China

The Chinese president, who arrived today, will discuss how to advance the dismantling of Pyongyang's military nuclear program, but will also talk about the economy. A protest demonstration over the forced repatriation of North Koreans who flee to China.

Despite the poor results obtained by the country's athletes, its true success was the participation of the new prime minister at the closing ceremony. Although he maintained a "low profile" in his statements, he met with the Chinese leadership and promised to be "strict" with pro-Tibet demonstrators.

Benedict XVI calls for an end to ‘nationalist contrapositions”, pushes for a dialogue on “territorial integrity and the self-determination of peoples.” His reference is to the war between Georgia and Russia and many other situations of conflict like India-Pakistan, Tibet-China, Africa, etc. He says: “Help me with prayers” in the ministry of Peter to serve the Church and the world.

For China the Olympic Games were the most important event of the last few decades, a showcase for its organisational capacities and proof of its athletes’ physical prowess as they triumphed in the medal count. It was a show that the government in Beijing wanted “free of politics” but which itself “politicised” first. Here is an analysis by Li Datong, a Chinese journalist fired for criticising censorship.

The Olympiad’s legacy of brotherhood, friendship and mutual understanding among peoples is the main focus of the closing ceremony. The Games were “exceptional” according to Jacques Rogge with dividends out of this world. China becomes a “superpower” in the medal count, but remains a backwater in terms of human rights. A civil war cannot be excluded.

The number of foreign tourists drops by 20 per cent over last year. Many give up because of the difficulty in getting a visa or out of fear for a possible attack. Hotels in the capital see occupancy rate collapse; only five star hotels save the day.

China’s long (but incomplete) list of human rights violations during the Olympics has allowed it to run “harmonious” Games. Anyone who dares to protest or speak to foreign journalists has ended up in prison, or in forced labour camps, without trial or due process. Several cases of torture have been reported.

It happened in Zhengding on the feast day of the Assumption. Fearing bad publicity during the Olympics, police allow Bishop Jia Zhiguo to celebrate mass, but he is still banned from meeting priests and seminarians.

The Olympic Games have not been an engine of growth for China’s economy. The government has waited before taking the tough decisions in order to contain inflation and avoid popular protests. Now it must face the economy’s structural problems like the rising cost of energy and raw materials and lower exports. Experts look at the issue.

The Prime Minister of Tibet’s Government-in-Exile Samdhong Rinpoche tells AsiaNews that there was no massacre by the Chinese army in Tibet in recent days. Any current controversy stems from a wrong translation during the Tibetan leader’s interview with French daily Le Monde.

A 5.3 magnitude quake hit the south western Chinese province this morning. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, but so far there are no official reports of victims. Reconstruction in Sichuan, devastated by an earthquake last May, is off to a slow start.

Foreigners are guaranteed ceremonies, meetings and even mass in their own language; Chinese Catholics from the Official Church are ordered not to hold large gatherings that last too long. Bishops and priests from the underground Church are under house arrest. Msgr. Giulio Jia Zhiguo under round the clock police surveillance. The pretty pictures of China Daily.