Mindong: Fr. Liu released (VIDEO). But in Zhengding the bishop has been kidnapped for over a month

The situation of the Church in China has become increasingly worse since the signing of the agreement. The concordat with Nazi Germany in 1933 gave the Church freedom for a few months. Then crucifixes were removed from the schools; Catholic associations were brought back under the Nazi party; everyone was obliged to study Nazism. Fritz Stern: The concordat with the Holy See boosted Hitler's respectability in Germany and abroad.

According to a panel of three judges, Washington has failed to prove that Chinese misconduct justified tariffs imposed in 2018. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs of € 350 billion. Beijing asks them to respect the verdict. The White House responds the WTO is inadequate to deal with Chinese violations. Experts: the verdict will have no practical effect.

At the end of last year, thousands of residents of the north-western city of Lanzhou were stricken with brucellosis, a highly contagious disease caused by contaminants from a state-owned biopharmaceutical factory. Although local officials said the disease would heal itself over time, many residents are still suffering from it.

For Fr. Francis Hu, a priest from central China, the "experts" celebrating the agreement have no idea of the real situation in China and the Church. Since the agreement was signed, the sale of Christian material on the internet has been blocked; churches and crosses continue to be destroyed; minors are prohibited from entering church or receiving religious formation. The agreement risks being just a political gesture, which has no relevance for Catholics in China.

The meeting to resolve issues in investment agreement between China and the European Union. EU: We want an agreement, but only if it's worth it. The Union presses on respect for human rights. Chinese President: We don't accept lessons from Europeans.

Reinhard Bütikofer, co-chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, says that the European Union must take a firm stance in today's summit with Xi Jinping. For him, “Europe cannot allow Beijing leaders to bully any of our member states or our partners”. China's peaceful rise has turned hegemonic. China has breached the Sino-Vatican agreement.

For the families of detainees, pro-democracy lawmakers and student unions, Beijing's charges violate the "presumption of innocence". Detained in a Shenzhen prison, the 12 pro-democracy activists, including a minor, cannot communicate with the outside world or meet their lawyers. For pro-democracy groups, they could become pawns in the US-China row.

They are located in Uchturpan county, and are home to more than 20,000 Uyghur inmates, about 10% of the local population. A few days ago, on a visit to Europe, Wang Yi declared that all "education centers" had been closed. US website: 268 fortified structures built in the region since 2017. The international community protests.

During his regular press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman expresses appreciation for the "successful" implementation of the Sino-Vatican agreement and promises "improvements in bilateral relations". But he does not explicity commit to anything. Chinese Catholics see the renewal as a forgone conclusion: China dominates the Catholic Church and needs diplomatic victories. The United Front is pulling against the agreement.

Colombian police arrested seven traffickers accused of recruiting at least 30 victims. Poor and vulnerable women were sent to work in Guangdong nightclubs with offers of well-paid modelling jobs.

Geng Xiaonan, the head of Ruyia Books, was arrested along with her husband on charges of having engaged in an illegal activity. The woman is among those who supported Xu after his arrest in July. For the Qinghua University academic, this led to her arrest.

According to a survey by the World Economic Forum of 20,000 people in 27 countries, 74 per cent of respondents are willing to get vaccinated, too little to guarantee the success of the treatment. The Chinese are most willing to get vaccinated whilst the Russians are the most sceptical. At least 8,000 Boeing 747s will be needed to deliver the vaccine around the world.

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong gifts the popular desert to inmates every year, since 2010. Pope Francis among the sponsors.  Prisoners react: “At least there are some people who still remember us and care about us during the holidays”.  Also last year, with all the pro-democracy demonstrations, he received permission.  This year, under the security law, the gesture is categorised as "a political activity".

The Chinese Communist Party "Big cannon" is accused of embezzlement and graft.  He faces the death penalty for a year in prison.  Banned by the Party for calling Xi Jinping a "power hungry clown".  He is considered the most important and resolute exponent of a group that wants to introduce constitutional democracy in China.