Red Lanterns

A survey promoted by the Fondazione Intercultura found that 45 per cent of teenagers are interested in a period of study in China. It also gathered the impressions of those who have already done so, suggesting a positive view of relationships and culture, and excellent professional benefits. Yet, there is also a greater awareness of the country as it really is, beyond the myth of its technological prowess.

While Xi Jinping visits Washington (where the issue of human rights remains taboo), Chinese authorities informed the family of Shi Tingfu that he had died in prison from a “heart attack”.  The long-time activist had been detained in 2024 for reporting on protests by a group of farmers. For the CHRD, the denial of medical care constitutes a form of torture in China today.

In the Chinese education system, having an independent mind is a disqualifying factor from the outset and is subject to criticism from teachers and parents. It is no coincidence that the teaching method is mnemonic. And – as an AsiaNews source explains in this account – this is the broader context in which the growing bans on minors entering churches must also be understood.

Beijing has confirmed that the Chinese president will attend the BRICS summit on 12-13 September. This is his first visit to India in seven years, marking a thaw facilitated by Trump's slights against India. However, following the 2020 conflict in Ladakh, a border agreement remains elusive, and competition persists.

Due to the economic crisis, some of these establishments have become temporary shelters for the homeless and gig workers. In a small town in Guizhou, the owner has turned his café into a trendy place with live online broadcasts during which he raises funds to make up for the shortcomings of social services.  

The mountain pass swept away by the flood of water and debris was a symbol of China’s ambitions for the ‘Nepalese corridor’. But it was also the hub of a region where Beijing is providing aid to local mountain communities to strengthen its control over Tibet.

Zijin Gold International has acquired a minority stake in the Canadian company Allied Gold, which aims to commence mining operations in Kurmuk, in an area of Ethiopia close to the border where the RSF has major logistics centres (and, via Dubai, interests in the gold market).

The Sea Legend Shipping Company will inaugurate the first regular container service via the Northern Sea Route. South Korea is following with a trial voyage. The thawing Arctic and the difficulties affecting traditional routes are making the arctic more attractive. But ice, costs, sanctions, and security are limiting commercial ambitions (for now).

After the real estate crisis drained local finances, Beijing is focusing on private wealth to finance the race for artificial intelligence and semiconductors. But new taxes, controls, and steered investments are increasing the risk of passing the cost of this industrial strategy on to households.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, digital psychological and psychotherapeutic support services have grown significantly in the country in response to the lack of adequate countrywide resources, as well as to the stigma surrounding this topic. However, those who exploit this need are also increasingly fuelling collective anxiety.

The first regulations on artificial intelligence services designed to build emotional bonds with users have come into effect. Chinese authorities want to combat emotional dependence and inappropriate content. ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent are eliminating or modifying features dedicated to “virtual companions”.

The latest survey by the Pew Research Center shows a strong polarisation in Asia and Asian societies. While territorial disputes are a major source of fear, Beijing is seen more positively among middle- and low-income countries.