Russia’s leader highlights the building of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline by 2030, but China keeps it out of the final declaration. While willing to buy more Russian gas at discounted prices, Beijing also wants to keep its traditional suppliers. The Chinese are already in talks with the Turkmens for another pipeline.
Technology cooperation agreement signed between the two countries. Berlin risks infuriating China, its largest trading partner. German authorities in advanced talks to build a factory in Germany for TSMC, the world's leading chip producer. The knot of EU subsidies.
Cui Maohu falls after anti-corruption agency started investigating his work in his native Yunnan. In June 2022 he was appointed head of the National Religious Affairs Administration, the executive arm of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China. His is the third disciplinary action against a high-ranking official after China’s parliament ended its annual meeting a few weeks ago.
This is the government's likely response to the effects of the rapidly aging population on the welfare system. Survey: 74% of respondents want retirement under 55; only 6% accept it over 61. Reform to raise the retirement age to 65 under consideration: it would have strong social and economic effects.
In a new blow to Hong Kong’s autonomy, undermined already by China’s security law, the Communist Party, not the government, will be directly in charge of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. Jimmy Lai’s son Sebastian speaks out against his father’s imprisonment on “trumped up” charges. Labour activist Elizabeth Tang’s sister is arrested.
Honduras is set to switch from Taiwan to China. Since 2016, Xi Jinping has wrested eight diplomatic allies from Taiwan. Now the spotlight is on Paraguay. Taiwan is not standing idly by and could gain diplomatic recognition from Micronesia, which wants to break ties with China.
For Beijing, the pact will fuel the arms race and nuclear proliferation. Australia will have nuclear-powered submarines, not nuclear weapons, says US President Biden. Australians will buy three to five US submarines and develop a new type with the UK for US$ 235 billion. In China, observers note that Australia is sacrificing its economy for US containment of China.
Chinese president envisages a greater role for the country in global affairs. Diplomatic blow with mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Xi: Communist China has erased "national humiliation". Supreme leader fills positions of power with his men.
Hong Kong’s bishop accepted the invitation from the Archdiocese of Beijing. The last visit by a Hong Kong bishop, Mgr John Tong, was in 2008 for the Olympics, but on that occasion the latter was not allowed to meet Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, who now heads the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. The visiting delegation will include Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha, who in 2019 was very close to young Hong Kong protesters crushed by the China’s national security law.
More powers are given to the agency charged with citizens’ petitions. The country’s leaders fear new protests after those by anti-lockdown advocates and pensioners. While the National People's Congress is underway, the authorities have blocked and placed under surveillance defrauded savers in Henan. The police place lawyers and humanitarian activists under virtual house arrest. For Freedom House, China remains a police state.
Beijing's defence budget reached USD 225 billion. Taiwan responds with a 13.9% year-on-year increase. Japan will double its outlay in five years. Vietnam and Indonesia are not standing idly by. India a danger for China. Australia close to buying nuclear submarines from Washington.
Outgoing Prime Minister Li Keqiang said that it is necessary to “actively guide religions to adapt to socialist society”. In Henan, believers must fill out an online form to attend church Masses, mosque prayers or rituals in Buddhist temples. The newly selected (and useless) Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference has 11 Catholic representatives.
The new Foreign Minister to Chinese 'Parliament': Washington a source of global instability. Support for Russia reiterated, even if Ukraine invasion is contrary to the new international order desired by Beijing. Saving Putin means continuing the war, which threatens China's economy: Chinese exports in January-February register -6.8%.
China’s “Parliament” opened its annual session. Outgoing Prime Minister Li Keqiang performs his final act in office. China is hoping domestic consumption will boost economic recovery. Investors fear greater government control of the private sector. Military budget rises to US$ 5 billion. Xi Jinping faces major foreign policy hurdles.
Tomorrow at the National People's Congress his last official act as the regime's number two. Subtle attack on Xi Jinping: China's economy still needs 'reforms'. However, greater centralisation of power in favour of Xi and the Communist Party is expected.
He would have convinced the Chinese president to bring forward the reopening after the popular protests at the end of November. The economy was in danger. Placating the young was politically less risky than sacrificing the elderly and vulnerable to contagion. Doubts remain about the official figures for deaths and infections.
China is banning the chatbot developed by US-based OpenAi, which allows humans to chat with an artificial intelligence system. Baidu is ready to roll out its own version, while Alibaba is said to be developing one as well. Censorship and public opinion management remain an issue in China. Taiwan wants to offer its own “democratic" alternative for Chinese-speaking communities.
China’s economy grew by 3 per cent compared to India’s 7 per cent because of Xi Jinping's zero-Covid policy and the decline in global demand. India relies more on domestic consumption. China is aiming for recovery this year, but a super boom will be hard to achieve. US companies operating in the Chinese market are pessimistic.
Constitutional government, separation of powers and independence of the judiciary are now out. Previously, a directive had been issued encouraging students to report on teachers who deviate from the Communist Party line. Chinese liberals are a persecuted minority. Xi wants to promote China's ideological model in the world.
China’s parliament and main advisory body are set to start their annual meeting. The government reshuffle will be made official. Xi Jinping's third term should strengthen his position. Further centralisation of the decision-making process is expected.
A recent survey found that more than 60 per cent say they are willing to fight. According to recent wargames, the US and Japan could avert a Chinese attack, but at a very high cost. China's military are learning from Russia’s mistakes in Ukraine. Taiwan trusts the natural obstacle of the Taiwan Strait.
China releases a 12-point proposal today to solve the Russian-Ukrainian "crisis". It includes respect for the territorial integrity of countries, but does not condemn Russia’s occupation. For NATO and the EU, it is not very credible. Meanwhile, a Chinese company is getting ready to supply Russia with attack drones. At the UN, China abstains from voting against Putin's aggression against Ukraine.
The local church, which is huge, is currently spared. The faithful are asking for prayers to change the mayor's mind. The destroyed house is located in an area of high urban value. The local Catholic community has been without a bishop since 2005. The renewal in October of the Sino-Vatican Agreement on the appointment of bishops has not stopped government repression.
In a self-serving move, the Kremlin wants France and the UK to join the nuclear treaty, not China. The latter has the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world but wants nuclear parity with Russia and the US before joining the treaty. For Russian expert, Putin's move is political, not military; Russia has enough nuclear weapons. The risk for their use in Ukraine is low.
Last cleric to preside over Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei. He was secretary general of the Taiwanese Bishops' Conference. He published nearly 50 books. Remembered for his service to the Catholic Church and the academic community.
China’s envoy Wang Yi is in Europe. Scepticism surrounds Xi Jinping's announced "peace plan" to end the crisis in Ukraine. Beijing is ambiguous about the principle of territorial integrity. For China, unilateral sanctions are more counterproductive than armed invasions by one’s friends “without limits” in disputes between states.
Those in the "one-child" generation will not have enough money to care for aging parents in the future. The average monthly earnings of a recent graduate in his or her first job is 885 euros. Exorbitant housing costs weigh heavily. Youth unemployment almost at 17 percent in urban areas. The nation is in the grips of social upheaval.
In the event of a Chinese attack on Taipei, as stated by the corps commander, Patrick Berger. A new regiment will operate from Japan's southern islands by 2025. Possible use of killer drones to block Beijing's naval manoeuvres. British PM under pressure to consider China 'a threat'.
Protests broke out in Wuhan and Dalian. In Guangdong, provincial authorities withdrew cuts after public protests. Local authorities are trying to fill public coffers after spending billions of yuan on COVID-19 containment measures. The model of modernisation extolled by Xi is faltering.
Protested by British MPs and humanitarian groups. Erkin Tuniyaz accused of crimes against Turkish-speaking minorities. His trip to Paris and Brussels also cancelled. Beijing is on the offensive to try to mend fences with Europe.
