East Asia

Only a dozen positive cases identified after the sudden and temporary confinement of some districts of the city. The Jordan and Yau Mai Tei areas are under observation. The local executive defends the initiative. Fears of the use of restrictions as instruments of political and social control.

In his Davos' speech, Xi asserts the winning strength of the "China model". Political stability at the cost of repression. Even the "US model", with its "democratic virus", has victims: immigrants, African-Americans, but also whites, small business owners, workers. Many victims of the globalized system were among the Washington demonstrators. The stock exchanges and the financial world are profiting from the Covid crisis. Financial power pulls the strings of both the "China model" and the "US model".

Several online media portals and books dedicated to the relations between Beijing and Dushanbe share this idea. Some claim that “all of Central Asia” belonged to China, but the historical evidence is lacking. Tajikistan has “returned” 1,158 square kilometres of territory in the Pamir area to Beijing. On the other hand, Beijing has agreed to ease Tajikistan’s debt burden in a new great Silk Road.

In a 20-minute video speech, the Chinese president uses both peaceful and threatening tones towards the US, warning of "a new cold war". Differences are a boost to "cooperation". No to "imposing a hierarchy on human civilization or to force one's own history, culture and social system upon others". No mention of the problems of Xinjiang, Hong Kong, or the pandemic that emerged in Wuhan. The G20 is a place of governance.

In 2020, South Korea’s GDP contracted by 1%, the worst figure since 1998. Expected to grow by 3% in 2021. South Koreans will start vaccinating in February. Kim Jong-un does not trust Chinese and Russian vaccines, or the domestic one under development.

The 54th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ended today. Pope Francis was not present because of his sciatica, but his homely was read by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. For the pontiff, “We are branches of the same vine, we are ‘communicating vessels’, in the sense that the good or the evil that each of us does affects all others.”

Many patients are dying at home. The Tokyo area is among the most affects. Contagions increased sevenfold after the summer holidays. Vaccinations will only start in late February. Several prefectures lack staff to carry out the immunisation campaign. Fears are growing over the fate of the Tokyo Olympics.

China received US$ 163 billion dollars of foreign direct investments last year compared to US$ 134 billion for the US; however, China's investments in the Belt and Road are down. For Prime Minister Li Keqiang, the country faces great challenges. Vice Prime Minister Liu He pledges help to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

20 manoeuvres in January, in addition to naval ones. Attack jets and bombers also used. Washington protests. Experts: message from Beijing to the Biden administration. Xi Jinping does not rule out the use of force for reunification.

At the Angelus, Pope Francis explains Jesus’s first announcement: time fulfilled and conversion. Life “is a gift of God's infinite love, but is also the time to prove our love for Him,” he said. The pontiff also recited a silent prayer for Edwin, a 46-year-old homeless Nigerian man who died from exposure near St Peter's Basilica. Tomorrow an ecumenical prayer will be held at St Paul outside the walls. Francis urges journalists “to go and see even where no one wants, to bear witness to the truth”.

On the second Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis urges believers to make room for God’s in their daily life. The pontiff, who was unable to lead the Mass due to sciatica pain, was replaced by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. A television actor, a journalist, and a blind girl proclaimed the Mass readings.

Commentary (in Italian) on the Gospel of the 3rd Sunday for the Year B (Mark 1:14-20).