http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Southeast Asia) en-us Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:56:00 -0700 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/gunboat-diplomacy-chinese-navy-exercises-surprise-neighbours?start=0 Military tension is rising in Asia, and not just on the Korean peninsula. A Chinese naval task force has reached the southernmost part of the South China Sea, which it claims as its own -- to the annoyance of neighboring nations. Al Jazeera's Florence Looi reports. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:56:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/gunboat-diplomacy-chinese-navy-exercises-surprise-neighbours South China Sea, People's Liberation Army Navy, Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, James Shoal, China, Military exercise, Task force, Maritime boundary, Southeast Asia, Territorial waters Military tension is rising in Asia, and not just on the Korean peninsula. A Chinese naval task force has reached the southernmost part of the South China Sea, which it claims as its own -- to the annoyance of neighboring nations. Al Jazeera's Florence Looi reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/shipwreck-has-us-in-hot-water-with-the-philippines-linkasia-22213?start=0 Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines is UNESCO's only Marine World Heritage Site in Southeast Asia. That's why the outcry was so severe when an American minesweeper ship, the USS Guardian, ran aground on the reef and became completely stuck. Contributor Noel Tarrazona reports from Mindanao on social media reactions and the political consequences of this fiasco. Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:54:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/shipwreck-has-us-in-hot-water-with-the-philippines-linkasia-22213 Philippines, USS Guardian, Tubbataha Reef, US Navy, World Heritage Site, UNESCO, Mindanao, US-Philippines relations, Benigno Aquino III, Coral reef Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines is UNESCO's only Marine World Heritage Site in Southeast Asia. That's why the outcry was so severe when an American minesweeper ship, the USS Guardian, ran aground on the reef and became completely stuck. Contributor Noel Tarrazona reports from Mindanao on social media reactions and the political consequences of this fiasco. http://news.linktv.org/videos/fear-overwhelms-thai-schools-as-rebels-target-teachers?start=0 The daily school run is a dangerous business in southern Thailand - where ethnic tensions often boil over into bloody violence. The Thai military has been dispatched to protect schools as muslim insurgents aim their firepower on teachers. Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:52:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/fear-overwhelms-thai-schools-as-rebels-target-teachers School shooting, Islam in Thailand, Southern Thailand, Muslim, Politics of Thailand, Ethnic violence, Militant, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Channel 4 News The daily school run is a dangerous business in southern Thailand - where ethnic tensions often boil over into bloody violence. The Thai military has been dispatched to protect schools as muslim insurgents aim their firepower on teachers. http://news.linktv.org/videos/shrimp-and-smart-phones-the-toxic-side-of-profit?start=0 <p>This episode of Earth Focus looks at the dark side of shrimp and smart phone industries. Reports from Thailand, Bangladesh, and Indonesia uncover the brutal exploitation of people and the environment for profit.</p> Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/shrimp-and-smart-phones-the-toxic-side-of-profit Environment, Sustainable seafood, Overfishing, Shrimp, Environmental degradation, Prawn, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Tin The tiger prawn industry in Thailand exploits people and the environment. Small fish and juvenile sharks, caught by Thai trawlers operating illegally in foreign waters from Indonesia to Bangladesh, are ground into fishmeal for prawn food. As fishing stocks are depleted, local fishermen are affected. Thai trawlers operators often hire Burmese workers who are exploited and abused. The Thai prawn industry is the largest of its kind in the world and markets prawns to European consumers. Watch this original investigative report by Swed Watch, a Swedish organization reporting on Swedish business relations in developing countries. http://news.linktv.org/videos/will-myanmars-reforms-jumpstart-the-world-economy-linkasia?start=0 Foreign direct investment, primarily from China and South Korea, has flooded Myanmar since the country began to open up and enact broad reforms two years ago. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports that this is largely due to low labor costs and has the potential to create a manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, calling Myanmar "the world's factory."&nbsp; Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:51:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/will-myanmars-reforms-jumpstart-the-world-economy-linkasia Myanmar, Foreign direct investment, Economic reform, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Wage, Thein Sein, China, Aung San Suu Kyi, Foreign relations of Burma Foreign direct investment, primarily from China and South Korea, has flooded Myanmar since the country began to open up and enact broad reforms two years ago. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports that this is largely due to low labor costs and has the potential to create a manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, calling Myanmar "the world's factory." http://news.linktv.org/videos/what-were-asias-words-of-the-year-in-2012-linkasia-1413?start=0 LinkAsia is jumping on the "year-end list" bandwagon by asking our contributors what the top words in social media were throughout Asia in 2012. Toshi Maeda reports from Japan, Yoo Eun Lee from South Korea, Ajoy Bose from India, Nicole Sy from China, and Wajahat Khan from Pakistan. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:46:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/what-were-asias-words-of-the-year-in-2012-linkasia-1413 Asia, Social media, Facebook, Twitter, Southeast Asia, South Asia, India, China, South Korea, Japan LinkAsia is jumping on the "year-end list" bandwagon by asking our contributors what the top words in social media were throughout Asia in 2012. Toshi Maeda reports from Japan, Yoo Eun Lee from South Korea, Ajoy Bose from India, Nicole Sy from China, and Wajahat Khan from Pakistan. http://news.linktv.org/videos/is-facebook-destroying-vietnams-social-fabric-linkasia?start=0 Facebook was blocked in Vietnam until 2009 due to government concern that it would become a tool of dissidents. Now, the country has the most Facebook users in Asia. But as state-run VTV4 reports, the new worry is that the social networking site is breaking up family life. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/is-facebook-destroying-vietnams-social-fabric-linkasia Facebook, Vietnam, Social media, Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Social network service, Asia, VTV4, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon Facebook was blocked in Vietnam until 2009 due to government concern that it would become a tool of dissidents. Now, the country has the most Facebook users in Asia. But as state-run VTV4 reports, the new worry is that the social networking site is breaking up family life. http://news.linktv.org/videos/can-buddhism-keep-pace-with-modern-thailand?start=0 Buddhism has been a way of life in Thailand for centuries, but inside the most popular temples is a trend that critics call "fast-food Buddhism." As more people find comfort in consumer culture, how can Buddhism attract followers while maintaining its dignity? Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:19:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/can-buddhism-keep-pace-with-modern-thailand Buddhism, Religion, Thailand, Consumerism, Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist monasticism, Southeast Asia, The New York Times Buddhism has been a way of life in Thailand for centuries, but inside the most popular temples is a trend that critics call "fast-food Buddhism." As more people find comfort in consumer culture, how can Buddhism attract followers while maintaining its dignity? http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnamese-tighten-belts-as-economy-slumps-linkasia?start=0 After growing at nearly ten percent a year in the past decade, Vietnam's economy will be lucky to reach half that in 2012. As a result, Vietnamese are curbing consumption and saving more. Vietnamese broadcaster VTV4 reports on what this means for the country's businesses. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:25:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnamese-tighten-belts-as-economy-slumps-linkasia Vietnam, Recession, Economy, Southeast Asia, Vietnamese language, Hanoi, VTV4, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon After growing at nearly ten percent a year in the past decade, Vietnam's economy will be lucky to reach half that in 2012. As a result, Vietnamese are curbing consumption and saving more. Vietnamese broadcaster VTV4 reports on what this means for the country's businesses. http://news.linktv.org/videos/obama-takes-on-china-in-the-new-swing-states-linkasia-112312?start=0 The Southeast Asian nations most important to the US strategy of containment towards China have been dubbed "swing states." LinkAsia speaks with Daljit Singh of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies about the effectiveness of Obama's China containment attempts. Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:46:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/obama-takes-on-china-in-the-new-swing-states-linkasia-112312 China, Barack Obama, Southeast Asia, Containment, Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, Cambodia, United States, ASEAN, Thailand The Southeast Asian nations most important to the US strategy of containment towards China have been dubbed "swing states." LinkAsia speaks with Daljit Singh of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies about the effectiveness of Obama's China containment attempts. http://news.linktv.org/videos/thai-social-media-analyzes-obama-visit-subtext-linkasia-112312?start=0 President Obama visited Thailand to mark 180 years of diplomatic relations between Bangkok and Washington. Thailand is one of Southeast Asia's big economies and a growing trading partner of China. Contributor Ying Panyapon reports on how Thailand's social media interpreted the visit.&nbsp; Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:40:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/thai-social-media-analyzes-obama-visit-subtext-linkasia-112312 Barack Obama, Thailand, Social media, Bangkok, Southeast Asia, Diplomacy, China, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon President Obama visited Thailand to mark 180 years of diplomatic relations between Bangkok and Washington. Thailand is one of Southeast Asia's big economies and a growing trading partner of China. Contributor Ying Panyapon reports on how Thailand's social media interpreted the visit. http://news.linktv.org/videos/change-from-within-burmese-skeptical-of-obamas-impact-linkasia-112312?start=0 US President Barack Obama's historic visit to Myanmar drew jubilant crowds. But as contributor Kenneth Wong reports from Rangoon, many there believe that further change and reforms must be driven by the efforts of Burmese themselves. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:26:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/change-from-within-burmese-skeptical-of-obamas-impact-linkasia-112312 Myanmar, Barack Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Yangon, Thein Sein, National League for Democracy, Burmese language, Southeast Asia, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon US President Barack Obama's historic visit to Myanmar drew jubilant crowds. But as contributor Kenneth Wong reports from Rangoon, many there believe that further change and reforms must be driven by the efforts of Burmese themselves. http://news.linktv.org/videos/burmese-street-reacts-to-historic-obama-visit-linkasia-bulletin-111912?start=0 LinkAsia contributor Kenneth Wong reports from the streets of Rangoon on Burmese reactions to US President Barack Obama's historic visit. People's responses vary, from optimism that Obama's visit would make a concrete difference in people's lives, to a feeling that any change must come from Burmese people themselves. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:19:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/burmese-street-reacts-to-historic-obama-visit-linkasia-bulletin-111912 Barack Obama, Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, Yangon, Foreign relations of Burma, National League for Democracy, Southeast Asia, Thein Sein, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon LinkAsia contributor Kenneth Wong reports from the streets of Rangoon on Burmese reactions to US President Barack Obama's historic visit. People's responses vary, from optimism that Obama's visit would make a concrete difference in people's lives, to a feeling that any change must come from Burmese people themselves. http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnamese-cautiously-stand-up-to-police-brutality-linkasia-11212?start=0 Policy brutality has long been a major issue in Vietnam, and has gone unchallenged due to government suppression. Yet as contributor Nguyen Qui Duc reports from Hanoi, advances in technology have allowed Vietnamese citizens to document the worst cases of brutality. Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:29:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnamese-cautiously-stand-up-to-police-brutality-linkasia-11212 Vietnam, Police brutality, Police, Nguyen Qui Duc, Hanoi, Southeast Asia, Vietnamese language, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon Policy brutality has long been a major issue in Vietnam, and has gone unchallenged due to government suppression. Yet as contributor Nguyen Qui Duc reports from Hanoi, advances in technology have allowed Vietnamese citizens to document the worst cases of brutality. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mixed-emotions-in-cambodia-to-monarchs-death-linkasia-101912?start=0 The former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, died this past week, leaving behind a complex legacy. Contributor Justine Drennan takes a look at how Cambodians responded on social media to the King's death. Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:07:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mixed-emotions-in-cambodia-to-monarchs-death-linkasia-101912 Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, China, Khmer Rouge, Beijing, Southeast Asia, List of kings of Cambodia, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon The former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, died this past week, leaving behind a complex legacy. Contributor Justine Drennan takes a look at how Cambodians responded on social media to the King's death. http://news.linktv.org/videos/arrest-of-banking-tycoon-sends-vietnam-reeling?start=0 Vietnamese businessman Nguyen Duc Kien has been arrested for corruption, but is he just the tip of the iceberg? Contributor Nguyen Qui Duc reports from Hanoi on people's reactions to the financial scandals rocking Vietnam. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:01:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/arrest-of-banking-tycoon-sends-vietnam-reeling Vietnam, Bank, Corrupt practices, Hanoi, Southeast Asia, LinkAsia, Nguyen Qui Duc, Yul Kwon Vietnamese businessman Nguyen Duc Kien has been arrested for corruption, but is he just the tip of the iceberg? Contributor Nguyen Qui Duc reports from Hanoi on people's reactions to the financial scandals rocking Vietnam. http://news.linktv.org/videos/press-freedom-sprouting-as-myanmar-reforms?start=0 As the Southeast Asian country undergoes a "wave of democratic reform", journalists in Myanmar are experiencing more and more freedom. Contributor Adam Kaufman profiles Burmese journalist Maung Wuntha for a look at how reforms are impacting his work. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:54:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/press-freedom-sprouting-as-myanmar-reforms Myanmar, Freedom of the press, Democratization, Journalist, Southeast Asia, Burmese language, National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon As the Southeast Asian country undergoes a "wave of democratic reform", journalists in Myanmar are experiencing more and more freedom. Contributor Adam Kaufman profiles Burmese journalist Muang Wuntha for a look at how reforms are impacting his work. http://news.linktv.org/videos/asia-on-high-alert-over-lethal-outbreak?start=0 A lethal strain of hand, foot, and mouth disease is spreading throughout Asia countries, hitting young children the hardest. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on the virus' impact in Cambodia, the country most affected to date. Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:10:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/asia-on-high-alert-over-lethal-outbreak Hand, foot and mouth disease, Cambodia, Asia, Phnom Penh, Public health, Disease, South Korea, Enterovirus 71, Southeast Asia, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation A lethal strain of hand, foot, and mouth disease is spreading throughout Asia countries, hitting young children the hardest. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on the virus' impact in Cambodia, the country most affected to date. http://news.linktv.org/videos/baby-elephant-smuggling-exposed?start=0 Thailand's tourist industry is driving a brutal trade in baby elephants. On the Thai-Myanmar border at least 50-100 calves and young females are removed from their forest homes every year and are traded illegally every year to supply tourist camps. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:03:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/baby-elephant-smuggling-exposed Asian elephant, Smuggling, Southeast Asia, Border trade, Thailand, Myanmar, Endangered species, Tourism, Elephant Family, Elephant Thailand's tourist industry is driving a brutal trade in baby elephants. Illegal and brutal cross-border trade in endangered wild Asian elephants continues. On the Thai-Myanmar border at least 50-100 calves and young females are removed from their forest homes every year and are traded illegally every year to supply tourist camps. Countless elephants die in the process threatening the remaining populations of this endangered species. Capturing elephants from the wild for this trade often involves killing of mothers and other protective family members with automatic weapons. Captured calves are subjected to an extremely brutal breaking-in process where they are tied up, confined, starved, beaten and tortured in order to break their spirits. It is estimated that only one in three survive this inhumane "domestication" process. This original investigative report by The Ecologist Film Unit in association with Earth Focus/Link TV and Elephant Family exposes this practice. http://news.linktv.org/videos/as-violence-dies-down-in-rakhine-real-struggles-begin?start=0 Peace has descended on Myanmar's Rakhine state, yet some of the region's biggest problems are just beginning. Authorities have to deal with 90,000 displaced citizens, simmering tensions, and the smoldering ruins of Sittwe's neighborhoods. Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:10:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/as-violence-dies-down-in-rakhine-real-struggles-begin Myanmar, Rakhine State, Rohingya, Sittwe, Muslim, Thein Sein, Buddhism, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Ethnic violence Peace has descended on Myanmar's Rakhine state, yet some of the region's biggest problems are just beginning. Authorities have to deal with 90,000 displaced citizens, simmering tensions, and the smoldering ruins of Sittwe's neighborhoods. http://news.linktv.org/videos/effects-of-euro-debt-crisis-ripple-through-vietnam?start=0 Europe is far and away the largest market for Vietnamese wood products, an important staple of the country's exports. Vietnamese broadcaster VTV4 reports on the effect of Europe's debt crisis on the wood products industry. Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:19:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/effects-of-euro-debt-crisis-ripple-through-vietnam Vietnam, International trade, European Union, Wood, Southeast Asia, European sovereign debt crisis, Eurozone, Euro, Europe, Vietnamese language Europe is far and away the largest market for Vietnamese wood products, an important staple of the country's exports. Vietnamese broadcaster VTV4 reports on the effect of Europe's debt crisis on the wood products industry. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-061312?start=184 <p>Series of bombings kills dozens of Shiite pilgrims in Iraq, rights organization slams Qatar's treatment of migrant workers, Sudan faces popular discontent over plan to cut fuel subsidies, and more.</p> Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-061312 Gaza flotilla raid, MV Mavi Marmara, Benjamin Netanyahu, Algeria, Israel, Politics of Sudan, Syrian Civil War, World Day Against Child Labour, 2012 Malian coup d'etat, Festival of Imam Musa al-Kadhim Persian Gulf Monarchies have been the most attractive sight, especially those from South and Southeast Asia. But a large number of them end up being discriminated against and exploited. The Human Right Watch says hundreds of thousands of construction workers in Qatar are now at risk of serious abuse. http://news.linktv.org/videos/us-to-ramp-up-military-presence-in-asia-pacific?start=0 In a trip to the region, US defense secretary Leon Panetta announced that the US would deploy 60 percent of its naval forces to the Asia-Pacific region. China has responded by announcing a plan to build four new aircraft carriers. MBC has the story. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:37:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/us-to-ramp-up-military-presence-in-asia-pacific Leon Panetta, Asia-Pacific, South China Sea, Navy, Aircraft carrier, Southeast Asia, US-China relations, US Secretary of Defense, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, LinkAsia In a trip to the region, US defense secretary Leon Panetta announced that the US would deploy 60 percent of its naval forces to the Asia-Pacific region. China has responded by announcing a plan to build four new aircraft carriers. MBC has the story. http://news.linktv.org/videos/panetta-in-southeast-asia-china-charges-containment?start=0 US defense secretary Leon Panetta visited Vietnam this past week, where he discussed an increased US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. State broadcaster CCTV gives China's perspective on this perceived move towards containment. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:08:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/panetta-in-southeast-asia-china-charges-containment Leon Panetta, Asia-Pacific, Containment, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, US Secretary of Defense, US Armed Forces, LinkAsia, CCTV News, Yul Kwon US defense secretary Leon Panetta visited Vietnam this past week, where he discussed an increased US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. State broadcaster CCTV gives China's perspective on this perceived move towards containment. http://news.linktv.org/videos/illegal-timber-trade-rampant-across-myanmar-china-border?start=0 The once-dense forests of Myanmar are thinning rapidly due to widespread illegal logging, with neighbor China a major market. Chinese broadcaster CCTV reports on efforts to halt the timber trade by encouraging poor residents to find alternate means of income. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 16:14:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/illegal-timber-trade-rampant-across-myanmar-china-border Myanmar, Illegal logging, Southeast Asia, Forestry, Trade route, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon, CCTV News The once-dense forests of Myanmar are thinning rapidly due to widespread illegal logging, with neighbor China a major market. Chinese broadcaster CCTV reports on efforts to halt the timber trade by encouraging poor residents to find alternate means of income. http://news.linktv.org/videos/wag-the-dog-is-chinas-philippines-aggression-merely-a-diversion?start=0 Contributor Noel Tarrazona reports from the Philippines, where many social media users believe that the Chinese government is beating the drums of war to distract its people from the recent internal political strife. Fri, 18 May 2012 19:35:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/wag-the-dog-is-chinas-philippines-aggression-merely-a-diversion Philippines, Communist Party of China, Scarborough Shoal, China, South China Sea, Manila, Southeast Asia, Government of the People's Republic of China, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon Contributor Noel Tarrazona reports from the Philippines, where many social media users believe that the Chinese government is beating the drums of war to distract its people from the recent internal political strife. http://news.linktv.org/videos/emmerson-treat-scarborough-shoal-incident-as-a-wake-up-call?start=0 LinkAsia host Sydnie Kohara speaks with Stanford University's Don Emmerson about what options Manila has in its confrontation with China. Emmerson calls for a universal code of conduct on future disputes between Southeast Asian nations and China in the South China Sea. Fri, 18 May 2012 19:15:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/emmerson-treat-scarborough-shoal-incident-as-a-wake-up-call Scarborough Shoal, Philippines, Southeast Asia, South China Sea, ASEAN, Philippine Navy, Stanford University, LinkAsia, Yul Kwon LinkAsia host Sydnie Kohara speaks with Stanford University's Don Emmerson about what options Manila has in its confrontation with China. Emmerson calls for a universal code of conduct on future disputes between Southeast Asian nations and China in the South China Sea. http://news.linktv.org/videos/smog-reaches-unsafe-levels-in-thailand?start=0 Haze is normal in Thailand at this time of year, but it's not usually this bad. Much of the country's north is blanketed in a thick layer of smog and people are being warned to stay indoors. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:15:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/smog-reaches-unsafe-levels-in-thailand Thailand, Smog, Air pollution, Haze, Environment, Chiang Mai, Southeast Asia, Agricultural land, Al Jazeera English Haze is normal in Thailand at this time of year, but it's not usually this bad. Much of the country's north is blanketed in a thick layer of smog and people are being warned to stay indoors. http://news.linktv.org/videos/is-myanmars-new-openness-just-an-illusion?start=0 Host Yul Kwon speaks to Burma expert Dr. Maung Zarni about Aung San Suu Kyi's surging popularity and whether the Burmese government is slowing the pace of reform in response. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:09:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/is-myanmars-new-openness-just-an-illusion Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar, Thein Sein, Politics of Myanmar, Maung Zarni, Southeast Asia, Yul Kwon, LinkAsia Host Yul Kwon speaks to Burma expert Dr. Maung Zarni about Aung San Suu Kyi's surging popularity and whether the Burmese government is slowing the pace of reform in response. http://news.linktv.org/videos/trans-pacific-partnership-why-is-china-being-left-out?start=0 Nine nations are negotiating a trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. One country is noticeably absent: China. LinkAsia adviser Robert Kapp explains why China isn't getting involved right now. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:39:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/trans-pacific-partnership-why-is-china-being-left-out Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, China, Economy of the People's Republic of China, Economy of Asia, US-China relations, United States, Barack Obama, Southeast Asia, LinkAsia Nine nations are negotiating a trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. One country is noticeably absent: China. Robert Kapp explains why China isn't getting involved right now (footage courtesy of Reuters). ---- To give us some perspective on President Obama's action plan for Asia, we're joined today by Bob Kapp via Skype. Bob is a China scholar and former head of the US-China Business Council, as well as an advisor to LinkAsia. Now, given that China is the world's second largest economy and America’s biggest creditor, do you think it’s a smart move for the U.S. to keep China out of the TPP ? Well, the Trans Pacific Partnership is a trade agreement in negotiation now, between the U.S and NATO partners. It is not going to involve gigantic proportion to total American trade. On the other hand, China is the most important trade partner for virtually every single member of the negotiation except us, number one ranking in trade numbers. So it’s important that China not be actively discriminated against through a bad treatment but it is not necessary to include China at the story on this agreement. And why is that? I mean, China is such a huge trading partner for most of the economies in that region, why wouldn’t you want to include China? Well it has to do with the stage of China’s economic development, and when would Chinese economy and trady policies and domestic economy. There has to be a great deal of mashing the gears involved in this. You know before this President Obama there has to be rules around And China has replied “wait a minute, it depends on who writes the rules, if we have nothing to do with writing the rules, we may not be able to play by our rules.” Here’s TPP is a chance for the United States to try with eight other trade partners, small group To say ok, these are the rules. China may or may not in the end feel comfortable and seeking admission to the TPP later. So in your view, the TPP isn’t a deliberate or avert effort on the part of the United States to try to isolate China? there’s the way of President Obama’s already a lot of ugly talk in the American political process. The Chinese have been talking tough but the Chinese have periodical issues with the ASEAN or other Southeast Asia countries. So the president has certainly turned down the idea that there is another showdown including the U.S. and China. And there are lots of … between the U.S. and China but the TPP, the the TPP, the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiation between the U.S. and eight small Asian economies is not part of any military or ... alliance against China. Bob Kapp is the former president of the U.S.-China Business Council, and an advisor to LinkAsia. http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnam-local-officials-farmers-battle-floods-together?start=0 Southeast Asia is reeling from some of the worst flooding in decades, leaving huge areas in turmoil and many people angry. In Vietnam, however, state-run broadcaster VTV4 reports that local officials are carefully working with farmers to minimize damage from the floods. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:04:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnam-local-officials-farmers-battle-floods-together Vietnam, Flood, Mekong, Monsoon, Bassac River, Flood defense, Sóc Trăng, Sóc Trăng Province, Natural disaster, Rain Southeast Asia is reeling from some of the worst flooding in decades, leaving huge areas in turmoil and many people angry. In Vietnam, however, state-run broadcaster VTV4 reports that local officials are carefully working with farmers to minimize damage from the floods. ---- The same typhoons that struck Thailand are also causing severe flooding in Vietnam. But while the people in Thailand are busting apart dykes, Vietnam’s state-run broadcaster- VTV4- reports a sunnier tale in Vietnam. It says that authorities and people in the southern province are working together to protect their crops. -- Female Reporter: Located by the Hậu River, the district of Bassac is home to 13,800 hectares of fruit orchards, the largest in the area. Dyke protection work has been seriously implemented, with both local authorities and people carefully carrying out the work. Male 1: We build the dykes ourselves. If there is too much work, we will hire laborers. There are a lot of leaks here, farmers like me are very worried about the protection of the dykes. The government has also helped us with equipment and labor. Male 2: We talked to people, making them understand that the protection of the dykes is their responsibility. Then when they need help, we support them. Female Reporter: During the flood seasons, the province of Soc Trang has focused on the reinforcement of important dykes in the area, near the river and islet. Local residents protect the dykes 24 hours a day. Male 3: So far we have reinforced around 50 kilometers of dykes, which need 340,000 cubic meters of earth. The cost has been around four billion dong, or 192,000 U.S. dollars, of which the local residents have contributed half. In September, floodwater in the Mekong river delta rose higher than its previous historic level in 2000. Soc Trang province dyke was breached in late October, with estimated damage of around 52 billion dong, or nearly 250,000 U.S. dollars. According to the latest figures, 170,000 homes have been lost and at least 55 people are dead due to the flooding in Vietnam. http://news.linktv.org/videos/myanmar-frees-political-prisoners?start=0 Myanmar started releasing political prisoners on Wednesday as part of an amnesty announced by the government. Reports say between 150 and 300 'prisoners of conscience' have been freed. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:17:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/myanmar-frees-political-prisoners Myanmar, Prisoner of conscience, Political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi, Thein Sein, Bhikkhu, Southeast Asia, Human rights, Euronews Myanmar started releasing political prisoners on Wednesday as part of an amnesty announced by the government. Reports say between 150 and 300 'prisoners of conscience' have been freed. There are conflicting reports as to whether dissident Buddhist monk Shin Gambira is also among those to go free from jail. http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnam-youth-use-social-media-to-organize-demonstration?start=0 Young people in Vietnam are organizing protests against China using blogs and Facebook, as anger mounts over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:07:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/vietnam-youth-use-social-media-to-organize-demonstration Vietnam, China, South China Sea, Hanoi, Protest, Social media, Ho Chi Minh City, Blogger, Southeast Asia, LinkAsia Contributor Nguyen Qui Duc followed the story unfolding in the South China Sea between China and Southeast Asian nations over disputed territories. And, he shows how Vietnam's youth rallied online to stage protests against China in Hanoi, Vietnam. http://news.linktv.org/videos/more-clashes-on-thai-cambodian-border?start=0 Thai and Cambodian troops have exchanged rockets and gunfire near to a sacred temple in South East Asia's bloodiest border dispute in years. At least 13 people are reported dead in the confrontation that has been simmering for the past five days. More than 50,000 people have fled to evacuation shelters as the fighting has spread. Tue, 10 May 2011 13:37:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/more-clashes-on-thai-cambodian-border Thailand, Cambodia, Cambodian-Thai Border Stand-off, Territorial dispute, Southeast Asia, Euronews Thai and Cambodian troops have exchanged rockets and gunfire near to a sacred temple in South East Asia's bloodiest border dispute in years. At least 13 people are reported dead in the confrontation that has been simmering for the past five days. More than 50,000 people have fled to evacuation shelters as the fighting has spread.