North Asia

| CHINA – RUSSIA – MONGOLIA

Gazprom's CEO announced a “legally binding agreement" with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The pipeline, which Russia has been pushing for years, could supply up to 50 billion cubic metres of gas per year to China over 30 years. For Russia, it would be vital to offset lost markets in Europe. Chinese media have been silent on the details that have blocked the agreement so far.

by Vladimir Rozanskij

The former soccer player and secretary of Georgian Dream wants a third term as mayor of the capital. The Putin-aligned oligarch, the country's “real master,” was present at the party. Anti-Western slogans and threats to expel the EU ambassador. For the opposition, the mayor-champion's new candidacy is yet another anti-Brussels “signal.”

| 07/08/2025
| GEORGIA - RUSSIA
by Stefano Caprio

One of the most popular figures in the Orthodox Church, he died at the age of 65. A writer and poet, he was among those who championed Putin and the war in Ukraine, but was disliked by Patriarch Kirill. Pitirim became bishop of the capital of Komi in 1995, at the age of 34. His style was very popular for its informal communication, especially with young people. His odes were examples of Russia's “obedience to destiny”.

| 28/06/2025
| RUSSIAN WORLD

Gomboja Zandanshatar was elected after the resignation of Oyun-Erdene, who was ousted following strong youth protests in Ulan Bator. A former banker who studied in Russia and did research at Stanford, he will face serious economic challenges, including inflation, deficit and unemployment. ‘Budget review inevitable,’ he said. Tax reforms and restrictions on luxury consumption and high incomes have been announced.

| 14/06/2025
| MONGOLIA
by Stefano Caprio

Pentecost and ‘Russia Day’ fell just a few days apart. ‘Where are you, my Church?’ asked Father Andrej Misjuk bitterly, calling for a return to a faith that ‘does not tolerate lies, does not bless those who cannot be blessed, and once again sets out on the path that leads from Jerusalem to the Eternal.’ Meanwhile, in his new ‘Fable,’ Vladimir Sorokin recounts a post-apocalyptic world.

| 14/06/2025
| RUSSIAN WORLD
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Only 42% of graduates from teacher training colleges go on to work in schools, and many teachers are leaving the profession. Disparities in pay between Moscow and the country's suburbs are a major factor, as is the increasingly ideological approach of the entire education system.

| 12/06/2025
| RUSSIA
by Alessandra De Poli

New data from the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF indicate a drop of 22 million child workers in four years. However, 138 million children remain trapped in this scourge, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy. Expert Insaf Nizam, who spoke to AsiaNews, highlighted the role of economic growth, warning of the dangers of inequality and family responsibilities.

| 11/06/2025
| ASIA
Editor's choices
 
After serving time in prison for refusing to join the Party, he served as coadjutor to Bishop Li in Luoyang before retiring to his village in 2011. Some local Catholics spoke to AsiaNews about him: “In China, following the right path by believing ...
| 08/09/2025
| CHINA
 
In a chat picked up by a hot mic, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping talk about the possibility of organ transplants allowing people to live up to 150 years. China has never adopted a clear and transparent system for organ donation. Despite new regulations, ...
| 04/09/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China refers to the general as the “acting president of Myanmar”, enhancing the military junta’s credentials. For its part, India plans to send a delegation to monitor Myanmar’s ...
| 03/09/2025
| MYANMAR – CHINA – INDIA
 
The pontiff met in the Vatican with former residents of Diego Garcia, the island in the Indian Ocean, who were removed in the 1970s to make way for a large UK-US military base. Last May, the UK signed an agreement transferring sovereignty to Mauritius, ...
| 23/08/2025
| VATICAN
 
by Gregory
A demolition order was also served to 19 Buddhist sites in the city's "cultural zone," set to be razed to unearth ancient Ketumati. AsiaNews reports local Catholics are dismayed by the threat looming over the church dedicated to the Sacred Heart, ...
| 23/08/2025
| MYANMAR
 
Eighty representatives of the Modern Orthodox movement, led by Rabbi Yosef Blau, have launched an appeal calling for "moral clarity" and "responsibility" based on the values of Jewish tradition. While condemning Hamas, they call for a "response" to the ...
| 20/08/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
Concern is growing around the world about the health of the 77-year-old businessman, a symbol of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, who has been imprisoned for nearly 1,700 days under China’s national security law. The prosecution began ...
| 18/08/2025
| HONG KONG
 
by Santosh Digal
ahead of the vote, they play a ‘crucial role’ in guaranteeing the electoral process. On 5 August, a MiRLeC meeting was considered a ‘moment of shared introspection’ and a ‘project for a fairer electoral future.’ StAengthening ...
| 11/08/2025
| FILIPPINES
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”