China's Panchen Lama vows to defend ethnic unity: report

Asian Defense News: BEIJING (AFP) - – China's controversial choice as the second highest Tibetan Buddhist leader, the Panchen Lama, has vowed to defend national and ethnic unity in his debut as a delegate to a parliamentary advisory body.China's Panchen Lama vows to defend ethnic unity: report

"I have shouldered the mission of safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity since I was enthroned," Gyaincain Norbu told the official Xinhua news agency late Thursday.

"Now, such a sense of responsibility is becoming even stronger."

Gyaincain Norbu was chosen by China as the 11th Panchen Lama in a 1995 ceremony overseen by the Communist Party, which had rejected a boy selected by the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.

The 20-year-old, who was elected vice president of the nation's state-run Buddhist Association last month, has also become a delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an advisory body.

The CPPCC, which in theory advises the main rubber-stamp National People's Congress (NPC), opened its annual session on Wednesday. The NPC convened on Friday for a 10-day session.

In the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy, the Panchen Lama is second only to the Dalai Lama, who is persona non grata in China as the government accuses him of fomenting unrest in his Himalayan homeland, a claim he denies.

The Dalai Lama's choice for Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, has disappeared from public view and is believed to be under a form of house arrest.

China has been steadily raising the profile of the Panchen Lama as he has grown up. In recent appearances he has routinely praised the Communist Party leadership and China's rule of Tibet.

Anti-China riots erupted in the Tibetan capital Lhasa two years ago. Beijing says 21 people were killed by "rioters" and that security forces killed only one "insurgent".

But the Tibetan government-in-exile, headed by the Dalai Lama, claims that more than 200 people were killed and some 1,000 hurt in the unrest and subsequent crackdown.

Mao's grandson asks: 'Comrade, where's my car?'

Asian Defense News: BEIJING (AFP) - – The grandson of Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong lost his bearings Friday at the symbolic heart of the nation his grandfather founded and had to rely on aides to rescue him from a press pack.

Mao Xinyu, who holds the rank of senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army, was mobbed by journalists upon leaving the opening session of China's rubber-stamp parliament in Beijing.

Mao's grandson asks: 'Comrade, where's my car?'

Mao, 40, refused to answer reporters' questions as two emergency response personnel in bright orange jumpsuits and white helmets pushed journalists aside while escorting him out of the Great Hall of the People, venue for the session.

But his escape from the press was delayed as he was unable to find his car in a parking area next to Tiananmen Square just a few hundred metres from where his grandfather's embalmed body rests in a huge mausoleum.

After several frantic minutes avoiding journalists and searching for his car, a group of military aides came running up to take him away.

"Where is the car?" Mao was heard asking the aides.

"It is at the north gate," an aide said.

"Well, where are we?" Mao responded.

"You are at the east gate," an aide said.

Unscripted media encounters by Chinese officials and political figures are extremely rare in China, where the Communist Party strictly controls access to information.

The heavy-set Mao, who bears a resemblance to his grandfather, currently works as a researcher at China's Academy of Military Sciences.

He has written several books including "My Grandfather Mao Zedong."

The National People's Congress, China's parliament, opened its annual 10-day gathering on Friday. It is widely viewed as a rubber-stamp body that exists to endorse the directives of the ruling Communist Party.

Mao is a delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a body that in theory "advises" the main congress on political matters. The two assemblies' sessions run concurrently.

China hopes N. Korea talks can resume by mid-year

Asian Defense News: BEIJING (AFP) - – A senior Chinese diplomat said Friday he hopes stalled North Korea nuclear disarmament talks could resume by the end of June, but admitted he was not sure the parties would meet the target.

International efforts have mounted in recent weeks to coax North Korea back to the on-off six-party talks which have been on ice since Pyongyang stormed out 11 months ago.

"Utmost efforts will be made to restore the six-party talks in the first half of the year," China's envoy for Korean affairs Wu Dawei said on the sidelines of the country's annual parliamentary meetings.

"The six-party talks mechanism still has vitality," the state Xinhua news agency quoted Wu as saying.

Wu had told the China Daily on Thursday that while he was optimistic, it was "difficult to say" whether the timetable would be realised.

He attributed the deadlock to a "lack of trust" between the parties.

China is the communist North's sole major ally and host of the talks which began in 2003. The forum brings together the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

China hopes N. Korea talks can resume by mid-year

The North has set two conditions for returning to dialogue: the lifting of UN sanctions and a US commitment to discuss a formal peace treaty on the Korean peninsula.

Washington, Seoul and Tokyo say the North must first return to the negotiating table and show it is serious about giving up its nuclear drive.

The United States said this week it was considering whether to issue a visa for North Korea's top nuclear negotiator, who is believed to be seeking talks to break the deadlock.

Wu said he had recently met with the negotiators from the other five nations involved in the talks, and put forth China's proposals for how to get everyone back to the table.

Strong quake strikes off Indonesia: seismologists

Asian Defense News: JAKARTA (AFP) - – A 6.5-magnitude quake struck late Friday off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, seismologists said, but no tsunami alert was issued and there were no reports of damage or injuries.

The quake's epicentre was at a depth of 22 kilometres (13 miles), the US Geological Survey said, and was 165 kilometres west of Bengkulu on Sumatra island.

Strong quake strikes off Indonesia: seismologists

The earthquake hit at 11:06 pm (1606 GMT), waking people up, an AFP reporter said, but otherwise the effects were minimal.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an alert and said there was only a very small possibility of a local tsunami.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.

A 7.6-magnitude quake that struck Sumatra island in September killed more than 1,000 people.

Good times return for India's IT workers

Asian Defense News: BANGALORE, India (AFP) - – Indian software engineer Prithvi Sen has a spring in his step after getting re-hired by the country's flagship outsourcing industry, which is shaking off the effects of the global recession.Good times return for India's IT workers

"I was unemployed and it was tough, but I've got work again," said the 26-year-old Sen, who landed a job recently with a small outsourcing company in India's high-tech hub of Bangalore.

Sen is benefiting from a hiring wave by India's outsourcing sector which is set to increase recruitment by nearly 70 percent in the next financial year, according to the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom).

India's big three outsourcing companies -- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro -- all have plans to boost hiring sharply in the coming financial year.

"The feel-good factor is back in the industry," said Prithvi Lekkad, head of the Union of IT and IT-enabled services (Unites) Professionals, a trade union which represents some outsourcing workers.

India's software and services exports are expected to grow by up to 15 percent to hit 57 billion dollars in the next fiscal year to March 2011.

The growth projected for next year is still far below the blistering 28 percent export revenue rise clocked in the financial year 2006-07.

But it is allowing major companies to bump up hiring again after a year in which they froze salaries and sharply reduced recruitment.

The big companies have been returning to university campuses to recruit in large numbers with new orders in the pipeline.

"Prospects for jobs are bright now," R.K. Akash, a 21-year-old computer science student, told AFP.

Indian software companies, whose breakneck growth has been an important driver of the country's economic modernisation, were hit by the global slump that prompted many customers to put projects on hold.

More than 2.3 million people are employed in the sector either directly or indirectly, making it one of the biggest job creators in India and a mainstay of the national economy. It accounts for 5.9 percent of gross domestic product.

India's success has been in convincing US and other foreign firms, drawn by a vast, educated English-speaking workforce and low labour costs, to farm out processes that were previously done in-house.

Companies provide a slew of services ranging from answering banks' client calls, processing insurance claims, legal work and equity analysis to engineering and computer systems design.

"We expect net hiring in the ensuing fiscal year to be over 150,000," Nasscom president Som Mittal told AFP.

That is up from net additions of 90,000 in the current year but still far off peak levels of 250,000 to 300,000 before the global financial crisis hit.

The Nasscom outlook comes after TCS, Infosys and Wipro announced forecast-beating quarterly earnings.

"Spending is coming back, decisions are being made (on new orders)," Nasscom chairman Pramod Bhasin said, adding the industry had "reinvented itself" during the downturn by cutting costs and making itself more efficient.

But while more hiring is being done, Bhasin said the industry was changing its hiring practices to reduce so-called "bench time", when workers are idle, waiting for new projects.

No signs of life from 31 trapped in Chinese mine

Asian Defense News: BEIJING – No signs of life have been detected from 31 coal miners trapped underground for a week by a flood in northern China, state media reported Sunday.

The Mt. Camel Coal Mine in Wuhai city in the northern region of Inner Mongolia flooded on March 1, trapping 77 miners, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It said one was confirmed dead and 45 were rescued. But no contact has been made with the other 31.

A Ms. Zhang who answered the phone at the State Work Safety Administration on Sunday said rescue workers were still searching for the missing miners, but she would not comment on whether authorities had given up hope of finding anyone alive. Like many Chinese officials, she would give only her surname.

Although China's mine safety record has improved in recent years, it is still the deadliest in the world, with blasts and other accidents common.

According to China's Work Safety Administration, 2,631 people died in coal mine accidents in 2009. Many were blamed on lax safety methods and poor training as mining companies scramble to feed the country's voracious demand for coal.

Japan to arrest anti-whaling activist: report

Asian Defense News: TOKYO (AFP) - – Japan plans to arrest a New Zealand activist being held on a whaling ship which he secretly boarded planning to make a citizen's arrest of its captain, a report said Sunday.Japan to arrest anti-whaling activist: report

Peter Bethune, a member of the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has been in Japanese custody since he climbed aboard the vessel in Antarctic waters in mid-February to make a citizen's arrest over the sinking of a high-tech protest boat.

The Japan Coast Guard plans to arrest the New Zealander upon the ship's return to Tokyo around Friday, the Asahi Shimbun said, quoting anonymous investigation sources.

If convicted, Bethune could face imprisonment of up to three years or a maximum fine of 100,000 yen (1,100 dollars).

No comment on the report was available from the coast guard on Sunday.

Bethune was the captain of the carbon-and-kevlar trimaran Ady Gil which was destroyed in a collision with the whaling vessel on January 6.

Bethune's case is the latest twist in the increasingly heated confrontations between the whalers and the Sea Shepherd activists.

Commercial whaling has been banned worldwide since 1986, but Japan justifies its annual hunts as "lethal scientific research", while not hiding the fact that the meat is later sold in shops and restaurants.

The anti-whaling activists declared an end to this season's pursuit of Japanese harpoon ships in Antarctic waters on February 27, saying it was their most successful campaign so far.

Australian police searched two Sea Shepherd ships at the request of Japanese authorities on Saturday, seizing log books and videos.

Bethune's case is not the first time Sea Shepherd activists have boarded Japanese whaling ships. In January 2008 a Briton and an Australian climbed aboard a Japanese harpoon vessel to deliver a protest letter.

After two days the Japanese side handed them back to an Australian customs boat.

Chinese experts stress need for basic health care

By GILLIAN WONG,Associated Press Writer

Asian Defense News: BEIJING – Improving basic medical services through better training of staff is crucial to fixing and restoring public trust in China's ailing health system, senior experts said Sunday.

The high cost and poor availability of health services are among the biggest complaints of the Chinese public. China last year announced it would be pumping in 850 billion yuan ($124 billion) to reform the system over three years to provide basic medical coverage and insurance to all of the country's 1.3 billion people.

"The current problem is that many people think that community health facilities have increased, but the ability of doctors to treat illnesses has not strengthened," Gao Chunfang, director of the No. 150 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, said on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's legislature. "The level of distrust that patients feel toward community health facilities has grown."

That distrust has led to serious overcrowding at city-level public hospitals where the treatment is perceived as better. Gao said such hospitals should deploy doctors to assist community medical staff in treating patients and receive lower-level health workers for training at hospitals.

Health reform is under scrutiny at the ongoing meetings of the legislature and its advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, of which Gao and four other health experts who briefed reporters Sunday are members. Premier Wen Jiabao has made boosting social security for lower-income Chinese a priority, pledging to address concerns about education, affordable housing and jobs.

The government plans to build thousands of county and township hospitals and ensure that each of the country's nearly 700,000 villages has a clinic. It also seeks to expand state health insurance, control prices for essential medicines, and reduce unnecessary prescriptions.

'Golf ball-sized hail' brings Melbourne to standstill

Asian Defense News: MELBOURNE (AFP) - – A violent storm with hail-stones the size of golf balls brought Melbourne to a standstill on Saturday, as rains elsewhere threatened to inundate a rural town.'Golf ball-sized hail' brings Melbourne to standstill

The storm, which hurled 19 millimetres (three-quarters of an inch) of rain in just 18 minutes on Australia's second city, flooded streets and forced the cancellation of horse races and an Aussie Rules match.

"It was a very dangerous thunderstorm," said the weather bureau's senior forecaster Richard Carlyon. "We don't often see storm cells like that."

Residents reported seeing hail-stones five centimetres (two inches) across, blanketing the city in scenes reminiscent of snow.

"It was very dark and all of a sudden it was like a hurricane or a howling wind came through," said Josh Bell, who was at Flemington race course when the storm hit.

"Marble-sized hail stones came down for about 10 minutes. The track was covered in hail. It was all white. It looked like it had snowed."

As forecasters warned of further Melbourne storms, emergency services in the north-eastern state of Queensland warned that the worst floods since 1890 could engulf about 80 percent of the rural town of St. George.

About 40 of the town's 2,800 residents have already been forced into a makeshift evacuation centre with the nearby Balonne River expected to peak at a record 13.5 metres (44 feet) following heavy rains.

Singapore ups security measures after terror warning

Asian Defense News: SINGAPORE (AFP) - – Singapore has raised security alert levels following threats of possible terrorist attacks on ships in the busy Malacca Strait waterway, the country's interior minister said Friday.

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng told parliament that security measures throughout the city-state have been beefed up after authorities received a tip-off that a militant group was planning to attack oil tankers.

Singapore ups security measures after terror warning

"Basically, all alert levels have been raised, not just for ships, but also for the security measures that we have undertaken for Singapore," Wong said in response to a question in parliament about the security threats.

The Singapore Shipping Association issued an advisory to members on Thursday that an unidentified terrorist group plans to attack ships in a shipping lane through which almost a third of world trade passes.

"We received intelligence from our liaison partners about this possible plot to attack vessels coming through Singapore waters through the Strait of Malacca," Wong told parliament.

"As a result, the various security agencies have been working very closely with one another, including the RSN (Republic of Singapore Navy) and also our foreign liaison partners.

"We have also worked very closely with the shipping community."

Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, which share the waterway, said they would step up patrols in the Malacca Strait after the warning.

Isa Munir, a top Malaysian marine police officer, has confirmed that authorities received information indicating that Islamic militants were plotting to wreak "havoc" in the Malacca Strait.

He said Friday that 11 Malaysian patrol ships have been put to sea to secure the waterway and that his country was working with its neighbours.

"We are coordinating patrols. We are communicating with Indonesia and Singapore," he said, adding that the "situation is under control."

Analysts have said that the Malacca Strait is a prime target because more than 30 percent of global trade and half the world's oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway.

Blowing up oil tankers could choke the strategic passageway and cripple global trade.

Wong said that despite improvements in security systems, extremists have also evolved. Singapore is continually reviewing security measures at its checkpoints, international airport and at sea, he said.

Checks at Changi Airport were stepped up in the aftermath of the attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight in Detroit on Christmas day last year, he said.

"The threat of terrorism remains real in our region. And so it remains real for Singapore too. We are an open society and cannot insulate ourselves from the security situation in our region or other parts of the world," Wong said.

MOM launches online career portal for students

Asian Defense News: SINGAPORE : The Manpower Ministry has launched this year’s edition of Career Compass — an online career guide for students looking to enter the workforce.

For those considering their employment options, the website aims to help them understand the hiring sentiments of various industries.

MOM launches online career portal for students

It also provides an estimation on salaries.

Career Compass was launched on the sidelines of a Human Resource Youth Forum at Nanyang Technological University on Saturday.

HR practitioners spoke with students, discussing their role in the productivity thrust.

Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Manpower, Lee Li Shyan, said it is important for practitioners to develop sound HR policies to attract the right talent.

Commander of US Pacific Fleet holds talks with DPM Teo

Asian Defense News: SINGAPORE : The Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Patrick M Walsh, called on Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Friday.Commander of US Pacific Fleet holds talks with DPM Teo

MINDEF said Admiral Walsh is in Singapore for an introductory visit from March 4—6.

It said the visit underscored the excellent Singapore—US defence relations, and the long—standing co—operation between the Republic of Singapore Navy and the US Pacific Fleet.

Both navies interact extensively through a wide range of activities, including visits, bilateral and multilateral exercises, and professional exchanges.

IRCCs need to respond to challenges posed by new media

Asian Defense News: SINGAPORE : Inter—Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) will need to deal with the challenges posed by new media in testing and reviewing their crisis preparedness.IRCCs need to respond to challenges posed by new media

This issue was highlighted by Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in his closing address at the National IRCC workshop, where he also launched the IRCC website.

Dr Balakrishnan said the growth of the Internet poses new challenges for the maintenance of peace and harmony, as information is received, uploaded and shared instantaneously.

Many terrorist, racist or xenophobic groups also use the Internet to amplify their messages and radicalise vulnerable individuals.

Dr Balakrishnan, who is also the chairman of the Racial and Religious Harmony Committee, said: "Now when you have Internet and cyberspace, people will want to talk, and people will say even more when they think they are anonymous."

One scenario discussed was the challenges IRCCs would face if race riots were to happen in this age of connectivity.

Dr Balakrishnan said it is likely tensions in a localised incident would escalate quickly as information — especially unchecked rumours — goes viral.

As such, IRCCs must leverage on technology in building up capabilities, and in this way, fulfil their roles even more effectively.

And that is where the IRCC website will be useful to counter challenges posed by new media.

Dr Balakrishnan urged IRCCs to make good use of the website to increase their impact — for outreach and engagement, to monitor ground sentiments and disseminate information effectively.

He said: "Assert your own authority with your own co—religionists, in order to put down wrong and dangerous views, and also to build assurance amongst other people in our society who do not necessarily share your faith or perspective."

The website will be a rich resource, capturing milestones and information on events, while receiving feedback on issues.

YOG organisers introduce online virtual platform to connect youths worldwide

Asian Defense News: SINGAPORE : There has been much talk about the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore in August.

YOG organisers introduce online virtual platform to connect youths worldwide

And organisers are giving a sneak three—dimensional preview on the online platform.

Singapore 2010 Odyssey is a virtual world presenting a simulation of the YOG.

There are quests and games styled on a futuristic theme.

Users will have to download an application on their desktop, after which they will be all set to meet users from all over the world.

They can create their own avatars, compete in games, and learn more about the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.