At the Oceania Island Leaders' Forum meeting currently underway in Palau, agreement was reached on a text that, while not specifically naming Beijing, criticizes the test conducted in July. The meeting was also marked by Chinese attacks over the invitation to Taiwan's Foreign Minister.
Outgoing Prime Minister Li Keqiang said that it is necessary to “actively guide religions to adapt to socialist society”. In Henan, believers must fill out an online form to attend church Masses, mosque prayers or rituals in Buddhist temples. The newly selected (and useless) Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference has 11 Catholic representatives.
Today's headlines: the Burmese junta implodes schools, 300,000 teachers missing; Six Palestinian victims in an Israeli raid in Jenin, rockets fired from the Strip today; Millions of Indians celebrate Holi, festival of colours; Young Thai man sentenced to two years in prison for lese majesty; earthquake damage exceeds 100 billion in Turkey alone.
The new Foreign Minister to Chinese 'Parliament': Washington a source of global instability. Support for Russia reiterated, even if Ukraine invasion is contrary to the new international order desired by Beijing. Saving Putin means continuing the war, which threatens China's economy: Chinese exports in January-February register -6.8%.
Today's headlines: for the UN, the Taliban's treatment of Afghan women is tantamount to 'crimes against humanity'; the Philippine Catholic Educators Association condemns the practice of 'hazing' after a suspicious death at a university. Tehran confirms its hard line on transgressions of the Islamic 'dress code'; in 2022, new births in Japan fell below 800,000 for the first time.
A victims’ foundation will be set up to which South Korean companies that received compensation can make donations. The issue has fuelled political tensions and trade frictions between the two countries in recent years. South Korea’s President Yoon wants to turn the page to boost cooperation with Japan against North Korea’s threats.
China’s “Parliament” opened its annual session. Outgoing Prime Minister Li Keqiang performs his final act in office. China is hoping domestic consumption will boost economic recovery. Investors fear greater government control of the private sector. Military budget rises to US$ $225 billion. Xi Jinping faces major foreign policy hurdles.
Today's headlines: Philippine coast guard spotted over 40 Beijing ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea; Pakistani police serve arrest warrants on former premier Imran Khan; Qatari emir 'perplexed' over delays in aid to post-earthquake Syria; illegal pangolin sales increase in Laos.
Tomorrow at the National People's Congress his last official act as the regime's number two. Subtle attack on Xi Jinping: China's economy still needs 'reforms'. However, greater centralisation of power in favour of Xi and the Communist Party is expected.
Ryuho Okawa was 66 years old and in 1986 gave birth in Japan to a syncretic new-age movement that claims (with unverifiable numbers) 12 million followers. Among its proselytising channels were a series of cartoons and an extreme right-wing political party denying the atrocities committed in the Second World War.
He would have convinced the Chinese president to bring forward the reopening after the popular protests at the end of November. The economy was in danger. Placating the young was politically less risky than sacrificing the elderly and vulnerable to contagion. Doubts remain about the official figures for deaths and infections.
China is banning the chatbot developed by US-based OpenAi, which allows humans to chat with an artificial intelligence system. Baidu is ready to roll out its own version, while Alibaba is said to be developing one as well. Censorship and public opinion management remain an issue in China. Taiwan wants to offer its own “democratic" alternative for Chinese-speaking communities.
Despite a court decision, some residents in the conservative city oppose the mosque; to prove their point, they held a “pork party” and someone placed a pig’s head in front of the building site. Previously, the arrival of Afghan and Yemeni refugees proved contentious as well. This side of the country conveys a very different image than the one propagated by K-pop.
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