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.
Driven by the Chinese leader's "redistributive" policies, such as the crackdown on hi-tech, real estate and private education giants. In China there are 626 billionaires: potentially a counter-power in the eyes of the regime. In China's rural areas, per capita income is less than half that of the cities.
Fighter jets and a frigate have been delivered,the possible arrival of eight submarines pending. In 10 years, China has sold almost US$ 6 billion worth of armaments to the Pakistanis. Beijing is exploiting the war in Ukraine, and the US distraction, to advance in South Asia. Border tensions with Delhi remain.
Just under 5,000 deaths in three months, mostly elderly. Under citicisim from the population, businesses and experts, the city government is preparing new health regulations. Local leader Carrie Lam also attacked by members of her (pro-Beijing) camp. Central authorities fear the situation could create political and social instability.
China's defence budget up 7.1 per cent this year, higher than the expected GDP growth of 5.5 per cent. The announcement by Premier Li Keqiang at the annual meeting of the National People's Congress. Beijing is preparing "legal" instruments to justify potential military operations.
With a possible attack by Beijing in mind, Su Tseng-chang points to Ukrainians' resistance slowing down the Russian advance. Taipei is trying to reassure the population that the two situations are different. But doubts shroud the real will of the Taiwanese to oppose the Chinese.
The Chinese call for "restraint" and a diplomatic solution, ignores the fact that the situation is already out of control. United States accused of fomenting the crisis. Chinese business giants worried. Taiwanese microchip exports to Russia may be blocked. Japan ready for new sanctions.
The video of her being chained has sparked online outrage across the country. Not even the Winter Olympics can distract the public's attention. The authorities' incoherent statements fail to convince. Two activists arrested. The story has been censored online.
Zhu Yi has come under the spotlight of national public opinion after two falls. According to critics, she was only chosen because of the influence of her father, a renowned scientist and expert in artificial intelligence. On the other hand, the gold medal-winning skier Eileen Gu, who was also born in the United States, was acclaimed.
In five years’ time the People's Liberation Army will be 100 years in operation. Prominent academic Jin Canrong: Beijing can take the island in a week, and the US can't avoid it. Pentagon prepares response with mobilising of troops and military machinery in the region. Nationalist professor reprimands Japan.
