Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Tuesday 16th February

In this Bulletin…

- Inner Mongolia police chief boasts network of spies;
- Taiwan to focus on Indian tourism; and
- School heaters putting health of Australians in harm’s way.

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

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

In a recent interview, a police chief from Inner Mongolia stated he has a large network of spies that can inform him of crimes even before they happen.

In the interview, published by a state-run mouthpiece, he said each of his police officers had to establish a network of 20 informants. At last count, his bureau had more than 12,000 informants.

The informants target residents who create what he calls conflicts and people who might petition to higher-level authorities.

He said, the bureau also moved from punishing people after the crime is committed to resolving the problem before the fact.

For more on this story, visit the NTDTV website.

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

Recently considered the richest man in China, private entrepreneur Huang Guangyu is to stand on trial for bribery, insider trading and illegal business dealings.

The indictment laid against the tycoon on Friday was confirmed in announcements from communist state-run media.

He was arrested on suspicion of share manipulation in November 2008, just one month after he had been labelled China’s richest man.

Two months after he was placed under investigation, he resigned from his position. He was director and chairman of a chain of 1,200 electronic stores he had built up from nothing.

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

And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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

India’s Taiwan representative office has said Taiwan is eyeing India as a source of potential tourism income. It is due to increasing numbers of Indians travelling overseas.

Taiwan tour agency reps are currently attending major travel fairs in New Delhi, India to promote Taiwan tour packages to Indian consumers.

Since 2004, the number of Indian tourists travelling overseas annually has grown by 15 percent, exceeding 10 million in 2009.

However, only around 23 thousand Indian tourists visited Taiwan in 2009. That accounted for only 0.2 percent of the total travelled. They see much room for tourism growth.

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

Officials in Japan have reacted with anger at an attack of one of their whaling ships by anti-whaling activists in the Antarctic.

Japan’s Fisheries Minister said the group threw butyric acid, made from rancid butter, at the whaling ship. They reported three crew members were mildly injured.

The anti-whaling ship, Sea Shepherd said no injuries were reported in the clash.

Japan has six whaling vessels in the Antarctic, which is allowed under the rules of international whaling. Whalers and activists regularly clash during the whale-hunting season.

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

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

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

Nepalese authorities are planning to stop illegal parahawking activities by British national Scott Mason.

Parahawking is an activity where birds of prey are trained to fly with paragliders for amusement. However, to keep such species one needs to obtain licensing from the Dept. of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

Mason, who has been parahawking for nine years, is in illegal possession of five Black Kites and two Egyptian Vultures which are included in the Red List of Threatened Species. He also has two Steppe Eagles.

Forest officers have pledged to take action against parahawkers and to free the birds.

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

Australian parents are fuming over notorious school gas heaters they say are making their children sick. Some have begun homeschooling as a safer alternative.

Teachers are also sick, reportedly from regular exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide fumes.

Even with flourishing respiratory illness reports from heaters already banned in most Australian states, they are still being used in hundreds of New South Wales schools.

The Education Department claims there have been no substantiated instances of properly maintained and operated un-vented gas heaters causing ill health effects.

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

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