| Chinese Censors Ban Mention of Train Crash Anniversary Posted: 21 Jul 2012 01:06 AM PDT | One year ago on July 23, the crash of two high-speed bullet trains killed 40 people and injured nearly 200 others in the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou. Beyond the tragic loss of life, the incident and an ensuing cover-up attempt also marked a crisis of legitimacy for China's prestigious high-speed rail project. The official in charge of the rail system, and others in the organization, were subsequently convicted on corruption charges. Now China's Propaganda Ministry has informed media organizations that there is to be no independent reporting on the anniversary, or the related scandals. Only China's official Party-run media organizations have been allowed to touch the subject. The censorship moves have drawn criticism, including from the International Federation of Journalists, which issued a statement saying, quote, "the IFJ urges China's Premier Wen Jiabao to swiftly investigate the new restrictions on the media, and uphold his assertion that the people have the right to have oversight of the performance of their government." The issue of government oversight by media, however, is deeply complicated in China by the Communist Party's oversight of even supposedly "independent" news organizations. Even if Premier Wen sought to heed the journalist organization's statement and overturn the censorship order, it's far from clear whether he would be able to do so. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 44 4 ratings | | Time: 01:23 | More in News & Politics |
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| China News Broadcast, July 19, 2012: Russia-China Veto of UN Syria Resolution Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:25 AM PDT | In today's China news, China and Russia jointly vetoed a UN resolution on Syria. The resolution was drafted by Britain and was co-sponsored by the US, France, and Germany. It called for sanctions against the Syrian regime in an effort to stop the violence. And after the UN Security Council vote, several nations have stepped forward condemning the Russia-China veto. Germany was the first to criticize, and others, including Britain, who drafted the resolution on Syria, soon followed. Chinese Leader Hu Jintao pledged 20 billion US dollars in loans to African nations over the next three years. The commitment was announced at the China-Africa summit in Beijing. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was in Cambodia on Thursday, trying to mend an ASEAN rift over the disputed waters in the South China Sea. The ten ASEAN nations couldn't agree on how to deal with China's increasing assertiveness in disputed waters of the South China Sea. China has agreed to buy General Motor Company's investment stakes held by the company's pension plan assets. GM's pension plan is funded by private equity funds managed by companies like Carlyle Group, Blackstone and CVC Capital Partners. The deal involves the transfer of GM stakes to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or Safe, and Safe will in turn pay $1.5 billion to $2 billion. The newest installment in the Batman film franchise is set to open in the United States on July 20th. But in China, it doesn't open until late August <b>...</b> | Views: 15 1 ratings | | Time: 11:40 | More in News & Politics |
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| Thank you Ama Jetsun Pema la ཨ་མ་རྗེ་བཙུན་པདྨ། Posted: 19 Nov 2010 06:07 PM PST | Click here for more Tibet videos : www.youtube.com This documentary was made by the members of the TCV school photography club. Click here www.youtube.com Tribute Song to HH The Dalai Lama's Sister Ama Jetsun Pema La Tibet Tibetan song music | Views: 625 12 ratings | | Time: 07:58 | More in Music |
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| Falun Gong in Sydney Protest 13-Year Persecution in China Posted: 21 Jul 2012 01:26 AM PDT | Protests are being held today around the world to inform people of the persecution of Falun Gong that is still on going in China. Our NTD bureau in Sydney, Australia has this story. Full script: July 20 is an important date for the Falun Gong spiritual practice. [John Deller, Spokesperson for NSW Falun Dafa Association]: "It's the greatest human rights tragedy, the human rights atrocity happening in the world today but how many people know?" And each year it's marked around the world by quiet and sober protests, just like this one in Sydney Australia. [John Deller, Spokesperson for NSW Falun Dafa Association]: "We've written an open letter to Julia Gillard the Prime Minister asking her to acknowledge publicly that the persecution must end. There has been petitions of over 100000 thousand Australians calling on our government to do just that." It's been 13 years today, since the Chinese regime's former president Jiang Zemin ordered Falun Gong to be eradicated—sending thousands to prisons and labor camps. [Oliver Perrett, Australian Falun Gong Practitioner]: "Jiang Zemin has been sued in over 10 countries around the world for torture, crimes against humanity and genocide, as well as several other high officials who have followed him to perpetrate the persecution." Despite time slipping by these years, Falun Gong's message is consistent, claiming adherents are still subject to human rights abuses. These claims are backed by rights groups, like Amnesty International. [Oliver <b>...</b> | Views: 2 6 ratings | | Time: 02:34 | More in News & Politics |
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| China News Broadcast, July 20, 2012: 13th Anniversary of the Persecution of Falun Gong Posted: 21 Jul 2012 01:16 AM PDT | Today is July 20th. In China, it marks the 13th anniversary of the start of a nationwide, systematic crackdown on Falun Gong. Today is July 20th. In China, it marks the 13th anniversary of the start of a nationwide, systematic crackdown on Falun Gong. Former Chinese Communist Party head Jiang Zemin ordered the suppression of the traditional spiritual practice in 1999. Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners are enlisting the help of the public bring an end to the persecution of the practice in Mainland China. Today they sent 1800 appeal letters to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has lost his court case contesting a $2 million dollar fine for tax evasion. But his supporters worldwide have rallied behind him before, so even though he may have lost his appeal in court, Ai has not yet lost his international appeal. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has finally agreed on a joint statement regarding the South China Sea. Cambodia hosted the second meeting this month focusing on the dispute. July 23 will mark the one year anniversary of the devastating high-speed train crash in Wenzhou. The accident killed 40 people, but Chinese censorship authorities have banned all independent reporting on the anniversary. And finally, new numbers are out on just how many Chinese are using the Internet. Now it's a staggering 538 million. According to a new report, that is due by and large to cheaper smartphone costs. For more news and videos visit <b>...</b> | Views: 4 4 ratings | | Time: 12:16 | More in News & Politics |
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| Chinese Netizens: "Have You Closed Your Stock Trading Account Today?" Posted: 21 Jul 2012 01:08 AM PDT | "Have you closed your stock trading account today?" That question's become a catchphrase on the Chinese Internet this month. It reflects what may be a growing lack of confidence in China's stock markets—at least among some individual investors. China has two main stock markets: Shanghai and Shenzhen. In the first half of this year, trading volume in both dropped 30% from the same period last year. And China's two biggest brokerage firms, Citic Securities and Haitong Securities, have seen big drops in net profit partly as a result. For the week of July 6, the number of new A share accounts—that is, for individual investors—was just 72000. That's the lowest since 2008. Since two-thirds of China's A shares are owned by the government, it's easy for the government to manipulate share prices. That's led many Chinese to call the stock markets state-run casinos. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 5 ratings | | Time: 00:55 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Internet Population Reaches 538 Million Posted: 21 Jul 2012 01:03 AM PDT | China is already the world's largest Internet market, and now it has hit a new milestone... 538 million Chinese are online. It's up 11 percent from a year ago, according to a report from the China Internet Network Information Center, or CNNIC. The Center says there were 25 million new Web users since the end of 2011, encompassing 39.9% of Chinese. The main reason for the increase... smartphone sales, which make up over 388 million Web users. Their price has gone down significantly, helping increase their popularity. And for the first time, there are more mobile Web users than desktop users, a milestone that was surpassed in the first half of the year. But one thing that's unclear is how many users are only getting online with smartphones or use multiple platforms. The report included other statistics. Most Chinese are online 19.9 hours a week, up from 18.7 hours... and that most of the people online are between 20 and 40-years-old. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:03 | More in News & Politics |
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| ASEAN Countries Agree on Statement on South China Sea Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:59 AM PDT | The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) finally agreed on a joint statement. Cambodia hosted the second meeting this month focusing on the South China Sea. The last meeting ended in a stalemate between Chinese allies and Vietnam and the Philippines. It was the first time in 45 years that ASEAN members have failed to come to an agreement. [Hor Namhong, Cambodian Foreign Minister]: "Although, in the previous joint communique I had not put down number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the meaning remains the same—why then did two countries at the time in ASEAN completely oppose the communique but have now agreed? Their agreement to this communique is different between the previous one and this communique. The previous draft of the joint communique did not state principles, but this one has principles and ASEAN must carry it out which is heavier." Vietnam and the Philippines wanted to include details about the Scarborough Shoal—a much contested area in the South China Sea. Both Vietnam and the Philippines have had conflicts with China over the area, which is rich in natural resources. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 17 1 ratings | | Time: 01:07 | More in News & Politics |
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| Blind Chinese Petitioner Escapes Detention Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:53 AM PDT | A near-blind Chinese petitioner has escaped state custody, according to a Hong Kong rights group. 57 year old Li Guizhi was detained in northeast Hebei province. She was captured on July 1st while trying to enter Hong Kong to join an annual protest there. Hong Kong based People's Rights Union of China says Li managed to escape on Tuesday with the help of her relatives. Li Guizhi is one of China's numerous long-term petitioners. Her grievance -- the sudden death of her son in 2006. Before she could even view the body, authorities quickly cremated his body before an investigation was carried out. Li has not been able to get Chinese authorities to look into her case though. Instead she was repeatedly sent to "black jails", or illegal detention facilities. Liu Weiping from the People's Rights Union of says Li was beaten during detention, and was also tortured to the point of near blindless. [Liu Weiping, Head of People's Rights Union of China]: "The situation in the black jail was like this -- Her left eye was nearly completely blinded because of the beatings. The other eye could still make out some outlines. All her teeth were beaten out. Whenever she was caught, she was treated very roughly. She is at such a high age, but they would use handcuffs to cuff her up like this." Liu says Li is now in a safe hiding place, but her family has fears that Hebei police -- who are now looking for her -- will soon capture her again. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com <b>...</b> | Views: 0 1 ratings | | Time: 01:21 | More in News & Politics |
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| Ai Weiwei Loses Court Case, But Not His Appeal Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:50 AM PDT | Today, standing outside his studio in a home-made "Found" and "Missing" T-shirt, China's infamous dissident artist Ai Weiwei received the bad news -- he lost his court case -- though he always expected to anyway. Stopped from even attending his own hearing, a Beijing court upheld Ai's $2 million fine for tax evasion. [Ai Weiwei, Dissident Artist]: "This is just what we expected, but nonetheless, I never want to see such a country do such a stupid decision. This is a totally absurd thing, for a country to use so much effort to do something so stupid. It's unbelievable." Critics are calling the fine nothing more than a fantasy. They say the Chinese regime is punishing an artist critical of the ruling Communist party. [Ai Weiwei, Dissident Artist]: "Today's verdict shows that this country, even today, 60 years after it was founded, still doesn't even have a basic legal process. It still doesn't respect the truth, it still will never give taxpayers and citizens an opportunity to defend themselves. The entire judiciary is shrouded in darkness." But this is not the end for Ai Weiwei, if previous attempts to strike him down are anything to go by. His 81-day detainment last year sparked worldwide protests, and when authorities gave Ai only 15 days to pay the $2 million dollar fine, over 30000 supporters helped him raise it in ten. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 3 1 ratings | | Time: 01:23 | More in News & Politics |
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| 1800 Taiwanese Appeal to Wen Jiabao for Falun Gong Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:41 AM PDT | 1800 people in Taiwan are appealing to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. They want him to release China's largest group of prisoners of conscience. On July 20th -- the 13th anniversary of the Communist Party-led crackdown of Falun Gong -- its adherents in Taiwan are getting the public's support to bring an end to the persecution. This package, addressed to Wen, contains the appeal letters of 1800 Taiwanese people, including legislators, professors and lawyers. It mirrors the public support of Falun Gong practitioners in China, where thousands of ordinary citizens have put their fingerprints -- a solemn expression in Chinese tradition -- on petitions against the persecution. [Teresa Chu, Falun Gong Human Rights Lawyer]: "This action for human rights in Taiwan is historically significant and very moving. So we want to use these 1800 appeals from the Taiwanese public to call on Chinese people around the world to stand up. Whether it's your signature or your fingerprint, make a strong call to Chinese leaders to immediately end the persecution of Falun Gong." The appeal letters call on the Chinese regime to release all Falun Gong practitioners. They also demand an investigation into allegations of forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners. The Chinese regime has been accused of systematically killing detained Falun Gong adherents and selling their organs for transplant. Human rights lawyer Teresa Chu also urged Chinese authorities to release a Taiwanese Falun Gong <b>...</b> | Views: 6 1 ratings | | Time: 02:06 | More in News & Politics |
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| 13th Anniversary of the Persecution of Falun Gong in China Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:39 AM PDT | Today is July 20th. In China, it marks the 13th anniversary of the start of a nationwide, systematic crackdown on Falun Gong. Former Chinese Communist Party head Jiang Zemin ordered the suppression of the traditional spiritual practice in 1999. At the time, official state statistics estimated the number of Falun Gong practitioners in China at 70 to 100 million. Since then, hundreds of thousands who practiced Falun Gong have been put in detention centers, labor camps and prisons. Last year, independent investigator Ethan Gutmann estimated there are 450 thousand to 1 million practitioners in China's prisons and labor camps at any given time. Falun Gong practitioners are being tortured and abused. There are more than 3500 documented deaths due to persecution. In 2007, an independent investigation found circumstantial evidence that authorities were forcibly removing organs from Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong has never been legally banned in China. But Falun Gong practitioners remain the largest group of prisoners of conscience in China today. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:11 | More in News & Politics |
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| July 20--The Chinese Regime's Failed Campaign Against Falun Gong Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:32 AM PDT | On July 20th, 1999, 100 million people in China were suddenly labeled enemies of the state. A popular spiritual practice once promoted by the Chinese government became the subject of a nationwide persecution campaign. After 13 years though, Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, has withstood the brutalities. It became the first group in China's modern history to have born the full brunt of a Communist Party-led crackdown and actually turned the tables on the Chinese regime. In this China Focus, we look back to when the Chinese Communist Party launched the persecution of Falun Gong, and how practitioners of this spiritual practice have been able to counter state-run propaganda and suppressive organs to peacefully resist the persecution. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 1 1 ratings | | Time: 16:29 | More in News & Politics |
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| Police Discover Illegally Modified "Campertrike" in Southwest China Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:15 AM PDT | A police officer in China's Sichuan Province has intercepted an unusual tricycle-powered campervan in Jiangyou City on Tuesday. The owner of the tricycle says the vehicle was originally for agricultural use that he modified for auto-touring. He says the vehicle modifications took him more than a year to complete, and was to fuel he and his spouse's love of travel. The owner, a former taxi driver, says he and his wife use the 43-square-foot tricycle-house as a mini-campervan. He says he knew the modifications were illegal, but went ahead with them anyway. Police say the vehicle goes against several traffic rules including being unregistered and illegal modified. They are currently holding the vehicle and have fined the owner. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 18 3 ratings | | Time: 00:50 | More in News & Politics |
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| In China, Batman and Spider-Man in Box-Office Showdown Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:14 AM PDT | The two movies, "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "The Dark Knight Rises," are new installments in blockbuster franchises that have made huge money worldwide. In most of the world, they've had a good several weeks between their opening date—with the Spider-Man film opening earlier in summer and the "Dark Knight Rises" set to open this weekend. Yet in China, both films are set to premiere on August 30th. The decision, set by China's state-owned regulator the China Film Group, has the movies' two studios deeply concerned over lost profits. Warner Bros., the film studio behind the "Dark Knight Rises," has protested to Chinese film authorities over the decision. But, according to some observers, the timing of the films' releases is no accident; rather, it may be an attempt to minimize Hollywood films' box-office takings in China, and preserve more market share for homegrown productions. The "facing off" of similar Hollywood projects with same day releases in China is echoed with 3-D animated movies "Ice Age: Continental Drift" and "The Lorax". The two films will both premiere on July 27th. If analysts are right, "coincidences" like these may become increasingly common. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 5 0 ratings | | Time: 01:24 | More in Entertainment |
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| China to Buy GM Pension Plan Assets Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:07 AM PDT | China has agreed to buy General Motor Company's investment stakes held by the company's pension plan assets. GM's pension plan is funded by private equity funds managed by companies like Carlyle Group, Blackstone and CVC Capital Partners. The deal involves the transfer of GM stakes to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or Safe, and Safe will in turn pay $1.5 billion to $2 billion. Safe currently holds nearly $3 trillion of China's foreign exchange reserves. Nearly half of these reserves are invested in US government bonds. The deal has not yet been finalized and is being kept confidential. The Financial Times report quoted one investment advisor saying "There is clearly concern about selling US assets to China, especially in an election year." Investments in pension and private equity funds are usually illiquid assets—investors normally maintain investments for 10 years unless they find buyers for their private equity fund stakes. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 6 0 ratings | | Time: 01:05 | More in News & Politics |
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| Indonesia Intervenes in South China Sea Dispute Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:02 AM PDT | Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was in Cambodia on Thursday, trying to mend an ASEAN rift over the disputed waters in the South China Sea. The ten ASEAN nations couldn't agree on how to deal with China's increasing assertiveness in disputed waters of the South China Sea. With the support of The Philippines and Vietnam, Indonesia has taken on the role of mediator in the dispute. Indonesia is drawing up a code of conduct to prevent any acts of conflict in the area. [Marty Natalegawa, Indonesian Foreign Minister]: "That Indonesia has been carrying out, over the past 36 hours, it is fair to describe it as being an intensive shuttle diplomacy effort ... ASEAN continues to remain to be united, to be cohesive on all issues of common concern, not least, and especially on the issue of South China Sea." Cambodia, the chair of ASEAN, is reliant on the Chinese regime for billions of dollars in assistance. It appears that political pressure from the Chinese regime had them break their long-standing alliance with Vietnam. They sided with the Chinese regime to scuttle discussion of the South China Sea dispute. Now the spotlight is fixed on the Chinese regime bullying Cambodia and other ASEAN countries. The Indonesian Foreign Minister is hoping to have an agreement drawn up with ASEAN members on the issue by the end of his tour. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 10 0 ratings | | Time: 01:24 | More in News & Politics |
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| Hu Jintao Pledges 20 Billion to Africa at China-Africa Summit Posted: 21 Jul 2012 12:02 AM PDT | Chinese Leader Hu Jintao pledged 20 billion US dollars in loans to African nations over the next three years. The commitment was announced at the China-Africa summit in Beijing on Thursday. The loan is boosting ties, giving the Chinese regime growing access to the resource-rich continent as it seeks more oil, metal and other commodities. The loans offered this time are double the amount of those Chinese leaders pledged in 2009. It's the latest in a string of aid and credit the regime has provided to Africa. The loans are for the development of infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and small to medium-sized enterprises. China hasn't attached any political or environmental restrictions to its aid, unlike the US and Europe. Some in Africa are concerned over the Chinese regime's willingness to provide no strings attached loans to countries with poor civil rights records. Many feel the Chinese regime is exploiting Africa and causing thousands of job losses and giving no added value to Africa. Chinese trade with Africa reached 166.3 billion US dollars in 2011, according to official Chinese statistics. In the past decade, African exports to China rose to 93.2 billion US dollars from just 5.6 billion dollars. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will end on Friday, July 20. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 8 0 ratings | | Time: 01:49 | More in News & Politics |
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| Western Powers Condemn Russia-China UN Veto Posted: 20 Jul 2012 11:56 PM PDT | The chorus of criticisms against China and Russia's veto of UN's Syrian resolution came quickly. In an impromptu press statement, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemned the two nations. [Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister]: "We are deeply disappointed by the veto decision of Russia and China, we criticise it and in our opinion it is not responsible behaviour to hold a protective hand over the Assad regime in the Security Council." UK's Foreign Minister William Hague said he was "appalled" by China and Russia's inaction. [William Hague, British Foreign Secretary]: "The decision by Russia and China, in the view of the United Kingdom, to veto this resolution is inexcusable and indefensible. When it came to the time to turn agreements, which they have supported, into action to end the violence, they stood aside from that. They have turned their back on the people of Syria in their darkest hour." France's ambassador to the UN also lambasted China and Russia's latest attempt to block UN action. [Gerard Araud, French Ambassador to the United Nations] (male, French) "Today, July 19th, we now count 17000 dead -- men, women, children. We mourn their memory alongside the Syrian people. And Russia and China have just for the third time exercised their veto of the council's action." Thursday's vetoed resolution would have extended a UN observer mission in Syria for 45 days. It received 11 votes in favor, with two abstentions. The UN Security Council still has time <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:49 | More in News & Politics |
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| China, Russia Veto UN Resolution on Syria as Violence Continues Posted: 20 Jul 2012 11:27 PM PDT | Today (Thursday) the Chinese regime and Russia jointly vetoed a UN resolution on Syria. The resolution was drafted by Britain and was co-sponsored by the US, France, and Germany. It called for sanctions against the Syrian regime in an effort to stop the violence. The new resolution falls under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which approves the use of military force if necessary. Russia has been a long time ally of the Assad regime and objects to military intervention in Syria. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have not actively supported the Assad regime but has vetoed UN actions against it. So far, Chinese authorities have not done anything to quell the violence. On July 6th, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused the Chinese and Russian authorities of obstructing the peace process. She also accused them of selling arms to Syria, and thus fueling the conflict. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 46 3 ratings | | Time: 00:56 | More in News & Politics |
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