January 29-31, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyuan (趙紫陽)
Former June 4th student leader Ma Shaofang (馬少方) missing on his way to Beijing
进京悼念赵紫阳 前天安门学生领袖马少方失踪
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2005
Former June 4th student leader Ma Shaofang (馬少方) reported missing on his way to pay respect to Zhao in Beijing. A human right group alleged that Ma, alongside at least 4 other dissidents, has been arrested by the authority.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/30/mashaofang/

Public health – HIV aids / Government – governance and accountability
Pair punished over HIV spread
SCMP, January 29, 2005
Two former public health officials in Inner Mongolia are convicted of dereliction of duty which led to 11 people got infected with aids. This is the first time government officials held responsible for aids spread.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTQX6HJ3E.html


News
Bilaterals - US/China
Chinese, US ministries hold 1st special policy dialogue in Beijing
Xinhua News Agency, 31 January 2005
The first special policy dialogue between the Chinese Ministry of Defense and its US counterpart began here Monday, reflecting warming ties between the two major military powers.
http://search.xinhuanet.com/search/xhse.jsp

Children
Grassroots NGOs on children issues on the rise
我国民间救助困境儿童的力量日益壮大
EastDay.com, January 30, 2005
Government statistics show that there are over a hundred grassroots NGOs in China working on children welfares and other child-abuse and poverty issues.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48544/userobject1ai835416.html

Corruption
Reporting corruption cases online accelerates due to lucrative cash rewards
北京反贪网上举报升温 对举报者奖十万不封顶
EastDay.com, January 30, 2005
Since the Beijing procuratorate bureau encourages public to report corruption cases online last year, the bureau received a total of 89 reports in 2004. Public’s ardent responses are in part due to a lucrative cash reward of 100,000 yuan.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48544/userobject1ai835109.html

Death penalty
In possible nod to Europe, China says it may narrow use of death penalty
AFP via YahooNews.com, January 28, 2005
To address European concerns over death penalty incidence in China, China considers narrowing down the types of crimes for which the death penalty can be applied to make way for EU’s favorable decision on lifting the arms embargo.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1529&ncid=
1529&e=4&u=/afp/20050128/wl_asia_afp/chinaexecution_050
128084024

Detention – Yang Tianshui (楊天水)
杨天水获释后人身自由仍受限制
Voice of America via Dajiyuan.com, January 29, 2005
Dissident freelance writer Yang Tianshui (楊天水) reveals that he has been closely watched by the authority while the police is “framing up” the charge of “inciting subversion of state power” against him.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/29/n797086.htm

Education
S.Korea, Japan, China write history book
China National News, 30th January, 2005
Scholars, teachers and historians in China, Japan and South Korea have announced they will publish a jointly-written textbook in May.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/a6ff286d43c64b1b/cid/4a8b544d0e80ba53/

Food security
New criteria set for food safety
Xinhuanet.com, January 29, 2005
China is set to work on a series of technical standards to minimize pesticide residues and other hazards in food and fabrics to address public concerns on food safety in the country.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/29/content_2522
630.htm

Gender – abuse / population– one-child policy
In China, help for girls
International Herald Tribune, January 31, 2005
The high incidence of “missing girls” in China is clear evidence to the adverse consequence of China’s ill one-child policy.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/30/news/beijing.html

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyuang (趙紫陽)
Zhao's treatment exposes dilemma for leadership
SCMP, January 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNYXAHJ3E.html

We had little say over funeral, relatives claim
SCMP, January 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZY99DHJ3E.html

Beijing criticized for banning Chinese media coverage on Zhao funeral
记者无国界谴责中共阻记者采访
Voice of America, January 31, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-29_534875.shtml

Party picks No 4 man to attend Zhao's funeral
SCMP, January 29, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNEWAHJ3E.html

Conference to study the life of Zhao Ziyang held in New York
纽约举办赵紫阳生平研讨会
Voice of America, January 30, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=CBD76F
CC-47A1-462D-AC395F43A02B44C0&title=%C5%A6%D4%BC%B
E%D9%B0%EC%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%C9%FA%C6%BD%D1
%D0%CC%D6%BB%E1%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C230%C8%D5%29
&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&category
name=National%20News

Purported interview reveals Zhao Ziyuan’s hope to see China fighting its ways towards democracy
赵紫阳生前谈话盼中国走渐进式民主
Dajiyuan.com, January 29, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/29/n797372.htm

Remains of Comrade Zhao Ziyang cremated in Beijing
Xinhuanet.com, January 29, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/29/content_2522
819.htm

Zhao remembered, but cautiously
The Christian Science Monitor, January 31, 2005
In Beijing Saturday, mourners braved police presence to pay respects at purged premier's funeral.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0131/p06s01-woap.html

Labor - migrants
China amending construction law in bid to help migrant workers get backpay
China National News, January 31, 2005
China is amending its construction law in its first major concrete step to ensure that millions of migrant workers get the salaries they are owed.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/cf65105bd7f58bcd/cid/4a8b544d0e80ba53/

Politics
Hu presides over massive reshuffle to cement power
SCMP, January 31, 2005
The Hu government experienced one of the largest reshuffles of local and central government officials in recent years in order to cement his power and loyalty base under Hu’s leadership.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQ7YAHJ3E.html

Public health
Eight die in outbreak of meningitis
SCMP, January 31, 2005
The spread of meningitis through at least 11 cities in eastern Anhui and Jiangsu provinces has led to 8 died and 7 hospitalized.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZWOZ6HJ3E.html

Public health – HIV aids
Who saves the hearts of aids orphans?
谁来拯救艾滋孤儿的心灵？
People’s Daily, January 31, 2005
Social stigmas would further isolate poor aids orphans from the society and create social problems. An all-round assistance program is needed to alleviate their plight.
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3155832.html

Rural issues – rural development
China issues policies to further support agriculture sector
People’s Daily, January 31, 2005
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council announced a set of policies to strengthen and improve agricultural development and work in rural areas.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/31/eng20050131_1724
19.html

• related news:
  Government No.1 document announced
  2005年中央一号文件公布
  China Youth Daily, January 31, 2005
  http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-01/31/content_1026200.htm
  
  

Tibet
Dalai Lama's Office Says China Pressed Nepal To Close Them Down
Radio Free Asia, January 28, 2005
The head of Dalai Lama’s office and Tibetan Refuge Welfare Office said that China exerted great pressure onto Nepal in closing down their operation and activities in the country.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/01/28/tibetan
_nepal/

January 28, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Zi-yang (趙紫陽)
Hundreds to attend Zhao's funeral
SCMP, January 28, 2005
It is expected that hundreds of people would bid farewell to the former party leader Zhao Ziyang at a low-profile funer at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery tomorrow. However, the authority keeps silence on the presence of senior officials and cadres at the funeral.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0HTAHJ3E.html

• Related news with top news:
  Dozens of mourners beaten and detained
  SCMP, January 28, 2005
  http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZZAU6HJ3E.html
  
  

Xinjiang – imprisoned dissident – Rebiya Kadeer
US to press case of sick, jailed dissident
SCMP, January 28, 2005
US will push harder for Beijing’s release of Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent advocate of women’s and minority rights who is now serving her remaining 12-month imprisonment in Xinjiang. Kadeer has been awarded the Norwegian Rafto Prize recently.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ21TAHJ3E.html


News

Border Issues - North Korea
UN Report on North Korean Human Rights Cites 'Egregious' Situation
Voice of America, 28 January 2005
The United Nations is circulating a draft of its first report on the human rights situation in North Korea. The draft includes sweeping recommendations for changes in North Korea, and in the way China treats refugees from that country.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-28-voa11.cfm

Border Issues- Taiwan
Anti-secession Law expected to promote cross-Straits relations
Xinhua News Agency, 28 January 2005
BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's Anti-Secession Law, of which the legislation procedures has been recently set in motion, will uphold the basic policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/28/content_2521054.htm

Corruption
List of bribers helps anti-corruption battle
Xinhuanet.com, January 28, 2005
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate is examining a blacklist of bribers and considers for further actions against them as part of the government’s prevent drive against corrupt government officials and businessmen.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/28/content_251751
4.htm

Death Penalty
In possible nod to Europe, China says it may narrow use of death penalty
Agence France Presse, 28 January 2005
BEIJING, Jan 28 (AFP) - China may decide to narrow down the types of crimes for which the death penalty can be used, state media said Friday, in a move observers said was possibly designed to address European concerns.
http://www.afp.com/

Education – basic education / Rural issues
Rural education still ministry's top priority
SCMP, January 28, 2005
The Ministry of Education has given top priority to the promotion of 9-year compulsory basic education in rural areas in this year education agenda.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ8T3DHJ3E.html

Environment
Fighting plagues demands more funds, says expert
SCMP, January 28, 2005
Environmental expert calls for bigger budget on pest programs because the plagues of insects and rodents are rampant in many part of the country due to worsening global warming.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZSCA9HJ3E.html

46 polluting thermal power plants blacklisted
Xinhuanet.com, January 28, 2005
After the halt of 30 large projects that failed to meet environmental standards, the environmental bureau blacklisted another 46 environmental-unfriendly thermal power plants due to the lack of desulfurization equipment in the plants.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_2516481.htm

Gender
Plan to bring back wet nurses opposed
SCMP, January 28, 2005
A re-employment initiative in Yangzhou, Jiangsu proince, aiming to provide ‘wet-nurses” services to young mothers who do not want to breastfeed their children, has drawn stiff opposition from local women’s groups who claim the service “a thing of the feudal past” and should not be promoted in the society.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFS3DHJ3E.html

Gender – status
Women in politics – a bumpy road
盘点中国女性高官从政之路
Nanfang Weekend, January 28, 2005
The appointment of Song Xiuyan(宋秀岩) to be the mayor of Qinghai province draws attention on the rising power of women in politics; however, statistics show that women holding senior official position remains far too small in a male-dominated Chinese political system.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050127/xw/szxw2/2005
01270024.asp

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Zhao Death Shows Limits of China's Media Freedom
Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 27, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050127/lf_n
m/media_china_dc_1

Featured article from Liu Xiaobo: political reforms can delay no more – commemorate the death of Zhao
刘晓波：中国政治改革刻不容缓──再祭紫阳
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 28, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_
1_27_15_1_46_829.html

China Bars Dissidents From Memorial For Zhao Ziyang
Dow Jones International News, 28 January 2005
China will bar dissidents from a weekend memorial for Zhao Ziyang, a former Communist Party leader ousted in 1989 after sympathizing with Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters, but will allow some 2,000 other mourners.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/world/10758951.htm?1c

Hukou
Beijing police might scrap permit system
SCMP, January 28, 2005
Beijing may drop temporary residency permit, one of the most discriminatory treatment to migrant residents for many years, if a recent proposal on abolishing restrictions on migrant residents are adopted and smoothly carried out in the city.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZRY3DHJ3E.html

Law – legal reforms
Direction of the revision of the Administrative Procedure Law
《行政诉讼法》的修改方向
Legal Daily, January 28, 2005
According to a legal expert, the revision of the Administrative Procedure Law should be focused on directions of the content for revision, rather than specific articles for revision.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/27/content_183193.htm

Examining the reform of Chinese release-on-bail system with the bail models in the west
从西方保释制度看我国取保候审制度的改革
Legal Daily, January 28, 2005
Amid a wide discussion of reforming China’s release-on-bail system (取保候審), some legal experts advocate to replace the system with a Western bail model that is based on the basic legal principle of “suspect are innocent before trial”.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/27/content_183202.htm

Multilaterals - World Economic Forum
China's huge shadow at economic forum A growing influence of Asian power
International Herald Tribune, 27 January 2005
DAVOS, Switzerland: High-profile diplomacy with the European Union, trade accords in Latin America, oil deals in Africa and a string of corporate acquisitions all over the world: China is on an offensive to take its economic miracle.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/26/news/yuan.html

Police – administrative detention (Re-education through labour)
300,000 RTL inmates in China
中国有30多万劳教人员
Voice of America via Dajiyuan.com, January 28, 2005
It is estimated that there are about 300,000 “re-education through labour (RTL)’ inmates in China. Scholars claimed the role of RTL in relieving limited capacity of Chinese prisons, while former RTL inmates accused the system encourage abuse and arbitrary detention of the police.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/28/n795785.htm

Population
China to overhaul sperm banks
Xinhuanet.com, January 28, 2005
China is to monitor closely on institutions offering assisted reproductive techniques and human sperm banks in the country.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/28/content_25180
61.htm

Population – one-child policy
Fertility pills blamed for increase in twin births
SCMP, January 28, 2005
The Guangzhou authority has raised concerns to the high incidence of twin births in several hospitals, suspecting that couples might be resorting to fertility pills to exploit a grey area of the one-child policy.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZGAU6HJ3E.html

Hands up who hasn't got a girlfriend
SCMP, January 28, 2005
The consequence of the one-child policy surfaces in light of worsening sex-ratio imbalances. The high proportion of boy students in primary school is common in many Chinese rural villages, and has placed great concerns over the society’s future.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZNYSAHJ3E.html

Illegal sex identification and abortion in the lens of China’s Criminal Law
从刑法角度看非法鉴定胎儿性别和人工终止妊娠
Legal Daily, January 28, 2005
Legal experts said that the Criminal Law should be revised to specify the illegal nature of sex identification and illegal abortion to close the gap of vague references to these harmful practices in the society.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/27/content_183194.htm

Public health – HIV aids
河南两会代表建议立法防治艾滋病 实行强制检测
EastDay.com, January 28, 2005
In a combined conference of NPC and Politico Bureau of Henan province, legislators and party officials propose to draft law for prevent the spread of aids in the province and adopt compulsory aids test on drug addicts, pregnant women and hospitalized patients.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48397/userobject1ai831465.html

Resettlement – forceful eviction (Petitions)
Housing protester petitions to the Chinese leaders for a probe into the corruption of senior Shanghai government officials and business tycoon on redevelopment project
中国人权：沈婷投书胡温要求调查周正毅案官商勾结黑幕
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 28, 2005
Shu Ting (沈婷), a Hong Kong resident who has been protesting against forceful eviction in a Shanghai re-development project, sent a petition letter to the Chinese leaders in calling for an investigation of corruption of senior government official and the business tycoon Zhou Zhengyi (周正毅).
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_1_27_15_40_55_61.html

Tibet – imprisoned dissident –Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
Tibetan Monk's Family Insist on His Innocence
Radio Free Asia, January 27, 2005
After the death sentence of the Tibetan monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was commuted yesterday, relatives and supporters of the monk stressed his innocence of the charge and called for greater international pressures on Beijing for his release.
http://origin.rfaweb.org/english/news/social/2005/01/27/tibetan
_monk/

• Related news:
  Tibetan lama dodges Chinese bullet
  Asia Times Online, January 27, 2005
  http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GA28Ad05.html

January 27, 2005

Top News of the Day

June 4th – prisoners - Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
China to Hold Funeral for Zhao on Saturday
Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 27, 2005
Beijing has made an official announcement on holding funeral for former communist leader Zhao Ziyang on this Saturday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=731&e=8&u=/nm/20050127/wl_nm/china_zhao_dc

• Related news with top news:
  China rounds up, beats mourners for deposed leader Zhao: witnesses
  AFP via YahooNews.com, January 27, 2005
  http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&ncid=731&e=9&u=/afp/20050127/wl
  _asia_afp/chinatiananmenpoliticspetitioners
  

Labour – protest
China Labour Watch: labour petitioners detained and may face severe charges
中国劳工观察：烟台工人上访被关押，面临判刑厄运
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
Lay-off workers of Yantai (煙台), Shandong have been detained by police when they made a petition at the district office. Li Xintao (李信濤), leader of the petition, has yet to be released and may face severe charges.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_1_26_19_5_41_802.html

Tibet
China Commutes Tibetan Monk's Death Sentence
Voice of America, January 26, 2005
The Chinese authorities have commuted the death sentenced given to Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, a Tibetan spiritual leader who was convicted of involvement in fatal bombings and inciting separatist activities, to a life imprisonment.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-26-voa12.cfm

News

Corruption
Battle against official graft nets 459 in Shanghai last year
SCMP, January 27, 2005
According to an annual report of the Shanghai prosecutor’s office, it stated that 402 corruption cases involving 459 people had been filed for corruption last year in Shanghai.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZMQPAHJ3E.html

Detention - cases

US to push China to release Uighur minority leader Rebiya Kadeer
Agence France Presse, 27 January 2005
The United States said it would push Beijing to release a prominent advocate of women's and minority rights ailing in a Chinese prison.
www.afp.org

Death penalty
China questions death penalty
People’s Daily, January 27, 2005
In a conference on the topic of death penalty, a group of legal experts voiced their favorable support to a probably abolishment of death penalty in China, citing with powerful ground of China’s commitment in observing human rights in accordance with international standards.
http://english1.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/27/eng20050127_172
139.html

Gender – abuse (domestic violence)
Legislator urges the drafting of law to prevent domestic violence
人大代表呼吁立法防止家庭暴力 问责司法不作为
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
NPC representative of Guangdong province urges the government to draft law to redress the rising domestic violence cases in the province.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-27_533877.shtml

Government – elections
Civil Affairs bureau regulates corruption practice in elections as village elections in 18 provinces underway
中国18省份村委会换届选举 民政部界定贿选行为
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a notice in regulating corruption practice of village elections, aiming to deter intentional and unintentional corruption acts during upcoming village election in 18 provinces this year.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-27_533769.shtml

Government – governance and accountability
Auditors inspect int'l aid projects
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
International aid projects are to be subject for stringent supervision and auditing, highlighting the latest battleground of the China’s “auditing storm”.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_251309
6.htm

Audit results publicized helps supervision of government
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
State Auditing Administration will make auditing reports of government organs public to show the government’s persistent efforts in curbing economic crimes and corruption of government officials.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_251325
6.htm

Hukou
Beijing sets to reform hukou system, rural migrant workers may turn to be city industrial workers
国务院拟改革户籍制度 将民工转为城市产业工人
EastDay.com, January 27, 2005
According to a study conducted by the Development Research Centre of the State Council, it suggests to change the registration status of rural migrant labour to city industrial workers, a key area for reforming the hukou system.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48257/userobject1ai830330.html

Capital acts to scrap law on migrant restrictions
SCMP, January 27, 2005
Beijing’s municipal government considers abandoning restrictions on migrant residents, which have long been considered discriminatory in nature and unable to meet the development needs of the city.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFKZCHJ3E.html

Human Rights-reforms

China rejects US prod on democracy and human rights
Agence France Presse, 27 January 2005
China on Thursday rejected the United States' call for it to speed up democratic reforms and improve human rights, insisting great improvements have already been made at its own pace. www.afp.org

. . . But Don't Forget Democracy
The Asian Wall Street Journal, 27 January 2005 (Hu Ping)
U.S. President George W. Bush declared war on tyranny last week, and Condoleezza Rice branded six countries as "outposts of tyranny." But missing from this list was China. www.wsj.com

June 4th - EU arms embargo
Arming China, and Not
The Wall Street Journal, 27 January 2005
We thought the West had decided that the best way to deal with China is to increase commerce to encourage economic and political liberalization, while discouraging nationalist forces that would threaten such a peaceful evolution. www.wsj.com

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽) / Media – press freedom
Zhao’s death and its implications on Beijing’s control on the media
从赵紫阳去世看政府对媒体控制
Voice of America, January 27, 2005
Beijing’s shut down on news coverage on Zhao’s death well reflected the lack of independency of Chinese media.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=115000
26-CFC6-423A-AE69CB9EF70D39F2&title=%B4%D3%D5%D4%D 7%CF%D1%F4%C8%A5%CA%C0%BF%B4%D5%FE%B8%AE%B6%
D4%C3%BD%CC%E5%BF%D8%D6%C6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C22
6%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027A
CC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

Labour – industrial accidents
Firework blast in Guangxi leads to 18 death and injuries
广西一爆竹厂爆炸，死伤18人
Radio Free Asia, January 26, 2005
4 died and 14 injured in an illegal firework factory in Guangxi, with most of the victims women workers in the factory.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/26/baozha/

Law- legal rights
Some good news out of China
South China Morning Post, 27 January 2005
The Communist Party has traditionally intruded deep into people's personal lives. But now, we are told, there is draft legislation, entitled, Law for personal information protection of the People's Republic of China. www.scmp.com

Migrant workers- law
XIN ZHIMING
China Daily, 27 January 2005
It was astonishing to hear a Beijing policy adviser proposing an "access system" for the inflow of labourers from other parts of the country into the capital. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/home/index.html

Public health / Environment
Waste trade a far bigger threat than ants, say villagers
SCMP, January 27, 2005
Villagers in Wuchuan, Guangdong blamed the booming waste trade in the province lead to outbreak of red-ants infestation in villages and that caused substantial harms to the villagers.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZUJQ6HJ3E.html

Public health
Regulations on nutrition to be drafted the first time in China
居民营养令人忧 我国拟制定首部营养条例
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
China attempts to make the first set of regulations on nutrition in response to growing attentions on poor nutrition conditions in the society.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/food/2005-01/27/content_2512873.htm

January 26, 2005

Top news of the day
June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Beijing pressures Zhao’s family to accept arrangement for Zhao’s funeral
中国政府向赵紫阳亲属施压，要求接受官方条件
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2005
It is reported that Beijing has put substantial pressures on the Zhao family in acceptin the conditions and arrangement for Zhao’s funeral, although the Zhao family remains disapprove official commentary on Zhao’s contribution to China.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/25/zhaoziyang/

Related news:
Beijing tightens control over mourning activities
北京加緊控制悼念趙紫陽活動
BBCChinese.com, January 25, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_4200000/newsid_4205700/4205773.stm

News
Corruption
China monitors officials' kin to curb corruption
Xinhuanet.com, January 26, 2005
Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection vows at a recent party meeting in keep running the initiatives that checking possible corruption of government officials and SOE senior management’s kin for curbing corruption.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/26/content_250925
7.htm

Death Penalty
China Spares the Life of Tibetan Monk
AP, 26 January 2005
A Chinese court on Wednesday spared the life of a Tibetan monk, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, 54, convicted in a series of fatal bombings, commuting his death sentence to life in prison. He was convicted in December 2002 and given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve, which expired Wednesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&u=/ap/20050126/ap_on_re_as/china_tibetan_monk&printer=1

Environment
Hazardous trade is still thriving
SCMP, January 26, 2005
Environmentalists warn that the continue increase of waste trade in China has worsened environmental and health problems.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ93WCHJ3E.html

Gender Issues - Abuse
DNA testing in China: eroding wedlock?
Xinhua News Agency, 26 January 2005
In the world of DNA testing, a casual remark about "a handsome child of a homely father" may come as a bad omen in a happy marriage. Noticeable differences between children and their parents, particularly their fathers, sometimes cause suspicion that can escalate into arguments, violence or divorce.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2475408.htm

Government – governance and accountability
Tightened legislature supervision shapes transparent govt
Xinhuanet.com, January 26, 2005
The government is set to strengthen NPC supervision over provincial government budget to increase accountability and transparency of provincial government.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/26/content_250932
7.htm

June 4th – EU arms ban
Beijing Presses Europe to Lift Arms Ban
AP via YahooNews.com, January 26, 2005
Beijing stresses again the arms embargo a “political discrimination” to China, putting pressures on EU to lift its 15-year-old arms band in the midst of US strong opposition.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=7
31&e=10&u=/ap/20050125/ap_on_re_as/china_arms_embargo

Keep the arms embargo against China
The Independent, 26 January 2005
Tony Blair’s claims to a moral arms policy are being drowned out by sad, cynical laughter. Whatever happened to the Labour government’s lofty words on arms policy? Tony Blair declared unequivocally a few years ago: "We don’t sell arms that could be used in human rights abuses.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/

June 4th
China's students changed by Tiananmen
BBC News, 26 January 2005
"Give me democracy or give me death!" read a banner waved by the students who occupied Tiananmen Square, China's political heart, 15 years ago.
Now the campuses are calm and some are empty - their students gone home for Chinese New Year holidays, conveniently out of the way when one of the heroes of the pro-democracy movement, Zhao Ziyang, died in a Beijing hospital on Monday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4191129.stm

Law – legal profession
Zhuhai abandons life-time employment of judges to encourage competition and efficiency
率先在全国打破法官终身制 珠海法官要竞争上岗
People’s Daily, January 26, 2005
Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court is set to open over half of judge position for competition to strive for better quality and efficiency of judges, indicating the abandon of life-time employment of judges for the first time in China.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3144248.html

Law- reform
Fifty electronic games banned in China
Xinhua, 26 January 2005
China has banned 50 illegal electronic games in a recent government probe into the electronic publication and software market as part of the effort to protect intellectual property rights and create a good environment for Chinese youth.
http://search.xinhuanet.com/search/xhse.jsp

Migrants - law
Migrants' Rights: Opening Up the System; Fearing unrest among the work force, Beijing is moving to loosen some of the most despise...
Newsweek International, 31 January 2005
Thanks to economic reforms that began in Zhao Ziyang's time, an estimated 140 million rural-born migrants now live and work in Chinese cities, lending energy and cheap labor to China's economic boom. But their right to live in the city is still bedeviled by the rigid Maoist-era registration, or hukou, system that categorizes them as rural residents.
http://www.newsweek.com/

Political Dissidents - detention cases
Tibetan monk 'broken' by China
BBC, 26 January 2005
A Tibetan monk imprisoned by China for nearly three years can no longer walk or speak clearly, according to US-based Human Rights Watch. Tashi Phuntsog, who was released earlier this month, worked with a prominent lama, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, whom China has branded a "terrorist".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4207989.stm

Politics – political reform
Slow, cautious approach to political reform favoured
SCMP, January 26, 2005
A political expert that the leadership would tend to take a gradual and cautious approach to reforming China’s political system, rather than making a drastic change in the governing system.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZOIMAHJ3E.html

Population – one-child policy
Legislators and experts suggest amending Criminal Law to redress illegal sex identification
人大代表、法学家建议改刑法打击非法性别鉴定
People’s Daily, January 26, 2005
In a meeting, NPC representatives and law experts show their support in outlawing illegal sex identification to redress growing sex ratio imbalances in China.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3145029.html

Public health
More disabled kids after compulsory pre-marital check-up cancelled
强制婚检取消 广东缺陷儿激增
BeijingNews.com, January 26, 2005
Guangdong health officials propose free pre-marital check-up to reduce the birth rate of disabled kids. This is a response to the rising number of disabled kids at birth after compulsory pre-martial check-up was abandoned in the province.
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-26/20051261480
7.html

Hong Kong – politics
HK free but not so fair, poll finds
SCMP, January 26, 2005
A study conducted by the University of Hong Kong revealed that Hong Kong people seem content about overall enjoyment of freedom, public order, honesty and judicial impartially since the handover, but are unhappy about the growing "unfairness" in the society.
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZ0Y39HJ3E.html

Tibet
Tibetans forced to back Beijing’s choice of new Panchen (班禪), report says
据报中国要藏民支持北京挑选班禅
Voice of America, January 25, 2005
Chinese officials demands Tibetan officials to follow Beijing’s policy in choosing Tibetan’s next Panchen lama.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=44048
DA1-2C5B-4D77-886FEE74D15DCCF2

North Korea
China demands Beijing Japanese school handover 8 North Koreans
中国要求北京日本学校交出8名朝鲜人
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2005
Beijing has officially demanded the Beijing Japanese school, where 8 North Koreans takes refuge for seeking asylum from the Japanese government on Monday, to handover the intruders.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/25/chaoxian/

January 25, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Yang Tianshui (楊天水)
Freelance writer Yang Tianshui releases on bail with the help of lawyer
郭国汀援手 杨天水取保候审获释
Dajiyuan.com, January 25, 2005
Yang Tinshui, a freelance writer and PEN member, has been released on bail after he had been taken away by the police on December 24, 2004 for subversion allegation.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/25/n791985.htm

Resettlement – protest
China hands stiff sentences to 27 Farmers over land seizure protest
Voice of America, January 25, 2005
27 farmers from Sanchawan village in Shaanxi were given stiff jailed terms for protesting against the confiscation of their land with meager compensation.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-24-voa22.cfm
(Chinese version of the article also available at:
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=72AA96D
5-86CD-4BF1-BDA0C914415C3C10 )


News
Death penalty
Two Chinese overseas studies students sentenced to death and life imprisonment for murder in Japan
留学日本杀人 一死刑一无期
BeijingNews.com, January 25, 2005
Yang Ning (楊寧) and Wang Liang (王亮), Chinese students who had studied in Japan, were convicted of murdering a Japanese family. Yang was given a death penalty and Wang was sentenced for life imprisonment.
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-25/20051251201
1.html

Education-compulsory
China bans beauty contests in schools
AFP, 25 January 2005
China has ordered education authorities and schools across the country to ban beauty contests in schools, state media reported Tuesday.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1214200,00050004.htm

Gender
Cities set up coordinating institutions for protecting women’s rights
大部分地市建立妇女维权协调机构
Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
Institutions for coordinating initiatives for the protection of women’s rights have been setup in 29 provinces, with 2,603 such institution in place at county level.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182116.htm

June 4th – EU arms ban
Britain's Straw, Rice Differ on China Arms
AP via YahooNews.com, January 24, 2005
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw affirmed EU’s intentions to life arms ban on China to the US, despite US’s discontent over the move.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=73
1&e=10&u=/ap/20050124/ap_on_re_as/us_china_europe

China urges EU to end arms ban amid U.S. opposition
Associated Press, 25 January 2005
China criticized Tuesday a 15-year-old European arms embargo as a handicap to normal diplomatic relations, a day after British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Europe plans to lift the ban despite U.S. opposition.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/25/international0723EST0490.DTL

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Zhao's funeral still delayed by wrangle
SCMP, January 25, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ7CK6HJ3E.html

Media curbs reflect fear of dissent
SCMP, January 25, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chifeatures/ZZZW8LCHJ3E.html

Police detain or arrest dissidents to stop them from paying respect to Zhao
警方用拘捕和软禁制止异议人士前往悼念赵紫阳
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2005/01/24/yiyi/

Zhao's Family Resists Beijing Over Funeral
Washington Post Foreign Service, January 25, 2005
The family of Zhao Ziyang is resisting government demands that it surrender control of his funeral and insisting on changes in an official obituary drafted by the party, family friends said Monday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32960-2005Jan24?language=printer

Law – legal reform
Information legislation: a response to the quest of harmonious society values
信息立法：回应和谐社会的价值诉求
Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
Legislations on the privacy of personal information and public information disclosure would facilitate a better environment for the protection to individual rights and strengthen government accountability to the citizens.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182137.htm

Labor – work safety and conditions
Revision of law to upgrade coal mines
Xinhuanet.com, January 25, 2005
Beijing is prepared to revise a 9-year-old coal mining law, aiming to incorporating more safety standards and efficiency requirements of coal mining in the new legislations.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/25/content_2503475.htm

China to revise coal mining law to improve safety
AFP, 25 January 2005
China is to revise its nine-year-old coal mining law to try to improve safety in its notoriously dangerous pits, state media reported Tuesday.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2005/January/theworld_January608.xml&section=theworld&col=

Police – abuse / Law
7 police put on trial for torturing innocent suspect for evidence and setup murder charge
涉嫌刑讯逼供制造冤案 唐山7民警受审
Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
7 police from Tangshan in Hebei province have been put on trial for a wrongful murder charge on an innocent suspect, who was later given a death penalty.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182086.htm

Politics – CPC
CPC to strengthen multi-party cooperation
Xinhuanet.com, January 25, 2005
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee discusses policy and initiatives in strengthening multi-party-cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of CPC.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/25/content_250325
7.htm

Protests and petition / Labour – protests
System No Help to China's Laid-Off Workers
WashingtonPost.com, January 24, 2005
An unemployed worker found no ways to air his plight and discontent over government policy but pleaded with the Chinese President. However, the petitioning system does not seem making public grievances to be heard at the top.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31138-2005
Jan23.html

Public health
190,000 died of taking wrong medicine
誤用藥喪命 每年19萬
MingPao, January 25, 2005
A survey reveals that 12-25% of patients were found inappropriate use of medicine and over 190,000 were died after taking wrong medicine.
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050125/t_ccd1.htm

Public health – HIV aids
Doctors refused to treat a suspected aids patient
內地醫院趕走愛滋病人
MingPao, January 25, 2005
Doctors at a Heilongjiang hospital refused to conduct operation of a patient as they suspected the patient carried HIV aids.
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050125/t_cca1.htm

Social security
Deputies call on gov't to step up social security
China Daily, January 25, 2005
Beijing Legislators called for a rise of social security payment, demonstrating government’s commitments in improving conditions for poverty-stricken retired workers, farmers and farmer-turned workers.
http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/25/content_
411847.htm

Tibet
Tibetan Monk's Followers Hope for his Release
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2005
Supporters of a jailed Tibetan monk, Tenzin Delek Rimpoche, urge the Chinese government to rescind his death penalty, after one of the monk’s disciples has been freed recently.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/01/24/tibetan_monk/

Xinjiang
Xinjiang bus blast blamed on disgruntled coal miner
SCMP, January 25, 2005
Police has confirmed that the bus blast that killed 11 last Thursday had nothing to do with Muslims separatist attacks, but was set off by a man dissatisfied with compensation for a work-related injury.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZVYIAHJ3E.html

January 22-24, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Organizers of march to mourn Zhao detained
多维追击：组织前往赵紫阳故居游行发起人遭羁押
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 23, 2005
The wife of former student leader Zhao Xin (趙昕) said her husband had been taken away by police for Zhao’s application for organizing a march in Beijing mourning Zhao Ziyang’s death.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/2005_1_23_3_24_38_795.html

Police – abuse / human rights
55 government officials investigated for human rights violations in Guangxi
广西查处侵犯人权犯罪案55件55人
People’s Daily, January 24, 2005
55 government officials, including police officers, are under investigation by the Guangxi procuratorate bureau for human rights violations such as arbitrary detention of farmers who fail to pay fines for violating one-child policy, and forced confession to suspects.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3139885.html



News

Corruption
Two BOC staff flee after 1b yuan goes missing
SCMP, January 24, 2005
At least two officials of the Bank of China are believed to have fled the country after being involved in the embezzlement of up to 1 billion yuan.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0TG6HJ3E.html

Cadres' relatives in graft firing line
SCMP, January 22, 2005
Party members will be required to report the overseas travel and employment of their family members, revealing the government’s latest anti-corruption efforts.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZMWMCHJ3E.html

Death penalty
Death sentences for nine Henan gangsters
SCMP, January 24, 2005
Nine members of one of the mainland’s biggest gangs were sentenced to death by a Hunan court for crimes ranging from murders to running triad organizations.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQWMCHJ3E.html

Fuzhou tycoon Chen Kai sentenced to death
福州首富陈凯组织卖淫获死刑
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 23, 2005
Chen Kai (陈凯), the wealthiest man in Fuzhou, and his triad gang were convicted of a range of organized criminal offences including fraud, abduction, drug trade, and etc. Chen was given a death penalty.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/2005_1_23_7_31_2_700.html

Disaster
Disaster forecasting system to be upgraded
Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
China’s early warning system for weather disaster is to be upgraded this year, with efforts focusing on six major areas such as calamity monitoring, public broadcasting, disaster assessment and emergency response.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249456
1.htm

Human rights – bilateral ties
With might comes rights: Canada PM
SCMP, January 22, 2005
Canada Prime Minister Paul Martin urges China to respect human rights as it is one of the new obligations for China’s rise in economic and political power in the international arena.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZPVMCHJ3E.html

US says China's human rights record remains an issue to be dealt with
AFX via YahooNews.com, January 23, 2005
US urged China to improve its human rights record as human rights issue remains a stumbling block of Sino-US relations.
http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050123/323/favid.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
Straw ties arms exports to rights
SCMP, January 22, 2005
British emphasizes code of conduct on arms exports, in particular to human rights, stability and security in the region, and the security of friendly and allied countries remain the key consideration for lifting EU arms ban on China.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZUKDAHJ3E.html

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Funeral plans for Zhao still in dispute
SCMP, January 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZAKW8HJ3E.html

Hundreds brave snow to pay tribute
SCMP, January 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6KW8HJ3E.html

Ceremony gives leaders perfect chance to show new colours
SCMP, January 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ4DFAHJ3E.html

Mainlanders join mass memorial for Zhao
SCMP, January 22, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZEBU8HJ3E.html

Group of party elders urge leaders to grant proper funeral honours
SCMP, January 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ6LDAHJ3E.html

Thousands in Hong Kong Mourn China's Zhao
香港万余市民烛光集会悼念赵紫阳
Voice of America, January 22, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=EE5EE6D7
-9AD3-43B5-9079B801CF100468&title=%CF%E3%B8%DB%CD%F2
%D3%E0%CA%D0%C3%F1%D6%F2%B9%E2%BC%AF%BB%E1%B5%
BF%C4%EE%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C222%
C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&c
ategoryname=National%20News

Labour – industrial accidents
19 died in three coal mine blasts
中国三起矿难死亡19人
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2005
19 reported died in coal mine blasts in Liaoning, Gansu and Yunnan on January 20 and 21.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/22/kuangnan/

Media - reform
More efforts urged to crack down on illegal publications in 2005
Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
The crack down on pornography and illegal publications in 2005 is seen as the government’s prime task in advancing reform in the media.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249588
9.htm

Natural resources and energies
Power shortage causes blackouts nationwide
Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
21 Chinese provincial power grids oblige to impose blackouts since this January due to the surging demand for power caused by cold weather and rapid economic growth.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249451
5.htm

Politics / Society
Excerpted article from Chinese News Week: public opinions slowly gaining influence in government policy-making?
中国新闻周刊：民意诉求开始悄悄影响政府决策？
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 24, 2005
Given the growing importance of public consultation meeting across China, it appears to show the increasing influence of public opinions in a modern style of policy-making in China.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/zxs_2005-01-24_532242.shtml

Religion – Falungong
Reformed Falun Gong followers renounce faith in jail
SCMP, January 24, 2005
Liu Yunfang, a devoted Falungong follower who had set himself on fire in the name of Falungong and now serving a life sentence, denounced the religious group and confessed the wrongdoing against the government, reported in an interview arranged by the authority.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZYCFAHJ3E.html

Rural issues / Government – fiscal
Rural districts get big slice of budget
SCMP, January 24, 2005
Beijing will allocate half of the city government’s budget, or an increase of 67.4% from last year, on developing rural areas this year as a way to solve resource shortages in the poor rural areas.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZR0PCHJ3E.html

Rural issues / land policy
40-50 million rural farmers now landless
中国失地农民约四千万至五千万人
Chinesenewnet.com, January 23, 2005
It is estimated that 40 to 50 million rural farmers are now landless, with the group believed to be increased 2 to 3 million annually.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/cna_2005_01_23_00_38_02_763.html

Xinjiang
Xinjiang bus blast that killed 11 was man-made, officials say
SCMP, January 22, 2005
Police confirmed the bus blast that killed 11 people in Xinjiang last Thursday a man-made incident.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ28E6HJ3E.html

January 21, 2005

Top news of the day

Corruption
Corruption claims lead to sacking
SCMP, January 21, 2005
Liu Tao (劉濤), vice chairman of the Shenzhen People’s Political Consultative Conference, is sacked over corruption charge.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZVP9AHJ3E.html

Xinjiang
Two blasts kill 13, injure 18 in Xinjiang
SCMP, January 21, 2005
13 people were killed and 18 injured in two separate explosions in Xinjiang yesterday. Police speculates that the tragedies may be related to separatist attack.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZN5JCHJ3E.html


News
Bilaterals-Canada/China
Martin gently chides China on rights
The Globe and Mail, 21 January 2005
China is making considerable strides in reducing abuses of human rights, Paul Martin said yesterday.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

Gender – discrimination / Education
Education bureau may relax control over marriage and the giving birth of university students
教育部拟规定高校不干涉大学生婚育
China Youth Online, January 21, 2005
Education bureau considers lifting a ban that outlaws marriage and giving birth of female high school and university students. The move is believed to free women from making a choice between marriage and education.
http://news.cyol.com/gb/news/2005-01/21/content_1020991.htm

Gender – sexuality
Yes, gay men are at risk in China
International Herald Tribune, January 21, 2005
Although the government has taken note of the high risk of its 20 million gay population for contracting and transmitting HIV aids, measures in preventing the disease for this socially marginalized group are far from enough.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/20/opinion/edsettle.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
Tokyo fights push to lift arms ban
SCMP, January 21, 2005
Japan aired discontent over EU’s likely move to the lifting of arms embargo against China for fears of increasing tensions in the region.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6UA6HJ3E.html

• Related news:
  Lifting arms ban on China worsens EU-American relations?
  解禁对华军售加剧欧盟美国裂痕？
  Voice of America, January 21, 2005
  http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=65C1BB
  A3-4DAB-4740-92E4E4306F97BACF&title=%BD%E2%BD%FB%B
  6%D4%BB%AA%BE%FC%CA%DB%BC%D3%BE%E7%C5%B7%C3%
  CB%C3%C0%B9%FA%C1%D1%BA%DB%A3%BF%2805%C4%EA1%
  D4%C220%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009
  027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News
  

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Home becomes a site of pilgrimage
SCMP, January 21, 2005
A steady stream people came to pay their respects to Zhao at his home in Wangfujing after the government had given green light to public mourning to the former leader.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZIUA6HJ3E.html

• Related news:
  Beijing indicates a simple funeral planned for Zhao
  SCMP, January 21, 2005
  http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0MJCHJ3E.html
  
  Tiananmen Mother not allowed to pay respect to Zhao in person
  丁子霖：为什么不许我前往赵紫阳家致哀？
  Chinesenewsnet.com, January 21, 2005
  http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_
  1_20_10_39_23_156.html
  

Law
Contemporary criminal law and the protection to human rights
当代刑法与人权保障
Legal Daily, January 20, 2005
Legal experts emphasized that human rights protection is an inherent feature in contemporary criminal law and a foundation to the constitution.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/20/content_180283.htm

Protests and Petitions
A Chinese Court Sentences Farmers Who Protested a Land Seizure
The New York Times, 21 January 2005
The Sanqin Metro Daily, a state-controlled newspaper in the provincial capital of Xian, reported this week that 6 of 27 arrested protesters were given long sentences, including 15 years for a protest leader, Gao Lading.
www.nytimes.com

Protesters scuffle with police as Shanghai ends government meeting
AP, 21 January 2005
The protest took place across the street from the Shanghai Exhibition Center on Nanjing West Road, where legislators were meeting in preparation for the annual meeting of China's parliament in March.
www.ap.org

Political dissidents – imprisonment – Yang Jiangli (楊建利)
Wife of Boston-Based Dissident Jailed
AP via YahooNews.com, January 21, 2005
The wife of jailed dissident Yang Jiangli (楊建利) plans to seek medical parole of his husband who has been convicted of spying and illegal entry in 2003.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=731
&e=10&u=/ap/20050120/ap_on_re_as/china_jailed_dissident

Political Dissidents-Detention Cases
South Korean missionary to sue China in US court over imprisonment: report
Agence France Presse, 21 January 2005
Kim Hee-Tae, a South Korean missionary who was detained for two years in a Chinese prison on charges of aiding North Korean defectors, plans to sue the Chinese government in a United States court, Yonhap news agency reported Friday.
www.afp.com

Poverty
Getting attention the key to get access to poverty funds
“扶贫托儿”
Nanfang Weekend, January 20, 2005
A rural villager earns the reputation to get 1 million poverty funds for the
village after he succeeded to get attention from the authority for persistence in “crying” out the plights of the village.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050120/xw/szxw2/2005
01200014.asp

Protests and petitions
Will the new regulations on petitions invite more petitioning activities in the future?
新信访条例会否带来新一轮信访洪峰
Nanfang Weekend, January 20, 2005
Experts say the new regulations on petitions give explicit reference to the right to protect petitioners and that may encourage a new wave of petitioning activities in the future.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050120/xw/szxw1/20050
1200007.asp

January 20, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – Prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
China to hold funeral for deposed leader Zhao Ziyang
AFP via YahooNews.com, January 20, 2005
Beijing is to hold a funeral for the purged leader Zhao for opposing the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989, but it is yet to announce whether top officials would be allowed to attend.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/20050120/
wl_asia_afp/chinatiananmenpolitics

• Related news with top news:
  Public allowed to pay tribute at last
  SCMP, January 20, 2005
  http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZKA6AHJ3E.html

News
Bilaterals-China/Canada
Canada and China agree to expand annual dialogues on human rights issues
By ALEXA OLESEN, AP, 20 January 2005
BEIJING (AP) - Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao agreed to expand their annual dialogues on human rights issues during talks Thursday which also included overseeing the signing of a broad energy cooperation pact.
China launches crackdown on power plant polluters.
www.ap.org

Children – abuse (trafficking)
The crackdown of child trafficking gangs in Yunnan
云南:艰难反击贩童黑帮
Nanfang Daily, January 20, 2005
Child trafficking gangs in Yunnan take all forms of tactics to kidnap children, which effectively undermines efforts in hunting down the gangs.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/jwxy/200501200024
.asp

Corruption
Officials stand trial over 5.9m yuan corruption case
SCMP, January 20, 2005
Gong Jiquan, former deputy secretary-general of Chengdu, Sichuan, has been put on trial for corruption yesterday.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZW076HJ3E.html

Death penalty
Murderer of nine students in Henan executed
汝州砍杀九学生案主犯伏法
BeijingNews.com, January 20, 2005
Yan Yanming, 21-year-old, has been executed in Henan for murderer charges of 9 high-school students in last November.
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-20/200512054419.
html

Detention – Li Baiguang (李栢光)
Featured article: the setup of the detention of rights defender Li Baiguang
俞梅荪：维权博士李柏光被捕案的台前幕后
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 20, 2005
Rights defender Li Baiquang is detained for his persistence efforts in helping farmers defending their rights over government land deals.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_
19_15_22_44_19.html

Education
35% of student unable to pay school fee, but poverty not the main reason
35％的学生欠交学费　贫困并非主要原因
People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
An investigation reveals that many high school students are unable to pay school fee due to many reasons, with poverty playing a small role.
http://society.people.com.cn/GB/1063/3132273.html

Environment
Watchdog faced huge pressure to allow dams
SCMP, January 20, 2005
Environment bureau has called for a halt to 30 large industrial projects despite strong oppositions.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9FN8HJ3E.html

• Related news:
  China suspends 30 polluting projects for failing to get green go-ahead
  AFP via YahooNews.com, January 19, 2005
  http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050119/
  sc_afp/chinaenvironment_050119080530
  

Government – governance and accountability
China to institute a responsibility system for major decision-making errors
People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
Beijing has stepped up effort in advancing efficiency of SOEs by institutionalizing a responsibility system for management’s wrongful decisions.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/19/eng20050119_1711
74.html

June 4th – arms ban
EU policy on China set to create tensions with US
Financial Times, January 20, 2005
EU’s plans to life the arms embargo on China would create tensions with the US.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/fef3cde4-698e-11d9-81e7-00000e2511
c8.html

Don't Let China Off The Hook
The Washington Post, 20 January 2005
The European Union should pause in its determined march to lift the arms embargo that it imposed against China for the Tiananmen Square killings of 1989. Europe is set to prove the wrong guys right about the world's willingness to put aside outrage over human rights atrocities when business beckons.
www.washingtonpost.com

Japan urges Britain not to lift EU arms embargo on China
AP, 20 January 2005
TOKYO (AP) - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw faced opposition from Tokyo Thursday to lifting the European Union's arms embargo on China as he headed for a visit to discuss the matter with officials in Beijing.
www.ap.org

• Related news:
  Arms embargo could end by July, says Irish PM
  SCMP, January 20, 2005
  http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZY26AHJ3E.html
  

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
HK media monitored lest it set off unrest
SCMP, January 20, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZPEN8HJ3E.html

With heavy heart, hundreds in HK remember Zhao Ziyang
SCMP, January 20, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZLOFCHJ3E.html

Featured article: mourning of the death of Zhao a violation of the Basic Law?
汤家骅：悼念赵紫阳违《基本法》？
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 20, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_
19_16_5_59_727.html

Featured article: Zhao and the ruling of the Chinese Constitutions
趙紫陽問題和依憲治國
Asia Times Online, January 19, 2005
http://www.atchinese.com/2005/01/0119rep.htm

June 4th dissidents closely monitored
北京严密监控六四异议人士
Voice of America, January 19, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=43AE7E4
A-2D85-4535-87E109FBF5173543&title=%B1%B1%BE%A9%D1%C
F%C3%DC%BC%E0%BF%D8%C1%F9%CB%C4%D2%EC%D2%E9%
C8%CB%CA%BF%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C219%C8%D5%29&catOID
=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=Nat
ional%20News

Dissident among few allowed to pay respects
SCMP, January 20, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ8076HJ3E.html

Labour – industrial accidents / Government – governance and accountability
High-ranking provincial official penalized for grim coal mine blast
People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
Shi Jichun, deputy governor of Henan Province, was given an administrative warning for his mishandling in a cola mine blast last October, which caused 148 death.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/20/eng20050120_17
1219.html

Law-Legal Reform
China disciplines 719 lawyers, vows stricter rules on law firms
Xinhua's China Economic Information Service, 20 January 2005
BEIJING, January 20 (CEIS) -- China disciplined 719 lawyers in 2004 and vowed to enforce stricter rules on law firms to head off malpractice in 2005, according to the Ministry of Justice.
www.factiva.com

Political dissidents – imprisonment - Yang Jiangli (楊建利)
US senators urge Beijing to release Yang Jiangli
美议员吁北京放杨建利
Voice of America, January 19, 2005
US Senators calls for the release of Yang Jiangli on his 1000th day of arrest.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=910D65A0
-B2C3-49D4-9117BBC712A5BEC5&title=%C3%C0%D2%E9%D4%B1
%D3%F5%B1%B1%BE%A9%B7%C5%D1%EE%BD%A8%C0%FB%280
5%C4%EA1%D4%C219%C8%D5%29

Wife of Boston-based dissident jailed in China allowed to see him for first time since arrest
AP, 20 January 2005
Associated Press Newswires
BEIJING (AP) - The wife of a Boston-based democracy activist (Yang Jianli)
jailed in China said on Thursday she plans to seek medical parole for her husband after seeing him for the first time since he was detained in 2002.
www.ap.org

Public health – HIV aids
School fee exemption for young aids patients in Guangdong
青少年艾滋病感染者可免学费
People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
Guangdong government announced that young aids patients and children of HIV patients are entitled to school fee exemption and dismissals of aids student from schools are illegal.
http://society.people.com.cn/GB/1062/3132432.html

Rural issues
Villager beat to death after suggesting public accounting in village meeting
村民一建议竟遭村官雇凶当街打死
Dajiyuan.com, January 20, 2005
A villager in Shunyang is beaten to death by a group of people employed by the village officials after he had suggested the disclosure of village accounts in a village meeting.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/20/n786629.htm

January 19, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Mourning of Zhao’s death blocked in Shanghai and Beijing
哀悼赵紫阳 北京拦截 上海抓捕
Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
Human Rights in China (HRIC) revealed that public was blocked paying respect to Zhao in Beijing and Shanghai.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785648.htm

Beijing Speaks Ill of Fallen Chief, but Private Mourning Is Allowed
New York Times, 19 January 2005 (JOSEPH KAHN)
Private services were held at Zhao Ziyang’s residence. Plainclothes police officers surrounded the site and occupied intersections of nearby thoroughfares, but a steady stream of well-wishers were allowed to visit.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/19/international/asia/19zhao.html

• Related news with top news:
  News agency says Liu Xiaobo forced to stay home
  合众社：刘晓波已被禁止离开家门
  Chinesenewsnet.com, January 19, 2005
  http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/
  Mainland /2005_1_18_23_12_1_936.html
  

(For more news, refer the updated Special News Brief on Zhao Ziyang’s death)


News

Border Issues-North Korea
N. Korean Abduction Squad Roams Freely Through China
Chosun Ilbo, 19 January 2005
North Korea's State Safety and Security Agency operates an abduction squad in China to kidnap North Korean defectors and South Koreans helping them there. The abduction squad can commit such atrocities on Chinese soil because China looks the other way.
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200501/20050119
0043.html

Corruption
Former vice-governor arrested for corruption
SCMP, January 19, 2005
Li Dachang, former governor of Sichuan, has been arrested for embezzling public funds amounted to 100 million yuan.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9S2AHJ3E.html

Huge haul of bogus invoices
SCMP, January 19, 2005
Heifang government has uncovered fake invoices totaling 700 million yuan in a large scale investigation over local government finances.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZSLK8HJ3E.html

Death penalty
Shaanxi Chief Procurator Chen Peng (陳平) sentenced to death for corruption
咸阳秦都区检察院原检察长涉嫌受贿被判死刑
EastDay.com, January 19, 2005
Chief Procurator Chen Peng of Xianyang Country, Shaanxi is sentenced to death for corruption and intended murder.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
37979/node47309/userobject1ai809810.html

Killer of nine students in central China executed
Xinhua News Agency, 20 January 2005
Yan Yanming, a 21-year-old man who killed nine senior high school students and injured four others, was executed Tuesday in Pingdingshan City in central China's Henan province.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/20/content_2483786.htm

June 4th-Arms Sales
EU will have to 'manage' tensions with US over China arms sales: Straw
AFP, 19 January 2005
LONDON (AFP) - Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the European Union would have to work to ease tensions with the United States over the likely lifting of an embargo on arms sales to China, a move opposed by Washington.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1538&u=/afp/20050119/wl_uk_afp/euchinabritain
arms&printer=1

Law – legal profession
Beijing takes tough measures to law firms on bribery practices and ambiguous fee charges
司法部严惩律师行贿法官行为和乱收费现象
People’s Daily, January 19, 2005
Ministry of Justice vows to be tough on law firms over bribery and misappropriate fee charges after revealing that 719 lawyers and 213 law firms had been punished on disciplinary charges in 2004.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3128537.html

Media – internet
Internet survey reveals 94 million internet users in China with average usage of 13.2 hours per week
CNNIC:中国网民总数达9400万 每周上网13.2小时
EastDay.com, January 19, 2005
According to a report published by the China National Network Information Center, there are over 94 million internet users in China, or 8% increase as compared with last year.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
37979/node47309/userobject1ai809669.html

Media – press freedom
China condemned over Canadian PM visa row
SCMP, January 19, 2005
Reporters Without Borders condemns China for barring two Toronto-based Chinese journalist to enter China for a press assignment.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZEW46HJ3E.html

Politics – CPC
Party launches education campaign to consolidate ruling status
Xinhuanet.com, January 19, 2005
China Communist Party launched a meeting to educate members for advancing party ruling status in the country.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/19/content_2481108.htm

Religion
China recognizes relgion as a right
Reuters, December 20, 2004
Officially atheist China, has announced new rules enshrining religious belief as a basic human right. The set of comprehensive administrative rules "specify that the legitimate rights of religious groups, religious sites and the religious people are protected," it said.
http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2004/12/19/
news/china-4661925.html

January 18, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
State media ignores reformist's death
SCMP, January 18, 2005
Beijing released a brief statement on Zhao’s death, but silenced discussion of the topic on internet.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZMF06HJ3E.html

China defends 1989 crackdown, dismissal of sympathetic party leader
AP, 18 January 2005 (JOE McDONALD)
China on Tuesday defended its 1989 decision to depose former Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang, indicating there were no plans to honor him in death.
http://www.ap.org

• Related news with top news:
  Reports say Beijing prepares to commemorate Zhao
  报导称中国官方准备为赵紫阳举行追悼会
  Chinesenewsnet.com, January 17, 2005
  http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
  land/cna_2005_01_17_19_38_05_122.html
  
  Aide to Late Chinese Party Boss Lashes Out at Regime
  Radio Free Asia, January 17, 2005
  http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/01/17/china_baotong/

(Please also see Special News Brief on Zhao’s death)


Protests and petitions
Petitioners can lead to criminal charge for outrages behavior
过激信访构成犯罪将究刑责
People’s Daily, January 18, 2005
The new petition regulations reserve the right to put petitioners on criminal charge for outranges acts.
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3126582.html

• related news:
  Regulations on Petitions (full text)
  信访条例 (全文)
  Legal Daily, January 18, 2005
  http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/18/content_179070.htm
  
  Petition offices told to act faster
  SCMP, January 18, 2005
  http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9MZ9HJ3E.html
  
  China to better protect petitioners' rights
  People’s Daily, January 18, 2005
  http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/18/eng20050118_1
  70922.html
  

News

Death penalty
Complete abolishment of death penalty still hard in today's China
People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
China may gradually reduce application of death penalty, but a complete abolishment remains difficult in China.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/17/eng20050117_17087
9.html

Education
Education in rural areas should meet their practical needs
乡村需要适应实际生活的“活教育”
China Youth Daily, January 18, 2005
Experts said the realization of 9-year compulsory education is important, but the realization should not be bound by the time, but the flexible and practical content.
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-01/18/content_1017647.htm

Environment
Water diverted into Pearl River system to ease salinity problem
SCMP, January 18, 2005
Guangdong authorities began to diverting 900 million cubic meters water into the Pearl River Delta System attempting to ease a water salinity problem in neighboring cities.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZFYY9HJ3E.html

Food security
China to tighten control on grain production
Xinhuanet.com, January 18, 2005
Although grain production increased in 2004, government would continue to tighten control on grain production through macro-economic policy.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2474404.htm

Government – governance and accountability (law)
Draft regulations on disclosing public information to submit to State Council
政府信息公开条例完成草案起草 并上报到国务院
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
Draft regulations on public information disclosure will be submitted to the State Council for study.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
zxs_2005-01-18_529567.shtml

Human rights – education
People's Daily launches special column to boost human rights education
People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
People’s Daily, a state newspaper, starts to run a column focusing on human rights education since mid January to increase public awareness on human rights issues in China.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/17/eng20050117_170886.html

Labour – work safety and conditions
Watchdog vows to cut workplace fatalities
Xinhuanet.com, January 18, 2005
Work Safety bureau targets dangerous occupations and sectors such as mining and road traffic to improve work safety conditions and reduce fatal accidents.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2474376.htm

Political Dissidents

Dissidents under surveillance after death of ousted Chinese leader Zhao
AFP, 18 January 2005
Dissidents and civil rights campaigners said Tuesday the government is watching them more closely after the death of deposed Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang, preventing them from holding commemorative activities.
www.afp.com

Help China's prisoners of conscience
SCMP, 18 January 2005
Tomorrow, Chinese pro-democracy activist and US permanent resident Yang Jianli will be spending his 1,000th day in detention in a Beijing prison.
www.scmp.com

Uighur writer in China arrested for a short story advocating independence
AFP, 18 January 2005
Nurmehemmet Yasin was detained by state security agents in November after he published in the review "Literature in Kashgar", a short story entitled "The Blue Pigeon" advocating independence for Uighurs.
www.afp.com

Public health
Beijing attempts to draft nutrition law as anxiety grows on Chinese’s nutrition conditions
我国居民营养问题日益突出 政府酝酿营养立法
EastDay.com, January 18, 2005
The government considers promulgating regulation on nutrition to ease the worsening nutrition conditions of the general public
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
37979/node47160/userobject1ai804356.html

Resettlement – protests
Police detain housing protesters
SCMP, January 18, 2005
Shanghai police detailed dozens of protesting over housing compensation outside the city’s legislative building yesterday.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ8LH8HJ3E.html