East Asia

The meeting taking place in the city scarred by the wound of the atomic bomb also involves Eastern religious traditions in the Rome Call for AI Ethics, promoted by the Pontifical Academy for Life. A specific addendum on the challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence added to the 2020 principles on the safeguarding of peace and the dignity of every person.

A medical facility in Pasay with Chinese and Vietnamese doctors and nurses has been shut down. According to investigators, victims of modern-day slavery forced to work in online scams who fall ill or suffer torture are brought to these facilities, which are also used by fugitives seeking changes to their physical appearance to escape police.

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit dozens of cooperation agreements were signed in the fields of energy, trade and defence at the external borders. But - beyond the proclamations on the rejection of the dollar - China, India, Pakistan and the Central Asian countries remain well integrated in the world economy, taking care not to be dragged into the abyss of sanctions against Russia.

Two women, both running as independents, are leading in the polls. Yuriko Koike, the incumbent governor, is backed by the Liberal Democratic Party, and Renho Saito, who enjoys the support of the Constitutional Democratic Party. While the ruling party is still facing criticism over recent scandals, the opposition does not seem sufficiently united. Tomorrow's vote could set the stage for next parliamentary elections.

The WUC has organised various events to honour the victims of China’s most violent crackdown against the Muslim minority. Activist denounces policies that result in “crimes against humanity and genocide.” No Muslims from Xinjiang has been allowed to join the Hajj. Sinicisation and re-education camps have been set up for the Eid holiday.

An OECD-FAO report expects ice output to rise worldwide by 11 per cent with robust growth in exports from Cambodia and Myanmar. After the peak triggered by drought fears, prices are still 14 per cent higher than 12 months ago.

The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations and the China Labour Bulletin release a report that highlights the latest trends involving Chinese labour. The China Labour Bulletin has monitored labour actions across the country since 2011. In 2023, protests over non-payment of wages and factory closures jumped tenfold over the previous year. Several factors are at play, like higher labour costs, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trade wars between China and the West.

Russia exported 24% more oil to China in 2023 than in the previous year. And the Sila Sibiri pipeline is also operating at full capacity. But Beijing's rush into renewable energy production and the electric car market says that its goals are divergent from Moscow's. And that the current boom - vital for Russian finances - cannot last long.

The region’s legislature passed a new law that changes the role of the regulator, who can now deregister social workers who supported the pro-democracy movement. Hong Kong’s welfare secretary called for the depoliticisation of the sector after so many social workers backed the 2019 demonstrations. The most vulnerable will pay for this in a society where the exodus of young families is creating an emergency for seniors.

In a historic decision, Japan’s highest court rules in favour of victims. Almost 25,000 people with disabilities or chronic illnesses sterilised between 1948 and 1996 can now obtain compensation of almost US$ 20,000 each, but the real battle is for dignity.

In Manila, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States spoke about Sino-Philippine tensions over sovereignty and maritime rights, recently highlighted by a direct clash at sea of the two countries’ navies. On the divorce law, the archbishop stressed that “the teaching of the Catholic Church with regard to marriage is very clear,” but “it is a matter for the bishops” to deal with.

A survey by the Pew Research Center confirms a trend that began before the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers tend to reflect a country's economy and performance by the incumbent government. In both Japan and South Korea, the top political leaders show lowest approval rates ever.