Sunday, May 29, 2011

Checking on China and Korea

"Chinese ex-mayor sentenced to death" May 13, 2011|Associated Press

BEIJING — A former vice mayor of China’s wealthy resort city of Hangzhou was sentenced to death yesterday on corruption charges, state media reported, one of the harshest sentences handed down to a high-level Chinese official in recent years.

I'm beginning to come around to that sort of thinking. Maybe then the looting will stop.  Can't say we didn't warn you.

Xu Maiyong, 52, was convicted of bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of power, the Xinhua News Agency said. The official verdict said Xu profited illegally to the tune of $41.3 million while serving in a variety of positions between 1995 and April 2009.

The sentence appeared intended to signal the party’s resolve in combating widespread corruption.

Xu’s crimes “severely harmed the image and reputation of the government, grievously harmed the interests of the nation, and must be severely punished,’’ Xinhua quoted the Municipal People’s Intermediary Court in the city of Ningbo, just south of Hangzhou, as saying.

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"China’s melons burst after chemical misuse" May 18, 2011|Associated Press

BEIJING — Watermelons have been bursting by the score in eastern China after farmers gave them overdoses of growth chemicals during wet weather, creating what state media called fields of “land mines.’’

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"China cracks down on lead emissions" May 20, 2011|Associated Press

SHANGHAI — China is cracking down on emissions of lead and other heavy metals following a spate of poisoning cases and reports that much of the country’s soil is contaminated with toxic materials....

China is belatedly confronting a crisis of heavy metals poisoning after years of allowing manufacturers to disregard safety standards....

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Also see:

Biden, Clinton press China on rights

As if we had an ounce of moral authority.  

S. Korea offers nuclear talks to North

I'm ALWAYS for TALKING over FIGHTING!

China trip by N. Korean leader reported

China stalls UN complaint on North Korea

Yeah, China doesn't want a war, either. 

Update: Dalai Lama turns down ceremonial role

Who cares?