At the Oceania Island Leaders' Forum meeting currently underway in Palau, agreement was reached on a text that, while not specifically naming Beijing, criticizes the test conducted in July. The meeting was also marked by Chinese attacks over the invitation to Taiwan's Foreign Minister.
The late prelate served as auxiliary bishop alongside Archbishop Shirayanagi until 2000. For many years, he was the soul of Tokyo’s Catholic cultural centre. Very attentive to relationships with people, he said that the mission in the metropolis requires knowledge of “how to win the trust of people, touch the hearts of the Japanese,” making oneself close to those in need of hope. Archbishop Kikuchi will preside tomorrow’s funeral.
Chinese authorities have released a statement for the first time, following speculation over the reshuffle of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force and the ouster of former Defence Minister Wei Fenghe. In the press release, they acknowledge changes among top military leaders, with some officers removed for failing to show due loyalty to President Xi Jinping. Nevertheless, the campaign continues to avoid the limelight.
Fr. Gianni Criveller, PIME missionary and sinologist, comments on the words addressed by the pope yesterday to the Chinese people from Mongolia, with Card. Tong and Cardinal-designate Chow. "There is no contradiction between being good Christians and good citizens when there is freedom. Now it is up to Beijing to follow up with concrete steps on issues such as the permanent form of dialogue urged by Card. Parolin or the peace mission of Card. Zuppi."
Today's headlines: at least 40 injured in Taiwan in passage of a typhoon; Pakistan shop owners close in protest over high bills; The ASEAN foreign ministers summit gets underway in Indonesia; Israel wants to expel Ethiopian asylum seekers; Kyrgyzstan has repatriated women and children linked to ISIS from Syria; Latvia wants to require citizens of foreign nationality to take a language exam.
The small Church of Mongolia that is currently meeting Pope Francis is closely connected to the Diocese of Ningxia in China, home until three years ago of the only Mongolian (underground) bishop in the history of the Catholic Church. Known in Chinese as Ma Zhongmu, he was jailed for 11 years for refusing to join the Patriotic Association. After the Cultural Revolution, he sought out each one of his scattered flocks. He translated the Bible and the Roman Missal into Mongolian.
At the interfaith meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Francis stressed sharing differences for the good of all. “There can be no mixing, then, of religious beliefs and violence, of holiness and oppression, of religious traditions and sectarianism.” In his address, he also quoted from Buddha and Gandhi. “And to Chinese Catholics: I ask you to be good Christians and good citizens.” Inspired by Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, he mentioned the desert of Ordos, home to ethnic Mongolians in the People's Republic of China.
Today's news: After the Moon, India is aiming for the Sun. Australian police will remain in the Solomon Islands until the 2024 election. Papua New Guinea will open an embassy in Jerusalem. North Korea fires cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea. Trade between Russian republic and China jumps by 88 per cent. Attempts are made to solve the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pope Francis will deliver a much-awaited speech tomorrow before Mongolia’s authorities and the diplomatic corps in the State Palace in the Mongolian capital. Russia is the country's main energy supplier but 90 per cent of its exports go to China. Meanwhile, “new” partners are lining up, eager for access to its mineral riches, starting with strategic rare earths. During his visit, the pontiff hopes to encourage steps towards peace.
On 1 September 1923, a devastating earthquake followed by fires fuelled by a typhoon killed more than 100,000 people. Thousands of Koreans and Chinese were slaughtered following false accusations. Separate ceremonies were held in Japan today to mark the events. A hundred years later, the call for justice and the demand for an apology still fall on deaf ears.
Today's news: Augst registers record sales of Chinese stocks by foreign investors; India considers bringing forward 2024 elections with an Election Day; UN Security Council extends UNIFIL mandate in Lebanon; Teenagers also among perpetrators of explosive attacks on barracks in Russia.
On a trial basis, the eastern Chinese province is scoring religious personnel to enhance their “ideological awareness". Meanwhile, in several provinces, Buddhists and Taoists are not allowed to celebrate the “superstitious" Ghost Month.
Today's headlines: Pyongyang launches two short-range missiles "to simulate a nuclear attack"; Sixteen die in T-shirt printing lab fire in the Philippines; A Palestinian teenager dies and three Israelis injured in new violence in the Middle East; A 90-year-old Japanese mountaineer on the summit of Mount Fuji in a wheelchair.
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