East Asia

PMI Index retreats to 48.7 in May from 49.3 in April. Economists and experts expect more government stimulus, but that could distort the real economy. Asian growth is still closely dependent on the eurozone and the Greek crisis.

Police abuse against those who fight for the rule of law has no bounds. After he exposed corruption in the Shanghai government, Feng Zhenghu, 57, has been held under house arrest in his flat without charges. He cannot speak with outsiders, cannot go outside and he cannot communicate with anyone. He is not alone. In Beijing, Liu Xia, wife of Nobel Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, has been under house arrest since October 2010. In 2011, there were 163 documented cases of this kind.

Fr Thaddeus Ma Daqin, vicar general of the Diocese of Shanghai, and 40 priests celebrated Mass. A large number of plainclothes police monitored worshippers from other dioceses during the pilgrimage month. In Hebei, an underground priest and seminarian are arrested. Mgr Paul Li Yi, bishop of Luan (Changzhi, Shanxi) dies.

Catholic source tells AsiaNews that security measures have been tightened in the village, used to accommdoate a Marian shrine. Officials enforce round-the-clock control on the village. Lay Catholic leaders are also under surveillance. Banners call for resistance against "foreign infiltration". Faithful pray instead to Our Lady for Church unity.

Sick, elderly or in prison for decades: the communist government continues to persecute anyone who has uncovered political scandals or has requested, in 1989, a reform against corruption and for democracy in China. The cases of Lu Jiaping and Li Yujun, still targeted by the authorities.

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong underlines the importance of prayer on May 24, feast of Our Lady of Sheshan and Our Lady Help of Christians. The Day requested by the Pope shows his "concern" and care for the Church in China. The regime has found more subtle tools of persecution, and continues to hamper pilgrimages to Sheshan.

China's country fund, which has an estimated US$ 440 billion in assets, has stopped buying European bonds, accusing European authorities of "lack of leadership" in managing the eurozone crisis. Meanwhile, Asian shares continue to drop as China's economic growth is at risk. If GDP growth declines, social tensions will rise, undermining the power of the Communist party.

This is the first time in its history that the South Korean government has held out its hand to military cooperation with the Chinese and Japanese. But the communist regime is afraid of angering Pyongyang.

The building measures 634 meters and is second only to the Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Tthree and a half years in building, the work stopped for two months following the March 2011 earthquake, but the structure was not damaged. Symbol of the country's economic recovery, but studies show that real estate gigantism is a sign of crisis.

The blind dissident spends time in a New York park. "For the past seven years, I have never had a day's rest," he said. For his mentor, Prof Cohen, NYU is ready for him. His wife may join him in his studies. Meanwhile, his family in China continues to endure the authorities' vendetta.

Catholics from China are "advised" to stay home on the pope's World Day of Prayer. Only Shanghai Catholics can celebrate Mass 24 May. "Security" and changes in the country's leadership are given as the reason. Meanwhile, the China Daily advertises tours to Sheshan to visit the observatory, taste the local cuisine, see protected animal species and stop at local golf courses. Reciting 'Salve Regina' is banned however.

The blind dissident has arrived in the US with his wife and their children. His older brother and nephew are however under arrest on false charges. Famous for his fight against forced abortions in China, the activist thanks both Washington and Beijing for solving his predicament. Veteran dissidents Wei Jingsheng and Chai Ling urge him to continue his fight.