China

Three peaceful demonstrations end in bloodshed this week. Scared by growing unrest, Beijing reacts with an iron fist and a disinformation campaign to convince the world that the Dalai Lama is to blame. A Buddhist source tells AsiaNews that some “6,000 Buddhists left Tibet for India” to hear their religious leader, showing they “unconcerned about consequences”.

The country’s Chinese community celebrates the Lunar New Year. Activities and festivals will be held over the next two weeks. In 1967, General Suharto had banned the event. President Gus Dur unbanned it 2000. Thousands of Catholics take part in Mass in Jakarta.

Fireworks increase the level of dangerous particulate matter in the air of Chinese cities. China has become the world’s largest importer of coal, a dirty energy. For Wen Jiabao, China cannot do without it for now.

A free trade pact centred on the southern part of the island is in the works. Taiwan could be the hub of the Far East. Investments in the south could turn voters away from the opposition. The island’s presidential elections are Taiwan’s “best gift” to the mainland.

Chinese security forces fired on protesters who were shouting for freedom for Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama. Martial law imposed in Serthar. Beijing critical of reports of killings in Draggo, two days ago. The exiled Tibetan prime minister criticizes the silence of the international community. The "concerns" of the United States, who will receive Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping in February.

Shi Enhao, a leading member of an alliance of Chinese house churches, was supposed to purge one more year of forced labour. International human rights groups welcome his release but demand China does the same for other Christian religious leaders in jail. Three underground Catholic bishops and six priests are unaccounted for or in prison without charges or trial.

The incident occurred in Draggo, Sichuan province. Thousands of people marched on government offices, demanding religious freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama. Security forces fire on them.

The Church in China "today is a beautiful hope for the universal Church, and especially for the mission in Asia," but it is also "in danger of division and schism." Father Lazzarotto: constructive dialogue between the Vatican and Beijing should be sought on a practical level, but we "require a real miracle" to reach a valid and enduring agreement, for this Pope Benedict XVI has repeatedly called on Catholics worldwide to join in prayer their brothers and sisters of the Republic of China.

Geshi Tsultrim Gyatso, 51, dies after six months in detention in a Qinghai prison. Police does not deny occurrence but claims it is “not responsible” for his death outside of prison. Chinese repression in Tibet continues unabated.

The Columbus Lotus Tower will be 350 meters high and operate 50 television and radio frequencies. Beijing is the main donor for a total cost of 104.3 million dollars. The summit will house a super luxury hotel, restaurant, observation deck and a conference centre with a capacity of one thousand people.

Lunar New Year is being celebrated across continent, under the sign of the Dragon. Astrologers predict high birth rates and catastrophes. For Thailand, the holiday is an opportunity to enshrine 37 years of diplomatic relations between Bangkok and Beijing. In the capital and 10 provinces traditional performances scheduled.

In an interview with the Journal of International Affairs, the great dissident Wei Jingsheng talks about Chinese society and politics. In his view, only a major jolt can lead to changes at the top. The country’s leaders must grant democracy and human rights to its citizens if they want China to remain a major world power. He holds some hopes in a changed leadership but criticises those who want to work with the Communist Party. He discusses the change from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping.