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.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

February 26-28, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Chen Xiaoming (陳小明)

Shanghai rights activist Chen Xiaoming detained before US Consulate visit
上海一维权者(陳小明)在见美领事前被截
Voice of America, February 26, 2005
Shanghai resident, Chen Xiaoming (陳小明), is reported taken away by the police on his way to an appointment at the U.S. Consulate to speak with a consular official about the case of detained petitioner Mao Hengfeng (毛恒鳯).
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-26-voa41.cfm




News

Corruption
Wen in new salvo against corruption
SCMP, February 28, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZH8KK985E.html

International anti-corruption group Transparency International talks about corruption in China
国际反腐组织谈中外腐败
Voice of America, February 27, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-27-voa33.cfm

Environment - disasters
Yellow River Ice Thaw a Threat
China Daily, February 28, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/China/121368.htm#

Human rights
China, Egypt, Sudan among countries cited for human rights abuses
Associated Press Newswires, 28 February 2005
The U.S. State Department in its annual report on human rights found systematic torture in Syria, serious abuses in China and the killing of civilians by government-backed militia in Sudan's troubled Darfur province.
http://www3.cjad.com/content/cp_article.asp?id=/global_feeds/CanadianPress/WorldNews/w022835A.htm

Labour – employment market
Officials refuse to admit labour crisis
SCMP, February 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ1KIK985E.html

'We just can't find suitable candidates'
SCMP, February 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZXJIK985E.html

Labour – industrial accidents
Coal mine accident kills 4 in Shaan'xi
Xinhuanet.com, February 26, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/26/content_262
2083.htm


Law
12 new laws to take effect on March 1
从3月1日起12项新法律法规新春添暖意
Xinhuanet.com, February 28, 2005
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3206118.html

Criminal Law Amended to Curb Credit Card Crimes
Xinhua News Agency, February 26, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/government/121244.htm

Law – judicial system
UN hits out at China's judicial system for political and arbitrary bias
AFP via YahooNews.com, February 25, 2005
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050225/19/t8mn.html

Expert Witness System to Be Changed
Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2005
China's expert witnesses, who are currently employed by judicial or other public departments, will soon be independent civil agents, according to a draft decision on appraisal of justice submitted to China's top legislature Friday.
http://china.org.cn/english/government/121247.htm

Natural resources and energy
Seasonal blackouts expected instead of major power cuts
SCMP, February 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZJTS9585E.html

Police – administrative detention (labour camp)
UN urges China to review labour camps system
ABC via YahooNews.com, February 26, 2005
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050226/21/t8ya.html

Politics
Jiang's departure will complete transition of power
SCMP, February 28, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZW3X9585E.html

Population – one-child policy
Tougher line sought on aborting girl fetuses
SCMP, February 28, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0TU9585E.html

Political dissidents – Hada (哈達)
US congressman urges China to release Mogol dissident Hada
美议员促胡锦涛释放蒙古族异议人士哈达
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 25, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_2_25_18_26_31_422.html


Protests and petitions – UN
Full text of an open petition letter to UN submitted by 106 Chinese dissidents
附件:中国106人致联合国公开信
Voice of America, February 26, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-26-voa7.cfm

Public health
New Henan Health Checks Prove Controversial
China Daily, February 26, 2005
When compulsory HIV/AIDS and venereal disease testing became a must for all public entertainment employees in Henan Province four days ago, officials were not banking on the public debate which followed.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/121254.htm

Reform - population control
Criminal Penalties Mulled for Gender-based Abortions
China Daily, February 28, 2005
Members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) called on Saturday for a new criminal law prohibiting gender-based abortion and fetal gender identification for non-medical purposes.
http://china.org.cn/english/2005/Feb/121283.htm

Rewards Give Impetus to One-child Policy
Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2005
Zhang Jianli and Wang Shulian, an old couple in a village of Chengde in north China's Hebei Province, recently received 1,200 yuan (US$144) in rewards from the local government for sticking to the government's one-child policy.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/121371.htm

Religion
China to enact new regulations on religious freedom
Associated Press Newswires, 28 February 2005
China is implementing new religious regulations that the government says will protect freedom of faith. Critics complain that the broad guidelines could instead be used to persecute religious groups.
www.ap.org

Society
Seeking a modern role for ancient values
SCMP, February 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZAM9J985E.html

Society – ethnicity
China publishes white paper on regional autonomy for ethnic minorities
Xinhuanet.com, February 28, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/28/content_262
7889.htm


Hong Kong – the Basic Law
Think-tank to study HK-Beijing ties
SCMP, February 28, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZ98KK985E.html

Tibet
China says minority separatists still active
Associated Press Newswires, 28 February 2005
China condemned alleged ethnic minority separatists Monday, saying they're backing independence for Tibet and the country's far western Muslim region.
www.ap.org

Friday, February 25, 2005

February 25, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Lawyer quit in the midst of stiff pressures over Lin Mu’s lawsuit against police’s illegal detention
前胡耀邦秘书状告公安遭压顶
Voice of America, February 24, 2005
Gao Zhisheng (高智晟), one of the lawyer of Li Mu (林枚)’s lawsuit against Xian police for illegal detention, decided to withdraw from the case yesterday. Yet, the withdrawal is believed to be related to stiff political pressures from the government and the communist party on the lawsuit. http://www.voanews.com/chinese/2005-02-24-voa60.cfm

Protests and petitions - UN
Activists call on UN to intervene over rights
SCMP, February 25, 2005
106 mainland political activists submitted a petition letter to the UN calling for intervention in China’s human rights issues and the release of several dissidents including Shi Tao (師濤), Ye Guozhu (葉國柱), Zhao Xin (趙昕) and Zhang Lin (張林).
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZCBR9585E.html



News


Education
The development of National School Fees Sponsorship Scheme
国家助学贷款发展脉络
China Youth Daily, February 25, 2005
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-02/25/content_1037814.htm

Two fundamental directions for fixing existing education policy
教育政策调整的两个根本方向
Nanfang Weekend, February 24, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050224/xw/ttzs/2005
02240002.asp


Gender
Chinese woman, 104, can stay
SCMP, February 25, 2005
http://asia.scmp.com/asianews/ZZZBEP9585E.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
EU trade commissioner urges China to provide solid evidence to justify EU’s move to lift arms ban
曼德尔森敦促北京提供能解除武禁的证据
Radio Free Asia, February 25, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/24/wuqijinling/

Europe sees ending China arms embargo as way to better ties
International Herald Tribune, February 25, 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/24/news/arms.html

China Arms Embargo Not What It Seems
AP via YahooNews.com, February 24, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050224/
ap_on_re_eu/europe_arms_to_china_3


Government – civil service
Bureaucrats lose chance of another pay increase
SCMP, February 25, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZAPEK985E.html

Hukou
3 major shortcomings of China’s hukou systems provokes the needs for new law
我国户籍管理制度存三大弊端 将制定新户籍法
Xinhuanet.com, February 24, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2005-02/24/content
_2612666.htm





Multilaterals - UN
UN hits out at China's judicial system for political and arbitrary bias
AFP, Feb 25, 2005
The United Nations has urged China to better safeguard constitutionally protected rights and criticised Beijing for arbitrarily jailing those who peacefully voice religious and political views.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/2005
0225/wl_asia_afp/chinaunrights


Protests and petitions
Amendments to Improve Petition System
China Daily, February 24, 2005
Approved by the State Council on January 5, newly revised regulation on citizen petitions, which will take effect on May 1, signals the government's determination to bring the petition system in line with the changing times and create a more harmonious society.
http://service.china.org.cn/link/wcm/Show_Text?info_id=121087
&p_qry=law


Public health – HIV aids
China Must Expand AIDS Fight – UNICEF
Reuters via YahooNew.com, February 25, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050224
/wl_nm/aids_china_unicef_dc_1


Rural issues - migrants
Province Sets up Worker Database
China Daily, February 25. 2005
An information certificate system for rural laborers from northeast Heilongjiang Province is expected to be completed later this year.
http://china.org.cn/english/government/121134.htm

Rural issues - development
Rural Social Security System Vital to Nation's Development
China Daily, February 24, 2005
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has hammered out a plan for establishing a social security system in China's rural areas, according to the 21st Century Business Herald.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/121101.htm

Three Gorges
Chongqing focuses on Three Gorges diaspora
SCMP, February 25, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ3QEK985E.html

Thursday, February 24, 2005

February 24, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Wang Mingqing (王明清)
Shanghai Petitioner Wang Mingqing Detained
Human Rights in China, February 23, 2005
According to Human rights in China, a human rights group based in New York and Hong Kong, a Shanghai resident Wang Mingqing (王明清) was placed under administrative detention on February 16 for ‘causing trouble’. The detention is believed to be related to Wang’s persistent petitioning the Chinese authorities over the destruction of his home in an urban redevelopment project.
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/press?revision%5fid=
20519&item%5fid=20518


Hukou
Public Security Bureau plans to draft new household registration law, submission date for the draft yet to be set
公安部:我国将制定新户籍法 提审日期尚未确定
People’s Daily, February 23, 2005
Deputy Chief of the Public Security Bureau said that the Bureau is preparing for drafting a new household registration law to address issues of accelerating labour mobility and inequality in the society; however, a time-table for submitting the draft has yet to be set.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3198817.html



News

Corruption
Mystifying budgets fuel graft, says magazine
SCMP, February 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5D3J985E.html

Public fund used in 80% of bribery cases
八成中国行贿者使用公款行贿
Dajiyuan.com, February 24, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/24/n824875.htm

Environment
China's southern boomtown must clean up its act, mayor admits
AFP via YahooNews.com, February 24, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&
ncid= 731&e=4&u=/afp/20050224/wl_asia_afp/chinabritainenvi
ronmentshenzhen


Chinese environmental groups support punishment for projects failing to meet standards
中国环保组织支持惩罚违建工程
Voice of America, February 23, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-23-voa48.cfm

3 major rivers heavily polluted
Xinhuanet.com, February 23, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/23/content_260907
1.htm


China Resettles Hundreds of Thousands from Dam Site
Reuters, Feb 24, 2005
China has resettled about three quarters of the more than 1 million people forced from their homes by the massive Three Gorges Dam project but now must find ways to employ them, officials said on Thursday.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/bceea51b024d9
be4/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/


Human rights
US human rights report on China to criticize China’s poor human rights record
讨论:美人权报告将再次指责中国人权状况
Dajiyuan.com, February 24, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/24/n824846.htm

June 4th – EU arms ban
Schroeder confident EU will lift embargo
SCMP, February 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZULM9585E.html

China Arms Embargo Not What It Seems
Associated Press Newswires, 24 February 2005
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D88F30F80.htm

Europe Wants China Sales But Not Just of Weapons
The New York Times, 24 February 2005
To some critics, Europe's plan to lift its arms embargo on China is simply a way to make sure its weapons makers claim a slice of one of the world's largest military budgets. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/international/europe/24
weapons.html


June 4th – Prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Funeral Committee of Zhao Ziyang urges the Communist Party to investigate criminal liabilities for ordering illegal detention of innocent citizens
来稿:敦请审查中共非法拘禁公民赵紫阳的法人犯罪问题
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 24, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_
2_23_18_21_27_730.html


Lawyers speak about Lin Mu’s lawsuit against Xian Police over illegal detention
高智晟 刘军国律师谈林牧起诉西安公安局
Dajiyuan.com, February 24, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/24/n824831.htm

Labour – employment market
Featured article: labour rights protection is fundamental in revolving labour shortages
李强来稿:保障工人的权利才是解决“民工荒”的根本办法
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 24, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_
2_23_19_18_26_97.html


Labour – industrial accidents (Fuxin case)
Safety chief faces probe after blast
SCMP, February 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZILM9585E.html

Media - Internet
China restates view on international management of Internet
Xinhua News Agency, 24 February 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/25/content_26166
02.htm


Police
Public Security Bureau to announce regulations to prevent and correct prolong detention
公安部即将出台规定预防和纠正超期羁押
China Youth Daily, February 24, 2005
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-02/24/content_1036813.htm

Protests and petitions
Petitioners Dragged From Gates as China's Leaders Hold Social Justice Meeting
Radio Free Asia, February 23, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/02/23/china_petitioners/

Public health – HIV aids
Funding crunch threatens group helping Aids orphans
SCMP, February 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQ3O9585E.html

UNICEF calls on China to treat AIDS as a general public health issue
Agence France Presse, 24 February 2005
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=526812

Rural issues – taxation
Tax burden remains on farmers despite agricultural tax scrapped
农业税取消后农民仍是纳税人
China Youth Daily, February 24, 2005
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-02/24/content_1036933.htm

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

February 23, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Zhao supporter to sue over 'abduction'
SCMP, February 23, 2005
Mainland dissident Lin Mu (林牧) is set to file a lawsuit against Xian state police for illegally detaining him after the death of former Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZZL8K985E.html



June 4th – EU arms ban
Bush warns Europe not to lift arms embargo against China
SCMP, February 23, 2005
US President George Bush warned EU that the US congress might retaliate if EU lifts the arms embargo against China.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZAQK9585E.html




News

Death penalty
Chief Judge says China would strictly limit giving death sentence
肖扬:中国严控死刑的适用 严格判处死刑的程序
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 22, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-22_542472.shtml


Education
University free if students go west
SCMP, February 23, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZJM8K985E.html

Environment
River pollution remains chronic
SCMP, February 23, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZAG0J985E.html

A Deadly Fever, Once Defeated, Lurks in a Chinese Lake
New York Times, February 22, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/22/international/asia/22
snail.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1109149485-8tQwkOB6OoCYY
QicYb9+Hg


Labour – industrial accidents
1 died and 13 injured in Guangdong firework workshop blast
广东茂名私炮作坊发生爆炸造成1人死亡13人受伤
EastDay.com, February 23, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node51109/userobject1ai884314.html


China acts over mining disaster
BBC, 2.23.2005
The vice-governor of China's Liaoning province has been suspended in connection with last week's mine disaster, in which 214 miners died. http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/6013bd4c7a0db6dc/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Law
Judicial interpretation facilitates equity and justice and enhances public understanding to law enforcement
公正公平、便民利民:中国2004年新司法解释解读
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 23, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-23_542720.shtml


Chinese Chief Justice on Human Rights Protection in Administration of Justice
People’s Daily, February 23, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-23_542507.shtml


Law – legal profession
Why senior lawyers not keen to be judges?
热点追踪:资深律师缘何不热衷当法官
People’s Daily, February 23, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3196441.html

Lawyers’ rights and responsibilities should be explicitly emphasized in the upcoming revision of the procedural laws
观点透视:律师权责在两法修订中要合理分布
People’s Daily, February 23, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3196431.html

Politics
Draft of gov't work report discussed at Politburo meeting
People’s Daily, February 22, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/22/eng20050222_174
292.html


Public Health
Clinton Hails China's AIDS Progress, Offers Help
Reuters, Feb 23,2005
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said Wednesday China has made progress in fighting AIDS since he last visited in 2003 and his foundation would give drugs and help train doctors battling the disease.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20050223/pl_nm/aids_china_clinton_dc

WTO / rural issues
Chinese farmers are the victims of China’s access to the WTO, a World Bank report revealed
世界银行报告:中国农民成入世受害者
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 23, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-23_542720.shtml




Tuesday, February 22, 2005

February 22, 2005

News

Death penalty
Chengdu corrupt official sentenced to death for taking bribes totaling 14 million yuan
成都贪官索受贿1400余万一审判死刑
Dajiyuan.com, February 22, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/22/n820445.htm

Food security – food safety
China strengthens food quality supervision
Xinhuanet.com, February 22, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/22/content_2602
733.htm


Gender – abuse
Abused woman got a reprieve after convicted of murdering her husband
包头一妇女抗虐杀夫获刑3年缓刑5年
ChinaYouthOnline.com, February 21, 2005
http://news.cyol.com/gb/news/2005-02/21/content_1034965.htm

Gender – discrimination
25 married daughter in Gansu get back land right after 10 years of lawsuit
甘肃:25名“出嫁女” 10年讨回土地权
People’s Daily, February 18, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42734/43193/3186101.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
Chirac, Bush discuss China arms embargo
SCMP, February 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZS8YI985E.html



Labour – industrial accidents (Fuxin Case)
Grief-stricken coal city's grim realities
SCMP, February 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chifeatures/ZZZSKYJ985E.html

Labour - industrial accidents
Body of final missing miner found after deadly Chinese coal disaster
AP, February 22, 2005
The body of the last missing miner from a Feb. 14 coal mine explosion in northeast China has been found, bringing the death toll from the disaster to 214, the government said Tuesday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/cpress/2005
0222/ca_pr_on_wo/china_mine_explosions


The grim cost of China's 'economic miracle'
Telegraph, 20/02/2005
With the shock of the newly widowed, Xiao Zhang gabbles about school fees, rent and electricity bills and wonders aloud how she can pay them after yet another mining disaster in China.
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/
02/20/wchin20.xml


State fails to allocate safety funds as China mine toll rises to 214
AFP, February 22, 2005
The government announced a glaring 50 billion yuan (six billion dollar) shortfall in coal mine safety funding as the death toll from a disaster in northeastern China rose to 214, state press said.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/af415e67ee2e
266a/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/


Labour – union
Feasibility of forming trade union for rural migrant workers under study
中国政府研究建立农民工工会的可能性
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/21/nongmingong/

Legal – legal aid
Voluntary legal aid seen to help poor
Xinhuanet.com, February 22, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/22/content_26023
79.htm


300,000 people benefited from legal aid last year
去年近30万人受益法律援助
BeijingNews.com, February 22, 2005
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005/0222/7@5100.html

Media – internet
Featured article from Wang Dan: bypassing internet blockage to get free access to political and news internet sites
王丹:绕过封锁,自由浏览境外时政网站
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 22, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_
2_21_19_41_57_55.html


“Cyber assembly” opens the window for democratic politics in China
“网友议政”打开民主议政的“窗口”
People’s Daily, February 22, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3192424.html

Politics
China relax control over democracy?
中共在民主上出现松动?
Voice of America, February 21, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-21-voa51.cfm

Public health
China sticks to its guns in clone wars
SCMP, February 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZKZH9585E.html



Reform - CCP

China Targets Corrupt Officials In a Battle Against Temptation
Communist Party Has Vowed to Wipe Out Gambling in 2005
Washington Post, February 20, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38448-2005
Feb19.html?nav=rss_world

Rural issues – taxation
Zero agricultural tax burden realized amongst Guangdong farmers
广东农民税费实现零负担
Nanfang Daily, February 22, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/dd/nfrb/A01/2005
02220041.asp


WTO / economic development
WTO entry worth US$40b a year, study says
SCMP, February 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ52G9585E.html

Taiwan
China expresses "serious concern" over US-Japan statement on Taiwan
AFP, Feb 20, 2005
BEIJING (AFP) - Beijing expressed "serious concern" about a US and Japanese statement which described Taiwan as a common security issue amid China's military build-up.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/2005
0220/wl_asia_afp/usjapantalkstaiwanchina

Sunday, February 20, 2005

February 19-21, 2005

Top news of the day

Labour – industrial accidents (Fuxin case)
Families of coal mine tragedy victims excluded from compensation negotiation
孙家湾煤矿死难者家属无法参与赔偿讨论
Dajiyuan.com, February 19, 2005
Families of the victims in the Liaoning Fuxin coal mine tragedy are reported to be excluded from negotiation of compensation of losing their loved ones.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/19/n817399.htm



News

Corruption
Corrupt officials use law loophole
SCMP, February 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ46C9585E.html

Party officials urged to observe anti-graft guidelines
Xinhuanet.com, February 20, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/20/content_2597
792.htm


Detention – Huang Jinqiu (黃金秋)
RSF voices out concerns over torture of Huang Jinqiu (黃金秋)in prison
记者无国界再次呼吁关注黄金秋遭虐待情况
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/18/huanjinqiu/

Government – accountability and governance (rural)
Village reforms a dismal failure
SCMP, February 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZP5D9585E.html

Disaster – Xinjiang
Uyghurs Say Quake, Tent Shortage Has Forced Them To Live Outdoors
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/02/18/uyghur_
quake/


Education
30 million students to get free study materials as China to establish national scholarship scheme
我国将建国家助学体系 3千万学生可获免费教材
EastDay.com, February 20, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node50710/userobject1ai876979.html


Environment
Most postponed projects given go-ahead
Xinhuanet.com, February 20, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/20/content_2595
499.htm


June 4th – EU arms ban
Lugar threat on EU arms sales to China
Financial Times, February 21, 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/4750f584-83ad-11d9-bee3-00000e
2511c8.html


Labour
China to create 9 mln jobs in 2005
People’s Daily, February 20, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/20/eng20050220_
174065.html


Labour - Industrial accidents (Fuxin case)
First victims cremated under tight security
SCMP, February 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZV2B9585E.html

Blast compensation starts as searching continues
Xinhuanet.com, February 21, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/21/content_259
8335.htm


Families of 130 mine tragedy victims sign compensation agreement
辽宁阜新矿难130名遇难者的家属与矿方签订赔偿协议
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/19/peichang/

Wen ready to take blame for mine disaster
SCMP, February 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6ASI985E.html

Labour - Industrial accidents
Owner of illegal colliery arrested
SCMP, February 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZZ3C9585E.html

Media
Authorities explain new regulation on press cards highlighting 4 measures in identifying fake journalists
权威解读记者证:四道关口让假记者现形
Xinhuanet.com, February 20, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2005-02/20/content_
2595594.htm


Migrant workers
New employment policy to benefit 100 million rural migrant workers
劳动和社会保障部:就业新政策惠及1亿农民工
EastDay.com, February 19, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/no
de37979/node50630/userobject1ai876109.html


Society
China to become "developed country" in 2080
Xinhuanet.com, February 21, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/21/content_259
8145.htm


Three Gorges
Three Gorges firm fined for flouting environment law
SCMP, February 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ4F2K985E.html

Hong Kong
Anti-WTO activists in HK to draw up war plan
SCMP, February 21, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentSer
ver?pagename=SCMP/Printacopy&aid=ZZZOE2K985E

Friday, February 18, 2005

February 18, 2005

Top news of the day

Law – legal reform

Issues highlighted on top reform priority as China speeds up legal reform efforts in 2005
中国司法改革在提速 力度加大亮点频现
Xinhuanet.com, February 18, 2005
China speeds up efforts in advancing legal reform in 2005, in which legal appeal mechanism, jury system and judicial committee appeared to be given top priority for the upcoming reform.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2005-02/18/content_25
89511.htm



News

Children – abuse (trafficking)
Crackdown on baby trafficking gang in Inner Mongolia
贩卖76名婴幼儿 内蒙古20名主犯被移送起诉
Nanfang Daily, February 18, 2005
Inner Mongolian police cracked down of a Hohhot-based baby trafficking group which had sold over 76 babies since 1988. 20 major suspects were arrested.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/dd/nfrb/A06/2005
02180140.asp


Corruption
Cadres held over 60m yuan mega-university scandal
SCMP, February 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ9U79585E.html

Food security – GM food
China planning large-scale introduction of genetically-engineered rice
AFP via YahooNews.com, February 17, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/2005
0217/wl_asia_afp/chinafoodagriculturegmo


June 4th – EU arms ban
US, Europe Differ on China Arms Embargo
Voice of America, February 17, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-02-17-voa68.cfm

Labour – Industrial accidents (Liaoning Fuxin case)
Death toll in China mine blast rises to 212
AFP via YahooNews.com, February 18, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/2005
0218/wl_asia_afp/chinamineblasttoll


Grief-stricken coal city's grim realities
SCMP, February 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZIM89585E.html

Labour activist blames low compensation for poor safety record
SCMP, February 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZIWOI985E.html

NE gas blast rings bell for greater awareness of coal mine safety
Xinhua News Agency, 18 February 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/19/content_2592934.htm

Military - modernization
China's Military Moves Worry Lawmakers
Associated Press, 2.18.2005
President Bush's plan for the Navy calls for buying fewer ships, while China, a potential security hot spot, is increasing and repositioning its fleet. It's a prospect that concerns some lawmakers.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050218/ap_on_go_co/us_china

Rumsfeld Warns of Concern About Expansion of China's Navy
The New York Times, 18 February 2005
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Thursday that the Pentagon was closely monitoring the growth of China's navy as part of that country's overall military buildup.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/18/politics/18military.html

China assails CIA report on weapons buildup
Reuters, February 18, 2005
China issued a denunciation Thursday of a U.S. assessment that its weapons buildup is tilting the balance of power in the Taiwan Straits, and it said the comments sent the wrong signal to Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/17/news/beijing.html

Protests and petitions
Interpretation of the new Regulation on Petition: moving towards a law-based system
信访走向法治化———新的《信访条例》解析
People’s Daily, February 17, 2005
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/30178/3182048.html

Public health
Newlyweds slow to use free check-ups
SCMP, February 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZEM89585E.html

Health reforms 'crucial to erasing poverty'
SCMP, February 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZTVOI985E.html

China reports no large-scope breakouts of infectious diseases last year
Xinhua News Agency, 18 February 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/18/content_2592625.htm

Public health – HIV aids
Henan plans to include information on aids prevention into school syllabus
河南欲将艾滋病防治知识纳入学校教学计划
YouthNet.com, February 17, 2005
http://china.ynet.com/view.jsp?oid=4697837

Reforms - population control
As Girls 'Vanish,' Chinese City Battles Tide of Abortions
NYT, February 17, 2005
The warning hanging above a main street could not have been
more blunt, its big white characters set off against a bright red banner
promising to "firmly crack down on the criminal activity of drowning and other
ways of brutally killing female babies."
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/tnt.html?tntget=2005/02/17/international/asia/17china.html&tntemail0

Religion
Chinese Christian recounts ordeal, calls for end to religious persecution
Axcess News via China Digital News.com, February 15, 2005
http://www.axcessnews.com/national_021505c.shtml

Reins tight on religious affairs
The Standard, February 18, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Focus/GB18Dh01.html

Inner Mongolia
In Inner Mongolia, Tribe Resists Bid To Turn Shrine Into a Theme Park
Radio Free Asia, February 17, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/02/17/china_
mongolian/


Society
Middle class society? It's still a long way off in China
China Daily, February 18, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/18/content_
417241.htm


Hong Kong – one-county-two systems
"One Country, Two Systems" becomes successful reality in HK: justice chief
People’s Daily, February 18, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/18/eng20050218_
173878.html

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

February 17, 2005

News

Corruption
Premier Wen urges intensified efforts to prevent corruption
Xinhuanet.com, February 17, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/17/eng20050217_173
765.html


Gender
Self-help group for Chinese mothers launched in Beijing
中国母亲援助行动在京启动
Legal Daily, February 17, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/17/content_1873
75.htm


Gender – law
Law not protects sexual offences of the same sex
男子遭同性性侵犯 施暴者无法被追究刑事责任
People’s Daily, February 17, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42732/3182611.html

Environment
Watchdog clears the way for power plant construction to restart
SCMP, February 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6L49585E.html

Beijing likely to face more pressure to cut emissions
SCMP, February 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZBA59585E.html

Labour - Industrial accidents (Liaoning Fuxin case)
Little hope for missing pitmen
SCMP, February 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZI859585E.html

Labour – industrial accidents
Five die, 17 missing in Yunnan mine
SCMP, February 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZO859585E.html

Law – legal profession
10 major trends of the development of China’s lawyer industry
北京律师:未来十大发展趋势
Legal Daily, February 17, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/17/content_187
371.htm


Media
New regulations on press cards to be effective on March 1
Xinhuanet.com, February 17, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/17/eng20050217_
173766.html


Public health
Infectious diseases kill 382 on mainland
Xinhaunet.com, February 16, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/16/eng20050216_
173733.html


Public health – HIV aids
Aids prevention the key in Henan and school fee exemption for aids patients’ children
河南今年防艾重点确定 艾滋病病人子女免收学费
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 17, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-17_540458.shtml


Legal protection to equal opportunities in employment – learning from international labour standard and Canadian legislation
艾滋病人就业的法律保护———国际劳工标准和加拿大立法借鉴
Legal Daily, February 17, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/17/content_1873
69.htm


Hong Kong – political party
Revamped DAB may find role as kingmaker
The Standard, February 17, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GB17Ak0
1.html


Taiwan
Handling of Mainland Dissidents Ties Taiwan in Knots; Pro-democracy activists were jailed upon arrival. Officials point to the...
Los Angeles Times, 17 February 2005
Taiwan is having trouble figuring out just what to do with two Chinese dissidents who sought refuge here after years of repression on the mainland.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-dissident
s17feb17,1,3021905.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=3&cset
=true


China military buildup threatens US forces: CIA chief
AFP, Feb 16, 2005
China's military buildup could tilt the strategic balance with Taiwan and also threaten US forces in Asia, CIA director Porter Goss warned.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/20050216/wl_asia_afp/usintelligencechina

China assails CIA report on weapons buildup
Reuters, February 18, 2005
China issued a denunciation Thursday of a U.S. assessment that its weapons buildup is tilting the balance of power in the Taiwan Straits, and it said the comments sent the wrong signal to Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/17/news/beijing.html

February 16, 2005

Top news of the day

Media – press freedom / industrial accident (Fuxin blast)
Reporters discouraged from reporting Fuxin coal mine tragedy
辽宁煤矿灾变灾情惨 记者称当局封锁新闻
Dajiyuan.com, February 16, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/15/n813162.htm


News

Children - adoption
Chinese parents challenge 'biased' US custody ruling
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZSD29585E.html

Corruption
415 corrupt party officials published in 2004, 15 in high-ranking positions
去年15名省(部)级415名厅级干部受党纪政纪处分
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/cna_2005_02_16_00_38_02_848.html


More than 150,000 corrupt Communist Party members disciplined in 2004
ASSOCIATED PRESS, February 16, 2005
China’s Communist Party disciplined more than 150,000 corrupt party members in 2004 and uncovered more than US$300 million (HK$2.34 billion) in misused public funds, the government said on Wednesday.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6839585E.html

Detention – Zhang Lin (張林)
RSF urges China to release freelance writer Zhang Lin (張林)
记者无国界呼吁中国立即释放张林
Radio Free Asia, February 15, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/15/zhanglin/

Disaster / Xinjiang
Xinjiang hit by quake but gets off lightly
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZKD29585E.html

Education
Education Bureau sacks 30,000 unqualified staff last year
全国各级教育部门去年调离辞退近3万不合格人员
EastDay.com, February 16, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node50198/userobject1ai866153.html


Hong Kong - rights
Hong Kong labours over minimum wage debate: High unemployment has prompted the city's legislators to review legal protections for low-paid workers
Financial Times, 15 February 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e575fb4a-7ef5-11d9-9c86-00000e2511c8.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
France pushes case to lift China arms embargo despite US fears: minister
AFP via YahooNew.com, February 16, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050216/wl_
afp/euchinaarmsembargofranceus_050216064317


US lobbying may limit future EU arms sales
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ24RJ985E.html

Land policy
Researcher says privatization of land the key to resolve existing rural issues
中国国情研究中心主任蒯辙:中国土地私有化解决三农问题
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SocDigest/Econo
my/2005_2_15_20_21_36_975.html


Labour – industrial accidents
China accounts for 80pc of coal-mine deaths
SCMP, February 16, 2005
State Administration of Work Safety figures show China accounts for some 80 per cent of the world’s coal mining deaths — despite producing just 35 per cent of the world's coal.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZX439585E.html

China Mine Blast Kills 209; Six Missing
AP via YahooNew.com, February 16, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=73
1&e=10&u=/ap/20050216/ap_on_re_as/china_mine_explosion



Smouldering fire hinders investigation in Shaanxi
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZI5RJ985E.html

Law – legal profession
7 major imbalances of the lawyer industry
律师职业存在七大不平衡
Legal Daily, February 16, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/16/content_1869
80.htm


Law – legal reform
A key issue of legal reform 2005: jurors and judges – balance of power in court
陪审员与法官同权 中国司法改革2005年亮点频现
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-16_540009.shtml


Media - regulations
China announces new regulations on press cards
Xinhua News Agency, 16 February 2005
by Quan Xiaoshu BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's new media regulations, concerning the press cards, will go into effect on March 1, the General Administration of Press and Publication, the country's press watchdog, said here Wednesday. ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/16/content_2585201.htm

Police – administrative detention (Alex Ho 何偉途)
Case against Alex Ho 'clear enough'
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZKPII985E.html

Politics – NPC
NPC meetings not more than 10 days despite many controversial issues to discuss
「兩會」會期不超過10天
WenWeiPo, February 16, 2005
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH05021600
20&cat=002CH


Public health – HIV aids
Shanxi Aids patients form self-help community
山西建艾滋病人生产自救区
BeijingNews.com, February 16, 2005
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-2-16/9@0838.html

China releases infectious disease data
Big News Network, 16th February, 2005 (UPI)
China's Ministry of Health said Wednesday that 382 people had died nationwide of infectious diseases during January 2005.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/40bc78bea5159d10/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/
Rural issues - poverty
SCHOLARS IN FIGHT TO HELP THE POOR GET RICHER
China Daily, 16 February 2005
Tax dodgers beware the government could be on to you soon. Chinese researchers are urging officials to crack down on those who collect the spoils of the economic boom but give nothing back to society in return.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/16/content_416654.htm

Tibet
The controversy over China’s increasing investment in Tibet (part I)
中国扩大对西藏投资惹争议(1)
Voice of America, February 15, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-15-voa70.cfm

Hong Kong – election
Referendum in HK feasible but should proceed with caution, says Hong Kong scholar
香港学者:举行全民投票可行但宜小心运作
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/cna_2005_02_16_00_38_02_848.html

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

February, 15, 2005

Top news of the day

Labour - Industrial accidents

China Mine Accident Kills More Than 200
Reuters via YahooNew.com, February 15, 2005
The death toll of a worse ever gas explosion in a coal mine in China’s northeastern province of Liaoning has risen to 203 since the tragedy occurred on Monday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=
731&e=3&u=/nm/20050215/wl_nm/china_mine_dc


News

Education / poverty
Serious gap in higher education opportunities
ChinaDaily.com, February 14, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/14/content
_416474.htm


Government – governance and accountability
New auditing law expects to make public this year
新審計法有望年內出台
WenWeiPo.com, February 15, 2005
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH0502150016
&cat=002CH


Law – legal profession
Featured article: Supreme Court to launch investigations against judges involved in 7 types of power abuse activities
特稿:中国最高法院将严查七类法官
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 15, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_2_14_18_58_53_576.html


Law – judicial system
Excerpted article: loopholes of the administration mechanism of Judicial Committee
北京青年报:审判委员会行政化弊端重重
People's Daily, February 14, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3178457.html

Media - internet
China steps up efforts in closing internet cafes
中国加紧关闭网吧
Dajiyuan.com, February 15, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/15/n812407.htm

Natural resources – Water
Guangdong only has enough water for half its needs
SCMP, February 15, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZIL8AHJ3E.html

Rural issues – rural development
Commentary to China’s latest agricultural policy
评析中国新农业政策
Voice of America, February 15, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-14-voa79.cfm

Hong Kong
Youngsters plan to set up their own NGO
SCMP, February 15, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZYX2EHJ3E.html

Monday, February 14, 2005

February 12-14, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Zhang Lin (張林) / June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Dissident held 'for mourning Zhao'
SCMP, February 14, 2005
According to a pro-democracy campaigner, Zhang Lin (張林) has been detained and sent to jail for overfor threatening national security after he attempted to pay respect to the family of Zhao Ziyang. Zhang was taken away by the police in Anhui on January 29.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZBJZDHJ3E.html

Tibet
Five Tibetan Monks Jailed in Western China
Radio Free Asia, February 13, 2005
Five Tibetan monks were sentenced to jail for two to three years each for publishing politically sensitive poems in Qinghai province.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/02/13/tibet
an_jail/


Five Tibetan monks jailed in China for writing 'sensitive' poems
Agence France Presse, 13 February 2005
BEIJING, Feb 14 (AFP) - Five Tibetan monks have been sentenced to up to three years in prison in western China for publishing poems the authorities consider politically sensitive, a US-based broadcaster reported Monday.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7242_1241441,00180008.htm


News
Bilaterals - US/China
Sino-US political ties strengthen ahead of strains on economic front
South China Morning Post, 14 February 2005
Political ties between Beijing and Washington look set to become more stable, with President George W. Bush in his second term and President Hu Jintao cementing his grip on power, but the economic relationship faces more hurdles in the next few years.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZN75AHJ3E.html

Children – abuse (trafficking)
Why rural parents participate in baby trafficking?
中国农村父母参与贩婴 原因何在?
Dajiyuan.com, February 13, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/13/n810939.htm




June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Interview with Hu Ping (胡平): the implications of mourning Zhao Ziyang
专访胡平:悼念紫阳告别中共的重大意义
Dajiyuan.com, February 14, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/14/n811199.htm

China extends detention for dissident who wanted to honour deposed leader
Agence France Presse, 13 February 2005
http://asia.news.designerz.com/china-extends-detention-for-dissid
ent-who-wanted-to-honour-deposed-leader.html?d20050213


Law
People’s juror on the job on May 1 highlights China’s judiciary reform in 2005
05年法院司法改革 人民陪审员“五一”正式上岗
EastDay.com, February 14, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node50043/userobject1ai864035.html


Labour
Over 70% employees dare not to ask for overtime payment to keep the jobs
为保证饭碗 近七成加班族不敢对加班费过分认真
EastDay.com, February 12, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node49940/userobject1ai862828.html


Beijing's number one worry?
South China Morning Post, 12 February 2005
The last annual figure for labour protests that Beijing was willing to announce publicly was 100,000 for the year 1999.
www.scmp.com

Migrant workers flood Guangdong; ; Thousands take advantage of the lifting of a long-standing ban on recruiting
South China Morning Post, 14 February 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ0PMBHJ3E.html

Media - censorship
Friend or foe: what is the real face of China? The workshop of the world is now seen as a potential superpower - but what is going on behind...
The Daily Telegraph, 12 February 2005
It is difficult to find a lifestyle journalist who is not enraptured by the rise of China. Shanghai is firmly on the New York-Paris-London axis. Vogue launches in China in the autumn.
www.telegraph.co.uk

Media – internet
Chinese government says it shut down 12,575 Internet cafes in 2004
AP via YahooNews.com, February 14, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1856&
amp;ncid= 731&e=4&u=/cpress/20050214/ca_pr_on_wo/china_
internet _crackdown


Migrant workers – migrant children
Survey calls for more care to children of farmers working in cities
Xinhuanet.com, February 14, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/14/content_257
6526.htm


Poverty – urban poverty
17 bln yuan spent to help urban poor
Xinhuanet.com, February 9, 2005
The government has raised basic monthly living allowance to low-income urban residents from 65 yuan in 2003 to 72 yuan in 2004, or up by 11%.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/09/content_2566
255.htm


Poverty- rising gap
Fearful mainland elite disguise and obscure their fortunes; Conspicuous wealth is on the decline in China as kidnappings and crime against...
South China Morning Post, 12 February 2005
Deng Xiaoping said that to be rich was glorious - but, in communist China, it can also be fatal. In the past two years, a dozen millionaires have been murdered or committed suicide.
www.scmp.com

Protests and petitions
1200 petitioners sue People’s Supreme Court for not responding to their cases
1200名公民起诉最高法院不了了之
Dajiyuan.com, February 13, 2005
1200 petitioners in Beijing set to sue the People’s Supreme Court for ignoring their cases and maltreatment such as beating up petitioners.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/13/n810621.htm

Reforms- relocation
China vows to help urban dwellers expelled from their homes for new projects
Agence France Presse, 12 February 2005
China wants to do more to protect the rights of city dwellers who get expelled from their homes to make way for new construction projects, addressing a top cause of urban unrest, state media said Saturday.
www.afp.com

Social security / poverty
28,000 aid centers set up in 2004
Xinhuanet.com, February 9, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/09/content_2566
505.htm


Society
"Scientific concept of development" important to building harmonious society
Xinhuanet.com, February 11, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/11/content_257
1481.htm


Inner Mongolia / Environment
Inner Mongolian Environment Threatened, Nomads Forced To Move
Radio Free Asia, February 7, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/02/07/nomads/

Tibet
Tibetans urge for reopening offices in Nepeal
藏人争取尼泊尔重开两办公室
Voice of America, February 10, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/2005-02-10-voa36.cfm

Friday, February 11, 2005

February 11, 2005

News

Hong Kong- human rights
Hong Kong's duty to speak up
South China Morning Post, 11 February 2005
In the past few weeks, I have met visitors from Europe and the US who are concerned about human rights in China. Besides monitoring the situation in the mainland, they are interested in developments in Hong Kong.
http://www.scmp.com/

Law
The legal system's quiet revolution
International Herald Tribune, 11 February 2005 GENEVA This week's Chinese New Year celebrations honored the Year of the Rooster, an auspicious time signifying achievement and new hopes. But while one of China's achievements, its economic success, is well known, another transformation ...
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/10/opinion/edtse.html

My brush with Shanghai's thin blue line
International Herald Tribune, 11 February 2005
SHANGHAI Being gripped by the arm and hauled off to a police squad car, red and blue lights revolving, is unnerving anywhere. When it happened to me here recently in Shanghai, I feared the worst.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/10/opinion/edfull.html

Chinese Court Rejects U.S. Man's Appeal
AP, Feb 10, 2005
China's supreme court has rejected an appeal by a U.S. businessman serving a 16-year sentence on tax evasion charges in a case that prompted calls by Washington for his release and criticism of the Chinese legal system, according to his supporters.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050
211/ap_on_re_as/china_us_jailed_businessman


Rural issues-poverty
Abduction warning to China's rich
BBC News, 2/11/2005
The Ministry for Public Security said nearly 4,000 people had been kidnapped in the country in the past year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4257245.stm

Rural issues-migrants
Round-up: more migrant workers celebrating Spring Festival in city, rather than going back home
Xinhua News Agency, 11 February 2005
Just like Shanghai citizens, migrant workers Hua Yun and husband went to the Jing'an Temple in downtown Shanghai on the first day of China's Rooster Year.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/11/content_2571616.htm

Thursday, February 10, 2005

February 9-10, 2005

Top news of the day

Bilaterals- US/China
Rumsfeld Wants to Visit China to Revive Military Ties
New York Times, 10 February 2005
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has agreed in principle to pay an official visit to China, a significant step toward revitalizing a military-to-military dialogue.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/09/politics/09rumsfeld.html

Related news:
  • International roundup: Europe: US nod for arms sales to China
    The Guardian, 10 February 2005 The United States has reluctantly accepted that the European Union will lift its arms embargo on China within months, Condoleezza Rice, the American secretary of state, indicated yesterday.
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1409526,0
    0.html

Children-Trafficking
China's unspoken shame -- parents are chief culprits in baby trafficking
Agence France Presse, 9 February 2005 YULIN, China, Feb 10 (AFP) - Tiny newborn infants bundled in layers of blankets sleep next to their mothers while fathers and grandmothers sit quietly by the bedside, but this is no ordinary maternity ward.
www.afp.com

Death Penalty
China executes two hundred people in last 2 weeks
China National News, February 9, 2005
China rushed through 200 executions in the past two weeks in advance of the lunar new year. In December and January the number of executions reported in local media topped 650, although that number could be much higher as China does not release details of all executions.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/be6b7d85e8199
c57/cid/4a8b544d0e80ba53/

Labor-Disasters
Steelworks explosion kills six in N. China
Xinhua News Agency, 10 February 2005
TAIYUAN, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A steelworks explosion in north China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday killed six people and injured nine others, local police said Thursday.
www.xinhuanet.com

Political dissidents- detention cases
Canada "deeply concerned" over fate of Chinese dissident Wang Bingzhang
AFP, February 10, 2005
Canada joined the United Nations in calling on China to release dissident Wang Bingzhang, jailed for life two years ago for "espionage" and leading a "terrorist organization.”
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/6be35998bdd754
8c/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

U.S. is guarded on China offer on prisoners
New York Times, 10 February 2005
The United States has responded guardedly to a move by China to volunteer details about 56 political prisoners and people convicted of spying whose prison sentences have been or may be reduced.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/09/international/asia/09chi
na.html


Rural issues-poverty
China Faces Year of Rooster Amid Growing Social Tension
VOA, February 8, 2005 China's leaders have welcomed the lunar new year with glitzy festivities among the Beijing elite. But millions of ordinary Chinese face the Year of the Rooster with deep anxiety over the basics of existence, according to Chinese officials, experts and ordinary people. Many face unemployment, non-payment of pensions and wages, and homelessness. Now the government has even auctioned off the land our home stands on.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/02/08/china_newyear/

Women
Childhood hardships inspire Chinese activist
Reuters, February 10, 2005
At 14, Zhang Ye furtively learned her ABCs while herding sheep in frigid Inner Mongolia during China's Cultural Revolution, a humble start on her path to a masters degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/d8299fe835c50
de1/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

February 8, 2005

Top news of the day

Political dissidents

China disclose political prisoners details to US
中国向美国提交一份政治犯名单
Voice of America, February 8, 2005
The Chinese government disclosed a list of 51 political prisoners who have been granted sentence reductions or are being considered for early release to the US government. The move is seen as a gesture that comes as the Bush administration is considering whether to sponsor a resolution on China’s poor human rights records.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=D7983F
D0-C9A2-4168-9AF2B0EEB63FC889&title=%D6%
D0%B9%FA%C F%F2%C3%C0%B9%FA%CC%E1%BD%BB%D2%B
B%B7%DD%D5%FE%D6%CE%B7%B8%C3%FB%B5%A5%2805%C
4%EA2%D4%C27%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8
EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News


Religion
Freed church leader speaks about tortured experience in labour-camp
获释教会领袖首次述说酷刑经历 联合国就张义南被拘禁作出裁定
Dajiyuan.com, February 8, 2005
Community church leader Liu Xianzhi (劉先枝) revealed her experience in the labour-camp and religion prosecution in China for the first time after her release from the camp last February. Liu spent 6 year in a labour camp for her involving in church activities. According to a religious rights group, UN is due to rule on China’s arbitrary detention of church leader Zhang Yinan (張義南).
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/7/n806937.htm

Falun Gong Death Toll Rises Sharply
The Epoch Times, Feb 07, 2005
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/7deb3495b1100
927/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/


News

Corruption
Public takes mickey out of agency gift ban
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZL7IBHJ3E.html

Related News:


Gender - marriage
Divorce rate doubles in Guangzhou
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6YUDHJ3E.html

Gender / population – one-child policy
China to punish abortion of females
Asia Times Online, February 7, 2005
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GB08Ad02.html

Human rights – bilateral ties
Canadian government considers to sponsor a resolution in condemning China’s human rights records in the upcoming Geneva meeting
加政府考虑是否提谴责中国人权案
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 8, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/NorthAmerica/
2005_2_7_13_43_33_997.html


Labour
Unpaid workers have a score to settle
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ3XUDHJ3E.html

Natural resources/energies (nuclear)
China set to pioneer meltdown-proof reactor and take lead in nuclear race
Financial Times, February 8, 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3a6108ae-7977-11d9-89c5-00000e
2511c8.html


Police – prison
Japan wants China to take prisoners home
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZP6IBHJ3E.html

Protests and petitions
Featured article: New regulations on petitions are just a game playing with words
王丹:中国信访条例不过文字游戏而已?
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 8, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005
_2_7_18_32_52_809.html


Public health
China develops bird flu vaccine
The Star Online, February 8, 2005
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/8/asia/1011
2085&sec=asia


Rural issues
Farmers' per capita income stands at 2,936 yuan
Xinhuanet.com, February 8, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/08/content_2560
949.htm

Monday, February 07, 2005

February 5-7, 2005

Top news of the day

Tibet

Tibetan political prisoner (仁增旺杰) allegedly died in prison
被判无期徒刑的藏人政治犯(仁增旺杰)在狱中死亡
Radio Free Asia, February 5, 2005
A Tibetan rights group said political prisoner仁增旺杰 who was serving life sentence in jail for supporting Tibetan independence movement died in prison in late December 2004. The Chinese government has yet to confirm the news. The Tibetan prisoner is allegedly tortured to death in prison.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/05/zangren/


News

Corruption
Ex-transport boss on wanted list is caught
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ2ORDHJ3E.html

A fine line between fighting graft and providing justice
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5RX9HJ3E.html

Former vice-governor jailed for bribery
SCMP, February 5, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZBODBHJ3E.html

Death penalty
Henan banker sentenced to death for corruption amounted to 73 million
河南商丘市一银行科长贪污7348万 一审被判死刑
EastDay.com, February 5, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/nod
e37979/node49250/userobject1ai853066.html


Detention – Zhang Lin (张林)
Freelance writer Zhang Lin (张林) yet to release after taken away by police for over 10 days
张林悼赵被拘 警察抄家 妻女悲戚
Dajiyuan.com, February 5, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/6/n806150.htm

Detention – Huang Jingao (黃金高)
Anti-graft 'hero' falls from grace amid claims of bribery
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZYNRDHJ3E.html

Detention – Shi Tao (師濤)
RSF urges EU to concern about Shi Tao’s case
记者无国界吁欧盟关注师涛遭遇
Voice of America, February 5, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=30844EFC
-85AE-428E-A55F7AC6E5918FA8&title=%BC%C7%D5%DF%CE%DE
%B9%FA%BD%E7%D3%F5%C5%B7%C3%CB%B9%D8%D7%A2%CA%
A6%CC%CE%D4%E2%D3%F6%2805%C4%EA2%D4%C25%C8%D5%2
9&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categorynam
e=National%20News


Education
Crackdown on disqualified school and staff as parents complain the rise of attack on students and campus violence
中国全面整治不合格学校和教职工
BBCNews (Chinese), February 6, 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_4240000/newsid_
4240600/4240635.stm


Education / poverty
Learning to make ends meet while studying for a future free of poverty
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZK4FBHJ3E.html

Expensive school fees discouraged poor students pay visit to their family in school break
学费三级跳 中国贫困生望断归乡路
Dajiyuan.com, February 5, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/5/n804807.htm

Government – governance & accountability
Attitude changes of senior government officials – from order to dialogue
中国高官正发生变化 与公众交流:从讲话到对话
EastDay.com, February 7, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/no
de37979/node49563/userobject1ai855820.html


June 4th – EU arms ban
Rice links arms ban to military balance
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFQX9HJ3E.html

June 4th – prisoners – Zhang Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Tiananmen mothers pay respect to Zhao at his home
灵堂未撤 天安门母亲赵府悼紫阳
Dajiyuan.com, February 6, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/7/n806492.htm

Public health – HIV aids
China to stop clinic use of non-donated blood
Xinhuanet.com, February 6, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/06/content_25563
16.htm


Resettlement – Infrastructure (Hanyuan case)
Sichuan Hanyuan Hydro-electric plan may resume work after the New Year
四川汉源水电站年后可能强制性复工
Dajiyuan.com, February 5, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/5/n805016.htm

Society
After 800 years, Beijing's hutongs are history
SCMP, February 5, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ24W9HJ3E.html

CPPCC chairman stresses ethnic, religious work's role in building harmonious society
People's Daily, February 7, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/07/eng20050207_173
219.html