Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 31 May

In this Bulletin…

- Dolphins helping treat autism in China;
- Hong Kong police stop Tiananmen Square Massacre memorial; and
- Sydney Opera House facing financial crisis.

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

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

Therapy involving dolphins is proving a popular way to treat children with neurological disorders in China.

It’s thought the therapy improves speech and motor skills in children with autism and other neurological disorders.

Parents say they see improvement and are eager to pay about $17 US dollars for a 20-minute session.

The treatment parks claim the dolphin’s high-frequency ultrasonic waves of 2000 to 100,000 hertz stimulate the nervous system.

More dolphin therapy parks are sprouting up around China as the treatment becomes more popular. But it’s still relatively new, as the country only officially recognized autism as a disability four years ago.

You can see the dolphins in action on NTDTV.

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

China is still not willing to hold North Korea accountable for the sinking of South Korean warship. A three way summit between South Korea, Japan and China ended Sunday with China still not willing to declare Pyongyang was responsible for the sinking of the Cheonan.

An international investigation concluded a North Korean torpedo sank the Cheonan. Beijing said it wanted to review the findings of the investigation before stating its position . But that it would not protect whoever was responsible.

Political tensions in the region remain high with much now resting on China’s response.

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

And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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

According to The Epoch Times, Hong Kong police arrested over a dozen democracy activists Saturday. The activists were staging a demonstration to mark the twenty-first anniversary of the June 4 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Activists had organised an exhibition and a press conference as part of their demonstration. Shortly before the press conference was due to begin Hong Kong police confiscated the exhibition sculptures.

The activists said freedom of expression had not been stifled in such a way during all the years since the former British colony’s return to China in 1997.

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

Organisers say this year’s Computex trade show in Taiwan should generate on-the-spot orders worth $20 billion US dollars.

The show has become a major showcase for new products. And 2010 is no exception; boasting over one thousand exhibitors it is expected to attract 35,000 buyers from around the world. Many will be eager to see what opposition Apple will face in the tablet market after the ipad’s release.

China is expected to have a much stronger presence this year as Chinese manufacturers become more familiar with promoting their products at international trade shows.

The show runs in Taipei from June 1 to 5.

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

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

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

Japan’s ruling party will lose it’s majority in parliament’s upper house after the Social Democratic Party pulled out of the coalition government.

The socialists opposed the prime minister’s decision to not move the US Futenma airbase off the island of Okinawa. In leaving the base on Okinawa the prime minister has gone back on one of his election promises.

Though the socialists have few parliamentary seats they secured the ruling democrats a majority in the upper house when they joined the coalition.

The democrats will now have to rely on their large majority in the lower house to force legislation through.

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

According to reports from Australia, the iconic Sydney Opera House faces severs funding problems and could be forced to close.

The chief executive of the Opera House confirmed they face closure unless the government comes up with $800 million Australian dollars to replace outdated stage machinery.

Internal reports said performers lives were currently at risk from ancient stage machinery. The venue’s fault log is also said to contain more incidents and disruption than one would expect.

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

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