China

Francis leaves for Baghdad tomorrow to meet a “martyred Church” and visit places devastated by the Islamic State. The trip includes a visit to Ur of the Chaldeans and a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, leader of the Shia community, which is the majority religion in Iraq and in neighbouring Iran. Before his departure, Francis released a video message.

China’s parliament opens tomorrow to approve the new five-year plan. Government debt now stands at 270.1 per cent of GDP. Demographically, the country has reached a plateau. Hong Kong’s election law is bound to become more restrictive. Observers will watch how Taiwan will be discussed. For Chinese scholar, China should learn from the rise of the US.

Faced with the Chinese naval exercises that will continue throughout the month of March, the foreign ministries of Vietnam and Thailand are seeking compliance with UN conventions on maritime law. And they hope that ASEAN will be strengthened, while commercial relations between the two countries advance.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister to review relations with the Chinese. Observers predict the Baltic country will leave 17 + 1. Small EU nations increasingly dissatisfied with relations with China. Another blow to Beijing: Lithuania will open a commercial office in Taiwan.

Hong Kong authorities want to strike a blow at pro-democracy moderates, says Ernest Ng, expert in public policy. The 47 are back in court tomorrow. Freedom of association and the right to organise under International Labour Convention have been violated. Restrictions are expected for Hong Kong’s election law.

At the general audience, Francis asks to pray for the journey that begins on Friday. In Myanmar, "aspirations for peace must not be stifled by violence". Before knowing Jesus, he said, "we really did not know how to pray: what words, what feelings and what languages ​​were appropriate for God."

Small business owners in the tourist provinces badly hit. The Caixin Index on services is down, a sign that Chinese companies are laying off. The new coronavirus outbreaks plunge the catering and wellness sectors into crisis. The government is not expected to give any indications on the expected growth in 2021.

Defendants are seeking bail. Yesterday’s hearing lasted well into the night and was suspended when four defendants had to be hospitalised for exhaustion. For the prosecution, democracy is a crime. Pro-democracy advocates slam the trial for violating human rights. EU sees the procedure as the end of political pluralism.

The increase is almost entirely due to COVID-19. In the first three months of 2020 alone, some 45,320 people probably died because of the pandemic. The Chinese government reported so far only 4,636 deaths in the whole country, 3,869 in Wuhan. For the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China, Wuhan's medical staff were warned not to give interviews to journalists.

The latest scandal, which has been ignored so far, has led to the arrest of 20 arms dealers and go-betweens. The sale of “suicide drones” to China is in the crosshairs. Israel's secret police moved in to stop sales too “hot” for relations with Washington.

The accused were arrested in January for organising and taking part in a primary held in July 2020 designed to win the upcoming election. Card Joseph Zen and Lee Cheuk-yan were present in the courthouse where the accused were arraigned. For US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, “Political participation and freedom of expression should not be crimes.” Beijing wants to severely punish Jimmy Lai, Benni Tai and Joshua Wong.

Putin has promised anti-Covid vaccines and 100 million dollars. Rail and air communication channels with Moscow are increasing. Beijing extends repayment conditions of $ 5 billion in debt and seeks licenses for the Dzhetim-Too iron mine.