Earthquake in Sichuan: 12 dead and 125 wounded. 100,000 people affected

Giovanni Pang also would like the Pope to pray for Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, also a Catholic, who "turns a blind eye to the outcry of Hong Kong citizens". Priests from Hong Kong, "especially those who are supportive and are close to the underground Church community in China”, are at risk.

She had been jailed along with her husband and about 100 other Christians in December 2018. Another Christian, Li Xiaofeng, was also released. Both are free on bail but can be re-arrested at any time. The state of their health is unknown.

For the auxiliary bishop of Hong Kong, the demands of young people are just and show they "care about society". Ongoing protests against the extradition law are the only way forward against a political system unwilling to listen.

In his homily, Card Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, spoke about yesterday's protests against a draft extradition bill.

The government has decided to again postpone the debate on the controversial extradition law today. Last night, the most violent episode in the territory in recent decades. At least 72 people, aged 15 to 66, were injured; two of them are in serious condition. In a video message, Carrie Lam, head of the executive, defends her position and accuses the youth of organizing a "revolt". Card Zen and Msgr. Joseph Ha in support of young people and for peace. Global condemnation and China’s response: "China's internal affair".

In a historically unprecedented role reversal, the Chinese dissident is calling for a Westerner to be freed.

Rainy weather in southern China ruined plants and crops. African swine fever is expected to reduce pork production by 25-35 per cent. The US-China trade war is an additional factor. Fruit prices rose 26.7 per cent whilst pork prices jumped 18.2.

Thousands of people - mostly young people - have gathered in front of the parliament since yesterday evening to express their opposition to the law. Prayer vigils and morning prayers also in the cathedral. It is feared that the young will block the streets of the center with a huge sit-in, as in the days of Occupy Central.

The underground bishop, who died on 8 June, was not given a solemn funeral or acknowledged in accordance with his status as a bishop. Official priests and nuns were not allowed to attend the services. Chinese authorities are afraid of bishops even when they are dead.

The first Chinese companies arrived in Bangladesh in 1997, and now number around 400. China has contributed to the booming garment industry whose aim is to reach US$ 50 billion by 2021. Bangladesh, which has the lowest wages in the region, has sought a plurality of foreign partners to avoid the China "debt trap".

The appeal, signed only as "Diocese of Hong Kong", comes two days after the great demonstration of over one million people. It asks the government to address "the questions and fears" of lawyers and public and to resolve disputes peacefully. But the head of the executive, Carrie Lam, reiterated today the will of the government to pursue the approval of the law. Mass strike of workers, schools and universities scheduled for June 12, the day of discussion in parliament.

The underground bishop, who the government had exiled in a remote mountain village, was a strong point of reference for the official and underground faithful. Despite being persecuted, he asked the faithful to follow the laws of the country. Devoted to the Virgin Mary, he founded an institute of nuns and was very careful to cultivate vocations to the priesthood. "His every word and action is a model for us and will remain in history for a thousand years."

The march took place peacefully. But after a statement by the government, which reaffirms the desire to pass the law, hundreds of young people clashed with the police in Wan Chai and in front of the Legco (Central).

The underground bishop died on June 8. FHe had been exiled to a mountain village under house arrest since 1992. But many official priests have expressed obedience to him. Bishop Li suffered years of imprisonment for refusing to belong to the Patriotic Association and 17 years of forced labor camps.