Wang Zhicheng

The lowest growth for 25 years. Disquiet about Trump and Brexit. The problems of economic reforms: speculative bubbles, over-production, closure of SOEs. Plans for reduction of 50 million tons of steel; 150 million tons of coal. New infrastructure. He Lifeng: The government has "confidence and resolution."

Armed Forces budget below 10% for two consecutive years. China must defend itself from "external interference" in territorial disputes. Retired General: We should overtake the US and increase military spending by 12%. The escalation between all the countries of the region.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opened today, two days before the National People's Congress. The lack of interest stems from the fact that everything has already been decided. At least 10,000 people with petitions have been removed from the city.

In a first, Uighurs claim alliance with the Islamic state. The images broadcast on the same day Beijing deploys 10 thousand police in Urumqi in a showdown. Among the 10 million Uighur, only a small minority part of violent groups. The "terrorist" threats motivates China's repressive policies in Xinjiang.

Monks, former monks and monastery employees had accused him of extortion, having mistresses with children, and leading a lifestyle devoid of religion and spirituality. Henan authorities and the State Administration for Religious Affairs cleared him of all charges. Thanks to him, Shaolin has become a successful brand.

The bishop of Hong Kong is too optimistic. The Patriotic Association is the stumbling block that controls the Church on behalf of the government. Compromise is possible, but the Church will be without commitment for justice and human rights. The underground Church is now a minority.

Wang is one of 300 lawyers arrested during the ‘709 crackdown’ in July 2015. He has been held incommunicado and in solitary confinement, subjected to torture.

The two have decided to work together in areas of "mutual interest". Reaffirming the principle of the one China defuses a source of unrest and possible wars. The conversation took place a few hours after the arrival of Shinzo Abe in the US.

For the largest annual exodus to the world, 2.5 billion trips will be made on road; 350 million by train; "Only" 50 million will be made by air. The majority of travelers are migrant workers who leave the countryside and go to cities for work. For the New Year they return to celebrate with their family. The sign of the Rooster is auspicious because, a sign of the sun, it wards off bad spirits.

Among the nearly 300 detained lawyers 50% are Catholic or Protestant Christians. Beatings, electric shocks, threats, deprived of liquids to coerce them into admitting they "conspired against state security". The lawyers’ wives threatened.

Growth figures published today. Domestic consumption grew by 10.4%. But the biggest contribution came from construction, infrastructure, credit. The data inflated in Liaoning. Perhaps a more realistic figure is an increase of 4%.

In prison, he was forced to take daily medicine "against the high blood pressure" (which he has never had). Long periods spent locked in a narrow iron cage. The testimony of his sister-in-law Wang Qiaoling and thanks his wife Bi Liping: "Expose the crimes of the Tianjin police. Show them to the light of day". The magazine "China Change" demands an international investigation into abuses against Human Rights lawyers (many of them are Christians).