berlin. arrived in iraq the first papal visit to the country, urging iraqi christians to stay put and rebuild after years of war and persecution. also coming up. china moves to tighten its grip on hong kong, as beijing shifts focus from fight against coronavirus to longer-term goals.

and, as pressure grows on eu leaders over vaccine shortages, delete blocks a shipment of covid-19 shots to australia. could this be the first strike in a global vaccine war? ♪ welcome to the show. pope francis has arrived in baghdad to kick off a historic four-day tour of war-torn iraq. it is the first time a pope has visited the country. the 84-year-old touched down in the capital in the last few hours. the prime minister led a welcoming committee before the capital convoy made its way -- papal convoy made its way to the presidential palace. the pope is marking the beginning to what he describes as a pilgrimage of peace. >> over the past several

decades, iraq has suffered the disastrous effects of wars, the scores of terrorism and sectarian conflicts, often grounded in a fundamentalism incapable of expecting -- accepting the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups, different ideas and cultures. all of this has brought in its wake death, destruction, and ruin. religion, by its very nature, must be at the service of peace and fraternity. the name of god cannot be used to to justify acts of murder, exile, terrorism, and oppression. >> this father as a catholic monk who has been living and working in iraq since 20 set -- 2011. he joins us now from iraqi kurdistan. congratulations to you on the arrival of pope francis in your

country. will you go to see him and what do you hope his visit will bring? >> yes, i will visit him, or i will visit the mass on sunday afternoon, in air view. -- er bil. i'm here in sulli monthi -- sou leimaniya, 150 kilometers from their. he says it is -- there. he says it is today his intention that his visit will promote and remind people that they are here friends, and there are brothers here. it will give also much hope to the christians, to see that solidarity of the whole church here in iraq. >> tell us about the christian community in your city?

there has been a lot of persecution of christians in iraq. how was the situation in your community? >> sulli month -- souleimaniya is not exceptional. in some parts of iraq christians are well-liked. but here we have a long tradition to live together. we have an old community here. it is not a very old city but we have from the beginning, from the foundation of the city, we have christians here. we had a big jewish quarter. and we have come of course, our muslim neighbors here. souleimaniya was always very much known for its dialogue. christians have a known for mediation between different tribes here in the region. >> the christian population of iraq has fallen drastically over

the past two decades. there are reports of under 250,000 left in the country. do see a future for the christian communities in the country? >> there is certainly a future. we have much to work on here in iraq. i think especially the christian community is a key community for the construction of peace, here interact -- here in iraq. i am looking especially to the young people living here today. there are so many young people and so much hope. we see that when we have here courses or conferences. [singing] so we have very much hope for them. >> what does the pontiff's visit

made to christians, not only in your community but also the country as a whole? >> christians, in general, are from the middle class. and so christians are in a very well respected part of society. certainly, the christians have been questions toward the majorities. and the majority, the sunni, bigger minority and the majority of the shiia, will they be available for constructive dialogue or not? >> father, in iraq, thank you very much for speaking to dw today.

a year ago, much of china was shut down, to help contain the coronavirus. with the pandemic largely under control in the huge country, its leaders now want to get the economy back on track. 3000 delegates are taking part in china's biggest political even the annual national people's congress. they will be rubberstamping laws drawn up by the communist party elite, setting political parties -- political priorities for the next five years. >> neighborhood security officers patrol beijing streets. when they are around it is a sure sign an important chinese political gathering is underway. the officers aim to prevent displays of dissent during the event. the mood at that gathering is optimistic. china has largely managed to control the covid pandemic. so the party has set an target for economic growth. the most important goals for this year are an increase in gdp

of 6% and the creation of 11 million new jobs, and urban areas. amongst the party's other plans, a large increase in the military budget, and greater investments in new technology, to make china less dependent on the rest of the world. china is also planning to tighten its control over hong kong, through an electoral reform set to be approved through beijing's national people's congress. >> [speaking foreign language] >> we want to ensure, in principle, that patriots rule hong kong. >> mass arrests have already weakened hong kong's pro-democracy movement. activists fear these changes could deny people a voice in the city assembly. >> let's take a look now and other stories making news around the world. police in myanmar open fire on protesters in the city of

mandalay, local media rorting one person has been killed. fresh protests have erupted in several cities following the crackdown from the military junta which saw 38 deaths earlier this week. the united nations is set to open talks on the crisis. in senegal, you clashes have erected in the capital, the car, -- dakar, between protesters and police demanding the release of a detained opposition leader before he was due to testify on a rape charge. one person has been killed in arrests since then. two u.s. and japanese astronauts embarked on a spacewalk as they continue to upgrade solar panels on the international space station. the zero gravity service work is expected to take 6.5 hours. it is the fourth iss spacewalk of 2021. the european union is under pressure over vaccine shortages,

as infection numbers continue to climb. brussels is now backing a band by italy, on the export to australia, of a quarter million doses of the astrazeneca vaccine. so far, the drugmaker, astrazeneca, has delivered only a fraction of the shots it agreed to supply to eu member states. australia is asking for a review of the band but playing down the impact. -- ban, but playing down the impact. >> in italy large dying at the rate of 300 per day, so i can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in italy and in many countries across europe. it is regularly conveyed to me. so they have real difficulties there and they are in an unbridled crisis situation. that is not the situation in australia. nevertheless we have been able to secure supplies. >> let's speak to an mep for

germany's social them across who chairs the parliament committee on foreign trade. does italy have the support on this decision? >> the support by the european commission, but not in general. i think the instrument, per control and the ban is not the right instrument to solve the problem. and as you mentioned in your report, that is the problem with astrazeneca, because they are not sticking to their obligation of a contract. >> you voiced an opinion on the export ban. in a recent tweet you called the move, a mistake and said quote a pandora's box was opened. are you concerned the european union could be triggering a protectionist seen war here? >> indeed, that is the big question. as i mentioned we have a problem

with one company. but we used an instrument which has triggered all companies in the world, and of course we have reaction. for example from several countries in latin america, asking, what is going on in europe? on the one hand you're asking in the wto, to reduce tariffs and cut down nontariff barriers, at the same moment you have protecve measures insi the european union. this is not fitting together. and they are right. i think this is an excuse for other countries to establish similar protective measures. >> with vaccine rollouts in the eu having been comparatively slow, doesn't it make sense for governments to prevent vaccines leaving eu territory? >> no. we are living in an open world. and of course we have also some supply of vaccine coming from outside the european union.

and you can easily argue, why should they supply for vaccine use in the european uni? no, it is a global problem and we need a global solution. vaccine against corona should be a public good. it is totally not acceptable if we have a contract with a single company and they are not fulfilling thebligion. regardless of where the company is based. d regardless to which nation this fact -- this vaccine should go. we have to stick to the rentable, if there is 8 -- to the principal, if there is a contract, both partners have to stick to the obligation. >> what do you suggest countries do to overcome vaccine shortages? >> we knew and work in capacity, that is true. perhaps this was also fought in the vaccine stragy of the european union. we invted in the research and

production. but we did notnvest in the production capacity. and of course, it is not so easy to[-] and we need more capacity. until now, the european commission established attacks forced -- eight established a task force -- the european commission established a task force. and to go for more production capacity, i think we should go for more pressure to companies, to allow other companies, partner companies, to use patents and technical know-how, to establish more production capacity. >> the european parliament international trade committee had, thank you for your time. that is it for now and you're up-to-date. up next is business with kate ferguson. remember, there is always more on the dw news app and dw.com.

we are also on instagram and twitter. on behalf of the dw team here, thank you for watching. ♪ ♪ >> did you know 77% of africans are younger than 35? >> that is me. >> annie. >> and you. >> and you know what? it is time our voices were heard. >> on the 77%, we talk about the

issues that matter to you. >> from politics to fashion. >> from housing to homegrown talent. >> this is where it is at. ♪ >> welcome, to the 77%. >> this weekend, on dw. >> china unveils an ambitious growth plan as it seeks to enhance its technological prowess. we ask, what can europe garner from the statements at this year's national people's congress? meanwhile, the african union has unveiled a plan to fund massive infrastructure development program. could this lessen the continent's dependence on chinese investment?

and we take you to a bookstore in taiwan with a dim view of over displays. this is dw. i am kate ferguson, welcome to the program. china has its most high profile political event of the year, the national annuals people's congress. the world second-biggest economy is aiming for growth of 6% this year as it pursues a longer-term goal of becoming a global leader in telecommunications and big tech. the proceedings are being closely watched here in europe, or the question of strengthening ties with china is the source of heated debate. >> china's economy is emerging from the pandemic stronger than it was before, and is already showing accelerated growth. but the chinese communist party wants more. they want china to become the world's tech leader. to that end, the government plans to invest $1.5 billion in

the sector over the next four years. businesses in the eu also have half to profit from that. china is an increasingly attractive market fo the eu as chinese consumers will also use their growing disposable income to buy european products. some german companies already make a large part of their sales in china, like extra, which makes components for the semiconductor industry, carmaker v w, and chipmaker infinion. a joint investment agreement between the eu and china finalized in december, could make the chinese market more accessible to european firms. among other things it aims to ensure fair or competitive conditions in the future. china's five-year plan is primarily a plan -- about their own progress. the people's to my credit wants to become bored pendant -- -- become more independent in light of recent trade disputes with the u.s. which could create opportunities for european companies.

>> to talk more about china's economic ties with europe and the rest of the world i am joined by an economist at the center for international economics in munich. you have called on the eu to strengthen ties with asian countries including china. why do you think this is so important right now? >> so, with the emergence of global value chains asia became important in global production, especially in europe, many final goodrely heavily on asian intermediates. therefore, we gain gnificantl if we managed to reduce trade costs with asia. with respect to china, i think the european union has a high interest in strengthening ties, especial because china is such a largeountry and therefore a large market also for european firms. but, however, i also think that the european union has -- does

not want to strengthen ties with cha at any price. so there are a couple of nonnegotiable's for the european union. fo example, e protecon of intellectual property rights. so, before these are solved, i do not think we will see that much of a strengthening there. >> i would like to pick up on something you set. china is considereto be a difficult partner, especially when it comes to market access. what you make of the eu's recent investment tax with a country and you think it would be ratified by the european parliament? >> first of a, i think it is a step in the right direcon that the european union and china are on the negotiating table, so that is a first thought on this. however, the european union is being promised lots of market access through this packed, -- pact, but one crucial point that is normally always part of investment treaties is missing, namely a proper and

state-of-the-art dispute ttlementechanism. wiout this mechanism, the whole treaty does not have that much teeth, in fact. so, because you are asking me about ratification, when we think of europe, and how we have difficulties these days to ratify other trade deals, that are much less controversial, think of breck said, or the deal with other countries, there we have very much difficulties to t the deal done, so i think we will see a couplof difficulties in the ratification process. >> from the center for international economics in munich. meanwhile, the african union has unveiled a far-reaching plan to fund infrastructure development across the continent. the measures would seem ever countries spending 5% of the money held in their sovereign wealth retirement at insurance funds on the project. the hope is that the large-scale

investment would provide a major boost to enter african trade, and possibly also -- inter-af rican trade and possibly reduce lines on chinese investment in infrastructure. >> the demand for infrastructure development in africa is as large as the continent. it needs new roads, bridges, ports and railways, and china has been investing massively in recent years. but, as debt burdens have risen, partly because of the coronavirus pandemic, investment has slowed. the african union estimates the continent is running an investment deficit of $60 billion-$90 billion per year. to generate enough capital, the african union has come up with the idea of an investment fund, into which african of either national output, or their pension funds. the african continental free-trade area encompasses potential market of 1.3 billion people. but trade between african

countries is often hampered by high customs tariffs and bureaucracy. before that improves much, countries will have to combine resources to build new roads, bridges, ports, and railways. >> let's bring in the ceo of calvary asset management who joins us from legos. how much of a boost will this be from intra-african trade? >> thank you for having me and it is going to be a major process. africans having trade among themselves, one of the barriers is a lack of infrastructure. you rarely have trans african highways that can move goods and people across africa. you find it difficult to move within the african continent because of the lack of capital and infrastructure. so the critical factor is that africans need to quickly improve

infrastructure supply, so trade can happen between countries. without strong infrastructure, it would be difficult to accomplish such things. [background banging] compared to the europeanni70% at an african countries cheaper than soft trade. >> how these funds be allocated? who decides what goes where? >> i believe african countries will look at what of the most critical infrastructure? transport infrastructure is most difficult, wrote infrastructures, highways, seaports -- road infrastructures, highways and seaports and airports. as well as the ease, if you

unlock landlocked african countries and open those countries to trade. and be able to bring goods to the seaport. part of this would be first, what are the most critical that need to be built quickly? >> the ceo of cowry asset management, thank you. >> my pleasure. >> now, to some of the other global business stories making news. indian farmers who are angry about the government's new agricultural policy are planning to block a major else -- highway outside delhi this weekend. the move will block -- mark the 100th day of protests. so far, talks between farmers and the government have failed. germany agreed to pay 2.4 billion euros to compensate energy companies over the decision to phase out of their power by 2022. chancellor angela merkel set the

target may, 2011, after an earthquake and tsunami caused three reactor meltdowns at japan's fukushima plant. next go city has launched the first of a number of plants -- planned cable car lines aimed at improving access to public transport for people living in the cities poorer districts. up until not residents of poorer site communities have had to rely on overcrowded bands to access subway stations. australia has called on the eu to left and italian lock on a planned shipment of the astrazeneca vaccine. italy blocks the shipment of 250,000 doses to the country in the wake of supply delays in europe. vaccine distribution issues are becoming a growing source of global tension. the european commission is likely to bring antitrust charges against apple, according to sources quoted by reuters and other media outlets. brussels is set to target

apple's payment system, it e-book system and the company's treatment of spotify on its app store. the potential charges a to a backlash of the fees apple and google charge developers to use the app stores. charges could come as early as this month. now, a great book should be illuminating. but what about the great bookstore? 41 shot in taiwan, the less light, the better. >> step into this bookstore, it's entrance built like a shrine. turn the corner and it gets dark. so dark, you cannot see where you're going, there are only books. >> [speaking foreign language] many say that i designed a dark bookstore. but in reality, it is not dark. we have 500 sets of light in here. s not completely dark.

i just made the space disappear. >> the focus is where it should be, on the books. with just enough light to delve into the story, and free the soul. hence the name of ther■ç■ç■ç■q■=

>> you are watching france 24. these are the latest headlines. a four-day tour of arak. -- arak. the president says the pontiff's decision to visit during the coronavirus and amid security concerns doubles the trips value. there is an urgency for collective action so says the u.n. special envoy to myanmar. they hold a closed-door session to discuss the military takeover and the bloody crackdown on those who oppose it.