Father Andrew Ding Wang, 44, was ordained today under the 2018 Sino-Vatican agreement. Leo XIV conferred on him the title of archbishop, as required by the jurisdiction of the Holy See (and the history of the local Church), even though China has no metropolitan sees. Three of the four bishops chosen in recent weeks in China were born after 1980.
The agreement involved some 10 island nations in the region. However, the parties agreed to work together in five areas, but not security. For the members of the Pacific Islands Forum, the priority is the fight against climate change and post-COVID recovery, not big power geopolitical confrontation. Beijing poorly prepared its diplomatic initiative.
The city-state’s archbishop is among the new cardinals Pope Francis announced for the consistory of 27 August. Born 65 ago, the fluent Mandarin speaker has led a small but dynamic Church since 2013, especially in pastoral outreach to migrants. After Hong Kong’s Bishop Emeritus John Tong reached the age limit, Goh will be the new ethnic Chinese prelate among the cardinal electors.
New consistory for Aug. 27 announced at Regina Caeli. The new cardinals include Korea's Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy; the archbishops of Dili (East Timor) and Singapore, Goa and Hyderabad (India); and the apostolic prefect of Mongolia. The Asian continent will touch a record number of 21 cardinal electors out of a college of 132.
The serious demographic crisis in the Land of the Rising Sun opens the door to foreigners. Today there are 1.72 million, but more than six million are needed. In many cases they are victims of abuse or oppressive conditions. The JP-MIRAI - in several languages - aims to help immigrants solve problems and settle disputes.
Today's headlines: Violence erupts inin Kashmir following the arrest of independence leader Malik; Japanese Red Army co-founder Fusako Shigenobu released from prison; Ankara mulls reform of press law, with three years in jail for 'disinformation'; divisions between Beijing and London scuttle a note on Myanmar at the UN; Georgia celebrates independence.
The ruling will be used to prevent the Chinese from trampling on Manila's maritime rights. It is a change compared to the policy of outgoing Head of State Duterte. However, Marcos Jr does not want to take sides in the geopolitical confrontation between China and the US, like most leaders in Southeast Asia.
Today's headlines: after two years of Covid-19 closures, from 10 June international tourism resumes in Japan; Beijing rejects passport applications from Christians; drug use is rampant in the Kachin State in northern Myanmar; the Indian prime minister continues his protectionist policy on food, after wheat now sugar; from Bishkek a call "for unity" to the other Central Asian nations to counter the critical period.
China could miss the growth targets set by the government. The current economic situation is worse than at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Li is called to solve the economic problems created by Xi's policies. From here to the Communist Party Congress in the fall, the two leaders and their factions will be vying for power.
Today's headlines:Health chief fired as Covid cases rise in Beijing; a series of explosions hit Afghanistan, at least 16 killed; Aung San Suu Kyi's family lodge a complaint to the UN against junta imposed detention; in Kazakhstan the quarantine-related "baby-boom" continues.
According to the Hong Kong Democracy Council, more than three-quarters are under the age of 30, more than 15% are under the age of 18. At least 179 opponents are in custody; 1,159 are on trial. Yesterday, well-known jurist Benny Tai was sentenced. While awaiting trial, Card. Zen says "martyrdom is normal in our Church": yesterday he celebrated a Mass for Catholics in China.
Today's headlines: A famous Vietnamese hacker turns government agent; Seoul and Tokyo send fighter jets in response to an intrusion by Chinese and Russian jets during the Quad summit; Indian Catholic lay forum launches a call for an end to discrimination against minorities; 'one-way' airline tickets to Russia have reached 70% of sales.
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity is not a free trade agreement. Its 13 members include India. Its focus is on international standards for investments in infrastructure, supply chains and the digital economy, but without tariff reductions it may not work. China speaks out against attempts to sow division and confrontation.
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