Only 53 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot in the former Portuguese colony, despite shuttles carrying casino workers to vote at the urging of local government leader Sam Hou-fai. In July, 12 candidates were barred, and a former lawmaker arrested on "national security" grounds under legislation imposed by Beijing. Even among those who did vote, many returned a blank or spoilt ballot paper.
The Chinese Communist Party has recruited the Bamboo Union to promote unification with the People's Republic. Chang An-lo and other key figures have been exploited to boost China’s political influence on the island through intelligence gathering and psychological operations. Meanwhile, Taiwan is cracking down on a pro-Beijing party and prosecuting its members.
Two ceremonies were held today in Hebei’s “new” diocese established by Leo XIV, in which the authorities officially recognised two underground bishops. For the Holy See, this is “an important step in the journey of communion”, but Beijing is falsely attributing statements to them that pander to the usual claims about patriotism and the independence of the Church in China, sowing discord among the faithful in the communities that the move is supposed to unite.
With the approval of Leo XIV, Wang Zhengui was ordained this morning bishop of Zhangjiakou, a "new" diocese that replaces the sees of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi. Of the two underground prelates, one becomes auxiliary bishop, while the other (repeatedly subjected to restrictive measures) will retire. Meanwhile, in the name of patriotism, the Diocese in Shanghai held a “group viewing” of Xi Jinping's parade.
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 in God and maintaining a pure faith inevitably leads to persecution. But even if we suffer a little to bear witness to God, all this is still a blessing,” they remember him saying.
Tomorrow's celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the “Victory over Japan”, featuring a display of China's arsenal, is the other side of Beijing's “multilateralism”. In 2024, China spent US$ 314 billion on new weapons, second-highest military spending in the world after the United States. Japan too is also rearming in a dangerous race for the entire Asia-Pacific region.
In Jiangxi, where Matteo Ricci carried out his apostolate, Bishop Li Xuguang presided over the rite in the local cathedral before a large crowd of faithful. These ordinations join the 16 other performed in China since the start of the year, with two more scheduled in Beijing. These signs of hope come amid a drastic drop in vocations in recent years.
Some 22 heads of state and government will attend the "expanded" summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation in Tianjin opening tomorrow. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính will attend as China's “invited guest”. The meeting will focus on growing economic co-operation but also competition in the South China Sea.
Thanks to climate change, the race to uphold local beauty standards that require fair skin is taking on new forms in China, such as the ever-increasing popularity of clothing and accessories that allow full-body coverage (including the face) without the need for sunscreen, both on the beach and in the city.
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 its closing arguments in a trial that has dragged on since December 2023 and could end with a life sentence. The verdict, handed down by three judges specifically selected by the pro-Beijing camp, is expected in October.
Liu Jianchao, 61, considered one of the most influential candidates to become China's next foreign minister, was arrested on his return from the capital. According to experts, he may have paid the price for his personal activism or his close ties to Washington. Since 2022, he had travelled to more than 20 countries and met with officials from over 160 countries.
The rapidly growing market is driven primarily by younger generations seeking to fill the emotional void of a society where fewer children are born.
A new book by historian Paul Mariani traces the life of the Catholic community of Shanghai during the years when it was led by the Jesuit prelate, "illegitimately" ordained in 1985, a complex figure who, under difficult circumstances, sought in his own way to maintain a balance between Beijing and Rome. It is an interesting read not only about the past of the Church in China but also about what is going on today.
The Global Times reports news of seizures of fake versions of the Chjinese pop dolls that are trending worldwide. The same techniques that have been targeting major Western brands for years are being used on domestic products. The manufacturer is also studying countermeasures to combat this parallel market, in a general context that sees the growth of Chinese brands.
Chinese social media are discussing the corruption and sex scandal investigation against Abbot Shi, the man who turned the temple known for kung fu into a business empire. Similar accusations had surfaced in the past, but failed to dent his power. Some commentators note that his troubles began when he returned to China after a visit to the Vatican, which Beijing never reported. It is speculated that he went too far, undertaking an initiative not agreed with the Communist Party.
The diplomat, who has just taken up his post as his country’s representative to the Holy See, recounts his meeting with Leo XIV. Taiwan helped the pontiff “when he served in Peru”. Leo “said that he will pray for Taiwan.” The island does not “pose any threat” to China, offering instead “opportunities for dialogue and for peace.”
On the eve of the EU-China Summit tomorrow in Beijing, 17 NGOs sent an open letter to Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa, expressing their concern about China’s political prisoners, Uyghur repression, religious freedom, and the Hong Kong national security law.
At over 4,000 metres above sea level on the Yarlung Tsangpo, Tibet’s sacred river that becomes the Brahmaputra in India, the dam includes a system of five cascading plants that will produce enough energy to power the entire United Kingdom. Concerns have been raised about its location in an earthquake-prone area and the forced displacement of populations. The political implications will impact relations with Delhi and Dhaka on the crucial issue of water management.
More and more farmers, supported by comprehensive training and government incentives, are selling their products online, bypassing middlemen. E-commerce brings economic benefits, reduces waste, and offers new opportunities to young people. This is in line with the revitalisation of rural areas announced by Xi Jinping, helping to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas.
A new system is now in operation in the People's Republic that allows users to authenticate themselves to online services with a single code provided by the Ministry of Public Security. Although currently optional, it is being encouraged by several websites. The Beijing authorities describe it as a tool “to protect privacy” and combat identity theft. However, many suspect that it will make it even easier to monitor all online activity.
In the Catholic Church of Zhejiang Province, where Bishop Shao is a victim of repression, the priest who administered the “official” diocese is also targeted. Missing since November, he set to go on trial for publishing a book of sacred hymns without permission in another province, while rumours are circulating about his bank accounts. According to some sources, his real crime is insufficient loyalty to the Party.
According to anonymous sources, the dissident who publicly challenged "dictator Xi Jinping" in October 2022 and inspired the "blank paper" protest against the zero-COVID policy has been tried and convicted. Human rights groups are calling on Beijing to disclose his whereabouts and provide details about his trial. The case comes ten years after the crackdown on 9 July 2015 against Chinese civil rights lawyers, which continues to this day.
The Czech intelligence service's complaint against agents of the People's Republic of China, which denies the charges and speaks of “interference in internal affairs”. Meanwhile, today is the deadline for Chinese immigrants in Taiwan to prove that they have renounced their registration in the People's Republic. 2,237 have not yet done so, but authorities promise to ascertain their intentions before revoking benefits for residents.
At the second Forum held in Kazakhstan after the one in Xi'an in 2023, China and the five countries in the region signed 58 trade agreements with investments of over billion. Among the priorities are transport routes and energy, but also the processing of rare earths. On the political front, Xi Jinping gained support for his condemnation of all forms of ‘trade wars involving tariffs and sanctions’.
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.
In this huge country where the decline in the number of marriages (and births) has reached a critical level, introducing people with the declared aim of matching them for marriage is considered the simplest and most common way to achieve the goal, without being perceived as an outdated practice. Catholic parishes promote this type of activity. Parental approval is still necessary, but the way of going through with it can become an opportunity for new relationships.
With Xi Jinping's offer of mediation from Astana falling on deaf ears, China is looking with great concern at a possible direct US intervention in Iran. The crisis is highlighting the fragility of the multilateral bodies promoted by Beijing such as SCO and BRICS. Meanwhile, Chinese nationals are being evacuated.
The ceremony took place today in Fujian province. Leo XIV, in his first choice regarding the Church in China, formally appointed Lin Yuntuan alongside Ordinary Bishop Cai Bingrui (the last Chinese bishop appointed by Francis in January). The Holy See is satisfied with this “important step" that confirms the “journey of communion" at the basis of the agreement with Beijing. There is hope that things will turn out better than in Mindong.
South Korea’s new president and the Chinese leader spoke on the phone for about 30 minutes. China insists on the importance of “multilateralism” against the backdrop of Trump’s tariffs. South Korea calls on Xi to play a “constructive role” in the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
While the phone call between Trump and Xi Jinping is attracting the world's attention amid the Sino-US trade war, Beijing is moving forward with a project for large free trade zone on its southernmost island. To attract foreign investment, it is also launching a pilot project for direct access to the global Internet for authorised users and under state control.
