Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Thursday 23rd July

In this Bulletin…

- Chinese graduate employment figures inflated;
- Uyghur leader warns Western media of Beijing’s deceit; and
- Taiwan’s Jade Mountain selected as finalist in natural wonders contest.

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

Following details revealed by The Epoch Times that Beijing’s economic figures don’t add up, it seems that neither do the official employment figures according to NTDTV.

Earlier this month, China’s Ministry of Education claimed 68 per cent of 2009 university graduates were employed. But these numbers are now being questioned after reports that some universities faked their data.

Their are claims some universities inflated employment figures to build their reputation and reach performance targets.

Student postings on websites like Tianya.cn indicate that universities across China are involved.

At some universities, students can’t get their diplomas without a work contract. Some students say they feel forced to give fake work contracts so that they can graduate.

Unemployment remains a concern for authorities, who are wary of possible civil unrest.

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

Apple has confirmed that a 25-year-old Chinese worker committed suicide after a fourth generation iPhone prototype went missing.

Before his death, Sun Danyong told friends his apartment had been searched and he had been beaten up by security staff from his firm, Foxconn.

Foxconn, the world’s largest manufacturer of electronics and computer components, employed Sun in its huge Shenzhen factory.

On July 13, Sun reported that he was missing one of the 16 units in his possession. Three days later he leapt to his death from a 12-story building.

Based in Taiwan, Foxconn has faced previous allegations that it treats its employees poorly, but was cleared by Apple of any serious abuses.

Apple says it is saddened by the death and is waiting for the results of the investigation.

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

And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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

Rebiya Kadeer, leader of the World Uyghur Congress, cautioned western journalists to carefully consider information regarding the recent unrest in Urumchi released by China’s state news agency.

Addressing the National Press Club in Washington DC, Rebiya said that instead of banning foreign journalists the Chinese regime was employing a careful media management strategy to create a veneer of legitimacy for the killing of hundreds of Uyghurs.

She explained that Beijing was using this method to try to conceal events surrounding the Urumchi unrest including the circumstances of the Shaoguan killings which lead to the Urumchi protests.

Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders has previously labelled China’s state-run media agency, Xinhua, as the World’s biggest propaganda machine.

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

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned Iran and North Korea they face severe consequences if they do not abandon their nuclear ambitions.

At the ASEAN summit in Thailand, Mrs Clinton said the U.S. was prepared to bolster the defence of Gulf allies if Iran developed nuclear weapons, making it unlikely Iran would be stronger or safer with a weapon.

She also said North Korea must irreversibly denuclearise before returning to talks and voiced concerns over the transfer of nuclear technology from North Korea to Burma.

Six-party talks involving the North, the US, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia have stalled over Pyongyang’s continued efforts to enhance its nuclear programme.

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

You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network

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

The highest court in Pakistan is asking former President Pervez Musharraf to explain his 2007 decision to impose emergency rule and fire several independent-minded judges.

The 14-member Supreme Court panel, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, is calling for Mr. Musharraf to appear in person or through counsel on July 29.

Petitions have been filed challenging Mr. Musharraf’s decision to declare a state of emergency, suspend the constitution and dismiss several top judges in November 2007, weeks after a controversial presidential election.

In other news, the Pakistani military said troops killed more than 80 militants during ongoing operations against Taliban fighters in the northwest since Tuesday.

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

Taiwan’s Yushan, or Jade Mountain, has been selected as one of 28 finalists in a global online poll to select seven new natural wonders of the world.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of experts from among 77 nominees selected in the previous round of voting. Also among the finalists are the Grand Canyon, the Matterhorn, the Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon rainforest, the Dead Sea and Ecuador’s Galapagos islands.

The 3,952-meter Yushan is the highest peak in Northeast Asia. The environment around the mountain spans from sub-tropical forests at its base to alpine conditions at its summit and is renowned for its diverse wildlife and ecology.

The poll at www.new7wonders.com remains open until 2011.

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

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