China

Despite a 14.8 per cent rise over the previous 12 months, last year’s figures remain far from the record six billion domestic travellers reached before the pandemic. With upgraded transport infrastructure, more Chinese can discover new sites. The boom in Xinjiang is politically designed to promote sinicisation.

The Russians have been the most decisive in responding to Trump's advances on Greenland, proving that the Arctic is a strategic interest. As of 2019, Moscow has expanded its coastal zones in the direction of the North Pole and is targeting the northern maritime corridor for trade with China. And it may seek a division of the pie with the tycoon's America.

Rev Anthony Ji Weizhong, 51, took office today as head of a diocese with a new name and canonical boundaries, replacing lieu Fenyang, which had been established by Pius XII. Pope Francis approved the appointment on 28 October. Fujian is also in the news this week.

Clashes with Russia over northern territories is a constant in the history of the past centuries. But today there is no rush of Heilongjiang province residents to seek a home in Siberia at all. Rather, Beijing's advance is happening through the yuan, which is replacing the ruble in trade transactions. Natural resources the real issue at stake

Manufacturers in ASEAN countries are concerned about what might happen if a trade war with China breaks out once the US president takes office in a few days. The fear that Chinese products that no longer take the road to the West could be dumped in their markets, already grappling with tough competition from the “Made in China”.

The Uyghurs were detained after arriving in Thailand ten years ago on their way to Turkey. They were reportedly forced to sign voluntary deportation papers, ahead of repatriation to China where their co-ethnics suffer harsh repression in Xinjiang. Thailand is not a party to the UN Convention on Refugees.

Ordained a priest in 1947, the Verbite clergyman passed away at almost 105 after a very long ministry that included 25 years in prison. For Bishop Lu Peisen of Yanzhou, “Fr Guo dedicated his entire life to writing a wonderful story of selflessness and love, using his life as a pen and time as ink.”

China’s official Xinhua news agency released the data while the National Health Commission presents a three-year plan to deal with rising mental disorders. The issue has come to prominence following a string of violent incidents, but it is also the legacy of the government’s zero-COVID policy.

The authorities continue to claim that the target of GDP growth of ‘around 5%’ driven by electric car exports will be met in the year to come. But discontent remains widespread and even the anti-corruption crackdown in the Party is fuelling paralysis especially among senior cadres. While worrying analyses by two well-known Chinese economists have been taken off social media.

The Chinese president is on a three-day visit to the former Portuguese colony 25 years after its return to Chinese sovereignty, providing him with an opportunity to send messages to Hong Kong as well, and stress the potential of the Greater Bay Area. The stop on Hengqin Island is significant, since it is slated to help Macau diversify its economy centred on casinos and gambling (source of 80 per cent of local tax revenue).

Whether it is football, athletics, canoeing or winter sports, officials and coaches have been caught up by the justice system. In the latest case, the 47-year-old former coach of the men's national football team Li Tie began serving a 20-year prison term today. Meanwhile, the former head of the Administration of Sports Gou Zhongwen, was kicked out of the party and is awaiting trial. In March, Yu Hongchen, former Chinese Athletics Federation president, was sentenced to 13 years. Despite suspicions over doping, swimming has not been touched.

​The Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge opened to traffic yesterday, an ideal infrastructure that links up with the majestic bridge that connects Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau. This is a further step to the creation of a metropolitan area of 70 million people that China wants to turn into an economic engine on a par with Tokyo and New York.