Father Wang Genxian, aged 55, of the Diocese of Fuzhou, was swept away by the flood whilst on his way to a church on pastoral business. A three-storey building collapsed in Xianyou County. Hundreds of people have died in the long series of natural disasters that have struck China in recent weeks.
A study sponsored in London by the British and Foreign Bible Society measures the impact of the arrival of more than 200,000 Hong Kongers in the country over the past three years. There are now 18% Christians in the communities, a much higher percentage than in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. But even among those who are not linked to any religious denomination, interest in Christianity is emerging.
A year after his first historic visit to Beijing, the cardinal and a group of aides held meetings in local churches in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, two metropolises in southern China on, like Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta. He also encouraged meetings among the laity to feel “that we belong to one family”.
There are 9 million uninhabited houses, almost 14% of the country's residential building stock. A phenomenon destined to increase as the population ages. It is affected by people moving from the outlying prefectures to Tokyo, but also by the elderly dying or going into nursing homes. Buildings are not maintained, exposed to collapse and arson.
Today's news: Uyghurs in Xinjiang have the highest incarceration rate in the world, one in 26 in prison; Delhi begins expulsion of refugees from Myanmar; Seoul raises terror alert in five embassies in Asia amid fears of Pyongyang attacks; New passage of Chinese ships and fighter jets through the Taiwan Strait.
Former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele will be the new prime minister. Analysts expect him to adopt a less confrontational approach despite ties to China. Pacific nations are torn between loyalty to their Western partners and agreements (especially on security) with China.
One million foreigners visited the country in the first quarter of 2024. Once a remote destination, it is now popular with eco-friendly travellers. But its weak currency and high debt push it ever closer to China and Thailand in exchange for a big slice of Mekong River hydroelectric power.
Today's news: at least 36 victims in Guangdong in highway collapse; Ankara wants to join South Africa in genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice; Bhutan is a pioneer in South Asia for primary health care (PHA); Heat wave and mismanagement cause a fish die-off in a reservoir in southern Vietnam, hundreds of thousands of animals dead.
Today's news: Vietnam convokes an extraordinary session of parliament; Beijing rewards the Burmese junta crackdown with a medal and money; Turkish Airlines resumes connections with Afghanistan, four flights a week between Istanbul and Kabul; First two phases of marathon election in India record lower turnout for 2019 Lok Sabha vote
In a disclosure to the Shenzhen stock exchange, China Rare Earth Resources and Technology said the industry was facing a “fundamental stage”. China continues to be a leader in rare earth mining and processing, but the country’s economic woes and the willingness of other countries to build new supply chains are cutting into revenues.
Today's news: The Afghan Taliban launch a nationwide anti-polio campaign; US court sentences Chinese student to prison for stalking threats against compatriot 'pro-democracy' campaigner; Casualties and new school closures due to heat wave in India and Bangladesh; Another two-year sentence for Thai activist in prison for lese majesty.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan swept three byelections yesterday. The ruling party even failed its seat in Shimane Prefecture, a conservative stronghold. Scandals over irregular fundraising but also the depreciation of the yen weighed heavily on voters’ minds.
Today's news: Xinjiang authorities block demolition order in old city of Kashgar, heart of Uyghur culture; Schools reopen in Bangladesh despite exceptional heatwave; Thai foreign minister resigns, negotiations with Myanmar at risk; India and Oman aim to strengthen trade agreements.
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