Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Tuesday 23rd February

In this Bulletin…

- Shen Yun performer’s husband thought abducted;
- Chinese regime named as world’s top jailer of journalists; and
- Australian document warns of terrorist threat from within.

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

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

The Chinese regime has interfered with several Chinese cultural performances by the Shen Yun Performing Arts company. It is now alleged that the regime may have abducted the husband of one of the performers.

Jiang Feng, the husband of a Shen Yun Performing Arts erhu virtuoso was last seen at a Shanghai airport. He passed the security checkpoint, but never boarded his flight.

Mr Feng’s relatives say he passed the security checkpoint on time. Even though his name was on the boarding list of his flight, he never arrived at the plane’s destination in the United States.

His wife contends he was kidnapped by the authorities in Shanghai. Epoch Times reporters spoke with airport employees who say Feng was likely taken by the 610 Office and National Security police.

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

China’s communist regime has been listed as the top jailer of journalists worldwide in 2009. The list was part of a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, said NTDTV.

When the Committee carried out its annual census last December, 24 journalists had been jailed in China. Most of them worked online.

Other cited infringements include: Banning foreign journalists from reporting in western China during the anniversary of the 2008 Tibetan protests; harassing journalists in earthquake-hit Sichuan Province; and blocking BBC and CNN cameras in Beijing during the 20th anniversary of the Tienanmen Square Massacre.

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

And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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

As Tibetans near Amdo, Tibet, used fireworks to mark the start of the new lunar year last week, they also celebrated the Dalai Lama’s first meeting with the US president.

In Qinghai’s predominantly Tibetan area, local temples carried out religious ceremonies, leaving offerings to their exiled spiritual leader.

A monk in a local monastery said Tibetans were happy about the meeting. He asked to remain anonymous to avoid punishment by Chinese authorities. He added that the monks really hope President Obama can support Tibetans.

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

The Financial Times has suggested that US officials have tracked the author of computer code used to attack Google. They say the alleged hacker is a Chinese freelance security consultant in his 30s.

The report say she has published extracts of the attack code on the web.

Google says the cyber-attack, which is believed to have hit more than 30 companies, had targeted the email accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

Hackers had used a security hole in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser to launch the attacks. The hole is said to be fixed.

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

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

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

A Maoist rebel leader has offered a ceasefire ahead of possible talks with the Indian government.

The truce, offered without conditions could start later this week. India’s government has yet to respond to the offer.

The rebel leader has offered a 72-day ceasefire across central and western India between February 25  and May 7.

India’s Home Minister recently stated publicly that the Maoists had to give up violence in order for talks with the government to take place.

The Maoists have fought for a communist state for 20 years, killing thousands.

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

Australia’s government has recently released the Counter-Terrorism White Paper which warns of an increased terrorist threat from within.

The white paper states to watch for people born or raised in Australia who have become influenced by a violent jihadist message.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is pledging to spend $69 million Australian dollars over the next four years on the program. It will include biometric checks on visa applicants from the 10 top suspect countries.

Anyone applying for a visa will have to present in person to be fingerprinted and photographed.

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

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