East Asia

Reference to the president as 'lingxiu', a term until now used only for Mao, is growing in the Chinese media and in official CCP documents. In order to have a new term in power Xi is reportedly bargaining with Li Keqiang: A return to more "market" policies and space for the premier's faction in the new Politburo.

In Seoul, the special committee has completed the investigation for the beatification of Bishop Francis Hong Yong-ho and 80 other companions killed by the Communists in the 1950s. The papers will now go to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. Korean bishops hope that, against the background of “the harsh reality of the division of the country”, the martyrs’ witness will promote “reconciliation and unity”.

Taiwan’s giant TSMC has no plans to open factories in Europe. The EU’s semiconductor dialogue with Taiwan risks undermining relations with China. Slovak parliamentarian feels his country and Taiwan might be interested in manufacturing chips in Slovakia. In Europe, more and more voices are calling for EU members to leave the China-led 16+1 forum.

Police is out in full force to prevent people from remembering the massacre carried out by the Chinese authorities on June 4, 1989. Some act individually near Victoria Park, site of the traditional memorial vigil. US and EU diplomatic missions light candles on the windows of their buildings. For Beijing, the events of 33 years ago do not deserve to be remembered.

Over 50s can't find work and receive no welfare benefits. Those who stay in the countryside earn €1,400 a year, but the cost of living is three times that amount. The economic crisis does not help. Premier Li Keqiang called on to repair the damage caused by Xi's "mini Great Leap Forward".

Victoria Park will be empty again. The authorities want to erase the memory of the fallen of 4 June 1989 killed by the Chinese government. The organisers of the traditional commemoration are in prison. Even the Catholic Church fears the security law.

The UWSA is the most powerful ethnic militia in Myanmar, a state within a state like Hezbollah in Lebanon. Wa forces did not join other armed groups to fight the ruling junta. They are often used by China as a means to put pressure on Myanmar’s military.

The change in language in educational material for the military reflects the more belligerent attitude of South Korea’s new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, and the tensions fuelled by this year's long series of missile launches. For South Korea, a new nuclear test by the North is imminent.

Official documents hacked from the Chinese authorities' servers have been published: 3,000 photographs of detainees, several videos, 20,000 arrest reports and over 300,000 personal details. They confirm that those in the Chinese region are concentration camps for Turkish-speaking minorities of the Islamic faith.

​More than 90% of Japanese think the government should prepare for an armed crisis along the Taiwan Strait. 41% want changes to their country's 'pacifist' constitution; 61% favour strengthening military deterrence against China. Chinese military overflights near Taiwan continue: 30 aircraft identified today.

Manufacturing in Myanmar’s Shan State is on the rise due to civil war. Laos is the main transit route. The use of psychoactive substances like ketamine is also up. Southeast Asia “is literally swimming in methamphetamine," said UN official.

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.