Despite being shut out of the SWIFT international payments system, Russia did not turn to China’s (CIPS). Putin was betting on the yuan-centred system to replace the one based on the dollar after the attack on Ukraine. Refineries in China have stopped buying crude oil from Russia for December, waiting to see the effect of new Western sanctions on Russia’s oil sector.
For Xi Jinping, the new Pericles, China’s “consultative” democracy is the true one since it involves everyone. Yet, China’s regime forgot to consult everyone, like the people who continue to protest against anti-COVID lockdowns, or dissidents, be they religious or academic, who languish in prison or lose their job for not toeing the party line.
He was the chief aide to former Party General Secretary Zhao Ziyang. Both fell from grace for opposing the Tiananmen Square massacre in June 1989. After years in prison and under house arrest, he turned into a prolific pro-democracy advocate. For his daughter, Bao still harboured some hope for China.
Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Europe asked to adhere to restrictions on the export of semiconductor technology to China. With the 'Chip Alliance' Biden aims to create a supply chain that excludes Beijing. The example of Huawei's 5G ban.
The Communist Youth League, the Party’s reserve team, has been excluded from the regime’s ruling body for the first time since 1978. Rumours continue to fly about former President Hu Jintao’s removal from the 20th Congress. A new opposition to Xi will emerge sooner or later.
The British authorities have opened an investigation. Consul General Zheng Xiyuan was also allegedly involved in the beating of the Hong Kong citizen. More and more nations in Europe are criticising the diplomacy of the Chinese 'wolf warriors'. European export industries, however, are calling for a pragmatic approach.
The zero-COVID policy has strengthened the police state and social control, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang. Many human rights activists and lawyers remain in prison awaiting trial or sentencing. In China, Xi's "two cornerstones" are a must.
105-year-old Song Ping calls for preserving the reform and greater liberalisation policy launched by Deng Xiaoping. Xi aims at a new centralisation of the economy. Most of the president's critics remain cautious. New purge among executors of Xi's anti-corruption campaign.
There are 1,121 political prisoners in the former British colony. Proceedings against the Catholic media tycoon will open on 1 December. Ongoing trial for Albert Ho and Lee Cheuk-yan. For jurist Benny Tai there is no precise date. Trail of Card. Joseph Zen postponed again.
The two leaders meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The Russian leader fully backs China's Taiwan policy, and appreciates Beijing’s “balanced" position on Ukraine. For his part, the Chinese president spreads his wings in Central Asia, the Kremlin’s traditional turf.
The premier wants the country to maintain the policy of "reforms and openness" that underpinned China's economic miracle. With his 'common prosperity', Xi aims to centralise power. National economy in trouble, with a rapidly ageing population. Choice of new prime minister central to future direction.
Chinese authorities offer condolences, but the former Soviet leader is held responsible for the end of a great empire. Many in China believe he made a huge mistake in trusting the West. Deng Xiaoping considered him an 'idiot'. Shortly after his visit to Beijing in May 1989, the regime ordered the Tiananmen massacre.
The trial for the Catholic tycoon, founder of the Apple Daily newspaper - in jail for 20 months - will begin on 1 December. It will be entrusted to a panel of three specially appointed judges, dropping a cornerstone of the local system's legal protections. Lai has announced that he will plead not guilty to charges of "sedition and conspiracy with foreign forces" for which he faces life imprisonment.
In the Hubei city, the "congress" charged with dictating the line and renewing leadership. Vice-minister Cui Maohu praises the "autonomy and independence" of the Chinese Church and calls for "serious study and implementation of Xi Jinping's directives." In the review of the six years since the previous Assembly no mention of the Agreement with the Vatican on the appointment of bishops.
According to analysts, to modernise the Chinese military needs people with specialised skills. Beijing's new White Paper on Taiwan envisages reunification with less autonomy than previously offered to the island.
The launch of Dongfeng missiles as part of China’s military drills is a response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Beijing has added another zone of operation to the exercises. One zone overlaps with Japan's exclusive economic zone, which China does not recognise.
It is deemed incompatible with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The former British colony is a signatory to the document, unlike the Chinese central government. Criticised for repression of freedom of expression. Calls for investigation into police actions during 2019 pro-democracy protests.
Fr. Mella begins a three-day protest in front of Shek Pik prison. He urged the imprisoned activists not to lose hope. In January, he had demonstrated calling for the release of Catholic tycoon Jimmy Lai. Since the imposition of the security law, police have arrested nearly 200 people; 113 have ended up on trial.
China’s president is promoting allies from one of his political fiefdoms to the highest offices of the state. Wang Xiaohong is now national security czar and can control Xi's rivals. The Fujian faction also has a foothold in the Central Military Commission. Their rise is however threatened by Xi's protégés in Zhejiang and those of Premier Li Keqiang.
Xi Jinping arrived in the former British colony to show that normalization has become a top priority. On July 1, 1997, Martin Lee and Margaret Ng from the balcony of Parliament were calling for freedom and democracy, while today they are reckoning with the consequences of the National Security Act. And Hong Kong is increasingly becoming a sad, depressed and fearful city.
Lu Ke used children in Malawi to make videos for profit. Chinese social media carry videos of Africans sending messages of good wishes, but some have racist content. The case sparked protests in Malawi. Racism is a new area that could wreck relations between China and Africa.
Under the zero-Covid policy, without a health code it is impossible to travel or access public places. Current account holders at four banks in Henan have filed complaints after discovering they cannot withdraw their money. Many uarantined after their Qr code turned red. However, antigen tests show they are negative for the virus.
Victoria Park will be empty again. The authorities want to erase the memory of the fallen of 4 June 1989 killed by the Chinese government. The organisers of the traditional commemoration are in prison. Even the Catholic Church fears the security law.
China could miss the growth targets set by the government. The current economic situation is worse than at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Li is called to solve the economic problems created by Xi's policies. From here to the Communist Party Congress in the fall, the two leaders and their factions will be vying for power.
With the Rajapaksas in power, Beijing financed infrastructure projects that were often unnecessary and overpriced. The port and airport in Hambantota district are the most striking examples. China holds 10 percent of Colombo's external debt, like Japan, but at much higher interest rates.
The authorities tighten restrictions in various parts of the country, as requested by paramount leader Xi Jinping. Censors remove online criticism. US companies in China are also critical of Beijing's zero-COVID policy.
The faction to which Premier Li Keqiang belongs has lost four million members in 10 years. 20th Communist Party Congress: the Chinese president wants an ally as the new prime minister. The worsening pandemic and economic crisis only obstacle to Xi, who aims to prevent Comunist Youth League member Hu Chunhua from heading government.
The design of the pocket text is reminiscent of those distributed during the Mao era. It is part of the propaganda ahead of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which will most likely grant Xi his third term in office. Authorities censor online debate on CCP history.
Economic growth at 4.8% in the first quarter; unemployment at 6% in March, the highest since 2018. In preparation for the 20th Communist Party Congress, the Chinese president's line doesn't change. Lockdowns spark citizen protests. Companies struggle to survive.
Seen as a favourite to replace Premier Li Keqiang, Li Qiang, communist boss in Shanghai and Xi Jinping’s ally, is under attack for his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. If the health crisis spreads, turmoil might follow with serious economic repercussions. A weakened Xi will have to give room to factions that oppose him.
