East Asia

| ASIA TODAY

Today's news: in Gaza, according to the UN, a surge in deaths from starvation is 'imminent'; South Korean president's warning: fake news and artificial intelligence a 'threat' to democracy; Indian police arrest five people for the assault on Muslim university students at a hostel in Gujarat; Burmese junta bombing in Rakhine kills at least 23 civilians, including women and the elderly. 


Becoming increasingly popular in recent years due to inflation, they have spread from Asia to every continent in the world, even high-income countries. In the United States, they have even become the new informal currency of prisons. But among health experts warn that high salt content is a cause for concern.

| 15/03/2024
| ASIA
by John Ai

The clash was triggered by the threat to ban the platform voted by the US House of Representatives. In response, the Chinese authorities have promised to defend its interests. American public opinion is also divided over the social network's popularity. Despite concerns, in the run-up to the vote in both the US and Europe many leaders (including Biden) have opened accounts.

| 15/03/2024
| CHINA
by Nirmala Carvalho

The Final Declaration of the Third Christian-Taoist Colloquium held these days in Hong Kong promoted together with all six religious communities present in the metropolis. The secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Msgr Indunil Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage: "A moment of profound openness and mutual listening. Meeting opens our eyes to others'.

| 15/03/2024
| VATICAN - ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

For thirty years, Tokyo has been focusing its development aid for Dushanbe on hospitals and mobile first aid devices. Interventions that have led to significant improvements in some areas. Now the goal is to bring the whole of Tajikistan up to the minimum health care standards set by the World Health Organisation by 2030.

| 15/03/2024
| TAJIKISTAN-JAPAN

A delegation of 11 representatives of China’s “official” Catholic bodies took part in the assemblies that ratify Xi Jinping's political choices. Bishop Yang Yongqiang, one of the two bishops who attended the Synod at the Vatican, was also present. Bishop Shen Bin told journalists that the new goals for China’s Catholic community are “self-control, self-management, and self-construction”.

| 14/03/2024
| RED LANTERNS

Baek Kwang-soon, 53, is being held on espionage charges. The Love Rice Sharing Foundation, a Protestant charity he works for, says that “all sorts of Russians, Thai and North Korean workers” are “in need, and we provide them with clothes, food, and gospel.” Last month, North Korea sent 300 workers, despite a UN ban.

| 13/03/2024
| RUSSIA - SOUTH KOREA
Editor's choices
 
On the ninth anniversary of his death, a Eucharistic celebration marked the end of the local investigation towards the beatification of the young man who died protecting others during a deadly Islamist attack in Youhanabad. “We pray for this grace ...
| 15/03/2024
| PAKISTAN
 
Baek Kwang-soon, 53, is being held on espionage charges. The Love Rice Sharing Foundation, a Protestant charity he works for, says that “all sorts of Russians, Thai and North Korean workers” are “in need, and we provide them with clothes, ...
| 13/03/2024
| RUSSIA - SOUTH KOREA
 
Inaugurated by Modi in the foothills of the Himalayas, it will facilitate connections in Arunachal Pradesh, including military links to the de facto border with the People's Republic of China. Claiming sovereignty over the region, Beijing issued ...
| 12/03/2024
| CHINA - INDIA
 
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is set to fast track the approval of a national security bill tabled today that imposes unprecedented restrictions to all forms of freedom in the former British colony, including life in prison for “treason” ...
| 08/03/2024
| HONG KONG - CHINA
 
The worst case is Myanmar, where both the regular army and armed resistance make extensive use of landmines. Almost half of the countries that are not signatories to the UN treaty are in Asia or the Middle East. In Southeast Asia region, Cambodia has ...
| 01/03/2024
| ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The 2024 Niwano Peace Prize, the “Nobel Prize for Religions" was given to a Sufi Muslim, who teaches at the American University in Washington, for his "holistic contribution to the cause of peace”. After the Hamas attack sparked Israel's ...
| 27/02/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
An image of Christ on the cross painted in Stanley Prison by the Catholic businessman on trial under the National Security Act is on display at the Catholic University of Washington. Meanwhile Agnes Chow from Canada recounts her imprisonment in Hong ...
| 27/02/2024
| HONG KONG - UNITED STATES
 
by Santosh Digal
The archbishop of Goa was elected today in Bangkok by the heads of the continent's Bishops' Conferences. Next January he will become the third Indian to head the collegial body, taking over from Card Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, who led the organisation ...
| 22/02/2024
| ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”