The forum held in Seoul offered the five countries in the region not only access to high-tech products, but also opportunities to overcome the limitations of their economies. For its part, South Korea is looking not only at reserves of critical minerals but also at the Trans-Caspian corridor. The volume of investment has already risen to 20 billion dollars.
The ruling party’s political bureau will make the selection at a special meeting in September. Announcement comes on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, and a few months after the rise in tensions between the two Korean states. The future of the nation will be placed in the hands of Kim Jong-un, son of the current dictator who has been gravely ill for a long time.
At the conclusion of the priests, dioceses throughout the country gathered around their clergy, called to be "Servant of the Servants of the Lord."
The two parties will cut or eliminate import tariffs on more than 800 items. For Taiwan, the deal will be a big step towards economic recovery. Taiwan’s opposition is against it and will take to the streets to protest the island’s progressive economic subordination to the mainland.
Strikes in the Japanese giant’s Chinese plants start to bite as production and sales take a nosedive. Workers feel they won a battle, but analysts warn that without government support they may yet lose the war.
Receiving the assembly of Roaco, Benedict XVI renewed his appeal to the leaders of nations to fight all forms of discrimination "in a concrete way". Christians in the region must seek, despite violence and difficulties, to remain "where they are born."
The Chinese president agrees to greater flexibility for the yuan, but for hawks in Congress, it is not enough. Hu is in Canada where he will meet Obama. For the US leader, changes in China’s currency policy are a first step, “but it’s too early to tell.”
The Beijing-sponsored reform fails to abolish functional constituencies or implement universal suffrage. The Democratic Party switches at the last moment and backs the government. Pro-democracy movement feels dejected.
The sentences executed yesterday and the day before yesterday in Fujian and Chongqing. The phenomenon of drug dealing and use is increasing. 51,000 criminal cases in 2009, up 16.5% on the previous year. Severe sentences for 17,400 defendants.
The publisher Bao Pu, son of prominent dissident Bao Tong, speaks of "copyright issues with moral implications." It seems that the daughter of the "butcher of Tiananmen" has increased economic demands to surrender the rights. Meanwhile, the son of former Chinese Premier is appointed vice governor of Shanxi.
Torrential rains raise water levels provoking two breaches in Changkai dyke. Residents in the immediate area are evacuated. So far, 2.4 million people have had to move. More heavy rains expected today.
Workers put down their tools for a third day in a row. They want better salaries and a higher end-of-year bonus. Worker rights advocate Han Dongfang says, “After 30 years of reform and spectacular economic growth, the cracks are beginning to show”; workers deserve “better standard of living, better working conditions and a better future”.
Ordination attended by all the bishops in communion with the Holy See. New bishop awaited for five years. Among the priorities of the newly ordained: evangelization, a more personal relationship with the priests, the formation of priests and laity founded on the Bible. In the diocese, there is no obvious problem between underground and official Christians.
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