Briefs

Secretly Filmed at Airport

Australia, Sydney — A world-first, high technology face recognition system has been put on trial at Sydney Airport for the past several months. The system scans the faces of all passengers as they present their passports. The images are sent back to a computer which matches the faces’ unique features with those on a wanted list. If a match occurs, the surveillance system operator receives a silent alarm, and the suspect is hauled in for questioning. The computer is said to be able to spot suspects even after a change of hairstyle, growing of a beard or wearing of glasses. (Source: www.smh.com.au.)

Domestic Financial Markets to Gain

China — China Post may use its postal savings to invest in the domestic financial market, instead of depositing its savings in the People’s Bank of China (‘PBOC’), after a PBOC proposal to cut the interest rates paid on the savings. China Post will be authorised to use part of its savings to invest in debt markets, treasury bonds and inter-bank loans. (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)

Stronger Hold on Real Estate Development

China — To achieve sound real estate development, the Ministry of Construction will offer greater guidance to buyers and developers in the hope of gaining more balanced development and sales. It will improve its market analysis, establish a forecasting and information system and have tighter control over projects which have insufficient capital and from unqualified companies.  (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)

Easier Access for Foreign Investors

China, Beijing — To improve its investment environment, Beijing will reduce costs for foreign investors, especially land costs in the manufacturing industry. It is hoped that this will attract more foreign investors to set up regional headquarters and development and research centres in the country. (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)

Tax Certificate Waiver

India, New Delhi — Due to an amendment to the Income Tax Act, any person, not domiciled in India, or who is domiciled in India at the time of his departure but intends to leave India as an emigrant or intends to proceed to another country on a work permit, need not obtain a tax clearance certificate. (Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com.)

Conference Debate Formula

Japan, Tokyo — To reduce the burden on expert witnesses, speed up trial proceedings and ensure fair representation of expert testimony, thus leading to more accurate sentencing, the Tokyo District Court has taken to using a Conference Debate Formula. The Formula sees three experts present their opinions two months after receiving the medical records of the patient, followed by questions from the presiding judge. Thereafter, a short debate will be held amongst the experts, who will then face more questions from lawyers of the plaintiff and defendant. (Source: www.japantimes.co.jp.)

Harsher Terms for Incest

Malaysia, Putrajaya — In an effort to clamp down on incest, the Cabinet has proposed amendments to the Penal Code that will result in, inter alia, a prison term of between 15 and 30 years and a minimum of 10 strokes of the cane for those guilty of incestuous rape. Furthermore, incestuous rape which results in death will be punishable by death. These amendments will be found in the new s 376C. DNA profiling will also be used in the registration of offenders, and aiding and abetting family members may be punishable by a minimum sentence of three years’ jail. (Source: thestar.com.my.)

Gateway to China

Peru — An agreement on phyto-quarantine, which stated the legal framework, previous investigation and the evaluation made by China’s State Quality and Quarantine Administration, was signed by Chinese Vice Minister of Agriculture, Liu Jian, and Peruvian ambassador to China, Luis Chang. The agreement strengthens the co-operation between both countries and allows the entry of fruit and vegetables into the Chinese market from Peru.  (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)

More Taiwan Flights Approved

Taiwan — For the first time, China’s civil aviation authority has granted approval for the landing of Taiwanese airlines in the Mainland for the Chinese New Year holiday, although direct flights are still not allowed. All flights will stop off at either Hong Kong or Macau en route to Shanghai. The approval is seen to be a step forward in diplomatic relations between the two countries. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)

Travel Restrictions Abolished

Tibet — Tibet Autonomous Region’s Tourism authorities have announced that travellers wishing to travel to Tibet no longer need to form package tours comprising a minimum of five persons, whilst those from Hong Kong and Macau need not obtain a ‘confirmation letter’. Over last year, Tibet has seen some 130,000 overseas tourists, which marks a 2.4% year-on-year increase. (Source: www.isinolaw.com.)

James Bond Technology in Schools

UK, Sunderland — Venerable Bede Church of England Aided School, due to open in September, has plans to introduce retinal eye scanning technology to identify schoolchildren. The technology will also be used by students in the library and the school canteen. Head teacher, Ed Yates, believes the technology to be cost effective, fast and supported by pupils, although parents have yet to be consulted. The National Union of Teachers has, however, questioned financial and long-term health implications of the technology. (Source: news.bbc.co.uk.)

Muslims and Arabs Registration

US, California — A federal judge has refused to stop a controversial new anti-terrorism law which requires all Muslim and Arab men to register with US immigration authorities. Muslim and Arab civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit after hundreds of boys and men who went forward to register were arrested for overstaying their visas. The groups claimed that the law was not implemented properly, and the arrest and detention of otherwise law-abiding immigrants were unlawful. (Source: reprinted with permission, copyright Reuters 2003.)