East Asia

Today, Tibet’s spiritual leader goes on Twitter for an hour with a dissident Chinese writer. He will answer some 260 questions to tell his side of the Tibet story. In China, the authorities have blocked the social networking and micro-blogging service; however, about 80,000 Chinese internet users have been able to get around it.

The results of the inquiry committee into the sinking of the Chenoan gunboat lays the blame on a North Korean torpedo. Communist regime strongly rejects the accusations and threatens to launch a war if South Korea and the international community impose new sanctions.

Two hundred intellectuals say that the 1910 treaty that sanctioned Korea’s annexation by Japan is “null and void”. That treaty and Japan’s subsequent colonial exploitation have prevented the two nations from developing open and positive relations.

The Director of Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, tells AsiaNews about the latest wave of arrests and violence against Buddhist monks: "We denounce the cruelty of China." In two days, six other monks from the temple of Wara detained.

Hong Kong’s bishop emeritus leads a prayer vigil for religious freedom and the Church in China. He reveals bits of conversation he had with Benedict XVI during the pilgrimage to Fatima.

GDP rise exceeds government forecast, driven by US and especially Asian demand. Europe’s debt crisis casts a shadow over the situation. Inflation and a real estate bubble are the main risks.

China and Russia appreciate the agreement between Brazil, Turkey and Iran on enriched uranium. If adopted, US proposal would be the fourth set of sanctions against Iran, targeting especially the Revolutionary Guards. Iran’s opposition movement calls for greater support from the international community. For its members, “The best and safest way to end Iran’s nuclear threat is regime change.”

Residents in 11villages near Madang Township demonstrate against a local cement factory for polluting unchecked and illegally occupying a religious side. Police fire on demonstrators and arrest alleged leaders. Beijing bans printing and photocopying of documents in Tibetan.

Germany announced yesterday a ban on unsecured sales of sovereign and other debt. Asian shares react negatively to the announcement as the euro drops further. Many fear that Europe’s crisis might be worse than it appears to be, and that it could lead to a financial crisis like that of 2008.

Report by the International Campaign for Tibet. On April 23 well known writer Shogdung detained, he had spoken against the colonial policies of China. Meanwhile, the "second" Panchen Lama visits the earthquake-stricken prefectures.

Arab governments are silent as media reacts with caution. Turkey’s Erdogan says deal should stop new sanctions against Tehran. China is happy about it but the West and Russia are guarded. Iranian officials insist Iran will continue to enrich uranium. No official word has yet come from Israel.

A falling euro is putting pressure on Chinese exports and competitiveness. Domestic consumption is up but Beijing is not planning to revalue its currency any time soon.