Arithmetic of 0-cycles on varieties defined over number fields

Abstract: Let $X$ be a rationally connected algebraic variety, defined over a number field $k$. We find a relation between the arithmetic of rational points on $X$ and the arithmetic of zero-cycles. More precisely, we consider the following statements: (1) the Brauer-Manin obstruction is the only obstruction to weak approximation for $K$-rational points on $X_K$ for all finite extensions $K/k$; (2) the Brauer-Manin obstruction is the only obstruction to weak approximation in some sense that we define for zero-cycles of degree 1 on $X_K$ for all finite extensions $K/k$; (3) a certain sequence of local-global type for Chow groups of 0-cycles on $X_K$ is exact for all finite extensions $K/k$. We prove that (1) implies (2), and that (2) and (3) are equivalent. We also prove a similar implication for the Hasse principle. As an application, we prove the exactness of the sequence mentioned above for smooth compactifications of certain homogeneous spaces of linear algebraic groups.