China :: Asia

ISLAMABAD , Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday acknowledged the deprivation in Balochistan, saying that the government had initiated the process of compensation by launching the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package. We have started the process and the coming generations will complete it he said while giving a policy statement in the National Assembly on the Balochistan situation. He said that all-out efforts were being made for peace, stability and prosperity in the province, adding that the measures being taken by the government would improve the situation there and remove a sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan.

Islamabad: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has issued orders for setting up separate counters for the Pakistanis returning from Libya, where opposition forces fighting with Gaddafi military for control over the country. Malik has also issued directives to officials to allow the people, returning from Libya, to go homes after they provide their personal information. They should be provided travel documents free of cost. The Interior Minister has summoned a meeting of the officials of foreign ministry, interior ministry, and the ministry of labour and manpower to discuss the problems being faced by Pakistanis stranded in Libya.

One of our GNFI contributors from Malaysia, had the privilege of visiting Mount Bromo last month, and she lives to tell the tale. This article is written by one of her travel companions, and has since been published on Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) Note: The photographs used here are from their personal albums. SURABAYA About eight years ago, the writer watched the Indonesian film Pasir Berbisik (Whispering Sands), starring Christine Hakim and Dian Sastrowardoyo. The film by Nan Triveni Achnas left such an impact on her that she vowed to one day set foot on Mount Bromo, the location of the shoot. So it was little wonder that when her friends asked her to join them on a trip to the volcanic mountain, she immediately agreed not knowing that the volcano had been actively spewing out ash since last November! But the plane tickets to Surabaya had been bought. There was no turning back. Armed with stubborn determination, the writer and her three female companions marched on to t...

Watch live video from hindraf on Justin.tv

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif Saturday sent summary to Governor Sardar Latif Khosa for approval seeking ousting of PPP ministers from Punjab Cabinet. The summary included all names of PPP ministers including Raja Riaz, Ashraf Sohna, Farooq Yousuf Ghurki and Tanvir Ashraf Kaira.

Shahdadpur: A young man was gunned down here on Saturday, while two girls were injured in firing. As per details, an accused Ghulam Qadir Khaskheli opened fire on one Muhammad Rahim Khaskheli, killing him on the spot. Two minor girls, seven years old Sumera and five years old Saeeda were also injured in the firing. The accused managed to flee. Police lodged a case and began further probe.

Islamabad:Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Ministry of Culture has scheduled free puppet show on Monday, Feb 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm at National Art Gallery, F-5/1, Islamabad. National Puppet Theatre will present Folk Tales, Skits to provide entertainment and education about social problems like Health, Education and Environment etc. Children along with parents are invited to see the show. Puppet show will be presented every Monday at the same venue and time.

Islamabad: The information Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that PML-N has not offered any roadmap for a way forward. She has regretted that while criticising the policies of the PPP government, Mian Nawaz Sharif has not offered any roadmap for a way forward. In an interview, she said PML-N should have presented such a roadmap to serve as a model in Punjab and its replication in other provinces. The Information Minister said it was unfortunate that a national level leader has restricted himself to a province. She also lamented that Mian Nawaz Sharif signed Charter of Democracy with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto but is deviating from it after her martyrdom.

Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has appeared in Tripoli's Green Square, to address a crowd of his supporters in the capital. "We can defeat any aggression if necessary and arm the people," Gaddafi said, in footage that was aired on Libyan state television on Friday. "I am in the middle of the people.. we will fight we will defeat them if they want we will defeat any foreign aggression. LIVE BLOG "Dance sing and get ready this is the spirit this is much better than the lies of the Arab propaganda," he said. The speech, which also referred to Libya's war of independence with Italy, appeared to be aimed at rallying what remains of his support base, with specific reference to the country's youth. His last speech, on Thursday evening had been made by phone, leading to speculation about his physical condition. The footage aired on Friday, however, showed the leader standing above the square, waving his fist as he spoke. Tarik Yousef, a senior fel...

MALAYSIAN be united regardless race to fight racism implanted and sowed by the authoritarian UMNO led Malaysian government to enhance race segregation and racism in the educational curriculum. Be there on 27th Feb 2011 at KLCC. 9.00am . Rights Not Mercy K.Selvam HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi Selangor StateCoordinator

Karachi: Former Deputy Speaker of Sindh Assembly, Ms Rahela Tiwana Friday joined National Peoples Party NPP. Making announcement to join NPP in presence of NPP Chairman Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi MNA at her residence here, Ms Tiwana who was earlier Pakistan Peoples Party leader said she acknowledged contribution of founder Chairman NPP late Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi to national politics. Central Information Secretary NPP Syed Zia Abbas and Naeemur Rahman were also present. Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi welcomed Ms Tiwana's decision to join NPP and appointed her as President Sindh NPP Women's Wing.

- 0936 GMT: Crackdown of protestors in Libya 'escalating alarmingly': UN rights chief 0935 GMT: Thousands may have been killed or injured in Libya crackdown: UN rights chief Follow this live report for a minute-by-minute update of events as they happen in Libya, North Africa and the Middle East. We'll bring you all the latest news as the uprising gathers pace in Libya and protesters assemble in cities across the region for mass rallies following Friday prayers.

BANGKOK, Feb 25 -- Thailand has won the title of Best Tourist Country for the 9th year running from Grand Travel Award, Swedens most prestigious tourism industry award, after the kingdom outperformed all other competition at the presentation ceremony held in Stockholm on Feb 16, according to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Published on the ministry's website, the announcement said that Travel News, Sweden's leading tourism magazine, has hosted the annual award since 1993. In 2011, eight countries were nominated for the award of Best Tourist Country in 2011, and Thailand topped all comers with a score of 8.38, followed by the United States with 8.19 and Australia with 8.18. The Grand Travel Award selection process is conducted through a committee of renowned personalities in Swedens tourism industry, which is responsible for selecting nominees for the categories under consideration. Tour operators, in turn, vote on the selected nominees based on set criteria such as ...

MIRANSHAH: A US drone strike in a Pakistani tribal area Thursday killed at least three militants, security officials said. The strike took place in the restive Datta Khel region, 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan, considered a stronghold of Al-Qaeda-linked militants. "A US drone fired missiles on a house used by militants, killing three of them," a senior security official told AFP. Another official also confirmed the missile strike and casualties. It was not immediately clear if there any high-value targets at the compound at the time of the attack. "Identities of those killed in the strike also could not be immediately known", the official said. The area is a stronghold of militants to be linked to Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur and has seen many drone attacks in the past, he added...

KARACHI:Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday criticized PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif for hurling deadlines to government for implementation on his ten-points, saying that Nawaz Sharif wanted to derail a democratic government by giving such deadlines. He should respect the mandate of the Pakistan Peoples Party and let present government to complete its five year tenure, he said at a press briefing after chairing a high level meeting of PPP Sindh Council held at CM House. Briefing about the meeting, Qaim Ali Shah said todays meeting was convened to discuss national issues as well as arrangements for 32nd death anniversary of PPP founder late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto scheduled for April 4, 2010. Sindh CM said we want to pursue the policy of reconciliation according to vision of late prime minister Ms Benazir Bhutto. He said it was PPP which persuaded PML-N to contest 2008 general el...

Peshawar: Street children, those living in jails with their imprisoned mothers and all other vulnerable to any kind of abuse could now, with the help of judiciary, be kept under protected custody of the Provincial Government at Child Protection Institutions being established at district level throughout the province. In this connection as a pilot project the first Child Protection Bureau will be inaugurated in Peshawar on 5th March next. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development Ms. Sitara Ayaz revealed this Thursday here while presiding over the first meeting of the Child Protection Commission in her capacity of being Chair Person of the Commission. Members of the provincial Assembly Inayatullah Khan Jadoon, Shazia Tehmas, Secretary Social Welfare Sahibzada Fazal Amin, Director Social Welfare, Imtiaz Ayub, Chief Protection Officer, Abdus Samad Khan, Additional...

New Delhi:Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Thursday asked Pakistan to shun differences on crucial issues and work towards the normalization of relations. On strained Indo-Pakistan ties in the wake of 26-11 terror attacks in Mumbai, Dr Singh speaking in Lok Sabha expressed hope that the two neighbouring countries will make the optimum use of opportunities available to them to shun difference on crucial issues and work towards the normalization of relations. He acknowledged that Held Kashmir has been through turmoil but insisted normalcy has been restored with the support of all stake holders there. J&K passed through difficult times last summer, we are keeping fingers crossed this summer. We will be vigilant to ensure similar events do not recur, Dr Singh told Lok Sabha. Prime Minister said government will give no quarters to secessionists and it will do everything possible to ...

LAHORE, Provincial Assembly Member Malik Saiful Malook Khokhar will grace the occasion as chief guest when All Punjab Raiders Football Cup 2011 will be inaugurated at Raiders Football Club Ground, Faisal Town, from Sunday (27 February) 2011 with exhibition Model Town v Raiders FC match (3 PM). According to Organizing Secretary Kabir Ahmed Chaudhry, Twenty-eight prominent clubs of Lahore and other districts of Punjab Province will show their mettle in month-long show. Besides organizer Raiders FC, a team formed in 1938 before partition, other 27 Lahore-based outfits in the event will be Afshan Club, Bata Club, Fatima Memorial, Flying Horse, Garhi Shahue United FC, Jabbar Friends, Model Town FC, Moazzam Iraj FC, Nasir Shaheed FC, Gulshan-i- Ravi, Nadeem FC, Pensi Club, Publican Club, Rangers FC, Sabzazar, Quaid FC(Manga), Samanabad FC, PAF Colony, St. Michael, Shah Kamal Club, Shaheen Wah...

Srinagar, In occupied Kashmir, the people of Sopore and Baramulla towns observed complete shutdown and staged forceful demonstrations against the arrest of innocent Kashmiri youth by Indian police. According to Kashmir Media Service, the complete shutdown paralysed routine life in the areas as all the shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads. The residents told media men that Indian troops raided the old town area and harassed the inmates besides damaging the doors and windows of the houses. They said that the troopers subjected several youth to brute force who were shifted to the hospital. They said that the troopers also damaged the shops and vehicles to spread panic in the area. Clashes were witnessed between the protesters and the police on the occasion.

In an open letter to the PM, renowned academic Dr Lim Teck Ghee says the book should be removed from classrooms. PETALING JAYA: A renowned academic has called for the controversial Interlok novel to be removed from classrooms, saying it could posion young minds. In an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his cabinet, Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) director Lim Teck Ghee said the book contained insidious and divisive racial stereotyping and messages. I feel that, purely on educational and pedagogical grounds, this book with its denigration of the various communities, and in the context of our multi-ethnic society facing one of the most turbulent periods of our history, should be subject to higher standards of acceptance before being designated as a reading text in our schools, he said. This is not to challenge the artistic freedom and independence of the writer in pursuing his craft and writing on any subject that he chooses. In our country there is a need for greater ...

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories - Israeli jets bombed sites across Gaza Thursday after a Palestinian rocket slammed into a house in the southern city of Beersheva, raising tension along the enclave's border. The Israeli military said it had targeted several Hamas camps in Gaza during early morning raids, after a rocket fired from the coastal strip struck Beersheva for the first time since Israel's devastating 2008-2009 Gaza war. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the Israeli airstrikes or the rocket fire into Beersheva. A crater had been gouged out of a street next to a badly damaged home that was hit by a military grade Grad rocket, an AFP photographer said. Residents of the Israeli town said they escaped harm after warning sirens sent them running for the bomb shelters before the projectile struck. Emergency services raised the alert level in southern Israel ...

New Delhi, A new study has found that Chinese tourists have outspend the Russians to become the top tax-free shoppers in Europe. Statistics from Global Blue, a Switzerland-based tax-refund and shopping services provider, also showed that the average spending of Chinese for each transaction doubled that of the Russians. On average, Chinese tourists spent 107 percent more year-on-year on tax-refunded shopping abroad in 2010, reaching a 130 percent spike in September compared with the same month in 2009, the China Daily quoted Manelik Sfez, vice-president of global marketing at Global Blue, as saying. Excluding shopping, the average total cost for each trip for a Chinese tourist stands at 2,000 euros. Shopping takes up more than 70 percent of total outbound consumption of Chinese travellers. Chinese international shoppers account for 17 percent of Global Blue''s tax-refund transactio...

BANGKOK, Feb 24 - Some 2,000 Thai workers have crossed the Libyan border to its neighbouring countries, Tunisia and Egypt, and across the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey, distant from the unrest engulfing the North African country, Labour Ministry spokesperson Sutham Natheethong said on Thursday. The ministry spokesperson said the first batch of 600 workers left the chaos overland to Tunisia bordering Libya and about 530 workers evacuated to Egypt, while some 500 others boarded a ship to Istanbul in Turkey on Wednesday. The remaining 20,000 Thai workers opted to stay in Libya as they hope to continue working once the situation eases. Four ships however are on standby to evacuate Thai workers to Malta. Each ship can carry 1,400 passengers, the spokesman said. The Thai embassy in Tripoli has been coordinating with Libyas Foreign Ministry to use ports in Benghazi and the capital of Tripoli to carry workers to Malta, Rome (Italy) and Athens (Greece). Thai embassies in Rome and Athens are working...

LIBYA-POLITICS-UNREST AFP TOBRUK, Libya - Moamer Gaddafi's regime appeared to have lost vast swathes of Libya's east to an insurrection as Western nations braced for a mass exodus from a "bloodbath" in the oil-rich African state. US President Barack Obama demanded a unified global response to the Libyan regime's "outrageous" crackdown, which rights groups say has featured aerial strafing and heavy weaponry against civilians, and left hundreds dead. Europe readied sanctions and warned it would hold to account those responsible for the bloody crackdown, as thousands of Libyans and foreigners fled the north African country. "Last night I've never been so scared in all my life," Jane Macefield, a British teacher, said on ...

Malaysias recent high-profile judiciary cases have highlighted the lack of professionalism in our forensic services. We are aware that our judiciary and the police are tainted, but are the ancillary departments, like the Department of Chemistry also compromised? Have key personnel been threatened or are the various ancillary services simply inefficient? Teoh Beng Hocks Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahims Sodomy II Trial, Kugans police investigation and Aminulrasyids trial have all revealed a shocking work culture, which is borne of malaise and indifference. Standard operating procedures (SOP) are not adhered to. Sloppy work, slovenly attitudes, inaccurate and infrequent data recording are common. Where data analysis is critical, it is highly probable that a secondary school science student is more conscientious about accomplishing his task. One supposes that the acid test is to ask any policeman if he ...

Have you ever watched an Indonesian Odyssey? The Ring of Fire: An Indonesian Odyssey is a series of fivedocumentary films that documented the ten-year voyageof two filmmakers, brothersLorne Blair andLawrence Blair, through the worlds largest and least known archipelago, the exotic, mysterious islands of Indonesia. These islands form a chain of active volcanos that arc down and around into the Pacific to form the Ring of Fire. The Blair Brothers sailed with pirates aboard their black-sailed schooners in search of the Bird of Paradise, struggled through rapids and deep jungles searching for elusive nomadic tribes, witnessed veiled forms of human sacrifice and found themselves drawn into ten years of danger and discovery in a magical land where ancient myths still flourish. Their intimate encounters with the vanishing masters of tribal wisdom were to lead them from a physical adventure, into a deeper, more personal quest of self-discovery. The five films of An Indonesian Odyssey: Spice ...

South Korean officials say visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Wednesday expressed concern about North Korea's nuclear ambitions and promised to consult closely with Seoul about Pyongyang's uranium enrichment program. China's official news agency, Xinhua, quoted Yang as saying that China actively supports talks between the two Koreas toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and long-term stability in the region. During talks with President Lee Myung-bak and Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan in Seoul, the Chinese diplomat called for a more concerted effort to create conditions for early resumption of six-nation talks on North Korea's disarmament. North Korea abandoned the talks in 2009 and conducted its second nuclear test, which led to tough international sanctions. In New York Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council held a discussion on whether to pub...

Islamabad, The World Bank is ready to assist the Government of Sindh in post- floods reconstruction and scaling up its operations in education agriculture, and irrigation infrastructure. According to the issued press release a series of meetings held between World Bank delegation and the Government of Sindh on Wednesday discussed ways to strengthen and deepen the ongoing development partnership. The development partnership between the World Bank and Pakistan is set to witness further deepening in the engagement at provincial level in the light of the ongoing devolution process, said Rachid Benmessaoud World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. We had excellent exchange of ideas with the provincial leadership of sindh who shared its development priorities going forward and the World Bank stands ready to assist in its poverty reduction initiatives. During the two day visit the World Bank te...

Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's long-standing ruler, has reportedly lost control of more cities as anti-government protests continue to sweep the African nation despite his threat of a brutal crackdown. Protesters in Misurata said on Wednesday they had wrested the western city from government control. In a statement on the internet, army officers stationed in the city pledged "total support for the protesters". The protesters also seemed to be in control of much of the country's east, and an Al Jazeera correspondent, reporting from the city of Tobruk, 140km from the Egyptian border, said there was no presence of security forces. "From what I've seen, I'd say the people of eastern Libya are the ones in control," Hoda Abdel-Hamid, our correspondent, said. She said there were no officials manning the border when the Al Jazeera team crossed into Libya. 'People in charge' "All along the border, we didn't see one policeman, we didn't see one ...

WASHINGTON :- Afghanistan on Wednesday appealed for the United States to provide security assistance beyond 2014, the date by which President Barack Obama wants to withdraw US combat troops. Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak was holding talks at the Pentagon to look at future relations, despite recent tensions between the two governments over civilian deaths in the NATO-led campaign against the Taliban. "We do strongly believe that for Afghanistan to be able to survive in that very volatile region, it will need your help beyond 2014," Wardak said at the start of a meeting with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Wardak saluted the nearly 1,500 US troops who have died in America's longest war, which was launched in 2001 to root out Al-Qaeda extremists responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States. "We should be extremely grateful for all the sacri...

QUETTA:Unknown persons blew up a 220 kv Sibi-Quetta double circuit transmission lien tower near Mach. Towr was partially damaged but supply was not affected. National Transmisison and Despatch Company (NTDC) sources said her eWednesdy that NTDC working on emergency basis repaired the sid tower. Meanwhile, Habibullah Coastal Power House was generating 60 mw of electricity due to two faulty units since long instead of 120 mw. Supply from Guddu-Uch-Sibi transmission line was providing 270 mw. Thus was only 320 mw electricity was available instead of 1250 mw demand. In view of this situation, load shedding on rural feeders has been increased with immediate effect. However 6 hours load shedding was being made on all feeders in Quetta city.

LAHORE:Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Britain are tied in historic and deep friendly relations and Britain is the largest investor country in Pakistan. He said that UK has always supported democracy in Pakistan. He said that establishment of the British Overseas Pakistanis Office would help resolve the problems of UK-based Pakistanis. He was talking to mediamen on the occasion of launching of British Overseas Pakistanis Office, here Wednesday. Chairperson of the Conservative Party, UK and Minister, Saeeda Warsi also accompanied him. British High Commissioner, Adam Thomson, Chairman Pakistan-UK Overseas Society Zubair Gull, Provincial Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Member National Assembly Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, Members Provincial Assembly Shehzadi Umarzadi Tiwana, Dr. Saeed Elahi, Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada and members of Bri...

Islamabad: The 9th round of Pakistan-Mauritius Joint Working Group was held here on February 21-23. In which both sides discussed the draft framework agreement for trade in services. They also agreed to engage on project-based cooperation in the area of trade in services such as Information & Communication Technology, health, education, tourism and logistic services. The Joint Working Group (JWG), which was established in 2005, is a formal platform for structured dialogue between the government officials of the two countries with a view to dynamize trade and economic relations. As a first priority, the JWG worked on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which is operational since 2007. The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), allows some hundreds of tariff lines to be traded between Mauritius and Pakistan on preferential terms. The ultimate objective of this PTA is to pave the way for...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi King Abdullah headed home on Wednesday from Morocco where he had been recuperating after surgery in the United States, returning to a Middle East rocked by anti-regime uprisings. Streets and buildings in the capital, Riyadh, were decorated with national flags and large banners welcoming the 86-year-old monarch back to the oil-rich kingdom, whose neighbours Bahrain and Yemen are witnessing popular uprisings. The front pages of all Saudi newspapers on Wednesday were dedicated to news of King Abdullah's return, as editorials linked its timing to the "unrest" sweeping the Arab world. "The king is the only pillar of stability in the region now," read the editorial in the English-language daily Arab News. "He is the assurance of orderly progress... in the Arab world as a whole," it added. "He is a lynchpin, someone who others ...

Islamabad, Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that he had refused to accept the Foreign Ministry -during the recent cabinet shuffle- because he feared that the government would force him to forge documents to prove that double murder accused Raymond Davis was a US diplomat. In his first speech in the National Assembly after losing the Foreign Ministry, Qureshi said that some top government officials have grossly mishandled the Davis case. He also ridiculed critics in the media who, he said, once blamed him for being too lenient to the Americans during negotiations on the Kerry-Lugar bill and and now accused him of being anti-US. These are double standardsI fail to understand what they are up to, the Express Tribune quoted Qureshi, as saying. Qureshi was not among the 22 ministers sworn in on February 11 as part of the right-sized cabinet, that was put together...

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Victims and survivors of the New Zealand earthquake are using the web as a virtual crisis centre, searching for missing people and even offering survivors a place to stay. Information is flowing out from Christchurch to sites such as web giant Google's Crisis Response service where people can add or request information on individuals. The site's person finder tool had 8,500 records on people in the area by 0730 GMT. Google offered similar services for victims of the recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, and later used its Google Earth satellite imagery service to capture the scale of the devastation. The site (www.google.com/crisisresponse/christchurch_earthquake.html) has emergency telephone numbers and other resources, such as a link to donate to the New Zealand Red Cross. But a random search of the site illustrates the confusion in the shattered c...

Video grab of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi speaking on national television from Tripoli TRIPOLI - Strongman Moamer Kadhafi has called on Libyans to rally in a show of popular support on Wednesday, as his 41-year-old regime grew increasingly isolated amid a brutal crackdown against an insurrection. Libya crisis latest news stories and updates Declaring he would die a martyr in Libya, Kadhafi threatened to purge opponents "house by house" and "inch by inch," prompting international appeals for an end to the violence. Libya's government said 300 people, including 111 soldiers, had been killed in the protests, which erupted on February 15 after the rulers of neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt were ousted in similar uprisings. China, India, So...

Qilu Evening News , February 23, 2011 Ji'nan-based Qilu Evening News highlights the news of 83 Chinese workers' safe exit from riot-hit Libya, connecting it to China's increased effort to evacuate its overseas citizens from danger areas in recent years. According to the report, around 30 thousand Chinese citizens currently living in Libya, most of them oil workers and construction workers. As the disorder drags on, risk to their life and property is mounting. On February 20th, a camp of a Zhejiang construction company was broken into and looted by rioters; thousands of workers living there were robbed and forced to leave. The local Chinese embassy says that up till 22nd, 15 Chinese citizens were seriously wounded in the unrest. The report, which is vague on the nature of the incident, quotes Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Chaoxu as urging the Libyan government to 'investigate into the attacks quickly and punish the perpetrators severely'.