Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 9th February

In this bulletin …

-Severe drought continues in Northern China;
-China to defend record in Geneva;  and
-Australia fire toll to increase.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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The worst drought in decades continues in northern China, as reported by the Epoch Times.

There has been no rainfall in the Beijing area for over 100 days, which has not occurred since 1972.

Since autumn 2008, the precipitation in the Beijing area has continued to decline, and is even lower than that during the same period of the previous year.

Studies have shown that the area affected by the drought continues to expand, and that the drought of last autumn and winter is very likely to continue well into this spring.

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On February 6th, ten lawyers from Beijing and Shenyang, who were defending six Falun Gong practitioners, were prevented entering into the chambers on the grounds of personal security.

The lawyers where to defend the innocence of the six Falun Gong practitioners in the Huanggu District Court in Shenyang City. However, the judicial department of the Shenyang and Huanggu district created barriers and asked the lawyers to defend the opposing party.

The lawyers protested such violations and started a collective rights defending movement.

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On Monday, China is to make its first report to the UN human rights council in Geneva.

At regular interviews, all UN members states must report under the new council system; recommendations will then be made by a three-nation panel.

Human rights groups say it is essential that China’s human rights record comes under rigorous scrutiny.  The UN human rights council should be discredited if they fail to address alleged violations.

Apparently China has prepared a careful report to the UN human rights council, which focuses on the improvements in human rights brought about by economic development.

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As part of an annual dialogue process, a top-level Chinese delegation is in Canberra to discuss human rights issues with the Australian Government.

Heading the delegations to the Australia China Human Rights Dialogue is Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi.

Rights issues from both sides will be raised in this confidential meeting.

Critics say the dialogue lacks transparency and again allows China to avoid public scrutiny.

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You are listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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The death toll from wildfires that have already killed 131 people in the state of Victoria is likely to rise further, Australian officials have warned.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has also warned the nation to prepare for more bad news and that the numbers were “numbing”.

Twenty-five fires are still being  battled by troops and emergency crews -two  of which are threatening urban areas.

Arson has been suspected in some cases with some towns being almost completely destroyed by the fires.

An area of 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 square miles) has been affected.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day
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Ann Weidman, a business manager of the Shinning Rivers Waldorf School was at the St. Louis show on Saturday the 7th of February.

This is what she had to say about the show:

“I got tears in my eyes at the opening act”.

Experience true Chinese culture like never before.  Visit www.divineperformingarts.com to find out when the show will be coming to your local city.

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