Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Friday 26th September

In this Bulletin…

- Recalls and import bans implemented as China’s milk scandal grows;
- NGO reports increase in Burmese suppression; and
- Protesters bring their messages to the UN General Assembly in New York.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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Investigations in China revealed that milk processors have been using a cocktail of chemicals and additives to stretch the amount of milk collected from dairies by up to 50 times.

Whey powder, fats and melamine increase the protein content of the milk, which is then diluted with water. Hydrogen peroxide and antibiotics are also said to be used to sterilize the milk.

Exports of the popular White Rabbit candy, which is made from milk, have also been halted after it was found to contain melamine. It is being recalled from more than 50 countries.

A European ban on all children’s food containing any traces of milk imported from China has been implemented, while the Philippines has removed all Chinese-made dairy products from shelves.

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Typhoon Hagupit recorded gusts of over 200 kilometres per hour as it made landfall in Guangdong Province in the south of China. Hagupit is the 14th strong typhoon this year, and the most severe to strike Guangong since 1969.

Maoming City was directly in the path of the typhoon. Residents said trees had been uprooted everywhere and that they feared some high-rise buildings would collapse due to the high winds.

Warnings have now been issued to 62 counties across the province.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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Repression in Burma has increased and the military government has failed to deliver on promises it made after crushing pro-democracy protests a year ago, says Human Rights Watch.

The group says some 2,100 political prisoners are in Burmese jails despite international efforts at mediation. It accuses the international community of failing to demand real reform and accountability from Burma’s rulers.

“Last September, the Burmese people courageously challenged their military rulers, and they were answered with violence and contempt,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The repression continues. While a handful of political activists have been released, more are being arrested and thousands remain in prison”, she added.

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A bomb blast in northwest Pakistan has killed a woman and two children on a train, police said. Another 12 people were wounded, at least three critically, by the device which was left on the tracks and exploded as a train passed by, derailing it.

Earlier, four suspected terrorists died during a raid in the southern port city of Karachi, police said.

The men were in a shootout with authorities when they detonated explosives in the Baltia Town section of Karachi.
Pakistan has been on edge since a suicide bomber killed 50 and wounded more than 250 at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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The meetings of the United Nations General Assembly have created an interesting sideshow of protesters in New York, reports the Epoch Times.

At one end of the spectacle, celebrities lend their names to a range of causes, while down on the street teams of dedicated activists air their grievances.

The plaza opposite the UN headquarters is littered with various protest banners, posters and signs.

In one corner there is Amnesty International’s Darfur campaign. Further down the Plaza, a group of Vietnamese Americans call for democracy in Vietnam near to Tibetans asking for human rights in ‘China controlled’ Tibet.

In the area around 47th Street and 1st Avenue, Falun Gong practitioners patiently campaigned to draw attention to the persecution they are currently suffering in China.

China was the focus most protests.
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Divine Performing Arts’ Mid-Autumn Spectacular received a standing ovation at Toronto’s John Bassett theatre this week. The rousing ovation matched glowing comments offered by audience members.

“It was a beautiful evening,” said Nadia Potts, a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada who described the dancers in the show as “ardent, passionate, and beautifully rehearsed.”

The show provided inspiration for one of Canada’s top fashion designers.

“Basically I’m stunned,” said Dan Liu, who has been named one of Canada’s top-ten designers. “The costumes are beautiful, and I loved them.”

“They gave me a lot of ideas for my next collection. I’m going to design more like the Chinese style dress and outfits; they looked fantastic”, said Mr Liu.

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“Asia Cast… keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the World.”

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