Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 3rd May

Suspended lawyer Tang Jitian predicts disaster for the Chinese authorities if they continue corrupt practices.

In this Bulletin…

- Chinese lawyer says China’s courts lack;
- Tensions running high in Nepal and Philippines; and
- White tiger cubs bring visitors to Indian zoo.

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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A Chinese lawyer unjustly suspended from practising law has told SOH the authorities were risking their moral and legal standing with the Chinese people by suppressing lawyers.

In April 2009 April Tang Jitian and Liu Wei tried to defend a member of a spiritual group persecuted by the Chinese regime. The defendant in that at trial was prevented from presenting an adequate defence by the court. Recently, the two lawyers were charged with disrupting the court and interfering with proceedings.

Tang said the court’s actions were illegal on several counts. He added that his and Liu’s suspension was a warning to other lawyers and showed there was no justice in the courts.

Listen to our Inside China Today podcast to hear what Tang thinks the future holds.

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And sticking with the injustice theme, the owner of a gallery in Shanghai has put up a sign reading, ‘ Corrupt Officials and Dogs Not Admitted’.

The Zhoupu Gallery is located across the street from the of the local township office in Shanghai’s Nanhui District. Gallery owner Cao Tianfeng, said the sign was her silent protest after she was forcibly evicted and her home was demolished in July 2009 to make way for the Shanghai World Expo.

Cao told The Epoch Times she had no faith in the regime and was instead turning to the media for help.

Read The Epoch Times to find out how the World Expo in Shanghai made thousands homeless.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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South Korea has promised to take action against whoever was responsible for the sinking of one of its naval vessels.

Initial investigations showed a close-range explosion split the Cheonan in half. Forty-six sailors were killed when the ship sank. The Cheonan was patrolling close to the disputed sea border with North Korea at the time of the incident.

While may South Koreans think the North was behind the sinking of the Cheonan, Seoul has so far been careful not to directly blame Pyongyang.

The results of a detailed examination of metal fragments could reveal if the explosion was caused by a torpedo or not.

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Political tensions in Nepal are running high as Maoists try to force the country’s prime minister to resign. Tens of thousands of Maoist supporters converged on a May Day protest rally in Kathmandu Saturday.

There has been much dialogue between the Maoists and the governing coalition in the past few days. But little headway has been made.

The Maoists have threatened to call an indefinite general strike if Nepal’s prime minister refuses to resign.

The governing coalition want the Maoists to disband its paramilitary wing and return properties seized during a ten-year insurgency to their rightful owners.

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

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As the finale of the Philippines’ presidential elections approaches, fears of cheating and violence are creating a tense atmosphere.

The Institute for Political and Electoral Reform has tipped Benigno Aquino to win by a landslide. But with several colourful rivals opposing Aquino, it’s by no means a sure thing.

Last week the country’s Defence Secretary said electoral cheating had already began. Previous elections have been marred with violence as candidates, especially for the lower-ranking posts, seek to eliminate their opponents rather than risk battling it out at the ballot box.

So far over 30 people have been killed during the three-month official campaign period.

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Three white tiger cubs and their mother are proving to be a popular attraction for visitors to a zoo in southern India.

The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park said the number of visitors coming to the zoo has increased since the cubs went on public display.

A zoo official said until the animals grow up they’ll remain together as a family group for the public to see.

Overall, India’s tiger population is in decline. Conservationists estimate the country loses about 200-300 tigers a year, because of poaching and human development of their natural habitats.

You can see why the cubs have been such a hit on the NTDTV website.

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

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