East Asia

Chinese social media are discussing the corruption and sex scandal investigation against Abbot Shi, the man who turned the temple known for kung fu into a business empire. Similar accusations had surfaced in the past, but failed to dent his power. Some commentators note that his troubles began when he returned to China after a visit to the Vatican, which Beijing never reported. It is speculated that he went too far, undertaking an initiative not agreed with the Communist Party.

A tourist destination for the wild rabbits that inhabit it, the atoll not far from Hiroshima was one of Japan's main war laboratories, where Fu-Go, huge balloons equipped with incendiary bombs, were also produced and launched towards the United States. On the anniversary of the end of the war and the atomic tragedy, Reiko Okada, then a young factory worker, recalls: ‘If we don't remember, we will repeat the mistakes of the past.’

For eleven consecutive months, South Korea, which held the sad record of being the country with the lowest fertility rate in the world, has been recording a reversal of this trend, albeit in a context that remains far from the replacement rate. ​From January to May 2025, birth growth accelerated with a 6.9% increase compared to the same period last year. This is mainly due to public incentives for marriage. But the challenge remains to convince those who do not want to have children today.

The diplomat, who has just taken up his post as his country’s representative to the Holy See, recounts his meeting with Leo XIV. Taiwan helped the pontiff “when he served in Peru”. Leo “said that he will pray for Taiwan.” The island does not “pose any threat” to China, offering instead “opportunities for dialogue and for peace.”

On the eve of the EU-China Summit tomorrow in Beijing, 17 NGOs sent an open letter to Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa, expressing their concern about China’s political prisoners, Uyghur repression, religious freedom, and the Hong Kong national security law.

At over 4,000 metres above sea level on the Yarlung Tsangpo, Tibet’s sacred river that becomes the Brahmaputra in India, the dam includes a system of five cascading plants that will produce enough energy to power the entire United Kingdom. Concerns have been raised about its location in an earthquake-prone area and the forced displacement of populations. The political implications will impact relations with Delhi and Dhaka on the crucial issue of water management.

The bishop visited a community that has grown nearly eightfold thanks to a wave of young families who arrived following the events of 2020. God is with them as they have “a fresh start.” The challenge now is to find a Cantonese-speaking pastor.

More and more farmers, supported by comprehensive training and government incentives, are selling their products online, bypassing middlemen. E-commerce brings economic benefits, reduces waste, and offers new opportunities to young people. This is in line with the revitalisation of rural areas announced by Xi Jinping, helping to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas.

With a decree that the Legislative Council will be called upon to ratify, the authorities have decided to remove the 10-year limit on the storage of eggs and gametes from couples for assisted reproduction. The aim is to “better achieve reproductive autonomy”. But the causes of the decline in births are much deeper.

A new report accuses Chinese state-owned companies of supporting the Burmese junta's arms production for over a decade, particularly at the DI 21 military plant, where aerial bombs used against the population are manufactured. This ongoing support includes know-how and essential components for manufacturing weapons. Experts are calling on the international community to put pressure on Beijing to stop military assistance and start a genuine peace process.

The final target has been scaled back to 22 million, the minimum threshold to cover the costs of the event. The Italian pavilion, which also hosts that of the Holy See, is among the most popular. In his recent visit to the Expo, Cardinal Parolin said that, “Only in hope do we find an antidote to fear.”

A new law will end a practice that began after the Korean War and lasted for decades. The process will now pass from private agencies to the state, in accordance with the Hague Convention. However, some issues remain, including the need for more legislative action and budgetary support from the country’s new administration.