The country's leaders are gathered at the traditional summer summit in the coastal town of Beidahe. A series of uncharacteristic changes among army leaders revives rumors of purges. The president remains aloof and has not yet visited the areas affected by the floods, which have also reached Beijing. Challenges of the economic situation and diplomatic relations.
With youth unemployment officially jumping to 21.3%, the movement against social pressure is growing. According to a document from the Guangzhou administration, 10% of young people agree with the "four nos" of this form of nihilistic protest. But from the Beijing authorities only invitations to "adapt" and slogans on the strengthening of the private economy without concrete openings.
The huge debts of cities and provinces are hindering the recovery, reducing Beijing's chances of stimulating the economy. The emblematic case of Guizhou which has a debt rate of 61.8% after huge investments in tourist facilities that have remained empty. The Wuhan Municipal Finance Bureau published an advertisement in the newspaper asking government agencies to pay off outstanding tax debts.
The US$ 4.1 billion deal reached last week in Paris does not include private banks, in which the Beijing holds a majority stake. According to Chatham House, the debt of African countries has increased fivefold from 2000 to 2020, with 12 per cent held by Chinese banks. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is asking creditors for a 30 per cent cut, a demand always rejected by Beijing.
Vice-President William Lai, who made the announcement, is running to succeed Tsai ing-wen. Starting in the second semester of the next academic year, the government will pay part of the fees to stop the decline in university enrolment. For the opposition, this is just an electoral ploy, but the enrolment crisis is affecting the quality of the offer.
The “Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2023” shows that Chinese tycoons are leaving in droves, giving China top spot for net outflow of high net worth individuals. After an economic boom that lasted between 2000 and 2017, China’s high-tech sector faces uncertainties because of Xi Jinping's policies. Singapore is the preferred destination in Asia. The quest for freedom and rights is a major factor behind the exodus.
Taiwan’s presidential race is still too close to call with just over six months to go. The DPP’s Lai Ching te is leading in the polls, but Taipei’s former mayor, Ko Wen-je, is closing in on the KMT candidate for second place. The island’s future is at stake, amid fears of war with China and “subservience” to the United States. Young voters and their unexpressed demands might tip the balance.
No vigil in Victoria Park or even suffrage Masses for the victims of the Beijing crackdown 34 years ago. The authorities threaten an iron fist against 'acts that endanger national security'. Along with political freedom in Hong Kong, the hope and joy of the people has also been abrogated. The meeting in prison with Lee Cheuk-yan, who for years has been the soul of the commemorations: even behind bars he remains a free and strong man.
Even among the 67 officially recognised by the Beijing authorities, a dozen are under close surveillance, 13 'underground' held in custody or restricted in their ministry. But in today's confused climate there are also about 15 Chinese priests who have proclaimed themselves bishops, defying both the civil and the ecclesiastical authorities.
A joke about Xi Jinping's military motto has landed Li Haoshi in hot waters, possibly behind bars even though charges have not yet been laid. The production company he worked for has been fined almost two million dollars and has suspended its shows. China cracks the whip of censorship a bit harder around the anniversary of the start of the Cultural Revolution.
The aim is to complete the programme and make it operational by 2030 thanks to high-resolution images. An 'ambitious and significant' plan to study distant celestial bodies in space. The economic and military challenge with the United States. Zhurong's Mars mission and the launch of the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 6.
Visiting temples to ask for a job is becoming popular among young Chinese. Although the economy is recovering from the pandemic, one in five young people are currently out of work. As an alternative, Chinese authorities are encouraging new graduates to accept manual jobs.
China reiterates its views, offering to send its former ambassador to Ukraine Li Hui as a go-between with Moscow “for in-depth communication”. After a faux pas over former Soviet republics, China expresses its support for theirs and Ukraine’s territorial integrity to bolster its own claim over its borders. Pope Francis and Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal meet and discuss ways talk of "efforts to restore peace.”
Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan detained before the meeting. Two of them, Wang Quanzhang, Wang Yu and Bao Longjun, managed to turn up for the meeting at the EU embassy. The European authorities demand their immediate release and deplore the acts of repression. A few days ago, two other well-known human rights lawyers were sentenced.
Taiwan’s current and former presidents are on highly political and symbolic visits. Beijing is threatening to act “resolutely” if Tsai meets with leaders in Washington. Ma praises the founder of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen, and promotes peace between the mainland and the island, but is censored by the Chinese.
The latest case is that of investor Bao Fan. The hi-tech sector targeted. Xi Jinping does not want tycoons who are too rich to challenge his power. The best known, Jack Ma, has been missing for over two years. The supreme leader launches an 'investigation' campaign with a Maoist flavour.
The search engine Baidu has unveiled its chatbot. After the presentation it lost USD 3 billion in value on the Hong Kong stock exchange. On the other hand, the US company OpenAi is launching GPT-4, which is also capable of artificially interpreting images and no longer just texts. Tech war with Washington threatens Xi Jinping's plans.
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.
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.
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.
The Chinese company pledges to follow a code of conduct adopted by the European Union. False information on the Ukraine war, often amplified by Chinese government media, is singled out. Twitter is the worst large social media platform in the fight against disinformation in Europe.
Under a 2014 agreement, the US can rotate small military contingents in four more outposts in order to block China’s expansion in the South China Sea and south of Taiwan. However, it will be hard for the Philippines to be openly anti-China.
Authorities destroy Buddhist religious sites in Tibetan autonomous areas, says Free Tibet. Operations reminiscent of the Maoist repressions of 1966-1976. Those protesting against the demolitions were arrested and tortured. Tibetans speak of 'cultural genocide'. Discrimination even in the health sector in the fight against Covid-19.
In Beijing some 40 protesters are still in prison. In late November, anti-lockdown rallies also took place in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Wuhan. In most cases, the place of detention is unknown. China's Generation Z is less "nationalistic" or "apathetic" than previously thought.
The World Health Organisation is sounding the alarm: Infections are bound to rise during Lunar New Year holidays. Although the authorities are not providing data, unofficial indicators point to an unprecedented number of deaths among seniors. Xi Jinping now risks losing face (and power).
The Philippine president ends a three-day state visit to China with 14 bilateral agreements and a direct line between the two countries’ foreign ministries. Philippine nationalists and activists want a tougher stance towards China. Marcos Jr’s flexibility will not solve maritime disputes.
He served in the archdiocese of the Taiwanese capital from 1989 to 2004. The faithful express admiration for his work, which coincided with a period of major political and social change on the island. His successor, Msgr. Joseph Cheng Tsai-fa, passed away last September.
Since the authorities lifted tight restrictions following mass protests, only seven people have reportedly died from the virus; yet, hospitals are full, medicines are running low, and ventilators are in short supply. Chinese authorities appear to be minimising the mortality rate for political reasons. Xi Jinping’s mistake was to focus resources on quarantine rather than hospital care.
Taiwanese Armed Forces invited to major Rimpac naval exercises in 2024. A 0 million per year fund created for ammunition for Taipei in the event of conflict. According to the Pentagon, Beijing could attack by 2024. However, the Ukraine war is delaying arms deliveries to the island.
Slated to open today, the trial has been adjourned until 13 December. The local executive has asked the National People's Congress to prevent Lai from being defended by Timothy Owen. Former associates of the Catholic tycoon prepared to testify against him. The former British colony risks a further blow to its judicial independence.
