News of the Day (June 19)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth keeps up the fight for the Vancouver Falun Gong exhibit (CKNW, online petition).

Vatican emissaries sent to Beijing: The Vatican has begun talks with Communist China to obtain the release of seven bishops jailed for refusing to submit to the Communist-controlled "Patriotic Catholic" church (Cathnews). Millions of Chinese Catholics refuse to put the Party between themselves and God, and thus remain loyal to Pope Benedict XVI.

Pastor in Huainan arrested for distributing Bibles: Wang Zaiqing, a disabled Christian pastor in Huainan city, Anhui, is now in jail for "illegal business practices," i.e., "printing and disseminating the Bible and Christian literatures" (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times).

More on human rights in Communist China: CNN's Anderson Cooper examines Communist China's organ harvesting, but ignores Sujiatun. An anonymous former Communist military officer reveals the cadre's assassination scheme (Epoch Times).

Communist mouthpiece calls for clean elections - within CCP: As funny as this is, it's actually part of Hu Jintao's "intraparty democracy" charade (United Press Int'l via Washington Times).

Beijing cadre in charge of Olympic construction busted for corruption: Liu Zhihua was the vice-Mayor of Beijing, chiefly tasked with "overseeing the construction of Olympic venues for the 2008 Games" (London Times). He was fired after being caught with his hand in the till, and I'm cleaning up the metaphor here; Liu "built himself a pleasure palace filled with young concubines on the outskirts of the city."

Communist piracy costs film industry $2.7 billion a year: According to the Motion Picture Association, roughly "93% of all films sold in China are pirated" (BBC).

Communist China announces plan to tighten credit, without detail: The cadres "will strive to stop the 'excessive' availability of credit" (BBC), which has fueled a massive industrial expansion in surplus and useless goods (fifteenth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth, tenth, sixth, last, last, seventh, and last items).

Iran gives Communist China some bad PR; calls for liberation grow: Mullahcracy mouthpiece Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had some kind words for America's nuclear cave-in (BBC) while in Communist China; his hosts were hearing it from the U.S. for having him (Time Asia). Meanwhile, Kenneth R. Timmerman calls for liberation in the Washington Times, and is joined by the late Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson (World Net Daily).

Possible Stalinist ICBM test upsetting U.S. and Japan: The United States threatened to "consider new sanctions" (Mail and Guardian Online), and Japan promised its own "stern measures" (BBC) if Stalinist North Korea goes ahead with its intercontinental ballistic missile test (fourth, second, and third items). Meanwhile, the Stalinists are already reaping some benefit from the test - the Japanese yen is down (Financial Times, UK). Also reporting: Daily NK

More on the Communists' Korean colony: Gary Feuerberg, Epoch Times, questions the wisdom of South Korea's dovish "sunshine" policy. Han Young Jin, Daily NK, comments on the Stalinists' World Cup broadcasting decisions (U.S., Japanese, and South Korean wins are not televised).

Daily Kos contributor calls for U.S. to support Taiwan: I have no idea who "Vorkosigan" really is, but his review of Taiwanese politics is exceptional (note: I endorsed Chen Shui-bian's re-election in 2004).

More on Communist China and the United States: The man who tried to make Communist China a "stakeholder" in the world - Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick - is leaving (Washington Post).

Communist Premier visits Africa: Wen Jiabao held talks with Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak (BBC), trumpeted a $66 million loan to Ghana (BBC), and insisted there were no geopolitical objectives behind any of this (Agence France Press via Washington Times). Ben Bendig, Epoch Times, examines the damage to pro-Communist lobbyist Rose Pak after Fiona Ma (endorsed by yours truly) cruised to victory for San Francisco's seat in the California Assembly.

Communist Chin and India re-open trade link: The Nathu La pass, a trade route between India and Communist China that had been closed since the 1962 border war, has been re-opened (BBC).

Li Ka-Shing may bid for British port firm: The pro-Communist Hong Kong tycoon is already a major port player through Hutchison Whampoa (fourth and eighth items). Now, he may try to takeover Associated British Ports, which "operates 21 major ports around England and Scotland" (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia).

More on Communist China's arms sales: Tim Luard, BBC, examines some of the arms deals that upset Amnesty International (third item).