The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Monday, February 02, 2009

January 31 - February 2, 2009

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Huang Qi (黄琦)

China to Try Earthquake Critic on Secrets Charge
Reuters, February 02, 2009
http://uk.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUKPEK312306

Sichuan-based rights defender Huang Qi (黄琦) is scheduled to be tried on “illegally possessing state secrets” on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Huang was detained on June 10, 2008, after he published news on his website following the Sichuan earthquake about the plight of parents who lost children, and was formally arrested on July 18, 2008. He is the founder of the website Tianwang Human Rights Center (64tianwang.com) and was previously imprisoned for five years (2000-2005) on charges of subversion.

News
Environment

China's Largest Crop Producing Province Warns against Severe Droughts
Xinhuanet, January 30, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/30/content_10738605.htm

大陆环保人士遭打压 呼吁当局注重环境保护 (Environmental Activists Harassed, Call on Authorities to Increase Environmental Protection)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/huanbao-01302009092516.html

Human Rights Defenders
China Lawyers Petition Jailing of Colleague
Reuters (via China Post), February 02, 2009
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2009/02/02/194249/China-lawyers.htm

June 4
六四母亲遭禁足 湖北访民逐出京城 (Mother of June 4 Victim Kept under Home Surveillance during Chinese New Year)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fangmin-01302009110512.html

Internet Censorship
Beijing Court to Rule on Political Blog Case
Financial Times, February 02, 2009
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e5ca67cc-e7b3-11dd-b2a5-0000779fd2ac.html

Media
China Names New Body to Regulate Foreign News Companies
Dow Jones (via CNN), February 02, 2009
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200902010511DOWJONESDJONLINE000132_FORTUNE5.htm

Related information:
国务院关于修改《国务院对确需保留的行政审批项目设定行政许可的决定》的决定 (Resolution of the State Council on Amending the "Resolution of the State Council on Administrative Licensing for Projects Needing to Retain Administrative Examination and Approval")
State Council, January 30, 2009
http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2009-01/30/content_1217476.htm
記者採訪政府會議遭圍毆 現場民警放走打人者 (Sichuan Reporter Beaten while Gathering News at Government Meeting)
Yangcheng Wanbao (via Sina), February 02, 2009
http://news.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/113/1/1/1023128/1.html

国际记者联会报告指责中国限制记者自由 (IFJ Report Criticizes Restrictions on Journalists' Freedoms)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/china_media_reporter-01302009100923.html

Migrant Workers
Chinese Migrant Job Losses Mount
British Broadcasting Corporation, February 02, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7864293.stm

Military
Hu Calls for PLA Loyalty as Fears Grow of Trouble ahead
South China Morning Post, February 02, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=974bf25ecb23f110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Related information:
中央军委召开深入学习实践科学发展观活动专题民主生活会 胡锦涛主持 (Hu Jintao Presides over CPC Central Military Commission Meeting)
Xinhua News Agency, February 1, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2009-02/01/content_10746848_1.htm
中国《解放军报》强调军队软势力的作用 (Official Paper of the China Military Stresses Use of Soft Power)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jundui-01302009105341.html

Protests and Petitions
British Police Detain Protesters during Wen Visit
Associated Press (via Google), February 02, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWXw1OmkKSVlHhJpYFL7YhSrL-YwD962VGEO0

Public Health
China Blames Pollution for Surge in Birth Defects
Los Angeles Times, February 02, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/asia/la-fg-china-birth-defects2-2009feb02,0,2105177.story

Rural Issues
China Issues Rescue Plan to Fight Farming Crisis
Reuters (via China Post), February 02, 2009
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/c_business/2009/02/02/194195/China-issues.htm

Related information:
中共中央国务院关于2009年促进农业稳定发展农民持续增收的若干意见 (Several Opinions of the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council on the 2009 Plan to Promote the Stable Development of Agriculture and Increase the Income of Farmers)
CCCPC and State Council, December 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2009-02/01/content_10746024_1.htm