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.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

DAILY NEWS BRIEF FOR October 20, 2004

Top news of the day

Labour – union

Some foreign enterprises refuse the setup of labour union
部分外企无视中国法律拒建工会
Legal Daily, October 20, 2004
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2004-10/20/content_142111.htm

Media – Press freedom
Mao Yushi says freedom of press once again violated
茅于轼:我的出版自由一再受到侵犯
Chinesenewsnet.com, October 19,2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2004_10_19_13_11_53_189.html

The punishment to three Chinese journalists reflects Beijing’s repression of freedom of press
中国三记者遭处分 反映压制新闻自由
Dajiyuan.com, October 19, 2004
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/4/10/19/n695079.htm

Reform magazine wins libel case
中国改革杂志胜诉
Voice of America, October 19, 2004
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/4/10/19/n695261.htm

Religion

Religious groups get more room to move
SCMP, October 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZVP773I0E.html


News

Accountability

Hubei government promises no “no comments” statement to journalists
湖北省政府新闻发言人亮相 承诺不讲“无可奉告”
People.com, October 20, 2004
http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shizheng/14562/2931010.html

Corporate social responsibility
How do multi-national corporations fulfil their social responsibility?
跨国公司海外如何履行社会责任?
Chinesenewsnet.com, October 20, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/EntDigest/Life/2004_10_19_19_38_54_599.html

Election
Heilongjiang residents nominate provincial officials for election for the first time
黑龙江首次群众提名选县长
Chinesenewsnet.com, October 20, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2004_10_19_20_16_5_991.html

Human rights
Weijingsheng: a reflection of Wang Guangmei‘s membership with Amnesty International
魏京生:读王光美曾为大赦国际成员报道有感
Chinesenewsnet.com, October 19,2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2004_10_19_19_31_8_421.html

Poverty – Government assistance
Charity supermarket launched in Shenzhen to help low-income families
慈善超市首现深圳 低保人员可凭证购买低价商品
Eastday.com, October 20, 2004
http://news.eastday.com/eastday/news/news/node4938/node37114/userobject1ai593086.html

Labour – Employment market
Imbalance demand and supply in labour market structure causes labour shortage
中国民工荒 专家称产业结构劳动力供需失衡导致
Chinanews.com, October 19, 2004
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2004/2004-10-19/26/496158.shtml

Labour – union
Labour union chairman sacked for protecting labour rights?
首位工会主席被炒 工会主席是否失职老板说了不算
Xinhuanet, October 20, 2004
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2004-10/20/content_2113362.htm

Law
US criticizes China’s legal system
美国国务院发言人评论中国司法制度还不尽完善
Radio Free Asia, October 19,2004
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2004/10/19/sifa/

Media – Internet
Anti-corruption website closed after launching for 6 days
反腐新网站六天即被令关闭
Radio Free Asia, October 19, 2004
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/4/10/19/n695017.htm

Police
Chongqing riot causes dozens of people injured
多维详讯:重庆4万人骚乱镇压溅血
Chinanews.com, October 19, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/2004_10_19_16_37_43_705.html

Politics – Political reform
Separation of party and government’s power in politics is the key in political reform
提高执政能力需改革政治体制 划分党与政府职权
Chinanews.com, October 19, 2004
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2004/2004-10-19/26/496186.shtml

Population
China permits regional minor adjustment for solving population structure contradiction
People’s Daily, October 19, 2004
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200410/19/eng20041019_160748.html

Three senior government officials take the lead to study the feasibility of relaxing one-child policy
中国三高官牵头研究 计划生育政策面临调整?
Eastday.com, October 19, 2004
http://news.eastday.com/eastday/news/news/node4938/node37012/userobject1ai591784.html

Tibet
Beijing insists stance over Tibet
章启月:中央政府对达赖的政策是一贯的、明确的
Chinanews.com, October 19, 2004
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2004/2004-10-19/26/496352.shtml