Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Thursday 14th January

In this Bulletin…

- Corrupt officials flee China with billions;
- Hong Kong criticised for failing to protect citizens from Beijing; and
- Oldest building ever found in Tel Aviv is uncovered by archeologists.

But first we have our Shen Yun quote of the day

[audio]

For more information, please visit www.shenyunperformingarts.org.

Our SOH focus on China is next

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China’s state-run media reported that over the past 30 years over 4,000 corrupt officials have fled the country, reports NTDTV.

In total, they have robbed the state coffers around 50 billion US dollars.

Officials escape while on business trips overseas, often relying on organized crime to launder their stolen money.

Chinese regime leader Hu Jintao has admitted the phenomenon threatens the existence of the CCP.

Attempts to bring the corrupt officials to trial in China are moot, given that many countries do not have extradition treaties with China.

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The Chinese regime announced their military technology tests of intercepting missiles in mid-air have achieved their expected objective.

China says the tests were defensive and not targeting any country.

However, the tests came a few days after the US approved air defence missile sales to Taiwan, against Chinese protests.

China, which contrives Taiwan is part of its territory, has warned the US that sales to Taiwan could disrupt US/China relations.

Taiwan estimates China has up to 1,500 missiles aimed at the self-governed island.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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According to an SOH report, the Panel on Security of the Hong Kong Legislative Council has criticised their government on illegal arrests by mainland police.

About twenty protestors marched through the Lo We border crossing, calling for the release of a prominent Chinese dissident.

Radio Free Asia says, mainland Chinese police crossed the border illegally and dragged four activists to their side of the border to detain them. In total, nine people were detained; three innocent bystanders included.

The Panel on Security said the Hong Kong government succumbed to Beijing and failed to protect the rights of its citizens.

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Shares in the carrier Japan Airlines have taken a nosedive by 81 per cent recently.

They have continued a steep fall because of mounting speculation that the carrier will file for bankruptcy soon.

The shares dropped by 33 US cents for the second day in a row, setting a new record low of just 7.7 cents.

The airlines market value has fallen by about 1.8 billion US dollars. However, recent reports say Japan Airlines is set to receive government funds worth about 3.2 billion US dollars under a restructuring package.

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

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Because of an improving security situation in India-administered Kashmir, troops have vacated all hospitals and schools there.

India’s defence minister said during a visit to Kashmir, that paramilitary police would take over more responsibilities from the army.

From mid-January they would be responsible for security on the key Jammu-Srinagar highway.

He said hard work by the security forces and local people had reduced the level of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. But, he warned that militant attempts at infiltration from Pakistan had increased.

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Archaeologists have found the oldest building in Tel Aviv ever uncovered. They say they have encountered evidence of a permanent habitation that existed in Tel Aviv circa 8,000 years ago.

The director of the excavation said the discovery was both important and surprising to researchers of the period in question.

The remains of the ancient building consisted of at least three rooms.

Further evidence of the site’s age was found along with pottery shards that date to the Neolithic period.

For more on this story, visit The Epoch Times.

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