Hong Kong

| HONG KONG

Five years now since the pro-democracy protests out of 10,279 people arrested only 28.8% have been remanded for trial. But for Justice Secretary Chris Tang, ‘the authorities must be given time to gather evidence’. Chow Hang-tung's request to call people living abroad to testify on video at the trial was rejected.


Some construction workers have had their salaries cut by half by recruitment agencies. Local union also blames a property market downturn for the suspension of a scheme that brought in  almost 10,000 non-local workers.

| 09/09/2024
| HONG KONG

The editors of the newspaper (already forced to close like the Apple Daily) Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam face up to two years in prison in a verdict expected by September. The ruling is likely to have further profound implications for press freedom in Hong Kong. For the police chief, it is proof of the ‘necessity and legality’ of the crackdown on activists and critical voices. Reporters sans Frontières: 28 journalists prosecuted since 2020.

| 30/08/2024
| HONG KONG

The exhibition tells “a very different story" about the unrest and the "colour" revolutions in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. Unlike the narratives in the Western media, the protests were not demands for freedom, but attacks on security and order, while Xi Jinping stressed “social stability” as a “prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China”.

| 13/08/2024
| HONG KONG – CHINA

After two days of competition, Asian fencers take home three out of four gold medals. This sport is increasingly popular in South Korea and Japan, while it is set to become Hong Kong’s national sport. Vivian Kong Mai-wai's victory in the women's epee follows that of Edgar Cheung Ka-long, who emerged as Hong Kong’s star with gold in the men's foil at Tokyo 2020.

| 29/07/2024
| ASIA – OLYMPICS

The PIME missionary from Italy today began a hunger strike in front of the government headquarter, Admiralty district. He is moved by the injustice inflicted upon an African immigrant’s daughter and hundreds of prisoners jailed for crimes of opinion. “It is as if the problem does not exist,” he laments, noting that freeing them would create a climate of trust.

| 15/07/2024
| HONG KONG

The region’s legislature passed a new law that changes the role of the regulator, who can now deregister social workers who supported the pro-democracy movement. Hong Kong’s welfare secretary called for the depoliticisation of the sector after so many social workers backed the 2019 demonstrations. The most vulnerable will pay for this in a society where the exodus of young families is creating an emergency for seniors.

 

| 03/07/2024
| HONG KONG - CHINA
Editor's choices
 
The annual document for Pope Francis on initiatives for the prevention of child abuse was presented today. The Commission calls on local Churches to overcome a “culture of silence, a reluctance to report abuse, and a general lack of education and ...
| 29/10/2024
| VATICAN – ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
AsiaNews met the bishop of Ha Tinh, in the north of the country, among the participants at the Synod that concludes this weekend. Waiting for the signing of full relations between Hanoi and the Holy See. Faith and spirituality are ‘very ...
| 24/10/2024
| VIETNAM
 
by Gianni Criveller
Th, Fr Gianni Criveller, editorial director of AsiaNews, made the comment following the renewal of the Agreement between the Vatican and Beijing on episcopal appointments. Given the lowkey with which the renewal was announced suggests awareness that ...
| 23/10/2024
| VATICAN – CHINA
 
Set for Friday, 25 October, the ordination in the Chinese capital becomes the first appointment (in agreement with Rome) after the renewal of the Agreement on episcopal appointments, expected in the coming days. The new prelate is 54 years old, just ...
| 18/10/2024
| CHINA – VATICAN
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
Fr Alberto Berra, a PIME missionary in the city of the first atomic bomb in 1945, speaks about the decision to award the prize to the association that gives voice to the victims who still bear the signs of the explosion from almost eighty years ago. ...
| 11/10/2024
| JAPAN
 
Chosen by the Swedish Academy for her ability to deal with "historical traumas” and “the fragility of human life", the 53-year-old author is the first Korean to win the prestigious award. Alongside "The Vegetarian", her most famous novel, ...
| 10/10/2024
| SOUTH KOREA
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Francis’s decision to choose George Koovakkad, 51, his close aide in organising papal journeys, and not to the new major Archbishop Thattil, means that in a few months this young priest will be the only cardinal elector of this Church of the Eastern ...
| 09/10/2024
| VATICAN – INDIA
 
by Dario Salvi
AsiaNews met with Archbishop Mathieu on the sidelines of the Synod, a few hours before the announcement of his elevation to the rank of cardinal. The appointment shows the pope's "incessant desire" to "weave and strengthen bonds with all peoples." ...
| 07/10/2024
| VATICAN - IRAN
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”