SOH News Desk

Aisa Cast for Wednesday 23rd July

External Podcast: Visit Asia-Cast.com to listen

In this Bulletin…

- more deaths as Beijing ‘cleans up’ ahead of Olympics;
- North Korea to enter into six-nation talks on its disarmament; and
- Hopes as India joins important trade talks.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China

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

In a further example of the pre-Olympic pressure Chinese people are currently living under, at least two petitioners are thought to have died as Beijing authorities intensify their campaign to “clean up” the capital for the Olympics.

Petitioners contacted by telephone told the Epoch Times that on the evening of July 13, five bus loads of people were seized and taken away, with another bus load taken the following evening.

“Every evening they are seizing people,” Mr Zhao Jianping, told the Epoch Times by phone. “The people living under bridges are becoming fewer and fewer.” Mr Zhao has been appealing in Beijing for more than four years.

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

Recent events in Yunnan Province such as the bombing of three buses in Kunming City Centre, which killed at least three people and injured 14 others, and the clash of over 1000 farmers with public security forces in Menglian County over forced land requisitions and below market compulsory sales orders, are only likely to increase paranoia over social stability and result in ever more heavy handed responses.

It is unknown what the regime’s response will be to any events that unfold under the gaze of the global media or how any foreign protesters traveling to Beijing next month will be treated.

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

A merger of Shanghai Airlines with China Eastern Airlines is being discussed between China’s central authorities and the Shanghai city authorities, major Chinese business magazine Caijing reported on its website.

High global oil prices and slowing growth in China’s air passenger traffic have increased speculation that the industry may be restructured.

Senior officials at both Shanghai-based airlines, contacted by Reuters, said they had not heard of such a plan and had not held talks. China Eastern will issue a statement soon to clarify the situation, said a senior executive at the airline, who declined to be identified.

**********************
And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
**********************

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to meet ministers involved in six-nation talks aimed at disarming North Korea, including a rare encounter with her North Korean counterpart.

China described the meeting as “very significant”, but the US said it would be an informal exchange of views.
It comes weeks after Pyongyang handed over data on its nuclear activities.

Discussions are expected to focus on how the US and other nations will verify that information.

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

The UN Security Council is expected to address the continuing military stand-off between Cambodia and Thailand, revealed Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Don Pramudwinai said the Security Council meeting on Thursday is set to discuss the week-long issue involving troops from both countries facing off near an ancient temple on their border.

“I have been informed that the UN has included Preah Vihear (temple) on the emergency agenda to be discussed at the Security Council meeting tomorrow (Thursday),” he told reporters.

The comments follow a call from the Cambodian government on Tuesday for the world body to help broker a solution to the stand-off.

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

Indian Trade Minister Kamal Nath will be the focus of much attention as he makes his delayed arrival today at crucial World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks which have so far seen little agreement between rich and poor countries.

Nath has already seen his political skin saved once this week after the Indian government narrowly won a confidence vote Tuesday and will now enter another tense situation at the World Trade Organisation headquarters in Geneva.

Two days of talks have seen little sign of a breakthrough as developing countries gave a frosty reception to proposals by the United States and European Union to cut agricultural subsidies and tariffs respectively.

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

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