At the Oceania Island Leaders' Forum meeting currently underway in Palau, agreement was reached on a text that, while not specifically naming Beijing, criticizes the test conducted in July. The meeting was also marked by Chinese attacks over the invitation to Taiwan's Foreign Minister.
Today's news: consumer prices in China rise for the first time in six months, driven by the New Year; Punjab, blasphemy: 22-year-old student sentenced to death for Whatsapp messages, a 17-year-old to life imprisonment; UN enquiry: Iran responsible for 'physical violence' that killed Mahsa Amini; Settlement and settler attacks in the West Bank reacheshttps://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/china-economy-consumer-prices-february-chinese-new-year-4183161 record levels.
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is set to fast track the approval of a national security bill tabled today that imposes unprecedented restrictions to all forms of freedom in the former British colony, including life in prison for “treason” and up to ten years for “sedition”. The law also goes after people who do not report government opponents, a provision that will serve as an additional tool of pressure on religious communities.
An "incident” involving a journalist covering the "Two Sessions" in Beijing shows the extent to which digital controls are used to silence dissatisfaction due to the real estate market crash.
John Cao was arrested in 2017 by Chinese authorities for "illegally" crossing the border from Myanmar, where he worked. For years, he and a co-worker had crossed the same border with no problems. Married to a US citizen, he wrote a collection of poems in prison, which were published by ChinaAid, an organisation that fights for religious freedom in China.
The special summit between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ended today. All countries in the region have very close economic ties with China and do not want to be dragged into the geopolitical dispute between China and the United States. However, Chinese provocations in disputed waters continue, with yet another clash involving Philippine ships.
The traditional premier’s press conference has been cancelled. Addressing the Two Sessions, Premier Li Qiang reiterated the government’s plans, despite the pessimistic outlook by the International Monetary Fund. The real estate crisis and local government debt have halted infrastructure projects in 12 provinces. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping's purges continue in the Party.
Archbishop Kikuchi of Tokyo made the announcement in a letter. After more than 100 years, the weekly’s print version will cease publication as of March 2025. The magazine will still deliver the news online while a free monthly paper will “be distributed to every parish.”
Bishop Ri Iong-hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, issued an appeal in the wake of labour dispute that has paralysed South Korean hospitals for the past two weeks. For the prelate, “the sanctity of life takes precedence over everything else.” Both sides “must find a compromise” so that patients are not held “hostage to unavoidable conflicts.”
The worst case is Myanmar, where both the regular army and armed resistance make extensive use of landmines. Almost half of the countries that are not signatories to the UN treaty are in Asia or the Middle East. In Southeast Asia region, Cambodia has become a leader in demining.
Today's news: Tokyo sends mini-drones and robot-snakes to one of the Fukushima reactors to prepare for the removal of highly radioactive waste; Israel aims to build new settlements in the West Bank, nearly 15 thousand housing units; Burmese junta hits a market in Rakhine State, at least 12 dead; In Russia, controls on mobile phones and apps increase.
In large enterprises, units linked to the Chinese armed forces are again being formed. Private companies are also following the example of public ones. A way to manage potential unrest in the context of the economic slowdown and to strengthen the Communist Party's control over companies.
Today's news: Vientiane aims to build one of the largest 'wind farms' in the region; India heart of global aviation industry by 2040; Bangkok wants to pass a law this year that will only allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes; South Korea sends military personnel to hospitals amid young doctors' strike.
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