East Asia

The official reason: the region is cold and icy and there are few places available in hotels. In fact, this month marks the 60th anniversary of the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet, in reality the beginning of the military occupation since 1951. Fears of riots like those ahead of the Olympics leads to clamp down on presence of foreigners and journalists.

Forced abortion, sterilisations, intrauterine devices and fines are used to implement the policy. On International Women’s Day, a long article looks at China’s family planning and its unjust and cruel law, which has allowed hundreds of millions of murders over the decades, and which must be stopped.

For well-known economist Andy Xie, protests in North Africa and higher oil prices will negatively impact an already embattled Chinese economy. If Beijing wants to avoid unrest, it must protect the interests of the more vulnerable groups rather than those of big public sector corporations.

Tens of thousands of police have patrol squares and malls for fear of riots. Dozens of journalists arrested. The foreign minister denies that there is an emergency and that journalists were beaten. Ye Xiaowen and media campaign against attempt to imitate the Arab countries. The appeal to Protestant Christians to join the protest.

After being suspended in 2005, the death penalty was used in April 2010, and again a few days ago. The Catholic Church and local NGOs reiterate their opposition.

As world chancelleries try to solve crises in North Africa and Middle East, Moscow is bidding its time to take advantage of the situation, waiting to see which side wins. In the meantime, it is earning extra dollars from higher oil prices, even if it has to stop arms sales to Libya.

In his address to the National People’s Congress in Beijing, the prime minister pledges help to farmers and the urban poor. His goal is to contain the growing social dissatisfaction. Inflation is the main factor of instability, Wen acknowledges. The goal now is to bring it under 4 per cent.

An anonymous group issues a message for the start of the National People’s Congress to demand basic rights for people and the nation. It wants to raise the consciousness of “Every good and honest Chinese person”, calling on people to demonstrate non-stop against violations. Meanwhile, the authorities continue to arrest activists.

The two leaders have always preached a "harmonious society" and an "inclusive growth". But social inequality has increased in the country, fomenting unrest. Party members are also the richest in the country. The pattern of development needs urgent change to increase domestic consumption. Fears of a possible "jasmine revolution." China is similar to Egypt and Tunisia. Military spending increased by 12.7% and military wages by 40%.

Lineamenta of the assembly of bishops to be held next year presented. A necessarily missionary church in the face of challenges posed by secularization, globalization, economic crisis, the decline of ideologies.

The struggle for democracy, be it Chinese or Arabic, must properly evaluate the strength of the dictators and the movement to overturn them. Democracy and human rights in China, are songs sung only by an elite: the need to mobilize the masses without dealing with the tyrants. The analysis of the great Chinese dissident.

Activists are constantly placed under arrest. Foreign journalists are banned from whole areas in cities. Mobile phones are tracked in Beijing. The authorities are raising the stakes by using preventive measures against any kind of protests, fearing that this time they might not stop people if they take to the streets.