East Asia

Francis wrote a letter for the 25th anniversary of John Paul II encyclical ‘Ut unum sint,’ noting that “many steps have been taken in these decades to heal the wounds of centuries and millennia.” The pontiff mentions two initiatives, an ecumenical Vademecum for Bishops, which will be published in the autumn, and the launch of a journal, Acta Œcumenica.

He has served as bishop of Chiayi since 2008. With a vast pastoral experience, he graduated in moral theology in Rome. He replaces Mgr John Hung Shan-chuan, who resigned for age limits.

Most of those arrested are accused of illegal gathering. Yesterday was the first mass demonstration during the lockdown, which bans rallies with more than eight people. Wang Yi tries to calm public opinion. But the democratic movement is planning another demonstration in two days.

On the solemnity of the Ascension, Pope Francis explains that on this day Jesus "invests [the disciples] with mission among all peoples". "This message of salvation implies first of all the duty of witness". On the feast of Our Lady of Sheshan, united spiritually to Chinese Catholics, pastors and faithful, "so that they may be strong in faith and firm in fraternal union, joyful witnesses and promoters of charity and hope". Today is also the World Social Communications Day.

On the Day for the Church in China, the prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan

Due to the pandemic emergency, any rally with more than 8 people is considered illegal. One protester: "It is better to be arrested than to keep silent." Policemen armed with rifles, pepper spray, armored trucks and water chydrants.

The management of the coronavirus epidemic was far from success that is being propagated in China and in many countries. The silence, the censorship, the neglect of the healthcare of the population, the seizure and stealing of medical material decrees "a complete failure". The urgency of a "modern" and democratic system of government. The second part of the open letter of the constitutionalist and human rights hero.

The Chinese Communist Party wants to take full control of city affairs. Pro-democracy and anti-government activists could be detained and taken to China. The legislation threatens religious freedom. For Pro-Beijing advocates, the city needs a law to fight terrorists and separatists.

The human rights lawyer - former professor of law at a university in Shanghai, later fired - publishes an open letter to the delegates of the National People's Congress, which has already been censored by the regime. For Zhang, the delegates represent no one because they were not elected by anyone; the Chinese constitution is a "pseudo-constitution". Government "for the people" is actually a monster that devours the wealth of society. "Democracy" is not just a "western" ideal, as Xi Jinping says.

At the opening of the National People's Congress, Premier Li Keqiang makes many promises: support for the recovery; fight against unemployment; openness to foreign investments, "mutual benefit" projects in the "Belt and Road initiative". In the general crisis, the budget for the Armed Forces grows by 6.6%. Taiwan's independence struggle and national security law for Hong Kong.

The North Korean leader hasn't been seen in three weeks. He had already disappeared for 20 days between April and early May. Some reports had even given him up for dead. Kim may have left the capital for fear of contracting the coronavirus and to draw up a program of economic reforms.

The National People's Congress is set to send a resolution to its standing committee to draft legislation to ban secession, subversion, foreign interference, terrorism, and treason. This might mark the end of Hong Kong’s high level of autonomy. Beijing is afraid of pro-democracy parties.