East Asia

Chinese and Hong Kong authorities accuse Washington of a “double standard”. Protesters in the former British colony, however, want more democracy, as did those in Tiananmen. Young Taiwanese fought for the sovereignty of their country. The Republic of China in 1913 is a precedent. The democratic system saved the United States.

PIME missionary, Fr Franco Mella, met and prayed with the wife and the youngest son of the Catholic businessman held in prison. The request in the name of "humanity" to free six members of the democratic movement and the young people arrested in recent months. The priest asks for "humanity" and not "efficiency" also in the case of Alicia, separated from her mother Shifa by law.

"The Saints show us that we can always give praise, in good times and bad, because God is the faithful Friend, and His love never fails ", " In the future of the world and in the hopes of the Church there are the "little ones": those who do not consider themselves better than others, who are aware of their own limitations and their sins, who do not want to lord it over others, who, in God the Father, recognize that we are all brothers and sisters.”

An initial trial had given an effectiveness of 78%. New data reveals patients affected in a "very mild" way. Western-made drugs in circulation are more than 90% successful. Provisional trials in Turkey and Indonesia have yielded different results. Doubts about Chinese standards of approval.

In his message for the 29th World Day of the Sick, Francis notes that health is a primary common good. The pandemic has shown shortcomings in healthcare systems and the elderly and the most vulnerable are not always guaranteed access to treatment in an equitable manner. Still, the crisis has also highlighted the dedication and generosity of so many.

Political stability, success in the fight against the pandemic and economic dynamism underpin the influx. Talents attracted by the opportunities offered by the tech giants. The arrival of journalists also growing. Beijing’s anger: the US strengthens diplomatic ties with the Taiwanese authorities.

Restrictions will also be introduced on the export of technology used to repress Uyghur and Kazakh Muslims. Beijing targeted for its internment system and labour camps. Tense relations between the two countries also due to the events in Hong Kong. The UK is not the first state to impose restrictions on human rights violations in China.

Francis has changed the rule in canon law that limited these offices to men. Thus, “the awareness will grow, through a liturgical act (of institution) as well, of the precious contribution that many lay persons, including women, have been offering for some time to the life and mission of the Church.”

In 2020, the Taiwanese population dropped by 41,885. Number of newborns fell by 7.04 per cent. Deaths exceeded births by 7,097. In 2025 Taiwanese will be a super-old society. In East Asia, South Korea, China and Japan face the same problem.

The Chinese Communist Party wants to reduce the influence of companies like Alibaba and Tencent. The authorities have few means and laws to counter large groups. The model to follow is the one proposed by the European Union.

Go ahead to inquiry after numerous delays, the most recent last week. The team of experts will cooperate with Chinese doctors. It is not clear whether the mission will be able to visit Wuhan and meet the doctors who first raised the alarm, only to be censored by the regime. One of them, Ai Fen, reappears after months of being missing with health problems.

The pontiff turns his thoughts to the victims of 6 January in Washington. “I urge government authorities and the entire population to maintain a high sense of responsibility, in order to soothe tempers, promote national reconciliation, and protect the democratic values rooted in American society.”