AsiaCast

Asia Cast for Monday 22nd December

In this bulletin …

-Over 300 industrial workers protest in Guangdong;
-Pakistan militants ‘world threat’; and
-China quake Victims face freezing winter.

But first here’s our SOH focus on China
*******************

According to Chinese sources, as Chinese society is faced with a wave of global economic downturn, which has brought difficulties to all walks of life, many protests have occurred frequently throughout the country.

In the last month, in Chongqing city, many taxi driver striking incidents have occurred, with more than 9000 drivers taking part in the strike. Washington Post reported Chongqing City had 31 million people in a traffic standstill for two days, due to the taxi drivers’ strike.

Also recently, quite a few protesting incidents have occurred from teachers.

After the strike occurred in Chongqing, China’s taxi drivers, teachers, factory workers, even the auxiliary police officers launched more strikes, requesting their demands are met; otherwise they will refuse to work.

The series of large-scale rights defending movements has touched the sensitive nerves of the CCP, which has strengthened its control over China and the internet.

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

Over 300 workers from Jianrong Bags factory located in Wentang Industrial Zone were on protest due to the factory bankruptcy and their wages in arrears.

Dozens of police wearing helmets, used batons and dogs to prohibit the workers from going outside. The protest has resulted in a dozen workers injured and sent to hospital for treatment.

The Chineses labor rights activist, Liu Nianchu, believes ‘the Chinese Communist Party has never seriously established a social security system; therefore, the workers are facing unemployment once the factory is bankrupt.’

According to China’s official English newspaper, “China Daily”, in the first nine months of this year, over 7000 enterprises have been closed down or relocated in Guangdong province.

*******************
And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
*******************

The Liberian Government says a Chinese company has promised to invest more than $2.5 billion in the African country.

The Government says China Union will invest the money in the iron ore industry, creating about 3,000 jobs.

It is one of the largest investments planned for Africa in recent years.

The Liberian Government has been trying to rebuild the country’s economy after a long-running civil war ended in 2005.

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

To survive the winter, 3.5 million quilts and the same number of cotton-padded clothes are needed for the earthquake survivors living in prefabricated housing in China’s mountainous Sichuan province.

More than 80,000 people were killed in the May disaster.

Facing a colder winter than normal, millions are now living in resettlement sites surrounded by the rubble of their old homes.

Though many of the families have been moved to proper structures, about half a million of them will have to stay in prefabricated houses this winter.

********************
You are listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
********************

The Federal Government has eased travel warnings for Thailand, as the nation’s international airports re-open.

The two main airports in the capitol, Bangkok, were shut down in November and early December by large political demonstrations, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns there is still political instability and threats of terrorist attacks against tourist destinations.

The Government advises travellers to Thailand to exercise a high degree of caution.

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

India’s foreign minister has said that militant groups in Pakistan are, “the greatest danger to peace and security in the entire world”.

Pranab Mukherjee accused Islamabad of “denial” and “shifting the blame” from last month’s deadly Mumbai attacks.

He said the international community had not done enough to exert pressure on Pakistan, which denies any involvement.

Mr. Mukherjee was addressing Indian envoys from across the world who gathered to discuss the Mumbai attacks.

Gunmen last month seized two Mumbai hotels and also attacked a railway station and a popular restaurant. The attacks left 173 people dead.

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

“Asia Cast ….. Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world”.