Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Thursday 27th May

Chinese bloggers have raised concerns over building materials being used in construction projects for the 2010 Guangzhou Asia Games. Contractors described the new construction material called fiber network as "cement plus plastic foam" and claim it meets safety standards. (Courtesy of 77go.cn)

In this Bulletin…

- Beijing meets with Hong Kong Democrats;
- Religious ceremony held at former Bangkok protest site; and
- ASEAN and the EU urge restraint on Korean peninsula.

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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Drawing media attention, photos posted to the internet show foam is being used in construction of buildings in Guangzhou, China.

According to The Epoch Times, photos show a first floor windowsill made up of a thin layer of cement, exposing plastic foam inside. Guangzhou recently initiated a US$1.5 billion dollar facade upgrade in preparations for the 2010 Asian Games.

A local media report verified foam construction is indeed part of the city’s face-lift for the Games. The construction firm said the materials met all requirements. Yet, one blogger noted the plastic foam could be easily removed with a little tug.

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NTDTV reports say three senior leaders from Hong Kong’s Democratic Party have met with a representative from Beijing’s communist leadership on Monday to discuss democracy reform. It’s the first time the Democrats have met with a representative of the Beijing’s communist leadership to engage in talks on democracy reform.

The Democratic Party chairman said huge differences exist and Democrats will veto any reform proposal unless Beijing makes major concessions. Currently, Hong Kong has a partial democracy.

A reform proposal for 2012 backed by Beijing would increase the sizes of both the legislature and the committee that appoints its chief executive.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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Thousands of Thailand citizens attended a religious ceremony where just last week, violent and deadly protests had taken place.

The people were praying for those who died in the protests, and were offering dried food and flowers to one thousand Buddhist monks who were lined up in part of the ceremony. Bangkok’s governor said the ceremony was held to encourage people after such tragedy, and was symbolic of forgiveness and a new beginning. Things are slowly returning to normal in Bangkok, but a government-imposed curfew will continue until May 29.

More on this story at NTDTV.
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About 20,000 Air India staff members walked out in protest because of an alleged ban on them speaking about the Boeing 747 crash.

The crash killed at least 158 people in Mangalore on Saturday. Unions claim management is banning staff from speaking about the crash and some employees accuse the airline of not following safety regulations before the crash. Air India is denying both claims.

State-run Air India has asked its workers to call off the strike, but a union leader said they are not going to buckle under pressure and they want the gag order removed.

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

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Countries in Southeast Asia and the European Union are deeply concerned over rising tensions between North and South Korea. They are calling on both sides to exercise restraint.

Representatives of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations relayed their concern in a joint statement.

Ministers also called on all parties concerned to step up efforts to promote lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Officials from both groups made the statement at an annual conference in Madrid, Spain. Ministers reiterated their support for six-party talks to achieve denuclearisation of North Korea.

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An activist from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is on trial in a Japanese court for interfering with a whaling fleet.

In January, a collision sank a vessel the New Zealander was captain of. He had used it to block harpoon ships. The next month he had jumped aboard the security ship of a Japanese whaling fleet to make a citizen’s arrest for the crash.

He was taken into custody on the whaler and formally arrested when the whaler returned to Japan in March. If convicted, he could spend years in prison and pay thousands of dollars in fines.
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“Asia Cast… keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the World.”

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