RFA Unplugged

Archive for September, 2008

National Guard Families Seek Compensation

The families of 58 national guards plan to lobby the central Chinese government in Beijing for greater compensation after their relatives were killed in a May earthquake, RFA’s Cantonese service reports.

Milk Scandal: Focus on Lhasa

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrRcXCoXUZY&e] Thanks to Danwei for this link. First clip (woman): “As the child’s step-mother, you are going to need Sanlu milk powder. It is guaranteed to contain kidney stones. I know I can rely on it!” Second clip (boy and mother): “We have never tasted milk like this before. The kidney stones really make a [...]

China: Bao Tong on the milk powder scandal

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_mPnKzbCw4&feature=related] Here’s the official version, on YouTube, in the form of a news conference about the crisis [with English translation]. And here is some of what former Communist Party official Bao Tong said in a couple of essays broadcast recently on RFA’s Mandarin service: “If the Chinese government tries to play down this incident, there [...]

Vietnam's new crackdown

Authorities in Vietnam (nervous, perhaps, that skyrocketing inflation may make the country a powder-keg for unrest) have detained dozens of rights activists and anti-Chinese protesters in recent days, interrogating some while confining others to their homes or neighborhoods, according to my colleagues in RFA’s Vietnamese service. Several activists, including writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, college student [...]

Tibetan writer, TV presenter detained

RFA’s Tibetan service has been chasing down details about the detention in Sichuan province of a Tibetan writer and television journalist. Washu Rangjung, 26, was taken away by police on Sept. 11 just before midnight by officials from the Kardze [in Chinese, Ganzi] Autonomous Tibetan Prefecture, which comprises Serthar [in Chinese, Seda] county.

Burmese Activist Arrested

The Burmese military junta has arrested a Burmese activist who has been in hiding for over a year and are likely to subject her to torture and other forms of abuse, according to a statement by Amnesty International.

Saffron Revolution, One Year Later

A year after Burma’s beloved monks took to the streets to support a popular uprising, the junta is said to be working hard at keeping a lid on any expressions of dissent.

North Koreans Laugh Too

Is it possible to enjoy humor in a country as hopeless as North Korea? There’s a lot of material, for sure, but do they get it? It seems they do.