East Asia

| RED LANTERNS

A new report accuses Chinese state-owned companies of supporting the Burmese junta's arms production for over a decade, particularly at the DI 21 military plant, where aerial bombs used against the population are manufactured. This ongoing support includes know-how and essential components for manufacturing weapons. Experts are calling on the international community to put pressure on Beijing to stop military assistance and start a genuine peace process.


The South Korean president met with the cardinal, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy. He is hoping to meet Leo XIV soon and that the pope’s 2027 visit for WYD will be an historic step towards thaw and peace in the Peninsula. Speaking to reporters, the cardinal said that the WYD is “a great opportunity to make the spirit of martyrdom known to young people”. During the weeks of chaos over the attempted imposition of martial law, Pope Francis prayed for South Korea.

| 07/07/2025
| SOUTH KOREA – VATICAN

Under the pretext of security, the Hong Kong government presented lawmakers with a bill aimed at tightening the rules for meetings with doctors, lawyers, and religious leaders. According to its backers, violations and abuses have characterised prison visits in the past. According to the authorities, human and civil rights, including those of prisoners, should be “limited by the need to maintain national security, discipline and order.”

| 07/07/2025
| HONG KONG

In January, Japan will try to mine the seabed in its Exclusive Economic Zone. Like the United States, India and Australia, Japan wants to compete with China for leadership in this sector. The test to recover sediments at a depth of 5,500 metres is the first in the world. The aim is to “test the function of all mining equipment.”

| 05/07/2025
| JAPAN

In the second quarter of 2025, Vietnam's GDP grew by 7.96 per cent thanks to booming exports. The new trade agreement with the US has improved the climate of confidence, but transhipped goods from China risk affecting the entire regional production chain.

| 05/07/2025
| VIETNAM – UNITED STATES – CHINA

An investigation by Finance Uncovered has revealed that almost US$ 40 million from state development funds from the United Kingdom, Norway and Denmark have been invested in a company that operates digital surveillance infrastructure and technologies in Myanmar. The accusations involve software developed in China used to intercept communications, block VPNs, and monitor users. After the 2021 coup d'état, these systems have allowed the military to expand its control over the Internet.

| 04/07/2025
| MYANMAR

On the eve of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will recognise his next reincarnation. Religious tradition will thus be respected while China will be excluded from any role. However, Beijing immediately responded by claiming control over the process. This heralds a future with two Dalai Lamas and a major legitimacy crisis that could turn into a wider geopolitical confrontation.

| 02/07/2025
| CHINA – TIBET
Editor's choices
 
by Dario Salvi
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| 17/07/2025
| ISRAEL - PALESTINE
 
A new report accuses Chinese state-owned companies of supporting the Burmese junta's arms production for over a decade, particularly at the DI 21 military plant, where aerial bombs used against the population are manufactured. This ongoing support ...
| 17/07/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
by Vladimir Rozanskij
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| 16/07/2025
| TAJIKISTAN
 
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| 10/07/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
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| 10/07/2025
| JAPAN
 
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| 09/07/2025
| CHINA
 
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| 07/07/2025
| ITALY
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Four years after the death of the Jesuit who dedicated his life to defending the land rights of India’s indigenous peoples, the Bagaicha centre, which he founded in the State of Jharkhand, continues to fight for the poor. Despite threats and continuous ...
| 05/07/2025
| INDIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”