Week of July 12, 2002
Week of July 12, 2002
The U.S. and China This Week
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DOMESTIC: Falungong Continue uses Satellites to Spread Message
The banned Falungong group has been charged by Chinese officials for hijacking
state-run satellites belonging to Sino-Satellite Communications and disrupting
programming between June 23-30. On Monday, China vowed to punish the outlawed
Falungong and a senior official was quoted in Xinhua as saying the act was an
"overt challenge to modern civilized society" and a "flagrant subversion
of social order."
Millions of viewers missed part of the World Cup finals, the fifth anniversary
of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule, and news of devastating floods due to
broadcasting disruptions, officials said. TV engineers at the 19 affected state-run
networks were unsure as to how the group could technically pull off the stunt.
However, deputy chief engineer of the State Administration of Radio, Film and
Television, Du Baichuan, said that people could buy the equipment necessary
for interfering with a satellite from local shops and learn how to analyze satellite
signals.
Falungong, banned in 1999, have not claimed responsibility for the hijacking
of the satellite broadcasts, though followers did begin to hack into local cable
TV networks earlier this year and showed videos of people meditating in attempt
to disclaim the governments description of the group as an "evil cult."
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DOMESTIC: 133 Mainland Fishermen Rescued in Taiwan Waters
During a dramatic rescue mission, two Taiwan helicopters from the navy and
two others from the police authorities braved gusty winds and rough seas to
save 133 mainland fisherman whose boat caught on fire. The cause of the fire
is believed to be caused by a short circuit in the vessel's engine room, according
to a preliminary probe. The flames apparently moved quickly throughout the boat,
Yuansheng 2, forcing all the fishermen to the bow and wait to be rescued. Several
crew members jumped in the sea in hopes of reaching the frogmen patrol boats,
which had difficulty getting near the vessel due to terrible weather conditions
brought on by Tropical Storm Nakri. Cable Television TVBS reported that one
fisherman is missing after he jumped into the rough water, while nine others
were rushed to the nearby Hsiaokang Hospital. Mainland Chinese fishermen are
not allowed to come ashore in Taiwan, but they are allowed to enter Taiwanese
harbors in case of a storm or an emergency.
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The U.S. and China This Week
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Last updated: 17 January 2001
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