East Asia

Kang Neung-hwan, 92, has never seen his son in the North. He has prepared a basket for him with cough medicine, socks, and vitamins. "I'm not sure if I'll even recognise my family," said Yu Seon-bi, 80. "After 61 years, the memory wanes."

At the General Audience Pope Francis indicates the "clues" that help us understand whether "we live the Eucharist well or not so well": "seeing those who take part in the celebration as our brothers and sisters", " feeling forgiven and forgiving others" and "coherency between the liturgy and our life". Do I help, am I close to, do I pray for those who have problems" or am I indifferent? Or maybe I just gossip: 'Did you see how he or she was dressed?'".

Analysts express doubts, Beijing may have been distorted data by multiplying fake trade with Hong Kong. The authorities defended themselves: "The merit of the Lunar New Year, which traditionally is the best commercial time of year”.

The US Ambassador is on her first visit to the island, home to a large US military base. Washington would like to move the base but in doing so, it would harm the local economy and environment. Local authorities are opposed to the move. Expressing local concerns, local papers wonder whether it is "not inhumane to pose a threat to the habitat of the dugongs" and the livelihood of "a population that doesn't want your base".

The Pope Emeritus "lives a discreet life, without any public dimension, but this does not mean that he is isolated, closed as if in a strict cloister". His relationship with Pope Francis "also includes moments of personal encounter, dialogue ... one goes to the home of the other and vice versa. And then there are other forms of contact for example the phone or messages that are sent: a completely normal relationship and, I would add, one of solidarity".

The Cobra Gold Drills are held in Thailand, with ASEAN, Japanese and South Korean troops. The soldiers have to kill cobras and drink their blood. Observers include Russia, Pakistan and Vietnam. Beijing troops only part of exercises related to emergencies. China is also invited to maritime exercises in the Pacific Ocean.

Top officials from their respective cross-strait agencies are involved in talks aimed at (informally) bridging further the gap between the two sides. Beijing wants a free trade agreement; Taipei stresses the importance of freedom of the press. Source tells AsiaNews that "The status quo is not in question."

In the Mass this morning, Francis speaks of rediscovering the "sense of the sacred", "entering into the mystery of God, allowing ourselves to be part of the mystery". Visiting the Pope in Santa Marta is not a tourist attraction.

For a decade, the Global Language Monitor has monitored approval ratings for the world's most fashionable cities. New York tops the list this year. Coming in tenth position, Shanghai is Asia's top city, followed by Singapore, Tokyo and then Hong Kong.

At the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis invites and urges all Christians to be "shining lights not lights that have gone out" to bring the "light of Christ” to all. Thanks to healthcare professionals ("Thank you very much for your valuable work!") ahead of the World Day of the Sick. Prayers for families who have sick members: "Do not be afraid of fragility". Greetings for the athletes and organizers of the Winter Olympics in Sochi (Russia). Closeness to all those affected by natural disasters.

The Servant of God Paul Yun Ji- chung, a layman, and 123 companions, were killed because of hatred of the faith between 1791 and 1888 . Yesterday, the decree on their martyrdom. The beatification ceremony should take place on August 15. Pope Francis should also be present at the opening day of the Asian Youth Day, on August 13 , whose theme is "Asian Youth! Wake up! The glory of the martyrs shines on you".

In the first of the New Year, a man set himself on fire in the Malho county. Authorities remove his body, but it is unclear whether he is alive or dead. Local source: "All communications blocked, he set himself on fire for the cause".