Paul Hong

About 120 thousand people have gathered around the young people who are carrying out a hunger strike against "brainwashing" imposed by Beijing on schools. Also, the great democrat Martin Lee Chu-ming. Protests held abroad.

Five Chinese activists (from Taiwan, Hong Kong and the mainland) land on one of the island to plant their flags and banners. Nine more are arrested on an illegal boat. All of them will be deported to Hong Kong. Beijing and Tokyo exchange diplomatic protests. Demonstrations are held in front of Japan's embassy in Beijing and its consulates in Hong Kong and Taipei. Communist party newspapers publish threatening editorials. China and Japan use nationalism for political purposes.

Approximately 400 thousand people - according to organizers - attended the march on 1 July. Criticisms of the new head of government, accused of corruption, high cost of politics to violence against dissident Li Wangyang, who "committed suicide" while in the custody of Chinese police. Hu Jinta’s official opening discourse interrupted, criticism of Liberation Army stationed in Hong Kong; assault on the barricades of the hotel where Hu was staying.

GDP grew by 8.1 per cent in first quarter of 2012. Exports and domestic demand remain low. Government raises bank reserve ratio stoking inflation. World Bank sees a slower Chinese economy.

Although a Protestant, the German Chancellor has for the second time chosen a Catholic bishop to speak of Christianity in China. A very important visit, local sources confide to AsiaNews that "demonstrate the affection and attention of Berlin for our Church."

Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen are in a dead heat. As a third candidate, James Soong might help Tsai, the first female candidate, beat Ma. Mainlanders enjoy Taiwan’s televised parliamentary debates and citizen criticism of their political leaders. Many admire the island’s democracy.

He is the author of a book against Wen Jiabao, accused of being a hypocrite, "the beautiful face of the regime", which does not keep any promises. The awarding of the Nobel to Liu Xiaobo (friend of Yu Jie), has resulted in torture, controls and restrictions on the freedom of writing and religion. Yu is responsible for an underground Protestant community in Beijing.

The body of Xue Jinbo, who died in prison, perhaps under torture, will also be returned. In a televised address the county government admits "mistakes" and promises a reward to the people whose land was expropriated.

Food, water and electricity supplies blocked. Black-out of news and information on demonstrations. The relatives of the protester who died while in prison, accuse the police of violence. 50 million farmers have lost their home over the past 30 years in land expropriations. Every day there are at least 500 revolts or "mass incidents".

China’s National Bureau of Statistics said today that inflation in November was 4.2 per cent. However, a closer look at prices shows that some have jumped as much as 36 per cent. Provincial and central government spending on dinners, receptions and parties is higher than the country’s education budget. Small- and medium-sized enterprises are closing whilst foreign investors are told to lie on their possible investments. According to Bloomberg, the crisis is near; according to Goldman Sachs, things are okay.

Fr. Peter Luo Xuegang, with the permission of the pope, will be ordained coadjutor bishop of Yibin. But the excommunicated bishop of Leshan, Lei Shiyin may participate in the ceremony. The Patriotic Association’s ongoing campaign to subjugate the Church.

Hong Kong is up by 2.4 per cent, Tokyo by 1.21 and Seoul by 2.11. The appointment of a new Italian prime minister is the cause, analysts say. Many believe he will bring Italy’s and Europe’s sovereign debt crisis under control. However, some wonder if the “seizure” of national sovereignty will lead to a world government under international finance.