China

Kim Jong-il and his heir Jong-un treat a high-level Chinese delegation to a 20-course meal to reassert the relationship between Beijing and Pyongyang. Meanwhile, North Korea’s reforms stumble along whilst the people starve to death.

The long-time dissident, a personal secretary and friend to former Communist Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang, Bao calls for the land reform the Communists promised during the civil war in 1949 but never implemented. Contrary to President Hu Jintao’s dictates, he also appeals for free elections.

Cardinal asks Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao to stop "rogue officials" who carry out violence against the Church and the conscience of the faithful, Msgr. Tong asks all the faithful of the diocese to pray that the faith of Christians in China may be strengthened. Justice and peace, on behalf of Cardinal Zen, issues 60 thousand copies of a newspaper on the illegitimate ordinations, religious freedom and priests imprisoned in China, as well as passages of the Letter of Benedict XVI to Chinese Catholics.

Tokyo drops 1.53, Seoul 2.2 in, Hong Kong 2, Shanghai 1.26. Yesterday, the European stock markets were all negative. The European Ministers of Foreign Affairs draw up a new plan to save Greece. Standoff between Obama and the House of Representatives continues over whether to raise the debt ceiling to more than 14.3 trillion dollars

Beijing commemorates 60 years of Tibet’s occupation with a white paper that claims that Tibet was always part of China. Tibetans slam this attempt to justify the genocide underway against their people, language, religion and traditions.

The authorities’ attack was particularly harsh last Sunday on people peacefully demonstrating against China’s strong-arm tactics and violent behaviour. Catholics are especially concerned by the authorities’ possible acquiescence towards China’s model of ‘patriotic Church’.

Italian Member of Parliament Alfredo Mantovano asks the EU to speak out on religious freedom in China. Without respect for human rights, market rules cannot be enforced. Being overly tolerant of China and its violations is of no benefit whatsoever to the economy, free market or respect for patents.

A demonstration was staged this morning outside the China Liaison Office in Hong Kong. Local Catholics want the mainland to respect the personal and religious freedom of bishops and the release of prelates seized by the authorities.

The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples explains the causes and effects of the excommunication of Fr Lei Shiyin, who was ordained in 29 June without papal mandate. He can no longer celebrate Catholic rites nor govern the diocese. Any possible cancellation of the excommunication or forgiveness by the Holy See does not make him automatically bishop. The bishops who have taken part in the ordination are deemed excommunicated unless they can clearly demonstrate that they were forced to take part in the service. An appeal is made to all to pray for the bishops on the eve of another unlawful ordination in Shantou.

Seven others managed to escape during the flooding of the tunnel. In Guangxi, two other miners were rescued, more than at depth of 320 meters. Eight are dead and 12 missing. Chinese mines confirmed most dangerous in the world.

In jail since 2007, well-known dissident journalist Qi Chonghuai is sentenced to eight more years in prison for corruption. The court did not explain how he could have committed this crime whilst behind bars. Meanwhile, in Tibet, police arrests and beat a 25-year-old writer who is fighting for his people’s freedom. More Buddhist monks are arrested as well.

Three bishops were taken in the past two days: the bishop of Guangzhou has been missing for days. In Shenyang Mgr. Pei Junmin, designated to preside over the celebration, is being defended by his priests and faithful with a non-stop sit-in in the cathedral. PA claims the Vatican "divides the Church in China and creates more disputes."