James Wang

Respondents by a margin of 71 to 15 per cent back pro-democracy advocate. Proposed changes to Hong Kong’s election law are likely to go down in defeat. Beijing refuses to lay down a road map to full democracy for the special autonomous region.

10 deaths in one year, all young people in their twenties. High stress levels in the company that makes iPhone and iPad. There are swimming pools and entertainment, but the workers have no time to attend. The responsibilities of local government and trade unions, who defend employers.

The diocese of Hong Kong expresses its “disappointment”. Methodists and Anglicans are ready to give up their schools. Christians fear government reform would eliminate their freedom and undermine the right of the Church to run its schools. On this issue, Benedict XVI had already indicated his closeness to the diocese.

Even while sick and bed-bound he was controlled by the police. He spent 16 years in a forced labour camp, as a cobbler. Under him, the Church of Zhejiang flourished.

The prelate’s proposal is made on the website of the Diocese of Hong Kong. Zen praises Hu’s remarks on promoting democracy and solidarity, urges the Chinese government to hold talks with the Holy See.

He led the diocese through the period of transition from Portuguese to Chinese rule.

Environmentalists, unhappy investors, pro-democracy activists and young people take to the street. Police tries to tightly cordon off the event to prevent participation. The official ceremony includes shows, acrobats and performers from the mainland, attracting thousands of spectators. During the flag-raising ceremony activists call for the release of Liu Xiaobo.

It is the only place on Chinese soil that commemorates the massacre. At least 50 thousand participants are young people. Visitors from the People’s Republic also present. Catholics urge justice and peace.

Last year there was one thousand, this year there were 8 thousand. Many are expected to turn out for the Victoria Park vigil on June 4th. Xiong Yan, the leader of Tiananmen, now in exile in the USA, got his visa a day before, after a series of rejections. Some students from China present. Hong Kong is the only place on Chinese soil where Tiananmen is publicly commemorated.

Many of the 80 who signed the appeal fled repression and converted to Christianity. They call on China’s rulers in Beijing to let out the truth about the massacre and officially commemorate it. They also acknowledge the responsibilities of Christian Churches whose silence helped the government cover up the incident. A worldwide prayer for China will be held from 12 May to 4 June.

The cardinal sends a touching message to Hong Kong Catholics in support of the persecuted Church of China. He thanks priests, nuns and the faithful, with a special greeting to new Christians who will be baptised on Easter night.

The bishop of Hong Kong condemns as "outdated" the celebrations of 50 years of "self-election" and "self-ordination" of Chinese bishops as promoted by the United Front, the Patriotic Association, and the Office of Religious Affairs. He is asking the bishops to follow the example of Saint Stephen, and not to offend the pope by participating in meetings sponsored by the regime to appoint the new presidents of the PA and the council of Chinese bishops, two bodies not recognized by the Holy See.