The ‘new generation’ prime minister of the city-state chose the People's Republic of China for his first trip outside Southeast Asia. In his meeting with Xi Jinping, he praised ‘multilateralism and the rules-based global order’. The ambitions of the former marginal colony that has become a major financial hub between East and West. On Taiwan, support for the ‘one China’ policy.
Taiwanese lawmakers have reviewed a bill that would open the door to the return of atomic energy. Fears of Chinese invasion have raised concerns about energy security. With the development of artificial intelligence, energy consumption is set to grow by about 13 per cent by the end of the decade.
As with the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic entities controlled by the Communist Party of China kept publicly within diplomatic boundaries, unlike Catholic communities who were joyful for their new pastor. The issue of the two bishops elected in recent weeks will be the first test for the new pontiff. In a statement, Taiwanese President Lai expressed hope that his country and the holy See can promote peace and justice together.
On a visit to the archbishop’s residence, the president bowed three times before the pope’s picture. A Taiwanese delegation will travel to Vatican City led by former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, a Catholic. Meanwhile, three days after the pontiff’s death, the Patriotic Association posts a statement on his death, calling for prayers.
The opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party slashed and froze by 7 per cent the 2025 budget proposed by President Lai Ching-te’s administration. The president who was elected last year does not have a majority in parliament. Military spending and subsidies to the country’s state-owned power company were the main targets. For Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai, the cuts are only meant to obstruct the government.
From Mindong, Hong Kong and Taiwan to Milan’s Chinese community, various voices speak at a meeting sponsored by AsiaNews on the feast day of Saint Francis Xavier, grateful to the communities that have kept and passed on the faith amid many difficulties and new encounters, with questions about meaning in a changing world.
