As former Sanlu executives go on trial over China's poisoned milk scandal, safety concerns still surround the country's exports. (By Malcolm M/Flickr).

In this Bulletin…

- Chinese executives on trial over poisoned milk scandal;
- Joblessness could affect China’s social stability in 2009; and
- Thailand’s political crisis set to continue.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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The chairwoman of the now bankrupt Sanlu Group has gone on on trial over the Chinese tainted milk scandal known to have killed at least six children and made thousands ill.

Tian Wenhua, the company’s 66-year-old former general manager, pleaded guilty to charges of “producing and selling fake or substandard products”, state-run media reported.

News of Chinese children developing kidney stones and other complications from drinking milk adulterated with melamine was covered up for months before the scandal broke in September.

Another 17 people involved in producing, selling, buying and adding melamine in raw milk have gone on trial in the last week.

The scandal exposed how deadly the combination China’s lack of regulation and widespread corruption have become under the communist regime.

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Following on from poisoned milk, lead poisoning has become the latest health issue the Chinese authorities have been confronted over

Residents of four villages in Jiangsu Province are suffering from lead poisoning, believed to have originated from alloy producer Jiangsu SembCorp Chun Hing Company, says New Tang Dynasty (NTD) TV.

But, authorities in Beijing are seemingly not prepared to face another health scandal. They have refused any of the medical assistance and have had anyone who traveled to the capital forcibly removed.

Mr Zhou, a villager from Xinsanhe, told NTD, “People are poisoned from the drinking water. But because of the taxes the plant pays, the government is on their side.”

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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Chinese officials have admitted that the impact of the current global financial crisis on China’s economy has been underestimated, reports The Epoch Times.

By next year, the number of those out of work in China will reach 24 million, including migrant workers and college graduates.

The falling economy has become China’s biggest problem as joblessness is set to become a major issue for social stability.

One critic believes this is mainly because the regime’s economic development policies have long been focused on exports and ignored domestic demand.

“Exports can not improve the domestic living standard,” said economic analyst Cao’an Jushi to Voice of America. “When the rich buy expensive imported goods and the poor can’t even afford products made in China, unless they are the cheapest, it involves a problematic political system,” he added.

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Financial experts are uncertain what 2009 holds for global markets. But it looks likely that things will get worse before any kind of recovery.

The financial turmoil and economic slowdown of 2008 ended the stock market boom as prices plummeted to record lows.

In many cases, markets that had benefited most during the previous bull-run were the worst affected as it ended.

Asia’s export-driven economies were hit hard by the slowdown.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index closed the year 48 per cent lower.

Shanghai was one of the worst-hit major markets, ending the year 65 per cent lower, a record loss.

Asia’s fortunes could depend greatly on the mood of overseas consumers whose demand for consumer goods has been the driver of regional growth.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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It looks as if Thailand’s long-running political crisis will continue as the country enters into recession.

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have vowed to resume their street campaign for new elections in 2009.

Leaders of the pro-Thaksin camp warned they may target a regional summit in Bangkok during February to pile pressure on the new government led by former opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Thai newspapers said the outlook for political stability remained bleak as long as the rift between Bangkok’s royalist and business elite, who accused Thaksin of corruption, and rural voters who loved his populist policies, remains unresolved.

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Israel’s offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas will continue officials say, despite international calls for a humanitarian truce in conflict-stricken Gaza.

Around 150 aid trucks have reached the region in the last 24 hours but the head of the U.N.-led relief effort said the situation remained desperate.

The exiled leader of Hamas is ready to stop the fighting with Israel in exchange for an end to the blockade on Gaza, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

But Israeli President Shimon Peres has said”Israel will not accept a ‘Strip of Terror’ alongside us”.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is growing as Israeli air strikes have pounded the territory since Saturday in an effort to halt the firing of rockets into southern Israel.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day
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The Detroit show, Janice Lebardy shared her experiences of the show.

Experience true Chinese culture like never before as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows.

The Divine Performing Arts world tour is coming to a city near you soon. Don’t miss out, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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An access denied warning sign next to the collapsed Dujiangyan Middle School. Many question the quality of this school building after the Sichuan earthquake. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

In this bulletin …

- True scale of China’s poorly constructed schools revealed;
- Chinese lawyers making a stand for human rights; and
- Pakistan’s military leader calls for “peace and security”.

But first here’s our SOH focus on China
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In the aftermath of the devastating Sichuan Earthquake it emerged that there were serious issues with the construction of many Chinese schools.

Now a senior Chinese official has admitted just how widespread the building of sub-standard schools has been. Across China there is an estimated 33.6 million square meters of potentially unsafe primary and secondary school buildings.

Nearly 14,000 schools across 159 counties suffered serious damage in last May’s disaster, according to statistics from Sichuan Province.

The United Nations Children’s Fund has issued a statement calling global action to be taken to build safer schools. UNICEF said that poor quality construction resulted in thousands of children being killed by natural disasters in countries such as China and Haiti.

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More and more lawyers in China are defying the Communist regime and making a stand for human rights by defending Falun Gong practitioners in court.

Since July 1999, when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated a brutal crackdown on Falun Gong, the regime set strict orders for lawyers in the country to not defend Falun Gong practitioners.

But, in 2005, Guo Guoting, a Shanghai lawyer, defended several practitioners of the traditional meditative practice. Then in 2007 a group of six lawyers maintained the innocence of another practitioner.

As civil unrest and the so called ‘rights movement’ have grown in recent times in China, more and more lawyers have challenged the regime over the illegal persecution.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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A consortium of Indian and South Korean companies have agreed on a deal with Myanmar’s military junta to pipe natural gas into China, state media reports.

The pipeline will take gas from fields off Myanmar’s north-western coast into neighbouring China.

Campaigners complain that the deals will threaten local people’s human rights and enrich Burma’s ruling junta.

The impact of US and European economic sanctions against Myanmar over its human rights record and long detention of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been diluted by energy investments from nearby countries, including China, India and Thailand, all hungry for its reserves of oil and gas. This latest deal can only weaken such sanctions further.

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Pakistan’s military chief has said that “peace and security in the region” should be the focus in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also said there was a “need to de-escalate and avoid conflict”.

At the weekend Indian and Pakistani military officials held a “hotline” conversation on recent troop movements.

Last month’s attacks on Mumbai left more than 170 people dead.

Although the comments made no direct reference to India, analysts said they were aimed at easing the atmosphere between Pakistan and India.

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Two MPs from the Czech Republic have called for French satellite operator Eutelsat to resume transmission of New Tang Dynasty (NTD) TV’s programmes into China.

NTD is an independent broadcaster popular with many Chinese people for its truthful and reliable reporting, unlike Chinese state controlled media.

It is now six months since Eutelsat stopped NTD’s broadcasts and one of the MPs, Katerina Jacques, believes that pressure from the Chinese regime is behind Eutelsat’s decision.

“I believe that if the Chinese regime has a clear conscience then it should not be afraid of any free flow of information. And if they are afraid and if they pressure and step up censorship, it means that something is not in order,” she told NTD in an interview.

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And Now For Our Divine Performing Arts Quote Of The Day
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On December 28, first time audience Ivan Dolgonos watched the final show of the DPA New York Company at the San Diego Civic Opera House.

“Yes it is my first time, and I’m definitely gonna go again.”

The DPA New York Company will be having its final performance of the year in Detroit, before moving on to Ottawa, Canada for four performances at the National Arts Centre there.

Experience true Chinese culture like never before as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows.

The Divine Performing Arts world tour is coming to a city near you soon. Don’t miss out, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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“Asia Cast …. Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world.”

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A record sized 20 metre hadrosaurus has been unearthed in China. (By Heinrich Harder)

In this bulletin …

- Still no compensation for Chinese poison milk-powder babies;
- Former Taiwanese president back in jail; and
- World’s largest dinosaur fossil site discovered in China

But first here’s our SOH focus on China
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A Beijing lawyer representing families affected by China’s recent poison milk powder scandal, Xu Zhiyong, has criticised the legal process for lacking transparency. He also said that the level of compensation on offer is far too low.

The Sanlu Group and 22 other companies responsible for the scandal have suddenly offered compensation to families whose children became ill from consuming baby formula contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical.

Children who developed kidney stones will receive 2000 Yuan, around US$300, in compensation, while those more seriously affected will receive 30,000 Yuan, just under US$4,400, said Mr Xu.

It is thought that the compensation offer is a political show by the Chinese Communist Party to relieve domestic and international pressure over the incident.

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A list of new year’s gifts sent to various officials of the Chinese regime by a manufacturing company was accidentally made public earlier this week.

The list shows that the Nanjing Jiashide Toys Company Ltd spent a total of 144,800 Yuan, over US$21,000 on gifts. Each gift was directly proportional to the recipient’s rank and level of power.

Despite much rhetoric from the regime and the occasional show trial, corruption and graft practices are still commonplace in Chinese business culture.

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Chinese scientists say they have uncovered the world’s largest dinosaur fossil site in the eastern Province of Shandong.

Over the past 7 months palaeontologists have recovered around 7,600 fossils from a 300 metre long pit near Zhucheng City.

The finds included remains of a 20 metre hadrosaurus, which could be a record size for the duck-billed dinosaur.

Work on the site has been now suspended for the rest of the winter, but researchers say further excavations could yield yet more fossils.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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In Bangladesh’s recent elections, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has won a landslide victory with a few results yet to be declared.

Election officials say the Awami League Aaliance has won more than 250 of the 300 seats in parliament.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has managed to win just 30 seats.

The elections follow two years of military backed rule and were the first to be held there for seven years. The turnout was said to be high

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Taiwan’s former president, Chen Shui-bian, has been returned to prison after a court reversed a bail order, pending his trial on corruption charges.

The Taipei District Court judges are reported to have said there was a risk he could collude with other suspects, destroy evidence and flee the island.

Mr. Chen left office in May and denies any wrongdoing.

He was taken into custody in November and charged with embezzling government funds, fraud and money-laundering.

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And Now For Our Divine Performing Arts Quote Of The Day
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Here are some more quotes from the audience members who saw the Divine Performing Arts performance at the Chicago Civic Opera House on December 28.

Melissa and Robert who are both performers where astounded by the show….

Melissa: “I really enjoyed the show; it is artistically beautiful and very powerful”

Robert: “I thought it was absolutely and went and saw it last year and just had to come again this year.”

Melissa: “The costumes are just gorgeous, wonderful. I have seen a couple of demonstrations in Hong Kong, a couple of Parades and that’s where I saw it. It made me curious about it. So seeing them bring it up here, it’s nice that I have more information.

Divine Performing Arts will be bringing in the new year in Detroit and Los Angeles.

So if you are either of those cities and want to see 2009 in in style, look up www.divineperformingarts.com and start your New Year with the most divine performance to be shown in 2009.

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“Asia Cast …. Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world.”

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Another Falun Gong practitioner receives harsh prison sentence in Shanghi for living the Falun Gong principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." (By longtrekhome/Flickr)

In this bulletin …

-Falun Dafa practitioner in China sentenced to 10 years imprisonment;
-Thousands Rally Against New Thai PM; and
-300 Migrants Feared Dead Off Remote Indian Islands.

But first here’s our SOH focus on China
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According to Shanghai sources, a 41-year-old Falun Gong practitioner from Shanghai, Lanbing, was illegally sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment due to believing in “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.”

He is detained in Tilan Qiao prison in Shanghai. His physical condition is very bad; his eyes are almost blind, coupled with high-blood pressure and other illnesses. His parents and wife have called for the urgent attention of the international community to rescue him, hoping the authorities  release him with a verdict of “not guilty” as soon as possible.

Lanbing and his wife began to practice Falun Gong in 1994, and the chinese communist party started its crackdown on Falun Gong in July of 1999. In order to let more people know the truth of the persecution by the ccp, they began to clarify the truth to the outside world, and thus they where subjected to suppression by the authorities. They have been forced to leave their home, and are seeking refuge.

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Hubei sources have stated, a typhoid epidemic has broken out in a secondary school in Enshi city, Hubei province. An official said the disease is under control; however, they are still tracing the source of the disease.

According to a report from Central News Agency on December 27, 81 people in Enshi City secondary school appeared to have  a “fever of unknown origin” symptoms.  After medical treatment by Enshi City Centre Hospital, 63 people were diagnosed with typhoid fever.

A thorough study has been conducted, and it is considered as a traumatic outbreak of typhoid.

Enshi is the capital of Enshi Tuchias Miaozu Autonomous Prefecture, and is the only minority autonomous prefecture in Hubei Province.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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Thousands of supporters have rallied against the new leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, in support of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, threatening to engulf the kingdom in a fresh wave of political unrest.

One day before Mr. Abhisit was due to deliver his first policy speech to Mps, red-clad protestors waved signs saying “We love Thaksin” at a central Bangkok parade ground while a separate group halted traffic outside Parliament.

The demonstrations bring Thai politics full circle after a year of turmoil, with Thaksin loyalists now using the same tactics that helped their rivals to bring down a government led by the tycoon’s allies earlier this month.

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The Indian coast guard has said about 300 illegal migrants, mostly Bangalis, are feared dead after they jumped from a boat and tried to swim ashore in India’s remote Andaman Islands.

On Saturday, a senior coast guard official said they had rescued 88 people from a small boat near Little Andaman Island, about 90 kilometres south of Port Blair, capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal.

Commander of the coast guard for the Andaman region, SP Sharma, said another eleven men were found on a nearby Sandy Point-Island, adding that about 300 men were still missing.

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You are listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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Bangalis will stream the polls today with tens of millions expected to vote in an election that returns the country to democracy after two years of emergency rule.

The impoverished South Asian nation of more than 140 million people has a history of questionable elections, sporadic periods of military rule, and politically motivated violence.

Polls open at 8:00am local time and close at 4:00pm.

Counting begins on Monday evening but results are not expected until Tuesday.

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The Divine Performing Arts Show has hit Chicago with three shows over the weekend at the Civic Opera House.

An audience member at one of the shows had only one great word to describe the show.

“Simply put it was magnificent.”

After Chicago, the Divine Performing Arts Troupe will be in Detroit for two days only.

Don’t miss this once a year opportunity to rediscover true traditional Chinese culture at its best.

Visit www.divineperformingarts.com to find out when this magical show will be coming to your local city.

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“Asia Cast…Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world.”

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A barbwire at a detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (Mandel Ngan/Getty Images)

In this Bulletin…

- Indonesian police accused of human rights abuses;
- Australia possible destination for Guantanamo inmates; and
- UK proposes international website ratings system

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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Petitioners mourning the death of Yang Jia and Chen Xiao-ming in Shanghai on Christmas eve have been beaten by police.

Dozens of petitioners gathered at Longhua Temple to perform religious rituals to remember Yang Jia who was executed last month after killing 6 policemen were surrounded by hundreds of police sent by Shanghai officials. The police began videotaping the petitioners who were at the event, and then began beating the mourners.

Petitioner Zhang Xue-Ying, dressed in a white outfit with the word “wronged”, was mourning her mother who was persecuted to death. She says that she was first videotaped by the public security officers and then taken to a room in the temple and then beaten.

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15 people have been killed and 9 were injured in an explosion in Puyan city in Henan Province today, according to Chinese local media.

Puyan authorities say that the explosion occurred at Dongganchen Village just after 1am this morning. Around a dozen homes collapsed from the explosion.

The cause of the explosion after initial police investigations appears to be illegally stored detonators. These are often used for small explosive operations such as in coal mine explorations.

A similar event occurred in September 2006 when detonators illegally stored by villagers exploded and killed 4 people.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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A mystery fever which struck 81 people last week at a middle school in Hubei province has been diagnosed as typhoid, according to the BBC. 63 people from Bajiao Middle School in Shi-En city have been placed in quarantine and are receiving treatment.

The 81 people first presented with symptoms including fever, and Shi-En City Hospital believes it to be a case of typhoid outbreak. The local government says laboratory tests are yet to be published, and the cause of the illness is unconfirmed.

Residents aged between 5 and 55 years old have been given vaccinations following the outbreak.

Typhoid is a bacterial disease which is potentially deadly. It is transmitted between humans through contaminated food and drinks and its symptoms include sustained high fever, headache and gastroenteritis

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Today, the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia has released a report accusing police of committing human rights abuses during a brutal suppression of protestors in a land dispute earlier this month. The report called for the release of 81 villagers who are being held in custody on charges of inciting violence and destruction of property.

The December 18 police crackdown, in Riau province, killed at least one child and burned around 500 homes to the ground.

The dispute occurred, between pulpwood company PT Arara Abadi and local villagers who claim that the company’s government issued permit is invalid and its use of local land is illegal.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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Today, The Australian newspaper reports that, the US has approached Australia to host prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay Prison when it is closed down.

It is thought that US President-Elect Barrack Obama will close the prison shortly after he assumes power, but the fate of the detainees held there is yet to be determined.

A spokesperson for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has expressed that Australia will consider all applications on a case-by-case basis. The spokesperson also said that all applicants must pass through Australia’s rigorous screening and legal processes for any visitor to the country.

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Yesterday, the UK revealed plans for a dialogue with the new US administration for an international solution to better police the internet, limit access to offensive material and protect children.

One proposal is a ratings system for internet sites, much like the ratings systems applied to films and other media across the globe. Service providers would then be asked to restrict content by the ratings systems.

UK Minister for Culture, Andy Burnham, spoke about the plans to develop new rules for English language websites saying that the plans are not an attack on free speech, but a matter of public interest to see access to certain materials limited.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day
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SOH caught up with Ye Xinning and Church Minister Andy Jackson after last night’s Devine Performing Arts show in Jacksonville, Florida. The two spoke about their joy at learning about and experiencing traditional Chinese culture.

“People will love it!” — Xinning
“Very much. [They will] like it very much. . .” — Minister Jackson
“I love the costumes and. . . just being able to learn about the culture.” – Xinning

DPA continues with a performance in Chicago tonight.

Experience true Chinese culture like never before as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows.

The Divine Performing Arts world tour is coming to a city near you soon. Don’t miss out, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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

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

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Mr Fu Ni (red jacket) attacks Mr Boon Tion Erh in Flushing, New York, on May 20 2008. (Courtesy of The Epoch Times)

In this Bulletin…

- Chinese regime’s crackdown in Tibet continues;
- Aid agencies say things improving four years on from Boxing Day Tsunami; and
- Man charged for his part in hate crimes against Falun Gong practitioners in New York.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China

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Reports from Tibet indicate that a number of those arrested after the mass demonstrations against the Chinese occupation of Tibet in March have been beaten to death in prison.

Armed police are currently everywhere in Tibet’s capital Lhasa.

The Chinese regime’s heavy handed response to the protests resulted in large numbers of Tibetans being shot, arrested or simply disappearing.

The news coverage of these events that state-run media broadcast in China amounted to propaganda aimed at turning popular opinion against Tibet and especially the Dalai Lama.

Many Tibetans are now so scared of the Chinese security forces they dare not pass patrols on the street when they see them.

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Lawyers for two Falun Gong practitioners on trial in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province raised serious doubts about the evidence and transcripts produced by the courts.

Falun Gong is a peaceful practice of meditation and exercises based on the principals of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. It was banned by the Communist Party in 1999 after becoming hugely popular across the country and has been severely persecuted ever since.

Lawyers representing the practitioners were repeatedly interrupted by the judge as they delivered statements of innocence for their clients.

The families of the two practitioners said, “We hope all the media pay close attention that the Chinese government is still persecuting Falun Gong”. They also called for an end to the illegal detention of Falun Gong practitioners and for all charges against them to be dropped.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Many of the world’s current economic problems stem from China being a major contributor to the global free market, said Chinese democracy advocate Wei Jingsheng in a report from Radio Free Asia.

During Mr Wei’s recent European tour, he said that China, a country without freedom participating in a free market is the cause for economic troubles in Western countries. He added that if Western countries fail to pay attention to China’s human rights, the world financial crises will only worsen.

According to Mr Wei, the recent backlash against Deutsche Welle, a German broadcaster that made pro-communist China remarks, is tied to Germany’s deepening economic crisis. He believes it was a reflection of built-up public discontent over Chancellor Schröder’s increasing closeness with China in recent years having damaged German businesses.

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As domestic and overseas demand falls, South Korea’s economy ministry has said the country’s economy is in an unprecedented crisis, but that the government will endeavour to avert an annual decline in exports in 2009.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said in its new year policy report to President Lee Myung-bak that it would aim to boost 2009 exports to $450 billion from around $430 billion projected for this year and earn a trade surplus of more than $10 billion.

But an influential local trade research institute said export prospects for the first quarter of next year looked the worst in at least six years in the face of a deepening global recession.

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

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Boxing day marked four years since the tsunami that left 230,000 people dead swept across the Indian Ocean.

Humanitarian groups have said that improvements can now be seen in many of the devastated areas

Hundreds of thousands were left homeless and jobless after the tsunami.

Today, new schools have been constructed, and armies of workers, many of them volunteers, have cleared and rebuilt homes and towns, and helped get people back to work.

Referring to the lasting peace in Banda Aceh, Jonathan Cauldwell, chief of UNICEF’s Tsunami Transition Support, said “The tsunami, despite being a horrific event, also provided a lot of opportunities for those countries,”

According to UNICEF and Oxfam, the response to the tsunami and the lessons learned have changed the way they deal with such emergencies.

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A member of a pro-Chinese Communist Party group has been charged and fined for his part in a series of hate crimes committed against Falun Gong practitioners in New York, reports The Epoch Times.

Mr Fu Ni was arrested after attacking Mr. Boon Tion Erh in Flushing on May 20 and charged with third degree assault. Mr Ni has been ordered to pay damages of US$1,020.

Flushing became a focal point of violence and religious intolerance instigated by New York’s Chinese Consul General in May.

Mr. Erh asked only for $1,000 to cover his hospital fees, saying, “I did not go to sue him for the money. This verdict has meaning, because justice needs to be upheld. Good will always be rewarded while evil will always be punished, that’s an unchangeable truth.”

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Stay tuned for Asia Cast’s continuing coverage of the Divine Performing Arts world tour.
“Asia Cast… keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the World.”

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Protesters calling for the release of Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo. (Courtesy of Pedesbiz)

In this Bulletin…

- International writers add their voices to appeal for Chinese activist;
- SOH Radio sues Indonesian government; and
- Human Rights Watch calls for aid agencies to be allowed back into Sri Lanka.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China

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The 6.5 million university students expected to graduate in China next year face an uncertain future as employment prospects become increasingly bleak.

As many employers are cutting back even their skilled staff and thousands of factory workers are being laid off Premier Wen Jiabao said the regime was concerned about these issues.

He made the remarks during an informal discussion with Beijing university students, adding that the Chinese economy is indeed in a difficult period.

So far the many measures that the regime has rushed into action have done little to stem the decline of China’s economy.

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A recent report from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences revealed that over 200 million Chinese people rely on the Internet as their main source of information. This amounts to 68.6 per cent of Internet usage in China.

The regime’s control of the media in China through the state news agency has driven those seeking the truth to break through the world’s tightest Internet controls to access uncensored information from outside China.

China currently has the most Internet users of any country, although only around a fifth of the population currently has access. As this figure grows, so does the potential for movements such as the recent Charter ‘08 to spread even further.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Writers and activists from around the world have demanded that the Chinese regime releases prominent academic Liu Xiaobo from jail.

An open letter with more than 150 signatories was sent to the authorities in China. Among those demanding his release are British writer Salman Rushdie and Italian novelist Umberto Eco.

Mr Liu was arrested earlier this month after signing Charter ‘08, a petition calling for democracy and reform in China.

In response to the letter, China’s foreign ministry said the country was under the rule of law and opposed foreign interference.

That Mr Liu’s arrest came shortly before Human Rights Day led the writers to presume he was arrested “solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under China’s constitution and international law”.

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SOH Radio is suing the Indonesian government for terminating our broadcast license. As well as English language shows such as Asia Cast, SOH also broadcasts a substantial Chinese content.

SOH has always been concerned with bringing China’s human rights issues to an international audience.

And this is thought to be the reason behind the sudden termination. The Chinese embassy in Jakarta recently issued a letter accusing SOH of broadcasting political propaganda and is suspected of pressuring the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information to censor our broadcast.

Our lawyer said, “We are optimistic with the evidence we have, because the Ministry can’t explain their decision to revoke SOH Radio’s broadcast license. This arbitrary act has violated the law they made themselves.”

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

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Human Rights Watch is calling for the Sri Lankan government to allow aid agencies back into the rebel-held north where thousands have been displaced by fighting.

Aid workers were ordered out of the area in September for their “safety”.

The fate of civilians in the area has become a key issue as soldiers continue an offensive to crush the rebels.

A government spokesman indicated the order would not be reversed. He said food convoys and supplies of medicines were reaching rebel-held areas.

Human Rights Watch estimates as many as 300,000 people have fled their homes ahead of a military advance, moving further into rebel controlled territory. Claims the government say are exaggerated.

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As the political row between New Zealand and Fiji deepens both countries have expelled the other’s top diplomat.

New Zealand’s acting high commissioner in Fiji has reportedly been asked to go; in return Fiji’s high commissioner to New Zealand will also have to leave.

The row stems from a decision by Fiji’s military leader, Frank Bainimarama, to delay plans for democratic elections.

New Zealand and Australia, the region’s political heavyweights, have headed international pressure on Mr Bainimarama to return the nation to democratic rule as soon as possible.

The latest spat began when the son of a senior Fijian official was refused a student visa to study at one of New Zealand’s universities after Australia and New Zealand put visa restrictions on Fijian officials and their families.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day

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After last night’s Divine Performing Arts show at the Cincinnati Music Hall, Ohio, we spoke to medical professionals Steve and Patricia Springer. They thought that the show was something different, describing it as very colourful and very energetic.

“[It was] very different from what we normally see in Cincinnati…[it was] very colourful and very energetic.”

They were also drawn in by the narrative woven into the performance and appreciated the historical references.

“[There's an] interesting storyline that goes with this, so you’re teaching us some of the history of China as well.”

They finished by saying the show was enjoyable to watch. Now you too can experience true Chinese culture like never before as the Divine Performing Arts world tour visits a city near you soon.

Don’t miss out as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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

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

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Former Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun meeting the US president. His brother faces several charges of corruption. (Courtesy of AP)

In this Bulletin…

- US$4 billion Indo-China trade deals signed;
- Brother of former Korean president indicted for bribery; and
- Iraqi shoe thrower to be tried on New Year’s Eve

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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A number of retired teachers from Yenchen City, Jiangsu Province, were beaten by officials in the provincial capital Nanjing after going there to petition. Some of them are still being held in the local watch house.

Chinese rights organization, Civic Rights and Livelihood Watch, said it was contacted by a retired teacher, from neighbouring Shandong Province. They were told a group of around 100 teachers from Yenchen went to Nanjing on December 10, Human Rights Day, but were intercepted by provincial officials and beaten by a group of thugs.

The teachers are thought to have been made to retire during the1980s and have been appealing over their poor situation after being forced out of good jobs they had held for decades.

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China’s employment problems continue to grow under additional pressure from the global financial slowdown. The latest figures from Jiangxi Province show the number of unemployed farm and factory workers there has increased by over 130,000 to 470,000 in less than a month.

Jiangxi’s provincial Party Secretary has expressed concerns over incomes for this sector of the labour force. Farmers typically earn between 40 percent and 60 percent of their total income from doing work outside of farming.

Jiangxi is China’s major supplier of labour. In this year alone 6.8 million of its residents travelled around the country for work.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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An explosion in a plastics factory in Harbin City in China’s northwest has left thee people dead and two more injured.

The explosion occurred on Monday around lunchtime local time.

Five or six people were in the factory at the time of the explosion, but only thee were able to escape. Two of the workers were taken to hospital for treatment. Doctors said that one of the victims suffered burns to 50 per cent of his body and remains in a critical condition, according to local media.

The owner of the factory has not been seen since the incident. Police are currently investigating the cause of the explosion.

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Indonesia and China have signed energy and trade deals worth US$4 billion in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta today. The deals were signed during a visit to Indonesia by the Chinese Communist Party’s First Vice-Premier, Li Keqiang.

Key in the deal, are loans for the construction of three coal-fired power plants across Indonesia, with the largest project to be run by China National Technical Import and Export Corporation.

Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla also announced that China Export Bank has given a separate US$1 billion loan to Indonesia for it to purchase Chinese produced machinery and metals.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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The elder brother of former Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun has been arrested and charged with receiving over US$2 million in bribes. Roh Gun-Pyeong allegedly took the bribes from lobbyists during his brother’s presidential term.

The lobbyists were arranging the purchase of brokerage firm Sejong Securities by National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. Former and current executives of both companies have also been charged over the scandal.

Roh is also under investigation for tax evasion and embezzlement related to a civil engineering firm that he owns.

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The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at US President George W. Bush, Mr. Muntazer al-Zaidi will be tried on New Year’s Eve.

Al-Zaidi has been charged, under Iraqi law, with ‘aggression against a foreign head of state during an official visit’ which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail.

Lawyers for the shoe thrower have stated that the security guards who beat him while in custody will be sued.

In related news, a special session of the Iraqi Parliament has been held to remove the speaker after his recent parliamentary tirade over the shoe thrower’s charge and treatment while in custody.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day

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At last night’s Divine Performing Arts show in Sarasota, Florida, we spoke to Laureen Mantel, who expressed her surprise and privilege to be able to attend a Chinese performance featuring religious and cultural issues that hasn’t been suppressed by the communist regime.

“At first I was quite shocked, because I was reading the script and it talked a lot about religion and spirituality, and I thought, ‘well this can’t be from china ‘cause they don’t allow that to be discussed’.

“So, that was really surprising to me and then when they announced it was out of New York, I said, ‘Oh! Okay, that makes sense.’

“So, it’s really wonderful to have an opportunity to see through dance a lot of the cultural, kind of spirit of china that we really don’t get to see, you know, ‘cause I think it’s stifled and so it’s really a privilege.”

Divine Performing Arts returns to the stage in Cincinnati and San Diego on December 26 after a short break.

Experience true Chinese culture like never before as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colourful and exhilarating shows.

The Divine Performing Arts world tour is coming to a city near you soon. Don’t miss out, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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

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India’s foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee has criticised Islamabad over Pakistan's militant groups.

In this bulletin …

-Over 300 industrial workers protest in Guangdong;
-Pakistan militants ‘world threat’; and
-China quake Victims face freezing winter.

But first here’s our SOH focus on China
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According to Chinese sources, as Chinese society is faced with a wave of global economic downturn, which has brought difficulties to all walks of life, many protests have occurred frequently throughout the country.

In the last month, in Chongqing city, many taxi driver striking incidents have occurred, with more than 9000 drivers taking part in the strike. Washington Post reported Chongqing City had 31 million people in a traffic standstill for two days, due to the taxi drivers’ strike.

Also recently, quite a few protesting incidents have occurred from teachers.

After the strike occurred in Chongqing, China’s taxi drivers, teachers, factory workers, even the auxiliary police officers launched more strikes, requesting their demands are met; otherwise they will refuse to work.

The series of large-scale rights defending movements has touched the sensitive nerves of the CCP, which has strengthened its control over China and the internet.

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Over 300 workers from Jianrong Bags factory located in Wentang Industrial Zone were on protest due to the factory bankruptcy and their wages in arrears.

Dozens of police wearing helmets, used batons and dogs to prohibit the workers from going outside. The protest has resulted in a dozen workers injured and sent to hospital for treatment.

The Chineses labor rights activist, Liu Nianchu, believes ‘the Chinese Communist Party has never seriously established a social security system; therefore, the workers are facing unemployment once the factory is bankrupt.’

According to China’s official English newspaper, “China Daily”, in the first nine months of this year, over 7000 enterprises have been closed down or relocated in Guangdong province.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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The Liberian Government says a Chinese company has promised to invest more than $2.5 billion in the African country.

The Government says China Union will invest the money in the iron ore industry, creating about 3,000 jobs.

It is one of the largest investments planned for Africa in recent years.

The Liberian Government has been trying to rebuild the country’s economy after a long-running civil war ended in 2005.

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To survive the winter, 3.5 million quilts and the same number of cotton-padded clothes are needed for the earthquake survivors living in prefabricated housing in China’s mountainous Sichuan province.

More than 80,000 people were killed in the May disaster.

Facing a colder winter than normal, millions are now living in resettlement sites surrounded by the rubble of their old homes.

Though many of the families have been moved to proper structures, about half a million of them will have to stay in prefabricated houses this winter.

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You are listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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The Federal Government has eased travel warnings for Thailand, as the nation’s international airports re-open.

The two main airports in the capitol, Bangkok, were shut down in November and early December by large political demonstrations, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns there is still political instability and threats of terrorist attacks against tourist destinations.

The Government advises travellers to Thailand to exercise a high degree of caution.

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India’s foreign minister has said that militant groups in Pakistan are, “the greatest danger to peace and security in the entire world”.

Pranab Mukherjee accused Islamabad of “denial” and “shifting the blame” from last month’s deadly Mumbai attacks.

He said the international community had not done enough to exert pressure on Pakistan, which denies any involvement.

Mr. Mukherjee was addressing Indian envoys from across the world who gathered to discuss the Mumbai attacks.

Gunmen last month seized two Mumbai hotels and also attacked a railway station and a popular restaurant. The attacks left 173 people dead.

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“Asia Cast ….. Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world”.

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Australia's ANZ bank wants to expand into Asian markets as its competitors withdraw. (Courtesy of AAP)

In this Bulletin…

- Undersea telecommunication cables break;
- ANZ seeks to grow business in Asia; and
- North Korean defectors captured in Burma.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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A large-scale social rights demonstration broke out in front of the offices of Beijing’s municipal authorities earlier this week.

Around 500 petitioners shouted slogans and sang songs as they asked for the city’s mayor to resolve various issues, according to Voice of America.

Most of the protesters were victims of a major financial scam. Others were seeking compensation after they were forcibly relocated by regional authorities who had sold their land for development.

The so-called ‘rights defending’ movement has been growing throughout China in recent months, but such to see a large protest in the heart of Beijing is still unusual.
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A pedicab driver from Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, died after being detained at the city’s administrative law enforcement bureau, says The Hong Kong Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in China.

It is not known why city management staff took the man. His family suspects he was beaten to death while in detention. Hundreds of relatives and friends of the dead man protested to the municipal authorities.

Liaocheng City security personnel confirmed that the family of the deceased carried his body to the municipal government in protest at his death a week ago. Several days later, more than 100 relatives and friends wearing customary hemp garments of mourning surrounded the municipal offices once again.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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Relations between China and Taiwan have improved since Ma Ying-yeou became Taiwan’s president and the two nations are more closely linked.

A senior Chinese official has pledged that China will consider any request for assistance from Taiwan during the current global financial downturn.

China’s economic growth has slowed in recent months, but its leaders still see an opportunity to be grasped.

China is not suffering as much as its neighbours; so it has offered help to South Korea and Hong Kong, as well as cooperating with Japan, as they try to ride out the financial storm.

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Internet and international telephone services in parts of the Middle East and South Asia were disrupted on Saturday after cables on the seabed broke.

The disruption reduced Egypt’s Internet capacity by about 80 per cent. Technicians were restoring some capacity by diverting communications traffic through the Red Sea.

The National Telecom Regulatory Authority said it expected Internet services to improve gradually to between 50 and 60 per cent of full capacity, according to Egypt’s state news agency, MENA.

Reports from India suggest a fibre had been cut on major under-water cables near Palermo, Italy, affecting the overall traffic between India and Europe.

A communications spokesman from Tata blamed the problems, which began late on Friday, on seismic activity in the Mediterranean.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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Australia’s ANZ Bank seeks to grow its business in Asia and become a ’super regional bank’, by taking advantage of opportunities offered by the global financial crisis.

At a meeting in Brisbane, ANZ’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Smith said US and European banks operating in the region are retreating to their home markets and are being forced to offload good clients and good assets to shore up their domestic businesses.

“In this environment, bank share prices … have been reducing, which is creating potential opportunities to advance our strategic agenda in Australia and in Asia in a disciplined and measured way,” Mr Smith said.

ANZ, the smallest of Australia’s “big four” banks, is looking to Asia and its fast growing economies to drive profits.

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North Korean defectors trying to make their way to South Korea via China and Southeast Asia, were arrested after entering Burmese territory early this month.

Authorities in Burma say they have arrested 19 North Korean defectors and will try them on charges of illegally entering the country.

There is no information on how long they had been in China.

The group has been moved from a detention centre to a prison, where they await a trial expected to open next week.

North Koreans fleeing the impoverished and repressive Stalinist state are increasingly choosing Southeast Asia as a destination after passing through China, in the hope they can eventually resettle in South Korea.

China repatriates North Korean defectors it captures as economic migrants.

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

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