AsiaCast

Asia Cast for Sunday 27th January

In this Bulletin…

- Pakistan defends nuke protection policy;
- Japan’s Prime Minister warns of risks to world economy; and
- Eighteen rail workers killed in China.

********************

Pakistani security officials have issued a statement insisting that there was no danger of the country’s nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.

Pakistan is believed to have between 30 and 40 nuclear warheads, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, these could be stolen by Islamic militants. Commentators and politicians in the West have long harbored concerns that these could be stolen by Islamic militants.

Recent political turmoil in the country, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in late December, and President Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of a state of emergency in November, has stoked those fears.

Lt. Gen. Khalid Kidwai, head of the army’s strategic plans division, told a news conference Saturday that the weapons were protected by a “fool-proof” security system comprising 10,000 troops assigned to guard the country’s nuclear facilities.

********************

In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has warned of growing risks to the world economy.

His words come after turbulence in the financial markets sparked by fears the US could be headed towards recession.

Mr Fukuda said that he welcomed the efforts made by financial and monetary authorities around the world, adding that “authorities in major countries will analyse factors behind the recent turmoil in financial markets and rapidly seek medium to long term responses”.

********************

Eighteen rail workers have died in China’s Shangdong Province after a high-speed passenger train ploughed into the group. Nine others were hurt in the accident.

Officials said a maintenance crew turned up early for track replacement work – before an order for trains to slow down had taken effect.

More than 100,000 people die each year in work-related accidents in China. Analysts say this train crash once again draws attention to the country’s abysmal safety record.

********************
Chinese authorities say they have launched a corruption investigation against Mr Chen Tonghai, the former head of the oil company Sinopec, whose resigned last June.

Mr Tonghai gave personal reasons for his retirement but state television now reports that Mr Chen took what it described as huge bribes, and abused his position to benefit his mistress.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has made tackling rampant corruption one of his top priorities.

The corruption drive comes ahead of the Beijing Olympics as China prepares to face mounting international scrutiny

********************
And now for our original SOH news direct from China
**********************

Severe snow conditions continue to affect towns and cities across China with provinces such as Guizhou suffering road blocks and power cuts.

From early morning on 24th January, due to damage to power lines and heavy demand for electricity, Guizhou cut electricity supply to Guangdong province and to its own high-energy demand sectors as well with 10 counties throughout the province in a state of blackout.

In addition, food and materials cannot be transported there, so prices of goods have risen sharply.

Weather expert, Ji Tingyan, of Guizhou Professional Observatory explained, the freezing condition would continue for some time and is unlikely to ease in the days to come.

********************

Authorities is Beijing have passed a new Internet Regulation that requires the government to intensify its control and surveillance of video entertainment websites on the Internet.

The new regulation is to be carried out from 31st January 2008, leading to disputes over the Internet freedom.

Some analyst thinks, in order to encourage foreign investors, the Chinese Communist Regime briefly allowed a bit of space and freedom for private websites.

Experts say the new regulation is a reaction to the rising popularity of the internet video.

********************
And now for our daily update on the NTDTV Divine Performing Arts “New Year Spectacular” show.
**********************

Today marks a break in the calendar for the Divine Performing Arts New Year Spectacular show before the New Years Splendour shows begin in New York on the 30th of the month.

Many audience members travelled significant distances through heavy winter weather to see the shows after hearing friends and relatives describe how stunning they were.

Robert Zana, a businessman from Chicago explained “The songs and the show are about what every human being wants: peace, love, harmony, meaning in life, and freedom.

“These are the things we all want when you strip away all of the accidental stuff about geographically where you come from or what you do. Underneath we are all the same.”

To find out more about the shows please visit http://www.bestchineseshows.com.