| The Strategic Importance of Tibet at the American Enterprise Institute Posted: 27 Mar 2009 08:57 AM PDT | www.rfa.org The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research organized a panel discussion on "The Strategic Importance of Tibet". Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama participated in the discussion and laid out the positions and progress of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue. | Views: 2938 2 ratings | | Time: 02:59 | More in News & Politics |
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| Rare Video footage of Self-immolation in Tibet Posted: 23 Jun 2012 11:53 AM PDT | Click here for more Tibet videos www.youtube.com Exchange between Ngawang Norphel (attempted to self-immolate on June 20, 2012) and the monk by his side. | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 07:01 | More in News & Politics |
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| Syrian Refugees in Need of Help Posted: 23 Jun 2012 03:03 AM PDT | Syrian refugees flee to the Turkish border to escape an upsurge of violence on Wednesday. The situation in Syria is getting worse, says the United Nations. A UN spokesman said 1.5 million Syrians are now in need of humanitarian assistance, up from their previous estimate of 1 million. [Jens Laerke, Ocha spokesperson]: "The figure is going up because the situation is deteriorating. There is ongoing violence that we see, that violence also hinders us as humanitarian workers to get to those in need," Meanwhile, Swedish, Bulgarian and Polish foreign ministers meet with politicians in Beirut in an EU-backed effort to prevent the Syrian conflict from spreading into Lebanon. Lebanon has seen clashes between supporters and opponents of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with its border region used by fleeing rebels to smuggle arms into Syria. Syria's northern neighbor, Turkey, has also become a flashpoint for those seeking refuge from the ongoing crisis. More than 10000 people have been killed in the 15-month-old crisis in Syria and at least half a million have been internally displaced. | Views: 63 4 ratings | | Time: 01:18 | More in Nonprofits & Activism |
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| UFOs Sighted During China's Shenzhou 9 Launch Posted: 23 Jun 2012 02:13 AM PDT | On today's broadcast, something mysterious happened after the launch of China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft last week. And it has set off a splash on the Chinese Internet. Shortly after launch, observers saw this on a video broadcast from an infrared camera. These two fast-moving dots appear to be flying close to the spacecraft. We can confirm that they are definitely UFOs; that is, unknown flying objects - of some sort. But are they alien spaceships? That's what some Internet users are speculating. Researcher Wang Sichao, at China's Mt. Zijinshan Observatory, has been researching UFOs for more than 40 years. He says that based on the last 20 major UFO sightings, they tend to occur in years with end 1, 2, and 7. Like 2012. He believes these objects could be of alien origin. Or just airplanes. Or, he says, it could just be a couple of moths that flew in front of the camera. The Internet may never know. | Views: 2 1 ratings | | Time: 00:57 | More in Science & Technology |
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| 100 Asylum Seekers Missing in Indian Ocean Posted: 23 Jun 2012 02:07 AM PDT | A boat with 200 passengers capsized in the Indian Ocean, those who survived the wreck were brought to Australia's Christmas Island for treatment. However, almost 100 people are still missing as of Friday. The 200 passengers on board are suspected to be asylum seekers and a search is currently underway. An air and sea search has been started. But what are the chances of finding these survivors? Australian Home Affairs minister Jason Clare remains optimistic. [Jason Clare, Australian Home Affairs Mnister]: "We're in that critical window where there is a chance where more lives could be saved and that is obviously where my focus is right now." It's thought those on board the overcrowded boat were asylum seekers from Afghanistan. Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister, expresses her sympathy. [Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister]: "A very distressing and tragic incident. We don't know the full details yet but clearly we've lost a number of lives." The fate of these asylum seekers remain unknown. | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 00:48 | More in News & Politics |
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| China Defends Rare Earth Reforms Posted: 23 Jun 2012 02:00 AM PDT | China has published its first white paper on rare earth policy. It says China has just 23 percent of the world's rare-earth deposits, while currently supplying around 95 percent of the world's rare earth elements. The paper makes no mention of lifting the quota restrictions on exporting rare earth elements. In fact, it states rare earth mining is causing a large amount of environmental pollution. Excessive rare earth mining has resulted in landslides, clogged rivers, environmental pollution dangers and even major accidents and disasters, causing great damage to people's safety and health and the ecological environment. The United States, Japan and the European Union filed a complaint in March with the World Trade Organization against China's export restrictions on rare earths. They say the current restrictions break free trade agreement rules. Rare earth elements were discovered in the late 18th century. Today, they're used in many electronic devices such as televisions, hybrid cars, smartphones, and weapons. | Views: 3 0 ratings | | Time: 00:58 | More in News & Politics |
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| Japanese Paper: Gu Kailai Confesses to Heywood Murder Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:55 AM PDT | Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced Chinese official Bo Xilai, has reportedly confessed to murdering British citizen Neil Heywood. This is according to Japanese daily newspaper Asahi Shimbum, citing investigators involved in the case. Sources apparently told the paper that Gu is being held in a detention facility in northern China. Gu was first arrested as a suspect in Heywood's murder case in April. State-run media issued choreographed reports in Chinese and English regarding her arrest as well as her husband's removal from his central Party positions. British businessman Neil Heywood had close ties with the Bo family. The Asahi Shimbum reports that he helped Gu funnel illegal earnings overseas, and that Gu killed him to stop him from revealing the details. Heywood's death was originally attributed to alcohol poisoning. Sources told the Asahi Shimbum that officials from the office of Communist Party leader Hu Jintao have decided to indict Gu Kailai after her confession. | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 00:58 | More in News & Politics |
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| Cambodia Will Not Extradite Bo Xilai's French Connection Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:50 AM PDT | Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said today that French citizen Patrick Devillers will not be extradited. Instead, he will remain in custody for further investigation. Devillers has been linked to former Chinese Communist official, Bo Xilai, and his wife, Gu Kailai. His arrest by Cambodian authorities was made in cooperation with Chinese officials, but the reason has not yet been made public. Many speculate that Devillers's arrest is part of a Chinese investigation into the murder of Neil Heywood. Gu Kailai has been arrested as a primary suspect in this case. Chinese authorities have been demanding Devillers's extradition from Cambodia. The two countries have an extradition treaty, and China is one of Cambodia's biggest trading partners. Further information has not been forthcoming, although it has been reported that France is pressuring for Devillers to be transferred to French custody. | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 00:55 | More in News & Politics |
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| San Francisco Police Investigate Chinatown Attacks Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:43 AM PDT | San Francisco's Police Chief, Captain Greg Suhr, said on Wednesday his department is investigating whether the recent attacks in the city's Chinatown are hate crimes. For the past two weekends, four Falun Gong practitioners in San Francisco have been physically assaulted by local Chinese men. One of the men was charged by police last week. [Greg Suhr, San Francisco Police Chief] "If the investigation shows that the folks were attacked based on their religion, then absolutely that would be the motivation and that would be a hate crime." Since the attacks, Falun Gong practitioners have asked San Francisco authorities to investigate whether the local Chinese Consulate is involved. The Chinese Communist Party has persecuted the Falun Gong spiritual practice since 1999. Rights groups say that campaign is often extended overseas. Captain Greg Surh declined to comment on whether the attacks are coordinated, pending the investigation outcome. He did express however that the city takes hate crimes very seriously. [Greg Suhr, San Francisco Police Chief] "We take hate crimes as seriously as any place in the world, so whether a person is attacked because of their religious beliefs, the gender, their sexual orientation, they are treated specially by our special crimes unit and more focus and targeted investigation is brought just to send a message that we won't have it in San Francisco." San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee has also expressed he will be looking into the case. NTD News, San <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:49 | More in News & Politics |
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| Taiwanese Falun Gong Practitioner Detained by Mainland Authorities Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:27 AM PDT | Legislators in Taiwan are urging the government to help secure the release of a Taiwanese businessman detained in China. 53-year-old Zhong Ding-bang failed to return to Taiwan on June 18th after visiting relatives in southern China. His family in Taiwan say they were later told by Mainland Chinese relatives that Zhong was taken from the Guangzhou Huangjin Airport by state security officials. Zhong was apparently detained because he practices Falun Gong. The Chinese Communist Party has persecuted adherents of the Falun Gong spiritual practice for the past 13 years. On Friday, Zhong's family joined Taiwan's opposition legislators in a press conference to call for his release. [Mrs Zhong, Wife of Taiwan Businessman Detained in China]: "The traditional Dragon Boat festival is here soon, it's a day for family reunion. But my mother-in-law cannot see her son, and my daughter can't see her dad." [Miss Zhong, Daughter of Taiwan Businessman Detained in China]: "I hope the government will do what it can to help my dad return home." Zhong's family say he was taken by officials tasked with persecuting Falun Gong, and they have lost contact with him. Chinese officials have so far not notified Taiwanese authorities of Zhong's detention. That's despite the two sides currently negotiating a treaty to protect the rights of Taiwanese businessmen in China. [Yu Mei-nu, Taiwanese Legislator]: "President Ma has been talking about closing the gap between the straits. Personal safety protection <b>...</b> | Views: 2 0 ratings | | Time: 02:09 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Manufacturing Sector Continues to Slow Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:17 AM PDT | Business activity across the euro zone shrank for a fifth straight month in June and Chinese manufacturing contracted, while weaker overseas demand slowed growth by US factories. The newest information puts a dampener on the world economy. Fears are looming that Europe's debt crisis is worsening and the slowing of Asian and American economies will be felt worldwide. Job growth in the United States decreased for a third consecutive month in May. However for the first time in about a year, unemployment numbers worsened. And slowing growth in China also impacted the demand for American-made goods. | Views: 57 5 ratings | | Time: 00:39 | More in News & Politics |
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| Do Air and Sunlight Belong to the State? North China Province Says Yes Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:13 AM PDT | In economics, natural resources like wind and sunlight are called "public goods", meaning that one person's benefit from them doesn't harm that of another person, so there's no need to compete for ownership over them. Put simply, they belong to everyone. Unfortunately, that news does not seem to have reached the political authorities in North China's province of Heilongjiang. There, a recent political directive has informed companies that, if they want to make use of wind or solar energy, they must get permission from the state meteorological department. The reason behind the regulation? Wind and solar power constitute a natural resource, and any resource belongs to the state as soon as it is detected. Concerned Chinese citizens, both locally and afar, have greeted the new proclamation with condemnation—but don't seem especially surprised. [Zhao Jingzhou, Heilongjiang Human Rights Activist]: "[The Party] has been using all sorts of tactics to claim people's resources, underground and above ground. Now there's nothing left. It even deprives us of universal resources." [Cao Zhuping, Shanghai Lawyer]: "This ordinance is obviously against the constitution. The legal scholar Hugo Grotius wrote in his book 'Mare Liberum' that the sea is in motion, so it doesn't belong to any nation." While international and Chinese law both clearly prohibit any assertion of ownership over public goods like air and sunlight, there's no such prohibition over state regulation of economic sectors <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:55 | More in People & Blogs |
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| NTD Dance Competition Unblocked on China's Largest Search Engine Posted: 23 Jun 2012 01:02 AM PDT | We told you earlier this week that Chinese communist authorities had issued a secret order. It was to stop people in mainland China from joining NTD's International Classical Dance Competition, which aims to revive traditional Chinese culture. That order came from the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee, or the PLAC. That's a powerful Communist Party organ that controls the police and the courts. NTD frequently reports about the rights abuses committed by the PLAC. Now, information about NTD's dance competition has been uncensored on China's biggest search engine Baidu. One analyst says this is the latest in a continuing power struggle between the head of the PLAC, Zhou Yongkang, and Communist leaders Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and Xi Jinping. [Dr. Li Tianxiao, NTD Senior Political Analyst]: "I think that first it shows that NTD's reporting that exposed the PLAC's actions has been a big blow to them. It also shows that Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and Xi Jinping are curbing the PLAC's system. The PLAC's ability to block information has been curbed." Dr. Li says it's possible someone within Baidu unblocked information about NTD's dance competition. But, he says it's more likely it was a direct order from top leaders, designed to strike a blow against Zhou's PLAC. [Dr. Li Tianxiao, NTD Senior Political Analyst]: "Overall it shows that the PLAC -- whether it's now at its wit's end or is being exposed, it will end in failure, and bring itself down." Since the power struggle <b>...</b> | Views: 36 3 ratings | | Time: 01:35 | More in News & Politics |
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| Lawyers Persecuted for Defending Falun Gong Posted: 23 Jun 2012 06:36 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com A Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioner who went to China was stopped by police upon his return. Chinese police demanded he assist in an investigation. He was then illegally arrested and his whereabouts is unknown. Another case involves a lawyer in Harbin, Wei Liangyue, who, due to defending Falun Gong practitioners, was arrested by police on May 25. The authorities warned Wei not to defend Falun Gong practitioners again. Zhong Dingbang, the Taiwanese Falun Gng practitioner, who works in a technology company in Hsinchu, Taiwan, went to China on Jun 15. He planned to return on June 18. On the way back to Taiwan, police detained him in Ganzhou Airport for his "assistance" in an investigation. His family hasn't seen him since. On June 22, Zhong's family held a press conference urging Taiwan's government to rescue Zhong. Human Rights lawyer, Zhu Wanqi: "Mr. Zhong is a law-abiding Falun Gong practitioner. He didn't commit any crime during his visit, but was arrested by police in Ganzhou Airport on his way back to Taiwan. Now police stated that Zhong had been handed over to the 610 Office and is under surveillance. Today, we held a press conference in Taiwan Legislature, requesting the government make every effort to rescue Zhong out of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Political and Legislative Affairs Committee (PLAC) control." Taiwan Falun Gong Association listed 14 Taiwan practitioners who have been <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 04:39 | More in News & Politics |
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| Zhao's Last Years: Hu-Wen Incompetent To Do Great Things Posted: 23 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com In his last years under house arrest, Zhao Ziyang reflected on China's problems. He also looked at the ruling legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He viewed these issues from a perspective of all people and the whole country. Zhao believed that a modern state must implement parliamentary democracy. He identified that Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, are hard to do great things in China's reform. Scholars think that, when reaching the top CCP echelons, if they have courage to break the authoritarian situation, they will inevitably continue to do bad things. They will face liquidation in future. From 1980 to 1989, Zhao served as prime minister and CCP General Secretary. In 1989, Zhao was ousted after opposing the use of military force to suppress the Tiananmen Square democracy movement. He remained under house arrest until his death in 2005. Yao Jianfu, former researcher of the CCP Central Rural Policy Research Office visited Zhao twice in 2004. He understood Zhao's thinking in his later years. Yao said that Zhao had stepped out of CCP's "four cardinal principles", during his reflections in the last years of his life. He thought about how to deal with China's problems from the point of the whole people and the whole country. He clearly pointed out that China must implement parliamentary democracy. As Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, the two Chinese leaders, Zhao identified that they two are good persons <b>...</b> | Views: 2 0 ratings | | Time: 04:40 | More in News & Politics |
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| Why Vietnam Dare to Claim territorial control over West and South Paracel Islands? Posted: 23 Jun 2012 06:06 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The dispute over the Huangyan Islands between China and the Philippines has not yet ended Further conflicts arose between China and Vietnam over the South China Sea. On June 21st, Vietnamese Sea Law included West and South Paracel Island within its territorial control. The Chinese foreign ministry protested against it. At the same time, Vietnam congress announced ownership and its rights to manage West and South Paracel Islands. The Chinese foreign ministry claims this action severely infringes China's territorial sovereignty. History professor Liu Yinquan believes that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have always managed territorial issues with the "country selling policy"; letting the Vietnamese government believe it can occupy China's land at will. Liu Yin Quan: "This concession has let Vietnam see China's weakness on territorial matters and peoples' benefits. Under this condition, even small countries like Vietnam and the Philippines have the guts to bully China. This is caused by the CCP's "country selling policy". In 1879, Deng Xiaoping launched a Defensive Counterattack against Vietnam in order to obtain power from Hua Guofeng. According to information published, more than 10000 Chinese soldiers were sacrificed in the struggle. After Deng Xiaoping obtained military power, he handed the land back to Vietnam. Liu Yinquan: "Through counterattacking Vietnam, Deng obtained power. After this goal <b>...</b> | Views: 13 0 ratings | | Time: 04:16 | More in News & Politics |
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| Hu Purges Military Officials With New Regulation Posted: 23 Jun 2012 06:02 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) military recently issued a new regulation, that for the first time demands that senior military officers report their income, assets and investments. According to some analysts, before the arrival of the 18th Congress, the storm of rigorous official control systems is already sweeping through from officials to military. Some other analysis believes that this move by President Hu Jintao is a tactic to remove people within the army who oppose Him, under the banner of anti-corruption. According to reports by official CCP military media, the People's Liberation Army Daily (PLA Daily), the asset-reporting regulation was approved by the Central Military Commission. It requires senior military officers to report their income, assets and investments. Their reports will go through investigation and be verified. An article by a PLA Daily commentator said that the new regulation will help carry out Hu Jintao's command to run the Party, state and army with strict discipline. Singapore media "Lianhe Zaobao" quoted Beijing analysts who pointed out that the military officials referred to by the new regulation are usually those above the regiment level. Mo Fengjie, President of the West Coast Chapter of the Chinese Political Refugee Association, said that this move shows the central government's lack of trust in army and their intent to remove those who are disloyal. Mo Fengjie <b>...</b> | Views: 15 0 ratings | | Time: 04:03 | More in News & Politics |
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| Bo Xilai's Removal Uncovers Military System's Secret Posted: 23 Jun 2012 05:58 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Some time ago, rumors said that the Chinese military system was transferring corrupt money abroad. Taiwan media reported that since Bo Xilai's dismissal, the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) infighting has intensified. And those military linked secret bank accounts are migrating out of China. Taiwan is their chosen destination. Analysts said that since CCP officials have realized that the CCP's downfall is imminent, they are preparing their escape route. Taiwan's Excellence bi-monthly magazine reported that during the first quarter, China's foreign non-financial investment, reached US$16 billion. This is an increase of 95% compared with the same period last year. The report suggested that this was a sign of cash migrating out of China. The report said that a Taiwanese businessman had assisted a company in China to invest in Taiwan a few years ago. Recently, from the same channel, he was asked to spend TWD 2.8 billion (US$100 million) to buy several listed companies and real estate in Taiwan. China's side requested him to be low profile; to be highly alert during the process; and not to publicize the project; break up the whole into parts to avoid attention; and there will be more such businesses coming. Heng He, current affairs commentator said that CCP officials practice of transferring money abroad, has gone on for a long time. Heng He, "The entire CCP is an interest group, after the group has <b>...</b> | Views: 13 0 ratings | | Time: 03:29 | More in News & Politics |
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