Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 22nd February

In this Bulletin…

- End of Lunar New Year holiday creates travel chaos in China;
- Film prize boosts Taipei’s image; and
- Japan-Australia lock horns over Antarctic whaling.

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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Chinese state media said the end of the Lunar New Year holiday had created the busiest day of the year on the country’s rail network.

On Saturday, millions of people returned home or went back to work after family reunions. State-run media said over six million passenger journeys were made by rail on Saturday.

A total of around 210 million passengers are expected to take to the railway during the new year travel period, which ends on March 10.

According to the Ministry of Transport, 64.15 million people travelled in China on Saturday. China’s Lunar New Year Holiday creates the world’s largest annual human migration.

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According to figures from local media in China, battery powered bicycles are becoming hugely popular with commuters in the country’s busy cities.

Up to 120 million electric bikes are estimated to be on the roads in China. This makes them the most popular choice after cars and public transport.

The bikes have been hailed as an environmentally friendly alternative to cars. Their rechargeable batteries leave a smaller carbon footprint. An important consideration for China; the world’s top producer of greenhouse gases.

But concerns have been raised over the pollution that cheap lead batteries create. This has led to calls for better recycling and for switching to using cleaner, but more expensive, lithium-ion batteries.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Analysts said Taiwanese stocks should rebound on Monday as trading recommences after the Chinese New Year holiday.

The predictions were based on last week’s strong showings in global stock markets. As well as the political and economic situations at home and abroad.

Several factors were expected to contribute to a bullish market in the near term once the market opened again.

Analysts said the continued warming in relations between Taipei and Beijing, and the signing of a proposed economic cooperation framework between the two, had increased optimism. They said this would add to the bullishness of the market.

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A Taiwanese romantic comedy beat 11 other films to win a prize for promotion of Asian cinema at the Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday

Au Revoir, Taipei unfolds over the course of one evening in Taipei City. The love story was produced by German director/producer Wim Wenders and directed by budding Asian-American director Arvin Chen.

Taipei’s mayor welcomed the prize. He said Au Revoir, Taipei was another example of the city’s cooperation with film producers to sell Taipei. The mayor said, in 2009 alone, Taipei worked with 15 countries in the making of 25 motion pictures.

The 2010 Berlin International Film Festival closed on Sunday.

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

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The Philippine military said it killed a top Islamic militant in an assault on a rebel camp. Five other Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in the attack on Sunday.

Albader Parad was the Abu Sayyaf commander behind the abduction of three Red Cross workers in 2009.

Philippine military commanders said the death of Albader Parad was a big blow to the militant group.

Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for bombings, beheadings and kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners. It has been accused of links with al-Qaeda. The group is the smallest and most radical of the Islamic separatist groups in the southern Philippines.

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Japan has defended its whaling activities in the Antarctic. An announcement was issued after Australia threatened it would take legal action against Japan if it did not stop whale hunting.

Japan has ended commercial whaling. But an international agreement allows it to continue hunting for the purposes of scientific research.

Conservationists say the whaling is a cover for the sale and consumption of whale meat.

On Friday the Australian prime minister said Japan had until November to end its whale hunt.

Japan’s foreign minister said the threat of legal action was unfortunate.

Both sides said the issue would not harm their strong bilateral ties.

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