Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Wednesday 17th March

In this Bulletin…

- Official statement deepens mystery of Chinese lawyer’s status;
- Chinese reporters told to ignore ‘unusual statements’ by political representatives; and
- Vietnam releases high profile human rights activist .

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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The fate or whereabouts of a renowned Chinese human rights lawyer is no clearer despite a statement on the matter from China’s foreign minister.

Speaking at a press conference, the Chinese foreign minister said Gao Zhisheng had been sentenced for committing the crime of subverting state power.

But the minister did not say if he was referring to a suspended five year sentence Gao was given in 2006, or to a new charge.

This was the fourth time the authorities had attempted to clarify Gao’s status since he disappeared over a year ago. Each time a different explanation has been given.

Check out The Epoch Times to learn more about why Gao has disappeared in Beijing.

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The security around the Chinese regime’s annual political meetings, known as the Two Sessions, is tighter than ever this year. Some 700,000 personnel have formed a ‘security moat’ around the city. While another 600,000 are serving as security guards within the city.

Insiders told SOH that media restrictions were also tighter this year as well. The usual ‘forbidden zones’ that were off-limits to the media were clearly marked out. But new for this year’s Two Sessions is a warning sign that reads, ‘No unusual statements or comments of representatives are to be reported.’

But not everyone is obeying the order. You can read some of these unusual statements, as well as responses from Chinese bloggers, on the Epoch Times website.

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Several hundred Chinese media workers are demanding the governor of Hubei Province apologises, and even resigns, for directing an angry outburst at a female reporter.

The Hubei governor became enraged by a question from a People’s Daily reporter during a press conference at the annual political meetings currently under way in Beijing.

The reporter asked about a high profile rape case in Hubei which two Party officials were implicated in. The case involving waitress Deng Yujiao was among the most discussed items on the Chinese Internet in 2009.

The governor threatened the reporter and snatched her voice recorder yelling how could someone from the Communist Party’s mouthpiece ask such a question.

The Epoch Times website has got the full story on the Chinese media’s unusual response.

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

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And now for the rest of Today’s Asia Cast”

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Sri Lanka’s former army chief is fighting charges he says have been fashioned to remove him from politics.

Retired Army General Sarath Fonseka faced a military court Tuesday. A panel of three military judges is to consider if he is guilty of participating in politics while still in uniform.

The former military leader says the charges against him are false and politically motivated. His supporters say he was seen as a threat to the government and he was arrested to stop him participating in parliament next month.

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A high profile human rights activist  in Vietnam has been released from prison five years before his sentence was due to end.

Father Ly was given an eight year jail term in 2007 for disseminating anti-government propaganda. In 2009 he was left partially paralysed after suffering two strokes.

Western governments had made repeated demands that the Roman Catholic Father be freed.

But it is still unclear whether his release is final, or just for medical treatment.

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Taiwan has announced plans that would allow it to join the world trade in carbon credits. The Environmental Protection Administration announced Tuesday that Taiwan wanted to help its diplomatic allies in Africa develop green energy in return for carbon credits.

Taiwan is currently excluded from the global carbon trade scheme as it is not a member of the United Nations. But hopes it can obtain carbon credits from helping African nations develop their solar and bio-energy resources.

The 2010 Taiwan and Africa Environmental Leaders Meeting takes place in Taipei this week.

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