China

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou reiterates his détente policy towards the mainland. Chinese President Hu Jintao calls even for military cooperation between the two sides to further ease tensions. However, the mainland’s anti-secession law and hundreds of missiles targeting the island remain in place.

Benedict XVI reiterates what he said in his Message for World Day of Peace. God is against poverty when it humiliates our dignity, offends justice and threatens peaceful society. The evangelical way towards peace is based on moderation and solidarity; it is a “spiritual, not an ideological revolution; one that is real, not utopian”, one that stirs people. He makes a new appeal for peace among Israelis and Palestinians, against violence in the Gaza Strip.

Only with the grace of the Lord can we hope in a better future, of which we are also responsible. The Papal Message on World Day of Peace calls for “global solidarity.” The Gospel redeems from moral and material deprivation.

After 12 hours of deliberation, district court accepts prosecution’s case against release because of the gravity of the crimes and the risk the accused might alter evidence. Chen insists he “will continue to stick up for his good name.” Trial is set for March.

Beijing and Yangon sign an agreement for the next 30 years. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009 on the pipeline that will carry gas and oil from the Bay of Bengal to the Chinese province of Yunnan. The agreement increases Beijing's geopolitical influence in the Indian Ocean.

In the first 11 months of 2008 some 57 billion yuan were embezzled or wasted. Hundreds of officials and employers are accused. But the mainland’s highly-centralised political system is also held responsible for poor controls as local officials tend to inflate local economic data to promote their careers.

Twenty-two unnamed dairy producers are expected to come up with the money. Families who lost babies will get almost US$ 30,000; those who had their infants hospitalised should get about US$ 4.500. Experts suggest the government is trying to end the story as quickly as possible fearing bad publicity and disclosure of the role played by government authorities.

The prelate hopes to provide the Pope with information on the Chinese Church, excludes playing any role in Sino-vatican diplomatic relations. For him Episcopal ordinations without the Holy See’s seal of approval are a “failure” and a “violation of freedom of conscience.”

The trial has begun against executives and suppliers of Sanlu, the company mainly responsible for the scandal. On the 31st, the trial against the former president begins. But in the meantime, the company has gone bankrupt, and the families of the 290,000 children sickened by the milk are afraid that no one will compensate them.

Benedict XVI also recalls all of those kidnapped in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Stephen's forgiveness contributed to the conversion of Paul. Still today, many Christians respond to persecution with truth and love.

Wen makes a quick visit to the Chongqing economic zone to pledge government help to companies and prevent millions of layoffs. Beijing is very concerned about growing unemployment, especially among migrants and college graduates.

China is detaining and sentencing people who protested in Tibet and Sichuan against police violence and for greater freedom. At the time the incidents had led to worldwide protests which worried Beijing.