East Asia

Governor Zhou Xiaochuan pledges not to use “exchange rates or other monetary policies to stimulate exports", nor resort to massive capital injections.

During today’s Jubilee audience, Francis said that "By washing the Apostles' feet, Jesus showed how God acts towards us, and set an example of his ‘new commandment’ to love one another as he has loved us." Speaking to the participants in a course organised by the Roman Rota, the pontiff said that "the verification of the validity of a marriage represents a major possibility”. Those who have experienced a failed marriage “should be helped to follow this path as smoothly as possible."

The project is the largest investment ever made in Sri Lanka. Announced in September 2014 under former President Rajapaksa, it was blocked following criticism from fishermen, activists and Catholics. An area of 269 hectares will emerge next to the capital with shopping malls, luxury apartments and a Formula One racetrack.

Five years later, many problems still linger. At least 174,000 people are still evacuated, whilst farming and fishing in Fukushima are far from recovered despite the government’s optimism. At least, “30 to 40 years” will be needed to undone the effects of the damaged reactors. Meanwhile, most former residents do not want to go ack.

The Seoul government "is considering" the possibility of allowing the dispatch of medicines to approximately 1,500 TB patients cared for by the Eugene Bell Foundation. The Park Geun-hye executive says sanctions against the Pyongyang regime "remain valid, but we are assessing the humanitarian channel". Superior of Maryknoll Missionairies: "We do not want to enter into political issues, but to be apostles of peace to a people that desperately need hope."

The match between Lee Sedol vs Google’s artificial intelligence programme AlphaGo has captivated South Korea. For the human player, who has won 47 Go events in the world’s toughest game, “AlphaGo played a perfect game”. US$1 million prize is up for grabs.

The central government asks for "no restrictions" to registration of citizens, but 13 million people live without documents and without access to public services. Greed of bureaucrats to blame, who have built up extortion system around family planning that nobody wants to do without. Lawyers critical: "A massive failure for the law."

A former post office inspector, the new bishop’s vocation began when he was already an adult. As a missionary with the Paris Foreign Missions Society, he worked in China. During his stewardship of the society, the number of missionary vocations rose. In his view, developing the mission in Asia has a good impact on the missionaries’ native Churches.

Hsiao Yuhui describes herself as a mother, a grandmother, an educator and an artist. Through her work on fabric, she creates sacred works found in all of Taipei’s churches. Her artistic work "allows me to express my most special part of myself, the one that is in relationship with God.”

The magazine is well known nationwide for its financial reporting. Frowned upon by the authorities, it has always managed to survive thanks to the support and respect of its readers. Interview with a delegate who calls for "free speech” at the National People’s Congress deleted. In response, the magazine publishes an article describing Party censorship.

Health spending now stands at US$ 350 billion, one third for people over 75. With a low birth rate , the country’s population shrank for the first time last year. The issue is front and centre on TV, in newspapers and parliament. For one pro-life group, it would lead to “genetic selection”.

Nyima Yangkyi lost her 16 year old son, Dorjee Tsering, who set himself on fire to protest the Chinese occupation in Tibet. At his funeral in Dharamsala, the woman appealed to the young people: "You have many ways to serve your country and the Dalai Lama, our great spiritual leader. You have to study, you have to work for our country. But do not set yourselves on fire! I appeal to all of you: stay alive".