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, December 20, 2004

December 21, 2004


News

Detention – Li Baiguang (李栢光)

Another reporter detained
多维追击:继赵岩之后李柏光也被拘留
Chinesenewsnet.com, December 21, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
2004_12_20_12_58_24_925.html


China Detains a Human Rights Advocate
New York Times, December 20, 2004
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/international/asia/20beijing.html?oref
=login&oref=login&oref=login


Labour
One in eight feels burnt out by job: survey
Xinhuanet.com, December 20, 2004
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-12/20/content_2358919.htm

Labour – industrial accidents
14 miners died in gas blast in Sichuan
四川宜宾煤矿瓦斯爆炸,14名矿工死亡
Radio Free Asia, December 20, 2004
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2004/12/20/meikuangshigu/

Fifteen dead, five missing in China mine blasts
AFP via Yahoo News, December 20, 2004
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?mpl=story&cid=1529&ncid=1529&e
=3&u=/afp/20041220/wl_asia_afp/chinamine_041220174548


Labour – protests
Factory layoffs shelved after thousands protest
SCMP, December 21, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZZVJDQB1E.html

Law
Anti-secession bill reveals China's fears
Asia Times On-line, December 21, 2004
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FL21Ad01.html

Secession bill shows China's wisdom
Asia Times On-line, December 21, 2004
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FL21Ad02.html

Legal – court system
Guidelines set for new jury system
SCMP, December 21, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ7WJDQB1E.html

Media

CCTV put under microscope as auditors move in
SCMP, December 21, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6180RB1E.html

Religion
New rules offer little comfort to religious groups
SCMP, December 21, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ1S70RB1E.html

Officials and analysts hold different views on new religious provisions
中国官方与分析人士就宗教事务新法规看法不一
Radio Free Asia, December 20, 2004
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2004/12/20/zongjiao/

SOEs
Laid-off state workers to lose special status
SCMP, December 21, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTR70RB1E.html

Rural issues – taxation
China reduces farmers' taxes by 30 bln yuan
Xinhuanet.com, December 21, 2004
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-12/21/content_2360876.htm

Other – Hong Kong
You must do better, Hu tells Tung
SCMP, December 21, 2004
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZDR70RB1E.html

Other – North Korea
Two repatriated North Koreans may be executed
两名强行被中国遣返的朝鲜人可能遭处决
Radio Free Asia, December 20, 2004
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2004/12/20/chaoxian/

December 18-20, 2004

Top news of the day

Detention – Li Baiguang (李栢光)

Campaigner for farmers' rights detained in Fujian
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZJ3LIQB1E.html

Protests and petitions
Campaigner of protest sentenced to prison for 4 years
叶国柱判刑四年 家人律师谈公道
Voice of America, December 17, 2004
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=4553830A-6CE1-4779-973C2664712602A2&title=%D2%B6%B9%FA%D6%F9%C5%D0%D0%CC%CB%C4%C4%EA%20%BC%D2%C8%CB%C2%C9%CA%A6%CC%B8%B9%AB%B5%C0%2804%C4%EA12%D4%C219%C8%D50&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

Religion
New guidelines on religious freedom
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ93LIQB1E.html



News

Corruption
700 corrupt officials punished
中国惩处七百多名贪官
Voice of America, December 17, 2004
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=65513DBD-88F0-4BFB-B93F343F48514A1E

Four more officials are sacked in Heilongjiang
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZD2HDQB1E.html

'Prototype' corrupt cadre gets 18-year jail term
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5T40RB1E.html

Detention – Huang Jingao (黃金高)
Whistle-blower cadre held over graft
SCMP, December 18, 2004

http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ5LADQB1E.html

Ethnic minority
Violent ethnic clashes plague China
Boston Globe via China Digital News, December 20, 2004
http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2004/12/19/violent_ethnic_
clashes_plague_china/


Human rights
Reflections on the release and arrest of dissident writers
捉放刘晓波余杰事件反响
Voice of America, December 18, 2004
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=3B7F34BB-9854-40E6-8E830F63FDFBB466&title=%D7%BD%B7%C5%C1%F5%CF%FE%B2%A8%D3%E0%BD%DC%CA%C2%BC%FE%B7%B4%CF%EC%2804%C4%EA12%D4%C218%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

June 4th
EU moves closer to lifting arms embargo
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZHLADQB1E.html

EU aims to lift China arms ban by mid-2005
China Daily, December 19, 2004
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/19/content_401499.htm

Tiananmen veterans face repatriation after serving imprisonment in Thailand
鲁德成和赵文东面临遣返
Radio Free Asia, December 17, 2004
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2004/12/17/ludecheng/

Labour – protests
Thousands of Sichuan workers protest against late wage payment
四川數千工人抗議拖薪
MinaPao, December 20, 2004
http://full.mingpaonews.com//20041220/t_caf1.htm

Land policy
Poor urban planning blamed for land crisis
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZSHDDQB1E.html

Law
Beijing to enact law against secession
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZIWFDQB1E.html

Law – court system
China to pick jurors for courts
China Daily, December 20, 2004
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/20/content_401721.htm

Media
Featured article: Auditing storms into the heart of CCTV
香港大公报:审计风暴刮向中央电视台
Chinesenewsnet.com, December 19, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
2004_12_18_19_9_16_586.html


Population policy
JiangZhou governments attempt to outlaw abortion
江苏拟立法禁止非法堕胎
BeijingNews.com, December 18, 2004
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2004-12-18/2004121825539.html

Protests and petitions
Handle angry outbursts with care, judge urges
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZP4IIQB1E.html

Public heath
Shortage of herb puts lives at risk
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZWHDDQB1E.html

China's controversal 'miracle' doctor
BBC News, December 15, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4096165.stm

Social Security
Pension likely to release in full payment this year
今年中国养老金发放有望首次实现全年无拖欠
Chinesenewsnet.com, December 18, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/zxs_2004-12-18_518190.shtml

Other – Hong Kong
Chinese president in unprecedented criticism of Hong Kong leadership
AFP via YahooNews.com, December 20, 2004
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&ncid=731&e=3&u=/afp/20041220/wl_asia_afp/chinahongkonghu

Other – North Korea
Freedom behind bars
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ6Q10RB1E.html

December 18-20, 2004

Top news of the day

Detention – Li Baiguang (李栢光)

Campaigner for farmers' rights detained in Fujian
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZJ3LIQB1E.html

Protests and petitions

Campaigner of protest sentenced to prison for 4 years
叶国柱判刑四年 家人律师谈公道
Voice of America, December 17, 2004
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=4553830A-6CE1-4779-973C2664712602A2&title=%D2%B6%B9%FA%D6%F9%C5%D0%D0%CC%CB%C4%C4%EA%20%BC%D2%C8%CB%C2%C9%CA%A6%CC%B8%B9%AB%B5%C0%2804%C4%EA12%D4%C219%C8%D50&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

Religion
New guidelines on religious freedom
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ93LIQB1E.html

Related news with top news:

Interview with Religion Affairs Bureau on new Religious Affairs Provisions
国家宗教事务局负责人就《宗教事务条例》答本报记者问
Legal Daily, December 20, 2004
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2004-12/20/content_169384.htm

China rules on religion 'relaxed'
BBC, December 19, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4109051.stm


News

Corruption

700 corrupt officials punished
中国惩处七百多名贪官
Voice of America, December 17, 2004
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=65513DBD-88F0-4BFB-B93F343F48514A1E

Four more officials are sacked in Heilongjiang
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZD2HDQB1E.html

'Prototype' corrupt cadre gets 18-year jail term
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5T40RB1E.html

Detention – Huang Jingao (黃金高)
Whistle-blower cadre held over graft
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ5LADQB1E.html

Ethnic minority
Violent ethnic clashes plague China
Boston Globe via China Digital News, December 20, 2004
http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2004/12/19/violent_
ethnic_clashes_plague_china/


Human rights
Reflections on the release and arrest of dissident writers
捉放刘晓波余杰事件反响
Voice of America, December 18, 2004
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=3B7F34BB-9854-40E6-8E830F63FDFBB466&title=%D7%BD%B7%C5%C1%F5%CF%FE%B2%A8%D3%E0%BD%DC%CA%C2%BC%FE%B7%B4%CF%EC%2804%C4%EA12%D4%C218%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

June 4th

EU moves closer to lifting arms embargo
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZHLADQB1E.html

EU aims to lift China arms ban by mid-2005
China Daily, December 19, 2004
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/19/content_401499.htm

Tiananmen veterans face repatriation after serving imprisonment in Thailand
鲁德成和赵文东面临遣返
Radio Free Asia, December 17, 2004
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2004/12/17/ludecheng/

Labour – protests
Thousands of Sichuan workers protest against late wage payment
四川數千工人抗議拖薪
MinaPao, December 20, 2004
http://full.mingpaonews.com//20041220/t_caf1.htm

Land policy
Poor urban planning blamed for land crisis
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZSHDDQB1E.html

Law
Beijing to enact law against secession
SCMP, December 18, 2004

http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZIWFDQB1E.html

Law – court system
China to pick jurors for courts
China Daily, December 20, 2004
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/20/content_401721.htm

Media
Featured article: Auditing storms into the heart of CCTV
香港大公报:审计风暴刮向中央电视台
Chinesenewsnet.com, December 19, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
2004_12_18_19_9_16_586.html


Population policy
JiangZhou governments attempt to outlaw abortion
江苏拟立法禁止非法堕胎
BeijingNews.com, December 18, 2004
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2004-12-18/2004121825539.html

Protests and petitions
Handle angry outbursts with care, judge urges
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZP4IIQB1E.html

Public heath
Shortage of herb puts lives at risk
SCMP, December 20, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZWHDDQB1E.html

China's controversal 'miracle' doctor
BBC News, December 15, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4096165.stm

Social Security
Pension likely to release in full payment this year
今年中国养老金发放有望首次实现全年无拖欠
Chinesenewsnet.com, December 18, 2004
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
zxs_2004-12-18_518190.shtml


Other – Hong Kong
Chinese president in unprecedented criticism of Hong Kong leadership
AFP via YahooNews.com, December 20, 2004
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&ncid=731&e=3&u=/
afp/20041220/wl_asia_afp/chinahongkonghu


Other – North Korea
Freedom behind bars
SCMP, December 18, 2004
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ6Q10RB1E.html