Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Tuesday 8th June

In this Bulletin…

- Large sinkholes forming across China;
- North Korean border guards shoot & kill 3 Chinese citizens; and
- 5,000 Palestinians cross the Gaza-Egypt border.

But first we have our Shen Yun quote of the day

[Audio]

For more information please visit www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

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Our SOH focus on China is next

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While giant sinkholes plague Guatemala, eight sinkholes have suddenly formed in the past two weeks across China, reports The Epoch Times. Even more have appeared within the past two months.

The latest sinkhole formed in the middle of a freeway on Friday in Zhejiang Province on the nation’s eastern coast. It measured 20 feet deep and 27 feet wide.

The day before, four huge sinkholes opened up in Guangxi Province after a pouring rainstorm. 600 villagers had to be evacuated from the surrounding area.

Although state-run reports say no major earthquakes will result, the sinkhole outbreak has many Chinese people worried.

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China’s communist party has released a white paper on Tuesday defending the right to censor the internet.

The white paper lays out the regime’s attitude towards the web. It says the country has the right to govern the internet as it sees fit inside China’s borders.

It refers to the internet as “a crystallization of human wisdom,” however its lists some of reasons why it’s citizens cannot access all of that wisdom.

One of the major reasons for censorship is avoiding subversion of state power resulting in undermining of national unity. However, Chinese internet users are extremely divided about internet censorship.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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North Korean border guards shot and killed three Chinese citizens last week. A fourth person was injured in the incident near Liaoning, China.

China’s foreign ministry said it has placed a formal complaint to North Korea. They said four residents of Dandong, in Liaoning Province had been shot on suspicion of crossing the border for trade activities.

They said China attaches great importance to the act and has raised a solemn representation with North Korea.

The case is being investigated and no further details were given.

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Japan’s new prime minister is vowing to make the country more vigorous. He plans to tackle the national debt and improve relations with the U.S.

Speaking before being sworn in by Japan’s Emperor Akihito, Mr Naoto Kan named his new cabinet. He is keeping 11 of the 17 ministers in place and appointing his former deputy as finance minister.

He is planning to relocate a controversial U.S. military base to the north part of Okinawa Island despite locals wanting it removed entirely.

He is also making the national debt the country’s biggest topic.

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

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India’s prime minister has renewed an offer to talk with Kashmiri separatists. He announced the move during a visit to a university in India-administered Kashmir.

He said they are ready to talk with representatives of all sections who are opposed to terrorism and violence.

During the prime minister’s two-day trip to the state, non-violent separatists protesting the visit staged a shutdown.

Violence has declined in Kashmir in recent years, but analysts say militants opposed to Indian rule are now trying to regroup.

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Over 5, 000 Palestinians have crossed the Gaza-Egypt border after Egypt’s president opened the crossing border town of Rafah. It was opened over a week ago.

The border opening is said to be in response to Israel’s raid on the Gaza flotilla, and is expected to stay open.

People legally able to enter Egypt or other Arab countries have been allowed to pass through while Palestinians receiving medical treatment were allowed to return to Gaza.

Tons of medical supplies, food and aid have also been driven into Gaza.

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