Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 23rd November

In this Bulletin…

- China’s coercive and often violent family population control measures;
- Japan’s deflationary economy; and
- Sydney, Australia planning for predicted population explosion.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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Recently acquired evidence indicates that the Chinese regime‘s statements that people’s compliance with one-child policy is voluntary are propaganda, reports The Epoch Times.

Instead, evidence pointed to the exact opposite, with cited cases of forced abortion, infanticide and often coercive and violent measures taken to enforce the one-child policy.

Termination of pregnancy is even required in many provinces when the pregnant woman does not have a birth permit, or is unmarried, or violates the “out-of-plan” pregnancies as stipulated by law.

The Epoch Times reports, throughout China are large signs that say resistance to sterilization will bring nothing but detention; refusal to abort will lead to destruction of your house and confiscation of your cattle.

Find the entire coverage at The Epoch Times.

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According to Hong Kong newspaper ‘Apple Daily, an exclusive interview with President Obama by a Chinese newspaper was censored by propaganda officials.

On Friday, Obama granted an interview with one of China’s more influential and liberal papers, ‘Southern Weekend’ during his four day visit to China without previous sanction from propaganda officials.

Afterwards, all press and internet coverage of the interview was banned by the Central Propaganda Department. However, a watered-down version was published after pressure from U.S. ambassador Jon Huntsman, who was in China.

An employee of ‘Southern Weekend’ interviewed by Apple Daily said the authorities could not accept Obama talking about human rights and other sensitive issues.

More on this story at The Epoch Times.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Japan’s government is warning that deflation has returned to the Japanese economy for the first time since 2006.

The Cabinet Office said the falling prices could hurt the recovery of the economy, which left recession in the second quarter of this year, but stated it was a mild deflationary situation.

However, Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii said the recent price falls are not right and something to worry about.

The government’s announcement came as the Japanese central bank kept interest rates on hold at 0.1 percent.

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In Nepal’s Bara District, hundreds of Buddhists and animal rights activists are protesting the slaughtering of half a million animals for the Gadhimai Mela festival, considered one of the most important festivals on the Hindu calendar and the largest sacrificial event in the world.

More than a million Hindu pilgrims are expected to gather for the one week event on November 25th, and Nepalese authorities have deployed more than 12,000 police for the occasion.

However, Bara district is also a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. At present, hundreds of Buddhists and activists are praying to stop the animal sacrifice.

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

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In India’s north-eastern state of Assam, two deadly bomb blasts have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 50 others on Sunday.

Authorities say bombs strapped onto bicycles parked in front of a police station and a shopping complex exploded within minutes of each other.

State officials have put Assam on high alert, asking people to stay indoors in case of further bombings.

The state’s chief minister is blaming the carnage on the United Liberation Front of Asom, but a ULFA leader denied involvement in the attacks.

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In Sydney, Australia the Urban Renewal Commission has proposed an action plan by major property companies, pointing out the need for a complete change to the way urban planning is done in Sydney if the city is to cope with a population explosion in the coming years.

The proposal states a predicted 40 percent increase in Sydney’s population over the next 20 years which means the state has no option but to open scores of suburbs for new development and proposes Sydney build 640,000 dwellings.

The Urban Renewal Commission would have the power to decide where housing and infrastructure will go and which sites should be amalgamated.

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