Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Wednesday 10th March

In this Bulletin…

- Unprecedented news editorial punished by Chinese regime;
- Secret Cold War deal between Japan and U.S. confirmed; and
- Myanmar law expels Suu Kyi from democratic league.

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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An editorial published in 13 Chinese newspapers calling for household registration reform has been met with swift punishment. The editor-in-chief who drafted the editorial was fired immediately.

The editorial stated that individuals are born free and have the right to move freely. It called for reforms that restricted where people could travel and live within China.

But an Epoch Times news analyst cited, if China had a functioning legislative body, an editorial appeal would make sense.

Yet, the simultaneous publication in 13 Chinese newspapers of an editorial challenging the CCP is an unprecedented act.

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An intense and destructive drought is gripping much of southwest China. NTDTV reports there are drinking water shortages and millions of acres of crops have been lost.

The report says rivers have dried up and herd animals grow weaker in dust bowls that used to be watering holes.

State-run media reports list Guizhou, Yunan, Guangxi and Sichuan as the four provinces hardest hit by the drought. The areas have lost more than US$1.5 billion dollars in revenue.

Critics of China’s rapid economic expansion say the lack of environmental controls is responsible for the drought.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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The existence of a secret Cold War deal with the U.S. has been confirmed by Japan. The deal which was sealed in the 1960s has allowed the transit of nuclear-armed U.S. vessels through its ports.

The news announced by a government-appointed panel ends decades of official denial. However, the existence of the pact was an open secret.

There is controversy associated with the pact, since after WWII Japan adopted three non-nuclear principles; not making or possessing nuclear weapons nor allowing them on its soil.

Declassified U.S. documents already confirmed the deal.

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India’s upper house of parliament has approved a bill to reserve seats for women in parliament and state legislature.

The historic bill states one third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures are to be reserved for women.

The bill first introduced in 1996 had triggered uproar from opponents, resulting in the suspension of seven MPs on Tuesday.

The bill was passed with 186 members of the 245-seat house voting in favour. Only one member voted against.

India already reserves a third of local governing council seats in towns and villages for women.

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

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Authorities in India-occupied Kashmir have recovered what they say is a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Officials say it was found in a Pakistan-backed militant outfit hideout after security personnel received a tip

An Indian commanding officer said they began their search operation in a deep forested area with metal detectors. They had spotted a hideout beneath a huge rock. AK-47s, magazines and cartridges were recovered.

He said that during peak days of the militancy, that particular route was often used to sneak into the valley, despite surrounding barbed wire fencing.

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Under Myanmar’s new election laws, the National League for Democracy must expel detained leader Aung San Suu Kyo from its ranks. A spokesman said it must be done ahead of polls this year.

Details of the Political Parties Registration Act have been published in state-run newspapers. It says anyone serving a prison term cannot be a party member, and any parties failing to obey the law will be abolished.

The spokesman for the democratic league expressed surprise at the law.

The democratic league has 60 days to register as a party, however they have not yet decided if they will participate.

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