Wang Zhicheng

The personal friend and economic advisor to Xi Jinping was named vice-premier. He will be joined by Han Zhen, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua. He is the person who pushes most for economic reforms and for a change in the Chinese development model. The nomination of Yi Gang as governor of the People's Bank of China was also appreciated.

Although how they voted remains unknown, the appearance of the three bishop-delegates has already helped make the story of the biggest constitutional change in 36 years. The three are: Joseph Huang Bingzhang of Shantou, excommunicated, Guo Jincai of Chengde, illegitimately ordained and Fang Jianping, illegitimately ordained and who after receiving forgiveness participated in three illicit episcopal ordinations as consecrating or concelebrant

The new anti-corruption agency will have more power on a national scale because of an 200% increase in the volume of "hard work" (of cases). It will be able to investigate, interrogate, search, imprison and take disciplinary actions against cadres, state employees and businessmen.

At the opening of the National People's Congress, the prime minister reassures the country about financial risks, promising 6.5 per cent growth, as well as greater efforts against poverty, overproduction and pollution. Military expenses are set to increase by 8.1 per cent. Nothing is said about constitutional changes in favour of Xi Jinping.

For Bao Tong, the Party does what it wants in China. The Chinese must dream its dictatorial dreams. On social media, irony is unleashed. "I had the dream of voting for a president at least once in my life!" said one commentator. Winnie the Pooh was censored again. Economists appreciate stable leadership from an "investment perspective". The Global Times despises Western democracy as "in full decomposition".

The Party has proposed a change to the constitution, which will have to be voted in March. So far the office was limited to two terms. The president has formal and institutional functions. It is probable that there will be new changes to the constitution to allow lifelong tenure for party secretary. Wang Qishan, Xi Jinping's great ally possible new vice-president.

The Taiwanese president prayed in a Buddhist ceremony for quake victims and visited Taoist temples, greeting the population and handing out red envelopes. The Chinese president welcomed the New Year with 2,000 guests, business people and Party officials, in the Great Hall of the People. Taiwan’s vice president met with earthquake victims in Hualien.

Since February 1, many parishes in Shanxi and Inner Mongolia have been ordered not to hold camps for young people, close to the Chinese New Year. Private religious gatherings also banned in schools and universities. Attempts to stop religious growth among young people.

He is the only prisoner whose fate remains unknown. The prison in Tianjin won’t let his wife and lawyers see him. In the past, Wang defended Falun Gong members and farmers displaced from their land. Torture and phoney confessions are routine.

In 2017, 128 thousand sites were blocked, 30.9 million books confiscated; 1900 people arrested and punished. The "USSR syndrome".

The ecumenical delegation will be in the country from January 7 to 16. Meetings scheduled with the authorities of the Religious Affairs Office and with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement; preaching in the oldest Protestant churches in Beijing; visits to Shanghai and Xian. But unofficial Christians (80 million) are more numerous than the official ones (20 million) and criticize the Movement’s subjection to the Party.

Charges are levelled against a computer science professor from Beihang University. Another professor is accused in Nanchang. China does not have a law on sexual abuse. Traditionally, women are blamed. Mao Zedong's sexual history also needs some airing.