Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Friday 27th March

In this Bulletin…

- Former Sanlu boss loses appeal;
- Chinese military threat to Taiwan continues despite improving ties; and
- Anti-government protesters hold new rally in Thailand.

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The sentences of five people convicted over China’s contaminated milk scandal have been upheld.

Tian Wenhua, the former head of the now defunct Sanlu Group, lost her appeal against a life sentence for selling hundreds of tonnes of milk contaminated with a toxic industrial chemical.

At least six babies died and more than 300,000 children became sick after consuming melamine, which was added to make the milk’s protein level appear higher.

Two people face the death penalty, one a life term and another eight years.

A number of parents have rejected a government-sponsored compensation scheme, saying it is inadequate, and does not address the long-term health risks resulting from the poisoning.

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An annual report from the US Department of Defence has revealed that there is a contradiction between Beijing’s apparent warming relations with Taiwan and its military build-up along the Taiwan Strait.

The report on China’s military power noted that the security situation in the Taiwan Strait has entered “a period of relaxing tensions” since the election of President Ma Ying-jeou in Taiwan in March 2008. But added that, “To date, there have been no meaningful actions on the part of the mainland to reduce its military presence directly opposite Taiwan”.

The Chinese regime was again criticised for a lack of transparency in reporting military spending and security policy.

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Environmental and Health Department working groups confirmed on the 23 March that a citizen from Mingquan County, Hu Wenyan died from hand, foot and mouth disease. A reporter investigating Mingquan found at least ten previous deaths with similar symptoms to Hu Wenyan.

Over 40 children in Biji village have developed symptoms including: fever, rotten tongues, lumps on hands and feet, rising body temperatures, and their bodies twitched from time to time.

One child, Shi Yuhang who died had his death certificate altered saying he died form respiratory failure, and not hand, foot and mouth disease.

This year from January 1 to March 22, Mingquan County reported 277 cases of hand, foot and mouth patients. A doctor from Mingquan County People’s Hospital said that it’s significantly different from the actual number of patients; according to the doctor the number of sick people is in the thousands.

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Amnesty International announced on Tuesday the number of executed prisoners globally in 2008 was 2,390 people. 1,718 of these were executions carried out in China, representing 72 per cent of the total executions.

The Amnesty International report states the Chinese regime regards the figure as a classified state secret. It’s estimated the actual figure could be much higher.

Planning Manager Luo Yingzi of Amnesty International’s Hong Kong Branch says they’re concerned with many legal trials, some involving torture to extract confessions and gather evidence.

Rou-An Nguyen, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific project said in China the number of deaths from torture is concealed by the communist regime. This type of information is regarded as a state secret and is difficult to acquire.

Amnesty International has called on the communist regime to publicize the number of executed prisoners and death sentences handed out, in order to comply with international law.

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In Thailand’s capital Bangkok, thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied outside Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s compound calling for his resignation.

The protesters, supporters of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are calling for fresh elections, saying Mr Abhisit came to power illegally in December.

The rally is the biggest by Thaksin supporters since a protest camp outside parliament broke up in February.

Thai politics have been in turmoil since Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006. A court sentenced him in absentia to two years in prison on corruption charges, and he has been living in self-imposed exile since.

About 10,000 police and soldiers were deployed for the protest according to Bangkok’s police commander.

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Two European-owned tankers have been hijacked by suspected Somali pirates within 24 hours in the highest-profile strikes since several foreign navies’ deployed ships to the region’s busy sea lanes.

The 9,000-tonne MT Nipayia, a Greek-owned and Panama-registered ship was taken on Wednesday 450 miles east of Somalia’s south coast. On Thursday the 23,000-tonne MT Bow Asir, a Norwegian-owned and Bahaman-registered ship, was seized 250 miles east of the south Somali coast.

“These are the biggest attacks this year. The pirates are showing they are very much alive,” said Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme, which monitors piracy in the region from the Kenyan port of Mombasa.

As the Gulf of Aden has become better protected the pirates are striking ever further from the Somali coastline.

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And now for our Shen Yun Performing Arts quote of the day
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New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts successfully completed its first performance in Stockholm last week. Renowned writer Chen Shizhong was among the audience members deeply moved by some of the classical Chinese cultural traditions portrayed in the show.

After the performance, he said, “This is very good indeed! It’s just like what I imagined. I feel my trip has truly been worth while.”

Mr. Chen considers all the artists, including those who work behind the scenes, as heroes. He also felt that the performers have pure hearts, which makes the performance unique.

He said, “I can feel it. It’s unlike other performances, for example the Spring Festival Celebration on CCTV which attracted much criticism. Those fake and empty performances are the exact opposite of Shen Yun.”

SOH is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit www.shenyunperformingarts.org

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