Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 21st December

In this Bulletin…

- Swine flu leaves Chinese pig farmers desperate;
- Tens of thousands protest Taiwan-China trade agreement; and
- Philippines braced for volcanic eruption.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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Swine flu is pushing pig farmers in southwest China to the point of collapse.

A recent outbreak in Sichuan Province has devastated herds. The region is still recovering from last year’s massive earthquake.

SOH spoke to several pig farmers who have lost animals. One farmer said the pigs sneezed, refuse to eat, and their ears turn red. He said the outbreak was like a pig plague and many animals had died.

Another two farmers told SOH they’d lost around half their herds. One of them said he was on the brink of a mental breakdown. The other complained that the media in China were not reporting on their plight.

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The UN has said the deportation of 20 Uighur asylum seekers back to China from Cambodia was illegal

Ethnic violence erupted between Han Chinese and Uighur Muslims in China’s northwestern region earlier this year. The Uighurs fled to Cambodia to escape the unrest.

The deportations came as China’s vice president arrived in Cambodia for a three day visit on Sunday.

Human rights organisations say the asylum seekers are likely to face persecution in China. The US State Department said the deportations will damage Cambodia’s international standing

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Two of Asia’s giants, China and Indonesia, are pleased with the outcome from the Copenhagen UN climate summit.

This is in stark contrast with aid agencies and campaigners who branded the deal a toothless failure.

The non-binding pact, called the Copenhagen Accord, was not adopted by consensus at the summit.

China is ranked the world’s second biggest polluter after the US. If the effects of deforestation are taken into account Indonesia is ranked third.

China’s foreign minister said developed and developing countries should shoulder different responsibilities and obligations in fighting climate change.

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Tens of thousands of protesters in Taiwan have voiced their opposition to the government’s plan to sign an economic cooperation framework agreement with China.

A huge march and rally took place on Sunday. One day before a representative from China arrives to sign four economic agreements with Taiwan.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party said the purpose of the protest was to call attention to the poor overall performance of the current administration. They were also critical of the lack of transparency in the trade negotiations with China.

Local civic groups echoed these concerns.

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

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Pakistan’s government has said it will not resign. The announcement follows a court ruling which overturned an amnesty for politicians facing corruption charges.

The interior minister said the government had no intention of bowing to opposition demands to stand down.

Senior figures including interior and defence ministers are among those affected by the Supreme Court ruling.

The controversial law granting senior politicians amnesty was brought in by Pakistan’s previous president.

The court’s move on Wednesday opens the way to possible prosecution of the previous president. Although he is still protected by presidential immunity.

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The most active volcano in the Philippines is expected to erupt in the next few days. An extended danger zone has been established around it.

Authorities on Sunday raised the alert status of the Mayon volcano to level 4. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said this means that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within days.

More than 30,000 people fled their homes last week ahead of an expected eruption, and authorities were attempting to evacuate about 50,000 people living around the 2,400 metre volcano.

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