Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Thursday 4th March

In this Bulletin…

- China’s household registration system criticised by media;
- Newest attack on Nepal media; and
- Australians evacuated from flooded town.

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

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

Thirteen newspapers in China have taken the unusual step of publishing a joint editorial, criticising China’s household registration system, said The Epoch Times.

The editorial appeared on March 1, calling for reform of the hukou system; a system which regulates where farmers and urban residents can live and use social services.

The editorial said the system has led to inequalities between urban residents and farmers, and it restricts freedom of movement. It also said it openly violated the Chinese Constitution, becoming an incubator for corruption as urban residency status can be bought and sold with Communist Party officials acting as middle men.

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

Chinese Communist Party leaders have endorsed their own Tibetan Panchen Lama. A Panchen Lama is the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism traditionally chosen by the Dalai Lama.

They named him on Sunday to a committee that advises the National People’s Congress, China’s legislative body.

However, the move is seen as an effort of the Chinese regime to raise the profile of their candidate.

The Dalai Lama chose a young Tibetan boy to be Panchen Lama back in 1995. The boy and his family disappeared soon after and are thought to be under house arrest.

For more on this story, visit The Epoch Times.

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

And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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

A publisher of a Nepal newspaper has been shot dead by attackers in Janakpur, near India’s southern border. It is the latest in a series of violent acts against the media in Nepal.

The victim published a popular newspaper and owned a radio station in town.

Although officials say there were four attackers, it is not clear yet who they were.

Several armed groups based in the Terai region, where Janakpur is located are taking responsibility for the death of the victim.

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

Construction for the 11-day Commonwealth Games in New Delhi is taking a toll on India’s children, reported Voice of America.

The city is undergoing an unprecedented US$6 billion building boom and beautification campaign in preparation for the games.

More than 400,000 migrant workers have been contracted to do the work, and it’s estimated the workers have brought an additional 10,000 children into the city exposing them to hazards.

Most live in squalid conditions without electricity or toilet facilities. A lawyer who is also a social activist said it is almost a starvation situation for the children.

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

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

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

According to a military commander in Pakistan, al Qaeda and the Taliban have been driven out from one of their main centres near the Afghan border.

He said they have concluded operations up to the Afghan border. Fighting has gone on for nearly two years in that area. They are now going to switch their posture to policing operations.

He also said leadership does not exist there anymore. He estimated that about 25 per cent have gone across the border, roughly 15 per cent have melted back into Swat and a good amount has been killed. Bin Laden has not been found.

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

A small outback town in Queensland, Australia was submerged in three days by a year’s worth of rain, said NTDTV.

The town which had been battling a drought for years was left hoping the rain would come to an end.

Hundreds were evacuated from their homes, spending Tuesday night in a secured location. Up to 500 homes were inundated with flood waters.

In one part of town, near the flooded Mary River, the waters rose high enough, cutting off a road.

Residents in the affected areas will have access to government disaster relief funding.

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

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