Wang Zhicheng

Shanghai is at minus 1.1. Fears mount over knock on effect on India, Africa, Europe and America. The bursting of China’s speculative bubble was long overdue. It will especially hit Brazil, USA, oil countries, large exporters to China. The global economy is in crisis.

Some 700 tonnes of sodium cyanide used in the mining industry were stored in the warehouse that blew up. Traces of cyanides and other chemicals have been found in two underground drainage systems. A nuclear, biological and chemical rescue team tries to isolate and secure hazardous material. Death toll reaches 50 with 700 wounded, 71 critically. A young firefighter that went missing yesterday is found. The government continues to filter media coverage.

Ai, who had criticized the organization of the Olympics and violence against migrants, had referred to Communist Party leaders as "gangster". Therefore, he was accused of tax evasion, currency smuggling, and pornography, but was never tried. Beijing’s decision is a ploy to appease public opinion in Europe before Xi Jinping’s visit in October.

At a meeting of the United Front, the Chinese president reiterated the leadership role of the Communist Party in religious matters, warning against foreign forces. His targets include Xinjiang Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and the Vatican. For a Chinese Catholic, doing so would distort the Catholic religion.

The mass in the Cathedral was presided by the parish priest. The bishop of Shanghai was dismissed and he is forbidden to meet people and celebrate in public. Preparations for the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, on 24 May. Restrictions on pilgrimages throughout the month of May.

The news made public yesterday at midnight, at the end of the National Assembly. Xu was accused of having pocketed tens of millions of yuan in bribes. He was seriously ill for a year. He is one of the high ranking victims Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign. Xu Caihou was a strong ally of former President Jiang Zemin.

Speaking before the National People's Congress, the prime minister promised to create 10 million new jobs and undertake painful reforms to stabilise an economy too dependent on exports and government investments. China's economy suffers from excess capacity, little innovation, and a weak agriculture. The "war on corruption" and "zero tolerance" will continue, as will support for clean technology.

On the eve of the Year of the Goat, the Chinese president emphasises family harmony and affection, youth education and elderly care. The pontiff too focused on the family as "the foundation of social life". However, for Xi Jinping all this is subordinate to building "socialism with Chinese characteristics".

The murder took place in a McDonald's restaurant in Zhaoyuan. Hundreds of members of the evil cult were later arrested. The accused were convicted for the murder as well as taking part in outlawed religious worship. Meanwhile, no investigation has been conducted into the death of the bishop of Yantai, killed in 2005 whilst in police custody.

For Premier Li Keqiang, the country is entering a new phase of "normality". The economy is gently slowing, after fears of a violent collapse. Fixed investment falls; the property market among the most affected.

The list will be completed within two years. It already includes 16,140 registered Buddhist and Taoist temples and places of worship. For 20 years, the UN has called on Beijing to drop the distinction between "legal" and "illegal" religious activities. A law on religions seems urgent. Taoist and Buddhist monks criticise the use of temples and places of worship as moneymaking tourist destinations.

The woman, a member of an underground Protestant community, denies having mental problems, but wants to spread the Gospel to change party members' "corrupt thoughts". In Wenzhou (Zhejiang), the authorities crack down on Christmas celebrations, deemed "Western spiritual pollution". Surveys indicated that some 60 per cent of university students want to learn about Christianity. In Beijing, 3,000 people are baptised on Christmas night. Zhejiang supplies 60 per cent of the world's Christmas decorations.