China tourists detained in bedding shop over lack of purchases - South China Morning Post

In a viral video filmed by one of the tourists, some of her fellow travellers are sitting on the beds and others are lying on them. Salespeople appear to be standing guard to prevent them from leaving the shop.

A video filmed by a member of the group shows them sitting and lying on beds inside the shop. Photo: Baidu

“This is the shop that sells latex mattresses in Xishuangbanna. We arrived at noon and we’re still here,” the tourist who filmed the clip said.

“The group of 37 tourists is not allowed to leave,” she added.

It is not clear precisely how long the group was detained in the shop, but it is thought to have been several hours before they were eventually released.

The tourist explained that they each spent 3,979 yuan (US$550) to join the group tour to Yunnan that was managed by Liaoning Youde International Travel Service.

“I hadn’t expected that all of our activities in Xishuangbanna would be about shopping,” she said.

Once the clip was shared online, it went viral and triggered an official probe.

Details of how the group was finally allowed to leave the shop are not known.

The next day, the local market supervision and administration bureau made an announcement on its WeChat account.

They said the shop is owned by the Taisi Dika Sleep Technology Company and that a local travel agency, Faxian Zhilv, was responsible for conducting the group tour on behalf of Youde travel service.

As a result, Taisi Dika was ordered to cease trading, and the local tourist guide was fined 10,000 yuan (US$1,400). An investigation into the travel agencies continues.

The story has caused an outpouring of anger on mainland social media.

People being forced to shop while on group tours is a perennial problem in China. Photo: Shutterstock

“It sounds so horrible,” one online observer said.

“Is this an illegal detention?” another asked.

Incidents involving tourists travelling to Yunnan and being forced to shop by tour guides are common.

In February, a family of five was told to leave a tour bus by the guide after they refused to buy a gold bracelet for 50,000 yuan (US$7,000).

In August last year, a tour guide in southwestern China was investigated after a video emerged of him “threatening” sightseers and bullying them into shopping while on an eco-tour.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zY21wLmNvbS9uZXdzL3Blb3BsZS1jdWx0dXJlL3RyZW5kaW5nLWNoaW5hL2FydGljbGUvMzI1NzIwMi9jaGluYS10b3VyaXN0cy1oZWxkLWNhcHRpdmUtbWF0dHJlc3Mtc2hvcC1ub3QtYnV5aW5nLXR1cm4tbmV3LXNwb3RsaWdodC1mb3JjZWQtc2hvcHBpbmctcHJvYmxlbdIBpwFodHRwczovL2FtcC5zY21wLmNvbS9uZXdzL3Blb3BsZS1jdWx0dXJlL3RyZW5kaW5nLWNoaW5hL2FydGljbGUvMzI1NzIwMi9jaGluYS10b3VyaXN0cy1oZWxkLWNhcHRpdmUtbWF0dHJlc3Mtc2hvcC1ub3QtYnV5aW5nLXR1cm4tbmV3LXNwb3RsaWdodC1mb3JjZWQtc2hvcHBpbmctcHJvYmxlbQ?oc=5

2024-04-12 01:00:26Z
CBMipwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zY21wLmNvbS9uZXdzL3Blb3BsZS1jdWx0dXJlL3RyZW5kaW5nLWNoaW5hL2FydGljbGUvMzI1NzIwMi9jaGluYS10b3VyaXN0cy1oZWxkLWNhcHRpdmUtbWF0dHJlc3Mtc2hvcC1ub3QtYnV5aW5nLXR1cm4tbmV3LXNwb3RsaWdodC1mb3JjZWQtc2hvcHBpbmctcHJvYmxlbdIBpwFodHRwczovL2FtcC5zY21wLmNvbS9uZXdzL3Blb3BsZS1jdWx0dXJlL3RyZW5kaW5nLWNoaW5hL2FydGljbGUvMzI1NzIwMi9jaGluYS10b3VyaXN0cy1oZWxkLWNhcHRpdmUtbWF0dHJlc3Mtc2hvcC1ub3QtYnV5aW5nLXR1cm4tbmV3LXNwb3RsaWdodC1mb3JjZWQtc2hvcHBpbmctcHJvYmxlbQ

US top diplomat Blinken asks China, Saudi Arabia, others to rein in Iran on Israel - CNA

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has asked China's foreign minister and other counterparts to use their influence to dissuade Iran from striking Israel, the State Department said Thursday (Apr 11).

Blinken spoke by telephone over the past day to his Chinese, Turkish, Saudi and European counterparts "to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate", State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Blinken also spoke by telephone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant "to reiterate our strong support for Israel against these threats", Miller said.

Iran's clerical leadership has vowed to retaliate after an Israeli strike on Apr 1 levelled an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus, killing seven members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards including two generals.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran.

“A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," Gallant told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to remarks issued by his office.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdXMtdG9wLWRpcGxvbWF0LWJsaW5rZW4tYXNrcy1jaGluYS1zYXVkaS1hcmFiaWEtb3RoZXJzLXJlaW4taXJhbi1pc3JhZWwtNDI1OTQ2NtIBAA?oc=5

2024-04-11 19:39:00Z
CBMidWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdXMtdG9wLWRpcGxvbWF0LWJsaW5rZW4tYXNrcy1jaGluYS1zYXVkaS1hcmFiaWEtb3RoZXJzLXJlaW4taXJhbi1pc3JhZWwtNDI1OTQ2NtIBAA

Cambodia to push forward with plans to build US$1.7 billion canal, says PM Hun Manet - CNA

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia will push forward with controversial plans to build a US$1.7 billion canal, linking its capital Phnom Penh to the sea, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Thursday (Apr 11).

The Funan Techo canal is the latest Chinese-backed infrastructure project in Cambodia, which received billions in investments as one of Beijing's closest regional allies under former leader Hun Sen.

The planned canal has raised concerns from academics in neighbouring Vietnam that it could facilitate travel by Chinese warships near the Vietnamese coastline.

Hun Manet dismissed those concerns during a speech in Takeo province, where the proposed 180km waterway would cut through, ending in the coastal province of Kep.

"The canal is a historic project that will provide benefits to our people," he said.

Cambodian officials say the construction of the canal will begin later this year with Chinese funding, although details remain sparse.

The canal – measuring 100m wide and 5.4m deep – would connect Phnom Penh with Cambodian ports on the Gulf of Thailand, bypassing Vietnam's traditional route.

Hun Manet rejected media reports citing two researchers at a Vietnamese state-backed institute that suggested the canal would allow Chinese warships to travel closer to the Vietnamese border.

"We will not allow (any country) to use our country as a base against another country, let alone a military base," he said.

He added that the canal would be too shallow for a warship. The prime minister said the canal would provide an economic boost, benefiting millions.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiXWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9jYW1ib2RpYS1wbGFucy1jYW5hbC1wbS1odW4tbWFuZXQtY2hpbmEtd2Fyc2hpcHMtNDI1ODUwMdIBAA?oc=5

2024-04-11 11:37:19Z
CBMiXWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9jYW1ib2RpYS1wbGFucy1jYW5hbC1wbS1odW4tbWFuZXQtY2hpbmEtd2Fyc2hpcHMtNDI1ODUwMdIBAA

CNA Explains: South Korea's opposition won a landslide election vote. Now what? - CNA

What does the result mean for the Yoon administration?

Dr Jong Eun Lee, assistant professor of political science at North Greenville University, said voters have chosen to hold the ruling party and Mr Yoon more accountable. 

He added: “A lot of South Korean voters seem to have been frustrated that President Yoon seems to always emphasise his legal (and) political principles, and is not willing to find the middle ground or negotiate compromise.”

The resounding electoral defeat “confirms the people's discontent with the Yoon Suk Yeol government and their performance for the last two years,” Prof Shin, who is also director of the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, told CNA’s Asia First on Thursday. 

“And now facing a larger opposition in the parliament, it's a big challenge for Yoon and his government to run the country for the next three years.”

However, President Yoon can still exercise his veto power over parliament Bills.

“So what will happen is that the opposition will probably keep passing Bills, and be more aggressive in pushing for their policy agendas. And Yoon may have to continue to veto and there'll be some stalemates,” said Prof Shin. 

“Then it's very hard to implement any policy reform or agenda in this kind of situation. It's likely to continue in the coming three years.”

Mr Yoon, who took office in May 2022, has already vetoed nine contentious Bills passed by the DP, including one for a special counsel investigation into his wife and First Lady Kim Keon-hee's alleged involvement in stock manipulation. 

Dr Lee told CNA938 on Thursday that the opposition party will renew their efforts to investigate President Yoon’s government.

“In the next three years, will he continue to exercise his veto power against the National Assembly?” said Dr Lee.

“He could, but what would be the public reaction? Would they blame the National Assembly, or would they blame the president for continuing to block the laws passed by the National Assembly? 

“So that's going to be a burden that President Yoon would have to think about for every single legislation passed by the National Assembly they oppose.”

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL2FzaWEvY25hLWV4cGxhaW5zLXNvdXRoLWtvcmVhLW9wcG9zaXRpb24tZGVtb2NyYXRpYy1wYXJ0eS13b24tbGFuZHNsaWRlLWVsZWN0aW9uLXZvdGUtcGFybGlhbWVudC1wZW9wbGUtcG93ZXItcGFydHktcHJlc2lkZW50LXlvb24tc3VrLXllb2wtbGFtZS1kdWNrLTQyNTgxMjHSAQA?oc=5

2024-04-11 08:43:00Z
CBMivQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL2FzaWEvY25hLWV4cGxhaW5zLXNvdXRoLWtvcmVhLW9wcG9zaXRpb24tZGVtb2NyYXRpYy1wYXJ0eS13b24tbGFuZHNsaWRlLWVsZWN0aW9uLXZvdGUtcGFybGlhbWVudC1wZW9wbGUtcG93ZXItcGFydHktcHJlc2lkZW50LXlvb24tc3VrLXllb2wtbGFtZS1kdWNrLTQyNTgxMjHSAQA

Myanmar troops retreat as rebels declare control over key border town - CNA

BORDER CROSSINGS

The assault on Myawaddy began last week after the KNU said it had attacked a junta camp near the town, forcing about 500 security personnel to surrender, along with their families.

The military has already lost control of areas along Myanmar's borders with Bangladesh, China and India, while suffering a significant loss of manpower that has pushed it to introduce a draft for the first time.

"Next the resistance forces might go after major towns across Myanmar," said political analyst Than Soe Naing, adding that Myanmar's resistance forces control almost all border trading posts after the latest takeover in Myawaddy.

Border crossings in the area were open for civilians who were arriving in Thailand from Myanmar in large numbers, said police official Borwornphop Soontornlekha, the immigration superintendent in Tak, the province where Mae Sot is located.

"Usually there are about 2,000 people who cross into Mae Sot from Myawaddy each day but the last three days the number was almost 4,000 a day," Borwornphop told Reuters.

Families with children were among the long queues at one border crossing near Mae Sot on Thursday, as Thai soldiers checked the bags and belongings of those going across.

Thailand's military has stepped up security on its side of the border, using army vehicles equipped with roof-mounted machine guns.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who earlier told Reuters the Myanmar junta was "losing strength" and pushed to open talks with the regime, said on Thursday the recent fighting should not spill into his country's airspace.

Thailand remains neutral in the Myanmar conflict and is able to accept up to 100,000 people displaced by the turmoil, its foreign minister has said.

At least 2,000 people have been displaced within Myanmar by the latest round of fighting between the rebels and the military, according to civil society group Karen Peace Support Network.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9teWFubWFyLXRyb29wcy1yZXRyZWF0LXJlYmVscy1kZWNsYXJlLWNvbnRyb2wtb3Zlci1rZXktYm9yZGVyLXRvd24tNDI1NzcxNtIBAA?oc=5

2024-04-11 07:47:36Z
CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9teWFubWFyLXRyb29wcy1yZXRyZWF0LXJlYmVscy1kZWNsYXJlLWNvbnRyb2wtb3Zlci1rZXktYm9yZGVyLXRvd24tNDI1NzcxNtIBAA

'Lame duck' South Korean president reels from election debacle - CNA

Yoon, 63, has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North while improving ties with Washington and former colonial occupier Japan.

But the former prosecutor is unloved among voters, with many angry at inequality, sky-high housing prices and youth unemployment in the nation of 51 million people.

The opposition also hammered Yoon after he called the price of green onions, a staple in Korean cooking, "reasonable" and a video of his wife accepting a US$2,200 designer handbag was widely circulated.

"I will humbly honour the will of the people expressed in the general election, reform the state affairs, and do my best to stabilise the economy and people's livelihood," Yoon said, according to his chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup.

With all votes counted on Thursday, results from the National Election Commission and major broadcasters showed Yoon's conservative People Power Party (PPP) and its satellite sliding from 114 seats in parliament to just 108.

The big winners were Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party (DP) and its partner, which saw their seat tally rise to 175 from 156 in the outgoing legislature.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiVmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvc291dGgta29yZWEtZWxlY3Rpb24teW9vbi1zdWsteWVvbC1wYXJ0eS00MjU3NjIx0gEA?oc=5

2024-04-11 05:46:00Z
CBMiVmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvc291dGgta29yZWEtZWxlY3Rpb24teW9vbi1zdWsteWVvbC1wYXJ0eS00MjU3NjIx0gEA

Myanmar troops retreat to Thai border bridge after days of fighting - CNA

A spokesperson for the Myanmar junta did not respond to calls for comment.

The KNU said last week that its troops had attacked a junta camp near Myawaddy, forcing about 600 security personnel and their families to surrender.

Border crossings in the area were open for civilians who have been coming into Thailand from Myanmar in large numbers, said Police Colonel Borwornphop Soontornlekha, Superintendent of Immigration in the Thai province of Tak, where Mae Sot is located.

"Usually there are about 2,000 people who cross into Mae Sot from Myawaddy each day but the last three days the number was almost 4,000 per day," Borwornphop told Reuters.

Thailand's military has stepped up security on its side of the border, deploying army vehicles equipped with roof-mounted machine guns.

At least 2,000 people have been displaced within Myanmar by the latest round of fighting between the rebels and the military, according to civil society group Karen Peace Support Network.

Myanmar's military, which took power in a 2021 coup after deposing an elected civilian government, has faced a series of setbacks against a loose alliance of ethnic rebel groups and a civilian militia movement.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9teWFubWFyLXRyb29wcy1yZXRyZWF0LXRoYWktYm9yZGVyLWJyaWRnZS1hZnRlci1kYXlzLWZpZ2h0aW5nLTQyNTc3MTbSAQA?oc=5

2024-04-11 04:34:51Z
CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9teWFubWFyLXRyb29wcy1yZXRyZWF0LXRoYWktYm9yZGVyLWJyaWRnZS1hZnRlci1kYXlzLWZpZ2h0aW5nLTQyNTc3MTbSAQA