News of the Day (May 16)

From the China Support Network: The parent org summarizes the latest news, including President Bush's "milestone" meeting with dissidents (see also Christian Post).

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Of the many links from the Korea Liberator, the most important is the one that itself links to a Wall Street Journal interview with two refugees here in the U.S. TKL also has more on South Korean dovishness, the latest news on Stalinist North Korean drug running (see also Yomiuri Shimbun), the UN finally noticing Japan's abduction victims (although, as the BBC noted, it was part of a larger and blander speech about East Asia), and the WFP's return to SNK (see also fifth, ninth, fifth, and second items).

More on the Communists' Korean colony: Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung is about to visit SNK (Washington Times), and his successor, current President Roh Moo-hyun hopes to follow suit (Cybercast News). Meanwhile, the reaction to the dovishness of the Roh government is growing (Daily NK). Finally, Daily NK reports that electricity is now in short supply - and a source for corrupt profits - in SNK.

Fabian returns! One of the original Friendly Blogs - Fabian's Hammer - is back in business after a nearly seventeen-month absence. FH posts on Communist China's ties to Latin America (the Washington Post made a mention of Communist military help for Venezuela) and the rueful memories of a Red Guard Maoist. Note: today marks the fortieth anniversary of the beginning of the Cultural Revolution; three BBC pieces remember the horror.

More charges likely in Phoenix TV spy case: The case against four people who were "linked to a covert program to provide China with Navy defense technology" (Bill Gertz, Washington Times) will include new charges - including at least one indictment for espionage. The four were arrested last year; one was an engineering and broadcasting director for Phoenix TV, a station run by a former Communist military officer (second and third items).

U.S. military playing the "engagement" game: Admiral William J. Fallon, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, is becoming an advocate for closer ties with Communist China (Washington Post).

Exports to Communist China grow, but trade deficit does, too: A record number of monthly exports to Communist China ($5 billion) couldn't stop the U.S. trade deficit with the regime from increasing to $15.6 billion (BBC).

More on Communist China and the United States: The expansion plans of the Communist consulate in San Francisco meet heavy resistance from the locals (Epoch Times). Police release a sketch of Li Yuan's attacker (Epoch Times, see also lead, second, and sixth items).

Communist China elevates another bishop without Vatican approval: This time, it was Zhan Silu, who "was consecrated as bishop in 2000 but had been serving as a deputy to another who died last year and - until Sunday - had not celebrated a full Mass as bishop" (BBC). The Holy See loudly protested the Communist consecration of two other bishops without its consent.

Zhao Yan indicted again; Li Yuanlong tried: Former New York Times staffer Zhao Yan (second and sixth items) is facing new charges from his Communist jailers, two months after the old charges against him were dropped (BBC); his lawyer ripped the Communists for the move. Meanwhile, another writer arrested by the regime, Li Yuanlong (next-to-last item), was tried last week (Epoch Times).

From Gao Zhisheng: The human rights attorney (sixth, tenth, fifth, lead, third, last, twelfth, eighth, third, second, third, eighth, eleventh, eighth, fourth, fourth, last, fourth, fifth, twelfth, fifth, second, lead, next to last, seventh, last, next to last, lead, second, last, sixth, tenth, eighth, second, eighth, ninth, lead, sixth, eighth, seventh, fifth, fourth, last, fifth, seventh, next to last, fourth, last, twenty-first, twenty-second, seventh, fourth, sixth, fourth, sixth, and eleventh items) talks about the case of Dr. Wang Wenyi (third and second, fourth, third, fourth, third, and fourth items) and the Communist spies that follow him everywhere (Epoch Times).

More on organ harvesting and the Falun Gong War: Two efforts to expose the Communist practice of organ harvesting make their way in the United States (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, former high-ranking cadre Lin Mu talks about how the persecution of Falun Gong began (Epoch Times).

Even former veterans who are appellants are treated cruelly: Last week, more than 700 former members of the Communist military "appealed at the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army" (Epoch Times). Many apparently petitioned the regime last year, but "the government did not follow through on the promises it made last year, prompting new demonstrations." For one civilian appellant, this comes as no surprise; Qian Lili has been trying to get justice for her murdered son for five years, but has instead "been kidnapped and assaulted many times by the police" (Epoch Times).

Nine Commentaries and Party resignation campaign reach the military: Apparently, many in the military want it to serve China, rather than the Communists? Report: Epoch Times

Has bird flu hit a major chicken farm in Dalian? Local residents are certain of that, but the regime has taken no action. Report: Epoch Times

BBC reports story of fake Communist computer chip - two months late: The BBC's report on Communist China's fakery on supposedly domestically produced computer chips will be news to many - but not readers of this blog, who first caught wind of it almost two months ago (last item).