East Asia

The Chinese launch the new 5+1 format for dialogue with the former Soviet republics in the region. The focus on communication campaigns in Kyrgyzstan. The risk of being dragged into the geopolitical competition between the West and the China-Russia duo.

Beijing's infrastructure investment under the "New Silk Roads" declines. Sub-Saharan Africa among the regions where there is the biggest reduction. U.S. and EU competition, Beijing's economic difficulties and fears over the debt situation of many partner countries weigh heavily.

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has released a handbook that lays out very strict criteria for status recognition. In 2021, Japan accepted 74 applications out of more than 2,000, a record for the East Asian country. Amnesty International slams indefinite detention of asylum seekers.

He replaces Cui Maohu, who was recently removed after being placed under investigation for alleged corruption. Chen has also served as deputy director of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party. Born in Shandong, he has government experience in Wuhan and Qinghai province.

The latest case is that of investor Bao Fan. The hi-tech sector targeted. Xi Jinping does not want tycoons who are too rich to challenge his power. The best known, Jack Ma, has been missing for over two years. The supreme leader launches an 'investigation' campaign with a Maoist flavour.

For the Department of Labour, it is “too easy” for domestic workers to change jobs. Workers’ rights advocates reiterate that changing job is a right and is difficult to do. Domestic workers, who are mostly women from Indonesia and the Philippines, are 5 per cent of the population.

Back in 2015, more than 75 per cent of Asia lacked was water insecure. Water insecurity affects mainly China, South Asia and the urban areas of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Asia represents about half of the global bottled water market, a factor that discourages investment in public infrastructure.

Russia’s leader highlights the building of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline by 2030, but China keeps it out of the final declaration. While willing to buy more Russian gas at discounted prices, Beijing also wants to keep its traditional suppliers. The Chinese are already in talks with the Turkmens for another pipeline.

Technology cooperation agreement signed between the two countries. Berlin risks infuriating China, its largest trading partner. German authorities in advanced talks to build a factory in Germany for TSMC, the world's leading chip producer. The knot of EU subsidies.

Cui Maohu falls after anti-corruption agency started investigating his work in his native Yunnan. In June 2022 he was appointed head of the National Religious Affairs Administration, the executive arm of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China. His is the third disciplinary action against a high-ranking official after China’s parliament ended its annual meeting a few weeks ago.

In the Jesuit magazine, "La Civiltà Cattolica," Fr. Federico Lombardi retraces a little-known aspect of the early Jesuits' mission in China: the baptisms and hidden apostolate of women in a society where social control over them was tight. And of one of them - Candida, granddaughter of Xu Guangqi - he recounts her apostolate and reputation for holiness.

This is the government's likely response to the effects of the rapidly aging population on the welfare system. Survey: 74% of respondents want retirement under 55; only 6% accept it over 61. Reform to raise the retirement age to 65 under consideration: it would have strong social and economic effects.