On 22nd September, the Vatican signed a provisional agreement with the People’s Republic of China that gives the government the right to nominate bishops and the Vatican the right of veto. Beijing broke off relations with the Holy See in 1951, after accusing the church of espionage, but there are still up to 12 million Catholics in China, who either attend state-sanctioned churches or worship in so-called underground congregations. For decades, Beijing has subjected underground Catholics, clergymen, and their lawyers to prosecution, house arrest and imprisonment. Crosses on top of churches have been taken down and the churches themselves have been either placed under surveillance or been demolished. In 2016, the State Administration for Religious Affairs introduced a further 26 regulations to restrict religious practice. Last November, Christians were instructed to replace displays of Jesus, crosses and gospel passages with images of President Xi Jinping. And there is also talk of plans to rewrite the Bible with Chinese characteristics, incorporating Buddhist scripture and Confucian teachings, alongside with some rewriting of hymns. Against this background, and in the face of considerable controversy, the Vatican and the Chinese government have reached a deal that goes some way to establishing a lasting relationship. Earlier this week, I spoke with Cardinal Joseph Zen about what he thinks this means for Catholics.

The people who make decisions for Hong Kong are pretty unsentimental when it comes to “out with the old, in with the new”. Old businesses, streets and buildings are regularly pushed out of the way for big profits. That also applies to Hong Kong’s markets. The century old Graham Street Market has been fragmented to make way for a luxury residential high-rise. The Central Market is being “preserved and revitalised” although it’s pretty unclear exactly how this will be achieved. And all that’s left of the former Wan Chai Market, a Grade III historic building, is a façade that now serves as the entrance to yet another residential property. Also facing “preservation and revitalisation” is the more than a century old Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market, although there’s still intense discussion about what this entails.