Today's Links: Kendra Zanotto, Dashan and Tsering Woeser

• The state-owned asset regulators are now considering a merger of China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines, broke the Caijing magazine yesterday, saying the discussion was only among government agencies so far, while spokesmen with the two airlines pled ignorance of any such plans. Great hopes ahead for improved competitiveness in China's aviation sector.
• 2004 bronze medalist Kendra Zanotto, who was set to work as an expert synchronized swimming reporter for the Olympic News Service, an official arm of the Beijing Games, has been denied her visa. She believes she has been blacklisted because of her affiliation with Team Darfur, an athlete-driven group that seeks to call attention to the crisis in western Sudan. No explanation has since been offered by the consulate.
• With all the latest visa restrictions, we're not sure how many protestors will still be able to plan their demonstrations during the Olympics, but latest news is that protestors will now be allowed to do their thing — in three specially designated zones in outlying parks far away from all the main venues. Who ever said China doesn't respect your right to protest?
• Mark Roswell, or Dashan, has been selected by the Canadian Olympic Committee as a team attache to "help its athletes and staff overcome the cultural and social obstacles during the Olympics".
• Internet TV service provider Joost has entered a joint venture with TOM.com to invade the Chinese market — a move which Fons Tuinstra of China Herald is not too optimistic about.
• Tibetan poet and outspoken critic Tsering Woeser has sued the Chinese government for denying her a passport over the last three years. Earlier this year, Woeser (who blogs here) was unable to accept a Freedom of Expression prize from the Norwegian Authors' Union in person because she did not have a passport, and her husband, democracy activist Wang Lixiong picked up the award in Oslo on her behalf.

Photo from UrbanNat