3 per cent, the second-worst performance since 1976. With an ageing population, the economic forecast is not rosy. Beijing will have to review its global action. Covid’s impact still needs to be assessed to see any economic uptake.
Today's headlines: Erdogan 130 'terrorists' handed over to allow Sweden and Finland into Nato; Indian mafia boss Ibrahim goes into hiding in Karachi; Beijing's new representative in Hong Kong takes office; Japan: new central bank governor in February; Vatican Secretary of State plans visit to Azerbaijian.
About 43 per cent of respondents in an online survey perceive the United States "very” unfavourably, especially among those born after 1990. Europe is viewed more favourably, with Germany at the top with 69 per cent and the United Kingdom at the bottom with 46 per cent.
Today's headlines: President Tsai Ing-wen's deputy to head the ruling party in Taiwan; Former MP killed in Kabul; Iraqi PM ready to maintain US troop presence; Nepal plane crash: four missing; Jehovah's Witness convicted of extremism in Russia.
Taiwan’s president visits the Apostolic Nunciature; for her, the pope emeritus will always have a “place in all our hearts”. The Holy See is one of 14 states with which the island has formal diplomatic relations. Tsai hopes that “the longstanding friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican [will] remain firm and enduring.”
US Marines will be dispersed around the Okinawa Islands, armed with anti-ship missiles and drones to keep the Chinese Navy at bay. After reforming its military, Japan will play a more active role alongside the United States. However, it is unlikely that countries like the Philippines and Indonesia will allow the deployment of new US littoral regiments.
The World Health Organisation is sounding the alarm: Infections are bound to rise during Lunar New Year holidays. Although the authorities are not providing data, unofficial indicators point to an unprecedented number of deaths among seniors. Xi Jinping now risks losing face (and power).
Prachanda is back in power for a third time. He wants friendly relations with China and India, both of which are vying for influence in the Himalayas. In Nepal, the parties in the ruling coalition have different views on foreign policy. In the past, the Nepali Congress slammed encroachment by Chinese troops into Nepal.
He is the best known and fiercest face of Chinese diplomacy. Moved to another post. He had accused the US of creating and spreading Covid in China. Xi Jinping probably wants diplomacy that is aggressive in substance and less so in form. The timid attempts to mend fences with Washington and its allies.
Hundreds of workers gathered at a Zybio plant to protest, clashing with riot police. The government hopes to see the economy revive after lifting restrictions. However, big companies have stopped production and laid off thousands of people. For the China Labour Bulletin, ending lockdowns will not solve workers' problems.
The Philippine president ends a three-day state visit to China with 14 bilateral agreements and a direct line between the two countries’ foreign ministries. Philippine nationalists and activists want a tougher stance towards China. Marcos Jr’s flexibility will not solve maritime disputes.
After failing to react to drone incursions, South Korea’s president is under pressure to suspend 2018 bilateral agreement designed to ease military tensions. Since early 2022, North Korea has repeatedly violated the agreement. The risk is now of increased border clashes.
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