The snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni), just one of the 1,060 new species recorded in New Guinea by the WWF. (Isabel Beasley/Wikimedia)

In this bulletin:

- China slammed for extending journalist’s detention,
- Beijing tested by torrential rain,
- Support keeps independent Taiwan broadcaster on-air, and
- World’s largest tropical island yields new species.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

NTD-Press freedom advocates have criticised the Chinese regime for sentencing a journalist to eight more years in jail. Qi Chonghuai was expecting to be released Saturday June 25 after having served a four-year sentence.

But on June 9th authorities in northeastern Shandong Province extended his term. They found him guilty of the same charges he was accused of four years ago.

After Qi Chonghuai exposed local corruption in 2007, he was convicted of extortion and blackmail. While in prison, he also wrote articles about the ill treatment of inmates, which were published on overseas news services. Qi himself was beaten in prison and forced to do hard labour.

On June 9th, authorities accused him again of extortion and blackmail, plus an additional charge of stealing advertising revenue from a former employer. They found him guilty and extended his sentence to eight more years.

International media advocates have condemned the move.

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

NTD-Torrential rains left much of Beijing paralysed Thursday June 23. Residents struggled to make it home, with parts of the subway system closed and treacherous road conditions.

Now Beijing’s construction and drainage system are being criticised as unfit for sudden torrential downpours.

Part of the problem in any city is the more you build and cover the earth with concrete the less water can soak away into the ground, it all quickly flows into the drainage system.

Political commentator Lin Baohua said the problem was symptomatic of the regime’s sub-standard construction methods. He calls it ‘tofu construction’, a popular term for buildings made out of cheap materials that fall easily during natural disasters.

Beijing hasn’t suffered disasters like the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, that collapsed thousands of buildings. But the downpour does pose questions as to whether the Chinese capital’s construction is fit to cope with disasters in the future.

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

NTD-A two-month-long exhibition of traditional lanterns recently opened at the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, or Yuanmingyuan to give the gardens their Chinese name

The show features different types and shapes of lanterns amidst a backdrop of lotus flower-shaped lanterns.

Stealing the limelight is a 70-foot-high lotus flower lantern encircled by 56 smaller lotus lanterns. The impressive display is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Other lanterns are in the shapes of lotus leaves, balls, ships, butterflies, and peacocks. The park also provides various forms of entertainment, such as theatrical performances.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

ET-A recent public opinion survey by the University of Hong Kong found that Hong Kong people’s trust in their government, and in Chinese communist central rule, has dramatically declined, reaching the lowest level in years.

The University of Hong Kong conducted the random telephone survey between June 13 and 16, just two weeks prior to the Chinese Communist Party’s 90th anniversary.

Notable is the age distribution in the survey. The younger the group, the less trust they have in the government.

Chung Ting Yiu Robert, the project director of the survey, said in the analysis that people born after 1980 have higher rates of distrust than those born before 1980. Chung said This is likely related to the sentencing in China of Zhao Lianhai, who organized a support group for victims of the melamine-milk scandal, the recent detention of Ai Weiwei, as well as the 22nd memorial of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

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

NTD-NTD Asia Pacific announced Tuesday June 28 the renewal of its contract with Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom. Signed Monday June 27 the contract ensures that our partner media will continue to broadcast NTD’s programming to the region, and to parts of mainland China.

After two months of negotiations and widespread support from both domestic and international calls, this outcome has been warmly welcomed. NTD Asia Pacific thanked Taiwan’s main and opposition parties for helping secure service with the ST-2 Satellite, which has state protection.

The broadcaster is known for airing news usually censored by the Chinese Communist Party. Even with the contract renewal in hand, the station has appealed for continued support to guarantee its broadcast is free from any signal interference.

Viewers will be notified about how to continue watching NTD Asia Pacific programs, once its signal is transferred to Chunghwa’s ST-2 Satellite in August.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Japan welcomes Taiwanese hospitality,
- New Guinea forests, rivers among world’s richest, and
- Australian ointment could revolutionise snakebite first-aid.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

NTD-Mauritania’s government has recently signed a 25-year deal with Chinese fishing company Poly Hon Done Pelagic Fishery.

The agreement will let Chinese trawlers fish in Mauritanian waters, but local fishermen, green activists and opposition lawyers say all it will do to the poor African country is cause more harm than help.

In exchange for access to Mauritanian waters, the Chinese regime will provide a $100 million US dollar investment, which will be used to build a processing factory, a training center for Mauritanians and a traditional boat manufacturing site.

Fishing makes up around ten percent of Mauritania’s gross domestic product and up to 50 per cent of its export earnings. Mauritanians fear their own inferior traditional ships will be in no condition to compete with Chinese trawlers for already scarce fish supplies.

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

Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau said Tuesday June 28 an initiative to help Japanese victims of the March 11 earthquake get over their trauma has been warmly received by Japan.

The Tourism Bureau said in Tokyo Tuesday June 28 China Airlines and EVA Air have each offered 250 seats to take Japanese quake victims to Taiwan free of charge. And Taiwan’s hospitality industry has offered 500 hotel rooms to go with the flights.

A large number of Japanese officials and executives attended the Tokyo news conference to offer their appreciation for Taiwan’s the in the aftermath of the earthquake. Many of them said the quake has drawn the Japanese and Taiwanese people closer together.

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

On a lighter note.

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

ET-A new study from the World Wildlife Foundation reports that 1,060 new species have been identified in New Guinea, the world’s largest tropical island. The study also points out these and other species are at risk, particularly due to logging and clearing forests for agriculture.

Some of the more exotic new species include a one-centimetre-long fanged frog, a blind snake, a snub-fin dolphin, a 2.5-meter-long river shark, brightly coloured snails, and an anteater named after British naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

The World Wildlife Foundation said their research shows New Guinea’s forests and rivers are among the richest in the world. The conservation organisation also noted the island’s forests faced serious threats. But said there was some hope as many oil palm producers in New Guinea are aiming for sustainable certification.

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

ET-Researchers in Australia have patented a potentially lifesaving topical ointment that can be used as a first aid treatment for some types of snakebite. The team’s findings were published in the journal Nature June 26.

The ointment causes the lymphatic vessels to constrict. According to the researchers it slows the spread of venoms transported via the lymphatic vessels by some 350 per cent. They also said it has no obvious side effects.

A medical toxicologist quoted in Science Magazine said if the treatment panned out it could revolutionize first aid for snakebite in parts of the world where venom causes paralysis.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Hong Kong - financial hub of Asia-Pacific and the city you're most likely to find new millionaires in. (By Dennis Wong/Flickr)

In this bulletin:

- China’s economic growth not increased happiness,
- Chinese artist Ai Weiwei released by authorities,
- Hong Kong leads surge in Asia-Pacific millionaires, and
- Australian’s touched by Dalai Lama’s words on compassion and kindness.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

NTD-A letter smuggled out of China has detailed the harassment and beatings suffered by blind Chinese rights activist Chen Guangcheng and his family.

It’s the first contact between the Chen household and the outside world since a video in February documenting the 24-hour surveillance Chen and his family was under.

The letter and video were both received by US-based organization China Aid. On June 15 China Aid received a letter from Chen’s wife that had been smuggled out of China. The letter gives an account of increased persecution the family has been subjected to since the video was released.

China Aid released a YouTube video statement saying they were deeply concerned, adding the treatment of Chen’s family violated Chinese law and also broke the the lowest moral ground of any human being.

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

ET-Satisfaction with life for ordinary Chinese has not grown as fast as the economy over the past 30 years.

The results of a survey on the matter, conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Capital University of Economics and Business, were published on June 11.

Residents in 30 provincial capital cities in China were asked about their quality of life. A score of 75 and above on the rating scale used indicated basic satisfaction with life . But the average rating given by residents in these cities was just under 50.

According to the business magazine Caijing, about 70,000 households answered questions ranging from the cost of living, the environment, domestic conveniences, and the pace of life.

And you can find out what some residents from the surveyed cities dissatisfied with on the Epoch Times website.

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

ET/NTD-Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was released from prison Wednesday June 22 after mounting international condemnation for his detention.

But he declined to answer questions from journalists, apparently a condition of his bail. According to NTD Television Ai, speaking in English outside his Beijing home, said, I’m sorry I can’t talk I am on probation, please understand.

Ai had been detained on April 3 and later charged with tax evasion. But his supporters say Chinese authorities detained him as part of a larger crackdown on dissidents.

Legal and human rights experts attributed Ai’s release to unrelenting pressure from Ai’s artist connections and pressure from the international community. Amnesty International noted Ai’s sudden release came just ahead of a trip by China’s premier to Europe where Ai has strong professional ties and public support.

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

NTD-Environmentally friendly residents in China’s southwest city of Chongqing are creating mini-farms on their rooftops.

These green-fingered gardeners are growing organic vegetables and fruits like eggplants, peppers, green beans and balsam pears.

One local resident who grows more than ten varieties of vegetables on his rooftop farm said as well as being a source of food the plants also improved the environment.

A local city lawyer said rooftop space is accessible to all interested gardeners as it technically belongs to all property owners in the building. He advised budding gardeners to get permission from at least half of the owners in the building, before starting a rooftop farm.

The lush greenery on rooftops is creating a splash of colour to the industrial landscape of Chongqing City.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

A study said Thursday June 23 the number of millionaires in Asia-Pacific has jumped sharply in recent years. The region has overtaken Europe and is now second only to the US in terms of the number of high-net worth individuals.

The report was released by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and consultancy firm Capgemini. It found Asia’s strong growth was led by the number of millionaires in Hong Kong, which grew 33.3 per cent in 2010.

The report said the rocketing number of millionaires in Hong Kong was due to a healthy economy as well as gains in the equities and real estate markets. It also noted the fast growth of Indian millionaires.

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

NTD-The death of a five-year-old boy from from scarlet fever Tuesday June 21 was the second fatal case to be reported in Hong Kong this year.

So far in 2011 more than 450 cases have been reported, nearly double the annual average.

Scientists believe the strain of bacteria that killed the five-year-old boy has mutated and is more resistant to antibiotics. Meaning it’s likely to be more contagious.

A high number of cases have also been reported in southern China with nine thousand infected and in Macau with 49.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Indian’s protest Chinese dam project,
- Asia prepares to take on Apple’s iPad, and
- Ancient mural surprisingly cool.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

NTD-Members of the protest group Jan Chetna Manch gathered Sunday June 19 in India’s northern city of Allahabad. They’re protesting a Chinese dam project they say could harm their region.

Chinese officials have said they plan to build a hydroelectric power plant and dam up the Tsang-Po River, which is known as the Brahmaputra River in India. The river starts in Tibet, and flows down into India and Bangladesh.

Opponents of the plan are concerned about the environmental impact the dam will have on agriculture and drinking water downstream.

There are also worries the power to control the flow of water into India and Bangladesh would give the Chinese regime a political lever

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

Analysts say Asia is emerging as a major battleground in the tablet war as companies from China, South Korea and Taiwan challenge the dominance of Apple’s iPad on features and price.

A key factor in this alternatives to the iPad are available from global brands like South Korea’s Samsung and Taiwan’s HTC, as well as cheaper choices from dozens of smaller firms, many of them from China.

With predictions that Asia will account for up to about a third of tablet sales by 2015, the race for market share is truly on.

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

On a lighter note.

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

ET-Dating from 147 A.D, Guangsheng Temple near Huoshan Mountain in China’s Shanxi province is renowned for its 13 story Flying Rainbow Pagoda and its Yuan Dynasty murals. Chine’s state-run news agency said a researcher had now found evidence of refrigeration being used to preserve food.

A 670 year-old mural in the temple depicts a splendid mansion and the life within. Drawn on the palace hall’s northern wall illustrate the pleasurable life enjoyed in that era. What is surprising is that under a desk there was a wooden dipper containing fruits, with small cubes of ice placed between the edible delicacies.

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

NTD-Thousands recently flocked to the Chenrezig Institute on Australia’s Sunshine Coast to hear the Dalai Lama’s talk about everyday kindness and developing compassion.

The traditional owners of the land welcomed His Holiness to the country. Many came seeking guidance on how to cope with the conflicts in the world and stresses facing humanity today.

Although the Dalai Lama’s visit to the institute was brief, his simple words of wisdom and uplifting laughter will live on in the hearts of many.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Thousands of people clashed with security forces on the night of June 12, over the beating of a pregnant migrant worker by police outside of the southern China city of Guangzhou. (Weibo.com)

- Bombings stun Chinese officials,
- Southern China flooding hits millions,
- Taiwan’s main parties unite behind independent broadcaster, and
- Special Olympic athletes make history.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

ET-A string of recent bomb explosions targeting government buildings throughout China continue to stun officials. The bombings include five incidents in Fuzhou of Jiangxi Province and, most recently, one in the northern municipality of Tianjin.

While authorities attempt to block the news and divert attention, the spotlight of public opinion persists in illuminating the incidents.

The latest explosion on June 10, in front of the Tianjin Municipal Government, resulted in two minor injuries. A person with insider information told Sound of Hope Radio a petitioner had detonated two homemade bombs. Our source, who wished to remain anonymous said authorities responded by sending a large contingent of police for crowd control and to prevent the news from getting out.

The Epoch Times website looks at the significance of the explosions in terms of protest in China.

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

ET/NTD-Security forces have broken up protests sparked by the beating of a pregnant migrant worker by police in southern China’s Zencheng City. A curfew was also in force.

Migrant workers from Sichuan Province, unhappy for a long list of reasons, plan to strike for a month.

According to report from the Hong Kong-based newspaper Apple Daily, Chinese authorities mobilized 2,700 soldiers on the night of June 12 and another five thousand police on June 13.

From late June 12 to early June 13, tens of thousands of Zencheng residents took to the streets in protest and clashed with police.

Zengcheng is around an hour’s drive from Guangzhou, the affluent capital of Guangdong Province, which produces about a third of the country’s exports.

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

NTD-Millions have been affected by flooding in southern China after almost two weeks of heavy rain and storms. According to official reports, as of Friday June 17 up to one million people have been forced to leave their homes.

State-run media at the time stated at least 105 people were dead and another 65 were missing. A rescue worker from Wangmo County, Guizhou Province told SOH the actual death toll was much higher than the official figure and any missing persons had a slim chance of survival.

Torrential downpours have battered previously drought-stricken sections of China. Vast areas of crops have been ruined and hundreds of homes destroyed. Early estimates suggest the damages will tun into tens of millions of US dollars.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

ET/NTD-NTD AP, the SOH Network’s partner media in the Asia-Pacific region continues to get support from both main political parties in Taiwan over the future of its broadcast.

Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom is partially government-owned. But so far they’ve been ignoring the government’s calls to continue NTD AP’s satellite contract on their new ST-2 satellite starting in August.

Some suspect the Chinese Communist Party has been pressuring Chunghwa to stop NTD AP’s broadcast because ist uncensored news and information reaches parts of mainland China.

Following a meeting with Taiwan’s Premier, Chunghwa said it would renew NTD AP’s service, but only on a third-party satellite. Both NTD AP and lawmakers say this is unacceptable, because the signal would not be protected against interference from China.

Commentators say the outcome of this contract dispute will indicate the state of Taiwan’s press freedom and democratic ideals as it pursues closer ties with the Chinese regime.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Indian journalist gunned down,
- Nepal clears last landmines, and
- Taiwan sticks with traditional Chinese characters.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

ET-An organized crime investigative journalist for India’s Mid-Day newspaper was killed Wednesday June 15.

According to Reporters Without Borders the journalist was shot in the back five times by four men on two motorcycles as he was returning to his home in a northern suburb of Mumbia.

The man was considered an authority on the oil mafia situation in India and had been reporting on the topic for the past 20 years. Some think his death is linked to the oil mafia, with Reporters Without Borders suggesting police could have played a part in the murder.

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

NTD-The latest powerful tremors to hit New Zealand’s city of Christchurch caused more damage to a city already devastated by previous quakes.

Aftershocks Monday June 13 peaked at magnitude 6.3 and left many residents frightened about their future.

Authorities have said parts of Christchurch will have to be abandoned due to the extent of the damage caused by the aftershocks.

And New Zealand’s Geological and Nuclear Sciences Institute warned the latest series of tremors could produce another string of powerful aftershocks in the weeks to come.

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

Nepal recently became only the second country in Asia to become landmine free, the first to achieve this being China.

The UN made the declaration five years after the end of the civil war between the Nepalese army and Maoist rebels. Since the conflict ended mines killed 78 people and injured 395.

Nepal’s prime minister, who destroyed the last landmine with the flip of a switch, said it was a historic moment.

The UN however cautioned areas containing homemade bombs planted by both sides still remain, and efforts to clear those continue.

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

The European Union said Friday June 17 it was sending a high-level team to Burma for exploratory talks with the country’s new authorities.

A senior EU diplomat said the talks were an initial move aimed at gauging the mindset of the new authorities

A spokesman for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said the Nobel peace laureate would meet the EU representatives.

Burma’s military handed over power in March to a nominally civilian government, but one in which many of the former ruling generals hold positions. Despite this there are hopes that the country is edging closer to the possibility of real democratic reforms.

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

On a lighter note.

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

Taiwan’s leaders recently declared traditional Chinese characters will continue to be used in Taiwan instead of the simplified characters adopted by the mainland in modern times.

The premier of Taiwan said traditional Chinese characters represent the beautiful legacy and significance of traditional Chinese culture. One which has been handed down for generations and can never be superseded by simplified Chinese characters.

Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau suggested local restaurants and shops popular with Chinese tourists could use both sets of characters to accommodate customers unable to read the traditional script.

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

Two Special Olympic athletes, one Asian and one African, made history together Monday June 13 when they became the first Special Olympic athletes to reach the summit of Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro.

The two men, Salihin Sinai from Singapore and Herith Suleiman from Tanzania, were supported in their endeavour by a small team lead by adventurer Michael Dee. They scaled the almost 6,000 metres to the top of Africa’s highest peak in five days.

Singapore hoped their achievement would be an inspiration to others. Salihin was given a hero’s welcome home at Changi Airport Thursday June 16 where the Special Olympics Singapore president said he made history both in Singapore and Asia.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Three Gorges Dam infographic. (Created by GDS Inforgraphics for Infrastructure MENA)

In this bulletin:

- No justice for China’s toxic-milk victims,
- Three Gorges Dam should be dismantled,
- Talks stall on independent Taiwanese TV broadcaster, and
- Retirees volunteer for Japan nuclear clean-up.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

Following the recent revelation of a secret compensation fund set up after the 2008 melamine tainted milk scandal, SOH spoke to some victims’ families.

Under the regime’s guidance, China’s dairy industry association established a medical compensation fund managed by China Life Insurance Company. But this fund was deemed a state secret.

The parent of one victim told SOH they got to know a lot of families whose children developed kidney stones from the toxic milk. They said none of them had heard about this multi-million dollar compensation fund.

Several parents of affected children told our Chinese reporters all the authorities had offered them was 2000 yuan, about $300 US dollars. And only then if they agreed to waive their right to sue those responsible.

SOH also learned that children with small kidney stones were being given the all clear to keep the number of victims as low as possible.

Reported by Qin Yue and Yu Ming for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

ET-According to a hydrology expert quoted by the Epoch Times, China’s Three Gorges Dam is a huge failure and should be dismantled.

The massive 17-year project on the Yangtze River displaced at least 1.4 million people. It was intended to control and harness China’s mightiest river.

But since the dam’s completion in 2006, nature has not cooperated. A local official said drought and every kind of disaster have descended upon the region. The dam project has also become a financial sink hole, requiring hundreds of billions yuan in ongoing damage control.

At present, many discussions critical of the Three Gorges Dam are surfacing in Chinese media and on websites.

The Epoch Times website has a detailed analysis of how the dam project has failed its original aims including flood control and drought relief.

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

NTD-Authorities in China’s Inner Mongolia have taken swift actions to stop the largest demonstrations in the region in twenty years.

Calls recently circulated online for a major demonstration in the region’s capital Hohhot for Monday May 30

But military police poured into the region, students were forced to remain on campus and the local Internet service was disrupted.

The unrest was sparked by the deaths of two Mongol herders earlier this month. In separate incidents, they were killed while protesting against local coal mining activities that have disrupted their traditional lifestyles.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

ET/NTD-Taiwan’s premier appeared to give a green light to an independent TV station to continue broadcasting into Asia, including mainland China, but talks have stalled.

The SOH Network’s media partner in Taiwan, NTD AP Television, is calling on the Taiwan government to fulfil its commitment to freedom of the press.

NTD AP has been in talks over a satellite contract renewal with the partially state-owned Chunghwa Telecom. And Taiwan’s premier ordered Chunghwa to continue hosting NTD’s signal when the current contract expires in August.

But Chunghwa hasn’t taken concrete action to move NTD to its new satellite. Many suspect the Chinese regime is pressuring Chunghwa to stop servicing NTD’s signal, because it provides uncensored news and information.

NTD AP says having its signal on a third-party satellite would be undesirable. It fears that without the protection of being on the new Chunghwa-owned satellite, its broadcast would be at risk of getting blocked by the Chinese regime.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- South Korea responds to North’s severance announcement,
- Anti-corruption body investigates Southeast Asian Games, and
- Ancient Chinese village reveals early Yunnan culture.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

South Korea said Tuesday June 31 it was disappointed with North Korea for announcing it would never deal with its neighbour.

North Korea accused Seoul Monday May 30 of using psychological warfare and said it would never deal with the South Korean president.

The North stated its intent to launch an all out offensive against South Korea after human rights groups and some politicians sent anti-Pyongyang across the border in balloons.

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

Indonesia’s sports minister was grilled by the country’s anti-graft body Tuesday May 31. The Corruption Eradication Commission is looking into alleged corruption in awarding the contract to build the athletes’ village for the Southeast Asian Games in November.

The sports minister faced a three hour grilling after the Corruption Eradication Commission called him for questioning as a witness.

Three people have been arrested over the project deal, which is estimated to cost over $2 million US dollars.

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

NTD-The Australian live cattle export industry is in turmoil after graphic footage of animal cruelty in Indonesian abattoirs has been released. The footage shows cattle suffering inhumane torture before being slaughtered.

The RSPCA along with Animals Australia released the footage, saying the Live Export Industry was aware of the abuses, but did not act when they were exposed.

Indonesia has about 100 abattoirs where Australian cattle are sent for slaughter. Since the release of the footage, over 100 thousand Australians have registered their disgust on animal rights websites.

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

ET-A group of retired engineers and professionals, in their 60s, are volunteering to work on addressing the nuclear crisis facing Japan. They say that the burden of addressing the nuclear crisis should rest on the shoulders of the older workers, not the younger ones.

Yasutera Yamada, a 72 year-old retired engineer, has called upon fellow retired professionals to step forward and help tackle Japan’s nuclear crisis.

In an interview with the BBC Yamada said even if he was exposed to radiation, cancer could take 20 or 30 years, or longer, to develop.

He said he now had almost 200 people from crane operators to cooks wanted to sign up.

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

On a lighter note.

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

NTD-Researchers in southwest China have discovered ruins of a large village that dates back four-and-a-half thousand years.

The ancient village, located in Chengjiang County, Yunnan province was first discovered in 2009. The initial stage of excavations started last November.

The site occupies two-and-a-half acres and contains the ruins of 20 houses. Where buildings once stood, archaeologists found household items made of pottery, bronze, stone, and copper.

The Yunnan Archaeology Research Institution said the excavation filled a gap in their knowledge of ancient Yunnan culture.

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

The expectedly short life of a life-size polar bear ice sculpture began in Sydney, Australia Friday June 3.

Three ice sculptors were set to spend six hours carving the four-metre long and two metre high bear out of a block of ice which has a bronze skeleton frozen inside. They will then leave it to melt.

The message behind the project is that there will always be an Arctic, but it will be a very different place with global warming.

Previous ice bears have lasted two weeks, Sydney’s version is expected to melt within four to five days.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Tuesday, May 3, was World Press freedom Day. In Taiwan, NTD Asia Pacific Television — or NTD AP — filed an appeal at Taiwan’s regulatory National Communications Commission. They say the island’s largest telecommunications company is wrongfully refusing to renew their satellite contract.

In this bulletin:

- Ai Weiwei’s family say authorities actions unlawful,
- Chinese officials’ secret farms,
- Taiwan’s premier urges support for independent broadcaster, and
- Thai election hots up.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

The family of outspoken Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei recently told SOH the handling of his case has been unlawful from the start and would continue to be unlawful.

Six weeks after the authorities detained Ai Weiwei, state run media announced the company he controlled has been intentionally destroying accounting vouchers and was suspected of tax evasion.

The sister of Ai Weiwei, Gao Ge, told our Chinese reporter any charges against her brother should have been announced by the police not the media. She added that despite the media’s announcement the family hadn’t received any formal notification.

Ai Weiwei’s mother, Gao Ying said, she does not believe her son would evade tax. She said Ai used his own money to benefit the community.

Reported by Tian Xi for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

Instead of tackling the problem of toxic food in China, government officials from the central to local levels are maintaining their own private supplies of fresh produce.

Following up on the Southern Weekend newspaper’s expose of one such special produce base in Shunyi District outside Beijing, an SOH Chinese reporter investigated the story.

A Beijing resident said wealthy state owned enterprises all had their own production centres. They said the Beijing Education Bureau opened a special produce base near Hebei which supplied them with everything from fish to vegetables.

A resident from Shanghai told SOH that while those with position and privilege enjoyed their special produce the common people could only eat toxic food. They added corruption was turning China’s whole society toxic from top to bottom.

Interviewed and reported by Tian Xi for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

Victims of forced relocations in Shanghai recently told SOH they are not afraid of the authorities crackdown on them.

Petitioners told SOH over one thousand of them gathered at the Shanghai Civil Complaints Office May 11 before police broke up their appeal.

The next day dozens of petitioners gathered at the Changning District Court to protest the rejection of their appeals. One petitioner told SOH a judge said if the court heard their case they might lose their job.

Another petitioner said petitioners were already being sent to psychiatric hospitals and detention centres to silence them ahead of June 4 anniversary of the Tienanmen Square Massacre..

Report by special correspondents Chang Chun and Lou Lan for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

NTD-Taiwan’s premier is urging the island’s largest telecommunications company to continue its satellite contract with independent TV broadcaster NTD AP.

The call comes three weeks after Chunghwa Telecom refused to extend its service with NTD AP. The current contract will expire in August. NTD AP is known for broadcasting uncensored news on China to the region.

Domestic and overseas legislators have voiced support for the station. Many want the partly state-owned Chunghwa to uphold Taiwan’s democratic and press freedom principles.

NTD AP said they were affirmed as the yardstick for freedom of speech by the premier at a meeting Tuesday May 24. The premier also stated Chunghwa’s operations should expand beyond commercial decisions to protect Taiwan’s democracy and rule of law.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Dalai Lama shuns head of state role,
- Japan to boost solar energy, and
- Nikkei Asia Prize winners announced.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia CastI’m Rich Crankshaw

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

NTD-Thirty parties will take part in the July 3rd election in Thailand. It will be a tight race between the ruling Democrat Party and the opposition Puea Thai party. Both will likely have to rely on the smaller parties to form a coalition government.

While the Democrats have powerful backing from conservative elites and the military top brass, they have struggled to win over the poor, which constitute the majority of Thai voters.

Puea Thai’s stronghold is the vote-rich north and northeast and it has the backing of the powerful red shirt protest movement. However, that association could turn away voters tired of political upheaval.

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

The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader has said he will never act as the head of state for the Tibetan administration in exile.

Since the Dalai Lama stepped away from his political duties in March Tibetan lawmakers and other leaders have tried to convince him to retain a role as a ceremonial head of state.

In March the Dalai Lama indicated he would make way for democratically elected officials to handle Tibet’s political affairs. A new Tibetan exile prime minister is scheduled to be inaugurated in July.

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

Taiwan’s government has been urged to allow abandoned or fallow farmland to be used for growing a sub-tropical species of grass, miscanthus, for fuel.

A researcher from the National Cheng Kung University made the remark Wednesday May 26 at a press conference on the sustainable development of Taiwan’s natural resources

US research found miscanthus was more energy efficient than other plant-based fuel sources, such as ethanol and biodiesel.

The press conference also heard other countries may be interested in some Taiwanese grasses which can survive in adverse environments or tolerate heavy metals.

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

Japan’s prime minister pledged Wednesday May 26 the country will have solar panels installed on some ten million roofs by 2020.

The solar-powered homes are part of the major push towards renewable energy Japan has embarked upon following the recent nuclear crisis.

The prime minister said Japan was aiming to generate 20 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. To met this aim the prime minister said the cost of solar power generation would have to fall to one third of its current level by 2020 and to one sixth by 2030.

Nuclear power remains part of Japan’s energy plan, but has been scaled back.

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

On a lighter note.

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

NTD-An 11-year-old Manchurian tiger recently gave birth to quintuplets at a zoo in China’s Heilongjiang Province.

The mother was currently only taking care of four of her five cubs, with the fifth one being kept with another female tiger to ensure all the cubs get enough milk. The zoo said all five cubs were healthy.

The Manchurian tiger, also known as the Northeast China tiger, is ranked among the top 10 most endangered species in the world.

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

The winners of the Nikkei Asia Prizes for 2011 were announced Wednesday May 25 in Tokyo.

The awards aim to promote understanding with Japan of other Asian nations by recognising achievements that improve the quality of life in Asia.

Prizes are presented for significant contributions in three areas; regional growth, science, technology and innovation, and culture.

The science, technology and innovation prize went to the director of the Institute of Physics at Academia Sinica, Taiwan for advances in superconductor research.

Antonio Meloto of the Philippines took the regional growth award for his commitment to alleviating poverty in slums of the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

Vietnamese writer Bao Ninh won the culture category with his novel The Sorrow of War.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Monks in Central Java, Indonesia praying before Vessak Day 2010. (By Hermitiana P Putra/Flickr)

In this bulletin:

- Truth of Sichuan Earthquake reconstruction revealed,
- China’s secret toxic milk compensation fund,
- Taiwan’s politicians ignoring China investors plight, and
- Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

ET-On the third anniversary of the deadly May 12, 2008 earthquake hundreds of thousands of people returned to the ruins of their former homes in Beichuan, Sichuan Province, to mourn the loss of their loved ones.

While still struggling with the disaster trauma, survivors said the government’s meagre aid and the suppression of rights activists have made things worse for them. And contrary to official reports, many survivors have not yet been housed.

The Sichuan Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources said rebuilding projects over the past three years had actually increased the economic and living burden of earthquake victims. The Bureau’s Chief Engineer said only a little of the disaster relief funds were distributed to survivors forcing them to use savings and loans to cover reconstruction costs.

The urbanised settlements built to replace the rural villages destroyed in the disaster have also forced farmers to abandon their traditional way of life. The Bureau added poorly planned industrial projects posed a significant pollution risk.

Reported by Tang Yin and Hui Hong for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

NTD- According to Shanghai-based Oriental Outlook Magazine, a multi-million dollar compensation fund for babies sickened by melamine-tainted milk three years ago has been kept secret.

Now activists and parents struggling to pay for their children’s treatment want answers.

The 2008 milk scandal killed at least six babies and left 300-thousand more with kidney diseases. That same year, the Chinese Dairy Association pooled a substantial compensation fund. But victims’ families say they had never heard of the fund until now.

The fund operators told Oriental Outlook that operation details were a ‘state secret.’ One official reportedly told the magazine the media should not report on the fund.

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

NTD-Farmers growing watermelons in China are counting their losses after their watermelon crops began exploding on the ground.

Some farmers say their watermelons started exploding after being sprayed with a chemical intended to make the melons grow bigger and taste sweeter.

Even those with crops that seem fine are having difficulty selling them, because fruit markets fear they could explode later.

This is the latest case of Chinese food producers trying to artificially boost the value of their products. Some netizens say they’re glad the watermelons exploded on the farms because now the chemicals won’t reach their mouths.

The Chinese regime has allowed wider media coverage of food scandals recently. It comes after growing public anger over a series of toxic or dangerous foods that have made their way to consumers.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

ET-According to investors and researchers, Taiwanese businessmen are routinely abused, have their investments stolen, and are afforded few legal protections when doing business in mainland China.

They say the situation has remained unchanged for over a decade, with little political will on the Taiwanese side to rock the boat.

A Cross-Strait Trade and Cultural Forum held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province May 8 heard data from the Straits Exchange Foundation stating that among Taiwanese investors in mainland China, 104 were killed, 404 went missing, and 789 were robbed or kidnapped.

The Epoch Times website details the plight of some of these investors.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Burma’s amnesty excludes political prisoners ,
- Indonesia passes logging moratorium, and
- Protests and politics in Thailand.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

NTD-Burma’s new regime began freeing about 14,000 prisoners and commuting thousands more sentences Tuesday May 17.But critics have dismissed the amnesty as a token aimed at improving its international image.

Activists say very few of those released from prisons across the country were political prisoners, the vast majority were common criminals.

The large number of political detentions has been central to the imposition of economic sanctions on Burma’s rulers since a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 1988.

The US Campaign for Burma says the failure to release political detainees shows the regime is not about to introduce democratic reforms.

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

Indonesia Thursday passed a two-year moratorium on new logging concessions. The decree was part of a billion-dollar climate deal with Norway.

The massive archipelago contains some of the last tracts of pristine jungle anywhere in the world. Indonesia is also often cited as the world’s third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, mainly as a result of clearing forests for pulp or to make way for oil palm plantations.

The details of the moratorium remain unclear, but environmentalists say it needs to apply to all forests, natural and degraded, if it is to have any impact on Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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

NTD-Thai political party members Thursday May 19 registered to run in the country’s upcoming general election. July’s election is expected to be a hotly contested event between the Puea Thai Party and the current ruling Democrat Party.

Thousands of red-shirted opposition supporters gathered in Bangkok also on Thursday May 19 to mark the anniversary of a bloody confrontation with the military.

Neither Puea Thai nor the Democrats are likely to win a majority, meaning an alliance with smaller parties will most likely be required.

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

On a lighter note.

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

NTD-Thousands of Buddhists in Thailand gathered in Pathumthani Province to celebrate Vesak Day Tuesday May 17.

It’s a traditional holiday for Buddhist countries. Vesak is the day that the founder of Buddhism was born.

Around 10,000 Buddhist monks prayed at Dhammakaya temple. Buddhists also offer alms and pay homage to Buddha, as well as meditate, believing it will bring them peace and happiness in life.

Vesak Day is also celebrated in other countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma and Laos.

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

NTD-Spurred by childhood nostalgia and a love for old-world charm, a small team of technicians in India have painstakingly restored eight steam locomotives.

The renovation was not without it challenges. Chief among them being obtaining spare parts and the knowledge required to breath fire back into steam trains dating back to 1853.

The group not only want to restore the engines to their former glory, but also preserve the skills and knowledge required to keep them on the rails. Looking to the future, the Indian Steam Railway Society has earmarked 53 routes for heritage train journeys in India.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

An Australian wildlife park has recovered a stolen koala after a tip off led them to a trash bin containing the animal. (By brian.gratwicke/Flickr)

- Democracy Party targeted in eastern China,
- Lin Zhoa remembered,
- Independent media under threat in Taiwan, and
- Stolen koala found in trash bin.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

Recently SOH has received several reports from eastern China’s Zhejiang Province of Democracy Party members being arrested. Zhu Yufu was detained February 19 and Xue Mingkai April 23, both on charges of inciting subversion of state power, a rather poorly defined charges often levelled against dissidents.

The Democracy Party told our Chinese reporters it was being targeted by the Zhejiang authorities because they have been very active in the province and the regime has not been able to silence them.

Relatives of the two activists have been harassed and at least one local lawyer has been scared off from defending Zhu Yufu. The Democratic Party said they were trying to find a lawyer from out of the province to take the case on. Part of the problem is that China’s judiciary, including the body granting lawyers licenses to practice, is not independent from the regime.

Interviewed and reported by Tian Xi for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

Dozens of people in China spontaneously visited the tomb of famous dissident Lin Zhao April 29 on the forty-third anniversary of her death.

SOH spoke to some of those who went to pay their respects to Lin Zhao. They said about forty people, mostly from Shanghai and Suzhou, were at the outspoken dissident’s tomb. Adding, there were also several car loads of plain-clothes police by the roadside monitoring those inside.

Lin Zhao, like many intellectuals, became a victim of Mao Zedong’s 1957 Hundred Flowers Movement. Arrested in 1960 for being a counter-revolutionary she continued to pen critical commentary about Mao while imprisoned, famously using her own blood write with. Many in China regard her as a heroine who fought for dignity, freedom and democracy.

Interviewed and reported by Fu Ming and Tang Li for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

NTD-Sand and dust storms hit a large portion of northern and northeastern China for the second consecutive day Thursday May 12. Cities have been blanketed in yellow clouds, disrupting transportation.

The sandstorms hit Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in the northeast Wednesday May 11, bringing with them huge amounts of dust. The local weather bureau rated the air quality hazardous and advised people to stay inside.

In Inner Mongolia, sandstorms covered some of its cities in orange clouds of dust Wednesday May 11, reducing visibility and causing two airports to cancel all flights .

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

ET-A Taiwanese government-controlled telecommunications company has decided to shut down the satellite broadcasts to China of a TV station providing independent, uncensored China news.

Critics say this decision was meant to curry favour with the Chinese regime and represents a threat to Taiwan’s own democracy.

On April 11, Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom informed NTD Asia Pacific Television its contract will be terminated in August. NTD Asia Pacific was told Chunghwa’s new satellite lacked the capacity to carry their signal. This is despite Chunghwa’s own website announcing their new satellite will offer expanded service coverage, higher transmitting power, more transponders, and increased bandwidth.

Taiwan’s government owns 35 per cent of Chunghwa’s shares. Five of nine directors and two of three supervisors are government officials.

The political opposition in Taiwan have strongly criticized Chunghwa’s actions. Taiwan’s National Communications Commission has agreed to hear NTD Asia Pacific’s complaint.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Japanese nuclear evacuees get brief visit home,
- Thailand announces election, and
- Time travel to help Samoan businesses.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

NTD-Around 100 evacuees from the exclusion zone around Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant were allowed a brief visit home Tuesday May 10.

Residents from Kawauchi village had just two hours to collect personal belongings and for some to check on farm animals.

It was their first trip back since the Fukushima Daiichi plant leaked radiation after the March 11 quake and tsunami.

Japan’s prime minister announced the same day he would give up his prime minister’s salary until the nuclear crisis is over.

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

NTD-As the hilly Kullu region of India’s Himachal Pradesh grows ever more popular with tourists so does the state’s pollution problems.

Studies reveal that atmospheric pollutants are increasing day by day. A rise in vehicles in the region is the main cause of increasing pollution. The region’s tourism peaks during the dry season when it’s very dusty.

The government is conducting various studies on finding way to lessen the pollution.

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

NTD-Thailand is set for a general election July 3rd in what is expected to be a close contest. Some are concerned the violent political conflict that has dogged the country for five years could reignite.

Thailand’s prime minister said the election had been endorsed by the King. The Thai parliament was dissolved Tuesday May 10.

In 2006 a bloodless coup removed the previous Thai prime minister and plunged the country into a political crisis.

The election may be an opportunity to heal political divisions, but some fear it could also reignite the chaos which led to the deaths of 91 people last year.

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

The South Pacific island nation of Samoa is turning to time travel as a way of boosting its economy.

Samoa said if it switches to the west side of the international date line it will be easier to do business with its biggest trading partners; Australia and New Zealand. The move will mean the country jumps forward by one day when the switch takes place.

Samoa is currently 21 hours behind Sydney, but from December 29 it will be three hours ahead. The change comes 119 years after Samoa moved in the opposite direction to aid trade with the US and Europe.

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

On a lighter note.

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

A Nepalese man set a new world record when he reached the summit of Mount Everest for the twenty-first time Wednesday May 11.

The tourism ministry said Apa Sherpa broke the record he set last year for the number of ascents of the world’s tallest peak.

Apa Sherpa first climbed the mountain in 1990. Since 2008 has been climbing Everest as part of an expedition to collect trash such as oxygen cylinders, tent poles, tents and other mountaineering equipment from the mountain. The expidition also seeks to highlight the effects of climate change.

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

NTD-It’s good news for an Australian wildlife park near Sydney; their stolen koala was found.

The elderly Koala known as Banjo was taken from his enclosure Monday May 9 during the night. But on Wednesday May 11, the park received a tip-off and found Banjo stashed in a plastic trash bin.

The 13-year-old appeared frightened and mildly dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition. According to park authorities, this is the first time a koala has been stolen from a zoo in Australia.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Fossilised remains of an ichthyosaur and ammonites. Ichthyosaurs were dolphin-like reptiles with sharp teeth that preyed on fish and squid-like creatures. A skeleton has been unearthed in Australia with teeth marks on the lower jaw, an unusual find. (Descouens/Wikimedia Commons)

In this bulletin:

- Protests stall world’s busiest port,
- Chinese millionaires moving funds overseas,
- Hong Kong media’s self censorship growing, and
- Battle-scarred fossil jaw found in Australia

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

Shanghai, the world’s busiest port, was recently brought to a near standstill after a strike by truck drivers.

In protest over fuel surcharges and other related charges thousands of container-truck drivers began striking April 19. The authorities brought in over seven thousand police to suppress the strike. One person was allegedly beaten to death by the police and many others were arrested April 20.

Angered by this the drivers on strike started to block the gates. As other container and cargo related business joined the strike Shanghai’s port was virtually paralysed.

Authorities have suppressed news of the strikes from getting out.

Reported by Yu Liang and correspondent Chen Yilian for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

As the Chinese regime’s crackdown on dissidents continues petitioners have told SOH the State Appeals Bureau has hired thugs to beat petitioners and prevent them going there to appeal.

Petitioners told our Chinese reporter a female petitioner suffered severe head injuries when she was beaten outside Beijing’s State Appeals Bureau April 27. The victim’s situation is currently unknown.

One petitioner said many of them were also arrested after singing songs and shouting ‘down with corruption’ outside the appeals office. They added the police just turned a blind eye when petitioners were attacked.

Reported by Fu Ming and Tang Li for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

ET-According to a recent study over half of China’s millionaires want out. An unstable political and investment environment, alongside myriad social problems, means that 60 per cent of the wealthy have either completed business emigration or are making plans to move funds overseas.

The 2011 China Private Wealth Study, jointly released by China Merchants Bank and Bain & Company, reveals the number of rich Chinese emigrating has gone up rapidly in recent years.

Chinascope, a Chinese media analysis group, said the loss of capital could damage China’s future as a productive economy.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

NTD-Hong Kong’s media is increasingly engaged in self-censorship, according to a survey released last week.

The Hong Kong University Public Opinion Program carried out its annual survey in April. The survey found that two thirds of the population believed local media was hesitant in criticising the Communist regime.

According to the Hong Kong Journalists Association this is because more media companies are strengthening their ties with the regime.

The Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor said one example of self-censorship is on news related to Falun Gong, a spiritual practice persecuted by the Chinese regime. The organisation said parades by Falun Gong involving more than one thousand people often occurred in Hong Kong, but were seldom see on the news.

The survey found that public perception of media credibility has slumped to a three year low.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Association of South East Asian Nations’ annual meeting,
- Timber smugglers threatening Indian forest , and
- Taiwan opens festival sand sculptures for public viewing

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

NTD-Security was tight around the convention centre in Jakarta Friday May 6 as delegates from the Association of South East Asian Nations gathered for their annual meeting.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister met with his Cambodian counterpart to talk about security on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Fighting between the Thai and Cambodian armies seems to have eased after 12 days of artillery and gunfire.

Cambodia’s foreign minister says they want to see Indonesian observers at the Thai-Cambodia border as soon as possible.

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

NTD-Forest guards in the far northeast of India say they’re finding it difficult to fight back against timber smugglers due to lack of proper equipment.

The Garbhanga Reserve Forest borders India’s Assam and Meghalaya states. According to the guards posted in Assam, timber smugglers from neighbouring Meghalaya are also destroying shops and houses located in nearby areas when they come over the border.

Large-scale timber smuggling is fast depleting the reserves and playing havoc with the ecosystem. It is estimated that in the last six years, around 40 per cent of the forest’s trees have been felled.

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

NTD-A tornado left a trail of destruction in New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland Tuesday May 3, leaving one dead and more than a dozen injured.

The tornado struck to the north of central Auckland in the afternoon with damage centred on a shopping mall, before it moved south leaving a three mile trail of destruction in its wake.

Police said one person was killed and more than a dozen injured. Eyewitnesses say they were terrified by the twister that wreaked havoc on the city.

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

On a lighter note.

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

ET-Researchers in Australia made a rare discovery when they found what appear to be healed bite wounds on the fossilised lower jaw of an ichthyosaur.

Ichthyosaurs were a diverse group of dolphin-like reptiles that are believed to have inhabited the oceans from 250 to 90 million years ago.

This particular skeleton, a five-meter-long adult is believed to be 120 million years old and was recovered near Marree, a town in South Australia.

The findings are detailed in a forthcoming issue of the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.

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

ET-The fourth annual Fulong Sand Sculpture Festival in New Taipei City, Taiwan, presents sand sculptures by well known artists from Canada, Germany, Japan, mainland China, Portugal, Russia, Taiwan, and the United States.

During the two month festival which opened April 17, four major sand sculptures, sixteen medium-sized pieces and twenty-one smaller works are expected to be built.

The sand sculptures embody historical and natural themes. The Tourism Bureau said the sculptures would be on public display May through June and amateur sculptors were welcome to enter an open competition over the weekend of May 14 and 15.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Artists protest during a march to demand the release of detained prominent Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in Hong Kong on April 23. Armed with banners, posters, masks and various musical instruments, over 1,000 protesters walked across the city's down town district of Tsim Sha Tsui. Ai Weiwei remains missing after being intercepted by government officials in Beijing April 3. (Pan Zaishu/The Epoch Times)

In this bulletin:

- Beijing’s lawyer crackdown continues,
- Chinese consumers latest food safety worries,
- Hong Kong rally for Ai Weiwei, and
- Japan marks 25^th Chernobyl anniversary.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

A well known Beijing lawyer has been charged with obstructing a witness for a second time just weeks before he was due to be released from an 18 month sentence handed down on the same charge.

Li Zhuang’s case has caught the attention of many other Chinese lawyers and legal scholars. A noted lawyer from Hebei Province, Yang Jinzhu attempted to attend the trial but was refused despite the only requirement to attend a hearing being a valid ID card.

Another lawyer told SOH Chinese reporters Yang was besieged by more than 40 people in what was clearly a pre-arranged attack as he got off his flight in Chongqing City.

The bailiffs that should have protected Yang stood aside after plain clothes security personnel spoke to them leaving Yang trapped for 10 minutes.

Reporting by Yan Ning and special correspondent Chang Chun for the Sound of Hope Radio Network.

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

NTD-Food safety remains a major issue in China, as authorities find more toxic milk powder in the country’s south. This time, 26 tons of melamine-tainted milk powder was seized from the warehouse of an ice cream maker.

Infant formula containing melamine, a chemical used to make plastic, killed at least six babies in 2008. The chemical is used to boost apparent nutritional content of watered-down milk

Authorities have vowed to step up regulations and inspections. But, products like drug-tainted pork and old bread treated with dye have left consumers anxious about the foods they eat.

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

ET-Several weeks after the disappearance of Ai Weiwei, people around the world are speaking out on his behalf. In Hong Kong thousands staged a protest march demanding the immediate release of the world-acclaimed Chinese artist and rights activist.

Many people showed up in creative costumes and masks and brought along expressive artwork, posters and banners, as well as gongs and drums. Banners displayed slogans asking for freedom of artistic expression and human rights.

Hong Kong event organizers, a coalition of artists, said about 2,500 participated in the April 23 march.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

ET-According to an Epoch Times report, the social and environmental damage caused by unaccountable Chinese state-run companies had created a massive and deepening hatred within Burmese society.

Human Rights Watch said that China’s energy policies in Burma undoubtedly contribute to human rights abuses.

In recent years a large influx of cashed-up entrepreneurs have crossed to northern Burma from China’s southern Yunnan Province. Burmese in exile media sites are documenting China’s expanding economic footprint and political influence upon the country.

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

ET/NTD- As part of the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster protesters in Japan held candles outside Tokyo Electric Power Company’s headquarters Tuesday April 26.

A few weeks into the Fukushima nuclear crisis that started over six weeks ago now, Japan’s prime minister said the island nation needs to revise its energy generation plan.

The plan, presented last June, originally aimed for nuclear power to supply 50 per cent of the nation’s energy needs by 2030, up from 29 per cent in 2009. There is now the possibly that at least some of planned nuclear plants will be replaced with with expensive solar panels.

Even though the anti-nuclear movement is growing in Japan and around the world in the wake of the world’s biggest nuclear crisis since Chernobyl, analysts say that solar power is still too expensive to flourish in the market without subsidies.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Cambodia, Thailand truce soon broken,
- Tibetans elect new political leader, and
- Southeast Asian Games mascot launched.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

Taiwan said Tuesday April 26 it’s aiming to more than triple the country’s capacity for generating electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The announcement comes amid increasing public concerns over nuclear safety.

The government said it’s aim was to increase the percentage of renewable energy in it’s overall power-generating capacity from 6 percent to 19 or 20 per cent by 2030.

But nuclear power still remains an option as it’s viewed as an energy source that can reduce Taiwan’s carbon footprint.

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

After a brief ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand broke down, Cambodia Friday April 29 requested the World Court clarify a 1962 ruling on an ancient temple.

It was hoped the ceasefire reached Thursday April 28 after a week of clashes would end the deadliest border dispute Southeast Asia has seen for years. These hopes suffered a blow when fighting resumed.

The current clashes have mainly been centred around two temple complexes some 150 kilometres west of the ancient Preah Vihear temple site.

Each side blamed the other for starting the conflict, which threatened to disrupt elections in Thailand, and raised doubts about Southeast Asia’s ambitions to form an EU style community by 2015.

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

NTD-Tibetan exiles living in India elected a Harvard law scholar as their political leader Wednesday April 27. The new leader is likely to bring in a more radical government-in-exile to challenge China.

The new Prime Minister, 42-year old Lobsang Sangay, received 55 per cent of the total electorate, beating two other secular candidates. The handover of power will give the prime minister’s role greater clout as the region seeks autonomy from China.

Last month the Dalai Lama said he would relinquish the four-century old tradition of power in favour of a leader elected by Tibetan’s themselves. He remains Tibet’s spiritual leader.

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

NTD-New Zealand’s defense minister met his South Korean counterpart in Seoul Tuesday April 26 to boost bilateral military relations.

The minister arrived in South Korea Saturday April 23to attend a memorial service for the soldiers of the British Commonwealth of Nations during the Korean War and to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Imjin River and Gapyeong battles.

About 95-thousand soldiers from the U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand were engaged in the 1950-53 Korean War, leaving 7,500 dead, injured or missing.

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

On a lighter note.

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

NTD-The mascot for the 2011 Southeast Asia Games was launched at the Beautiful Miniature Park of Indonesia in Jakarta Monday April 25 amid a night of singing and dancing.

The mascot for Southeast Asia’s biggest sporting event was revealed when a Komodo dragon doll walked slowly toward centre stage in the middle of the show.

The Komodo dragon mascot named “Modo” for male and “Modi” for female, is an animal native to Indonesia. The Komodo dragon is also the largest lizard in the world.

The Games will be held from November 11 to 25 in Jakarta and Palembang. The event features 43 sports and will be attended by athletes from 11 countries across the region.

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

Blooming straight after the better known cherry blossoms, Tokyo’s azeleas bring another splash of colour to springtime in the city.

With the Japanese being urged to restrain themselves from the normal festivities during the cherry blossom festival, the azalea festival brings an array of colour to sooth weary hearts.

Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri is the famous Tokyo azalea festival at Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo-ku. From April 9 to May 5 visitors can enjoy the shrine’s vast peaceful garden complex which is planted with around 3,000 trees of some 50 different types of azalea.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Scientists in Inner Mongolia recently unearthed the largest spider fossil ever found. Dating to 165 million years ago the find extends the fossil record back by another 130 million years than previously suspected.

In this bulletin:

- Hundreds brawl in Guangzhou over commercial property,
- Chinese comedians break new ground,
- China slammed by independent internet freedom report, and
- Inner Mongolia yields largest fossilised spider discovery.

But first our SOH focus on China.

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

A well known dissident from Zhejiang Province has been charged with inciting subversion of state power despite being under house arrest since mid-February.

Zhu Yufu, was taken to the Shangcheng District Detention Center April 5, it was not until almost a week later he was formally arrested and his wife informed. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Zhu’s wife said he hadn’t done anything wrong, and moreover couldn’t have even if he’d wanted as he had been closely monitored by police around the clock.

Friends of Zhu from the Democratic Party he helped establish said Zhu occasionally wrote a few articles and spoke a few words in the media. Adding, if speaking a few words can subvert a state, then the state is too fragile.

Reported by Tian Xi for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

A huge fight erupted between hundreds of security guards in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province in a dispute over the ownership of a prime commercial property.

Trouble started when the new owners of the New China Building in Guangzhou tried to take possession of the building. The building’s previous owner claimed the lease was not due for renewal and paid their security guards to prevent the new owners from taking possession of the business.

Witnesses said fierce brawls broke out between both sides. At least 400 to 500 guards were involved. Some 50 to 60 were wounded, some seriously. Thousands of bystanders were also caught up in the incident when police sealed off the area.

Our SOH Chinese reporter was told the previous owner paid his security guards to injure or even kill the new owner’s men.

Reported by Tien Xi for Sound of Hope Radio.

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

ET-Two Chinese comedians, in a recent performance lauded by audiences and immediately censored by communist authorities, have gone where others dared not tread.

The bitterly satirical hour-long performance takes on a variety of social and political issues deemed sensitive by the ruling Communist Party, including the Tiananmen Massacre and the lack of a social safety net in China.

In the videos posted online, live audience members can be heard laughing uproariously. Comments posted by netizens indicate that the performance broke new ground in making fun of the Chinese Communist Party in such a public setting.

As online commentators anticipated in their praise, soon after the video was posted it was scrubbed clean from popular video websites in China.

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

SOH takes a look across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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

According to a new study by Freedom House cyberattacks, politically motivated censorship, and government control over internet infrastructure are threatening internet freedom.

The Freedom on the Net 2011 report released April 18 assesses internet freedom in 37 countries. The study says bloggers, online journalists, and human rights activists increasingly face arrest and imprisonment for their online writings.

China was found to remain one of the world’s most restrictive countries with respect to internet freedom. It is also home to the most sophisticated control apparatus.

Internet users in Burma and Thailand were also among those found to lack freedom.

The report also said China’s indirect influence as a model of internet control was evident in the growing restrictions seen in other countries.

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

NTD-Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration building Thursday April 20. They want the government to scrap plans for an offshore refinery and petrochemical plant on Taiwan’s western coast.

The Kuokuang Petrochemical Technology Company refinery project is led by state-run oil refiner. It has been the subject of an extended environmental impact review. Protesters warned the project will foul the air and hurt dolphins.

Taiwan is working on more transparent environmental reviews for new projects and tougher energy laws.

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

Coming up on Asia Cast:

- Australia and Japan strengthen ties,
- Asia-Pacific’s nuclear worries, and
- World’s oldest man turns 114.

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

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

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

Back with the rest of today’s Asia Cast I’m Rich Crankshaw

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

ET-Australia’s prime minister arrived in Tokyo Wednesday April 20 for a four-day visit to Japan. The prime minister said Australia will do anything it can to help Japan recover from the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster.

Japan put a no-go zone into effect midnight Thursday April 21, banning residents from remaining within 20 kilometres of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Japan and Australia agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in energy generation and disaster preparedness and responses. Australia also agreed to try to conclude a bilateral free trade agreement and work together toward strengthening international safety standards for nuclear power generation.

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

NTD-Anti-nuclear protesters rallied in Seoul, South Korea Thursday April 21 to denounce nuclear developments around the world and to mark Earth Day.

The protest was part of a campaign urging the government to denounce worldwide nuclear developments. Like other anti-nuclear events around, including protests in Tokyo, the world it was sparked by Japan’s struggle in bringing the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant under control.

South Korea has 21 nuclear reactors in operation at four power plants. They range in age from 33 years to just three months. Twelve more reactors are expected to come on stream in the next decade.

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

ET-The largest fossilized spider ever found has been discovered in Inner Mongolia, China.

The fossil’s well-preserved state gave scientists enough details to identify it as an adult female Nephila jurassica, an extinct species of the golden orb weaver.

The University of Kansas Paleontological Institute said environmental change must have occurred in Inner Mongolia at some point since golden orb weavers are now found in tropical environments.

The researchers said it was likely the spider wove large, golden orb webs to catch medium- to large-sized insects in the Daohugou forests. They added predation by these spiders would have played an important role in the natural selection of insects living today.

Details of the findings were published on April 20 in Biology Letters.

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

On a lighter note.

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

Time magazine Thursday April 20 named Taiwan’s Dharma Master Cheng Yen as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011. Founder of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Cheng was recognised for her contributions to serving the needy.

The venerable nun founded Tzu Chi in 1966 with four missions; charity, medicine, education and culture. The foundation has grown into a global organisation involved in, international disaster relief, bone marrow donations, environmental protection and community volunteer work.

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

Japanese citizen Jiroemon Kimura became the world’s oldest man Tuesday April 19 when he turned 114. Kimura celebrated the day with his family near Kyoto.

Kimura was born on April 19, 1897 and worked at a post office for about 40 years before turning to farming after his retirement, continuing until the age of 90.

Kimura told city officials in Kyotango, Kyoto prefecture, who congratulated him it was a great honour, and words alone couldn’t describe his feelings. He said he took his age as a sign from heaven and was deeply moved.

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

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites