East Asia

April figures show inflation at 3.4 per cent, down from a month before. Food prices instead rose 7 per cent, even if the government subsidies the price of some staples. Exports and imports are also down. Beijing must open up domestic markets.

Fr. Francis Wang, chaplain of the Chinese community in Prato, speaks to AsiaNews about value of mission and promoting integration in a foreign land. The day of prayer for the Church in China was attended by over 400 faithful from 300 Italian cities. During Mass Mgr. Savio Hon baptised five adults. A special prayer for Christians in China and the appeal to the bishops for communion with the Pope

Exports grew by 4.9, but forecast increase was 8.5. Imports grew by only 0.3 compared to 5.3 in March and 11% forecast. Domestic demand in sharp decline. At the Canton Fair orders down by 2.3% compared to last year.

Chinese tour operators have "indefinitely" suspended trips to the Philippines. Tighter controls on food imports, particularly fruit. Manila says, the U.S. prepared to "protect" the nation. Meanwhile, a state television reporter in Beijing says the Philippines' belong to China. "

Lee Yun-jeong, 32, a mother of two, died from a brain tumour after working seven years at one of the electronics giant's semiconductor plants. The company denies any responsibility and has tried to prevent the family from getting support and legal advice. Her husband says he will not stop "fighting for justice."

According to Wang Yang, Party secretary of Guangdong, a liberal, each individual must seek his or her happiness, the State and the Party must serve the person. Break with traditional rhetoric which from Mao to now gave all thanks to the Party. Religious conversions among high ranking officials.

Court will rule on the government's back tax bill against the internationally known artist and dissident accused of tax evasion and on the agents of China's tax agency. Ai plans to put all the details of the case online to allow people to judge for themselves whether he was right or wrong.

Hyun Jung-hwa and Lee Boon-hee represented Korea together at the table tennis world championships in 1991, winning together. Now Seoul and Pyongyang are blocking their attempt to come together to celebrate their past glories, and prevents a missionary from delivering a ring (sign of friendship) sent from one to the other.

Ready to respond to provocations, China summons Philippines' chargé d'affaires. For its deputy foreign minister, it is hard "to be optimistic". Chinese media fuel the confrontation, urging the government to take action. Experts believe the dispute could be settled diplomatically. Prospects for cooperation between Manila and Beijing in natural gas development emerge.

Indian exports should reach 7 million tonnes by 31 August. US Department of Agriculture data show that India should surpass Vietnam and Thailand. Favourable weather and more investments helped the bumper crop. The 3-year ban (2008-2011) on exports of non-basmati varieties also boosted supplies to local markets and reduced prices.

A week after the US and China informally agreed to allow Chen and his family to leave for the US, the blind activist remains de facto under house arrest in the hospital where he is being tread. The entire family cannot leave, and friends, diplomats and journalists cannot visit. Police "advises" human rights activist to stay away form Beijing for a few months. Chen wants the government to open an investigation into the violence by Shandong authorities against him and his family.

The decision to travel to the U.S., still unconfirmed, has several implications that complicate life for two governments. The communist regime forced to persecute dissidents, his family and friends to keep intact the iron control on rural society, the Obama administration risks losing its re-election. The analysis of the great dissident.