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.

Thursday, March 31, 2005

April 1, 2005

Top news of the day

Prison
Top Guangzhou Hospital Does Roaring Trade in Executed Prisoner Organs
Radio Free Asia, March 31, 2005
Guangzhou Hospitals sold executed prisoner organs for organ transplant operations. Rights groups condemned the practice a violation of prisoners’ rights as families of the prisons are not often informed.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/03/31/china_organs/

Religion – Christianity
China Arrests Catholic Priest in Crackdown on Underground Churches
Voice of America, March 31, 2005
Chinese authorities have arrested a Catholic priest Zhao Kesun (趙克勛), in Hebei this week. Zhao, believed to be in his mid-70s, was amongst more than 30 priests and other religious practitioners who have been detained in Hebei recently for worshiping in churches that are not sanctioned by the State.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-31-voa20.cfm



News

Death penalty
The challenges of returning death penalty review to the Supreme Court
收回死刑复核权难在哪里
Nangfang Weekend, March 31, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050331/xw/fz/200503
310009.asp


Education - compulsory
PARENTS PAY TOO MUCH FOR EDUCATION
China Daily, 1 April 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/01/content_
430102.htm


Government – elections
Village self-governance in village as compared to that in the old days
从比较中谈村民自治
Nanfang Weekend, March 31, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050331/xw/sd/2005
03310030.asp


Human rights
Freedom House condemned the world’s six most repressive regimes in the UN Human Rights meeting in Geneva
“自由之家”:联合国人权委包括世界上六个最具压迫性政权
Radio Free Asia, March 31, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/03/31/unhr/


June 4th - arms embargo

Chasing the dragon: It should not have taken American pressure to keep Europe from selling arms to China
The Guardian, 1 April 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,7369,1444661,00.html

Law
34 new laws in effect on April 1
34部新法今日起开始实施 与百姓生活息息相关
Xinhuanet.com, April 1, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2005-04/01/content_
2770940.htm


Law – legal rights
Huo Qimen’s long march to defend his rights through legal process
霍其民的诉讼人生
Nanfang Weekend, March 31, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050331/xw/zmxwzt/
200503310017.asp



Media – Press freedom
Nanfang City News ‘advised’ not to publish sensitive financial news
《南方都市报》禁刊敏感财经消息
Chinesenewsnet.com, April 1, 2005
http://www4.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Forums/Back
Stage/2005_3_31_17_24_12_476.html


Media - Internet censorship
Muzzled on Campus; Beijing cracks down on unruly student Web sites.
Newsweek International, 4 April 2005
It was a quiet protest. Over three hours, several hundred students gathered around a monument at the center of Beijing's prestigious Tsing-hua University. They left paper cranes, handwritten notes and flower wreaths.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7305061/site/newsweek/

Virtual Possibilities: China and the Internet: The Genie Is Out of the Chinese Bottle
The Asian Wall Street Journal, April 01, 2005
The fact that millions of Chinese have gathered online to protest Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council will come as no surprise to anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes on the mainland. Anti-Japanese sentiment permeates all levels of society.
http://www.howardwfrench.com/archives/2005/04/01/virtual_
possibilities_china_and_the_internet_the_genie_is_out_of_the_
chinese_bottle/


Natural resources and energies – Water
Experts petition the government to revise national standards for drinking waters which has yet to be changed for 20 years
国家饮水标准二十年未变 专家联名上书宜尽早修订
Nanfang Weekend, March 31, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050331/xw/kx/200503
310020.asp


Politics
China Turns Back Clock Under New Leaders: Veteran Dissident Liu Binyan
Radio Free Asia, March 30, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/03/30/china_liubinyan/

Population – urbanization
More than 300m set to make urban move in 15 years
The Standard, April 1, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/China/GD01Ad06.html

Public health - HIV/AIDS
China to launch nationwide AIDS reporting system via Internet
People's Daily, April 1, 2005
http://english.people.com.cn/200503/31/eng20050331_178839.
html


Society - race
True colours; Reaction to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's Beijing visit suggests judgments based on race and sex are an entrenched part of mainland life
South China Morning Post, 1 April 2005
http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZ3ATTOY6E.html

March 31, 2005

Top news of the day

Religion - Christianity
Exiled Chinese Christians complain to UN over religion persecutions and torture in China
中國逃亡基督徒在聯合國控訴虐待
Voice of America, March 30, 2005
Chairman of Christian Society in China testified before UN Human Rights Committee that Christians in China were tortured by the authority for their religious belief. Activists of religious right in China were put under arrests and beat-up by police.
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-03-30-voa58.cfm



News

Children
Air Pollution Presents Health Challenge for China's Children
Voice of America, March 30, 2005
Health expert warned that severe air pollution in Beijing might posed threats on children’s health as pollution was the major cause to the growing number of infected acute respiratory patients in the city.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-30-voa21.cfm

Death penalty
Humanize death penalty
为死刑注入人道基因
Legal Daily, March 31, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/31/content_2009
72.htm


Food security – food safety
Food waste repackaged for unwary consumers
SCMP, March 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZZ4WE1M6E.html

Environment
Pollution effort lacking despite no shortage of cash
AFP via the Standard, March 31, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/China/GC31Ad02.html

Gender
Abortion illegal after 14 weeks of pregnancy
正常怀孕超14周禁止人流
Beijingnews.com, March 31, 2005
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005/0331/09@0142
25.html


Gender – sexual harassment
71% of Chinese women sexually harassed?
China Daily, March 31, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/31/content
_429924.htm


Gender - marriage
Students in no hurry to marry after ban is lifted
SCMP, March 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ6UX50W6E.html

Gender – reproductive health / Public health
Fertility industry takes off in China; doctors concerned about abuses
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 31, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050331/hl_
afp/healthchinafertility_050331024054


Government – governance and accountability
State media clarifies office to citizen ratio should be 1:197.69
《中国人事报》:我国官民比是1:197.69
Sina.com, March 28, 2005
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2005-03-28/13285486084s.shtml

Human Rights - Human right defenders
China Turns Back Clock Under New Leaders: Veteran Dissident Liu Binyan
Radio Free Asia, March 30, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/03/30/china_liubinyan/

Human rights – freedom of speech (intellectuals)
Zheng Yichun explains his dismissal
焦國標談他為何被北大解職
Voice of America, March 30, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/2005-03-30-voa99.cfm

June 4th –EU arms ban
Anti-Session Bill gives EU an excuse for not lifting the arm ban, Expert says
專家:中國送給歐盟不解禁藉口
Chinesenewsnet.com, March 31, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Topics/2005_3
_30_20_7_6_184.html


Schroeder may defy MPs on ban
SCMP, March 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZB6WE1M6E.html

Law – legal reform
“Numbers and quotas” in Chinese Criminal Law
我国刑法中的犯罪数额问题
Legal Daily, March 31, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/31/content_2009
66.htm


Migrant workers
Interpretation of legal protection to rural migrant workers
解读农民工的法律保护
Legal Daily, March 31, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/31/content_2009
67.htm


Public Health- HIV-AIDS
HIV rate soars in southern China city
China National News, March 31, 2005
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/cid/9366300fc9319e
9b/id/7d28957831ff7112/


China to gather AIDS information on-line
Xinhuanet, March 30, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/30/content_2765
639.htm


Rural issues
Causes and preventional measures against rural crimes
农村犯罪成因及预防对策研究
Legal Daily, March 31, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/31/content_2009
63.htm


Society
A harmonious society is a society ruling by law
和谐社会就是法治社会
Legal Daily, March 31, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/31/content_2009
62.htm

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

March 30, 2005

Top news of the day

Human rights – freedom of speech (intellectuals)
China Fires Media Professor Who Called for Press Freedom
Radio Free Asia, March 29, 2005
Jiao Guobiao, an outspoken Beijing professor in media studies, was sacked by the university “over the length of proposed absence”. It is generally believed that the dismissal may be related to Jiao’s recent article criticising the ruling party of media censorship.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/03/29/China_Media/




News
Bilaterals - China/Africa
A rising China counters US clout in Africa
Christian Science Monitor, March 30, 2005
The Chinese economic juggernaut and its thirst for minerals and markets has increasingly brought it to Africa, including here to Zimbabwe.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0330/p01s01-woaf.html

Children - abuse
Poor village families in Hefei rent their kids to “professional beggar” gang
乞丐帮主住豪华别墅 租农家儿童敛财致富
EastDay.com, March 30, 2005
http://society.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37958/
node37989/node54764/userobject1ai975486.html


Death penalty
多维追击:河北省承诺加紧调查聂树斌错杀案
Chinesenewsnet.com, March 29, 2005
http://www2.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_3_29_1_8_20_646.html


Education
Campuses to get compulsory dose of moral fibre
SCMP, March 30, 2005
University introduced new curriculum to raise the moral and ideological awareness of students. Students are required to take four compulsory courses including Maoism, Den Xiaoping Theory and Jiang Zemin’s theory of Three Represents.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ0SUE1M6E.html

Education - higher education
China lifts 50-year ban on student marriages
AFP, Mar 30, 2005
China said it would lift from September a 50-year ban on college students marrying or bearing children but warned the relaxed regulations should not change academic priorities.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050330/lf_afp/afplifestylechina_050330144713

Environment
Illegal steel mill fouls key reservoir-Officials helped firm build the massive plant, Xinhua says
SCMP, March 30, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZXFHEAM6E.html

China falls short on environmental protection spending
AFP, March 30, 2005
China's spending on environmental protection will fall 30 percent short of targets for 2001-2005, state media said, despite growing problems sparked by 25 years of rapid economic growth.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/cec43c68456dfb9f/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Food Security - GM Food
NGOs criticized for politicizing GM food controversy
别在转基因食品问题上打爱国牌
YahooNews, March 30, 2005
http://cn.news.yahoo.com/050330/346/2aev8.html

Gender – reproductive health
Baby industry booms
The Standard, March 30, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Focus/GC30Dh02.html

Human Rights - Bilateral Ties
US scholar comments on US human rights report on China
美学者谈国务院人权报告中国部份
Voice of America, March 29, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/W2005-03-29-voa83.cfm

June 4th –EU arm ban
EU accord on lifting arms embargo against China not possible by June
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 29, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050329/wl
_asia_afp/euchinaarmstaiwan_050329195531


Labour
Bid to avert pensions crisis
The Standard, March 29, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/China/GC29Ad06.html

Labor - Employment market and income
Students, workers urged to become boss
China Daily, March 30, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/30/content
_429241.htm


Migrant workers / petitions
Doctor petitions to Premier Wen for migrant workers’ sexual rights
辽宁女医生上书温家宝为农民工争「性」权利
Chinesenewsnet.com, March 30, 2005
http://www2.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/cna_2005_03_29_22_50_02_137.html


NGO
Fledgling NGOs told to raise the bar
China Daily, March 30, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/30/content_
429251.htm


Police
Anti-corruption system to be setup in public security department to curb power abuse
公安机关构建反腐制度体系
Legal Daily, March 29, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2005-03/30/content_200
380.htm


Public health - HIV/AIDS
HIV rate soars in southern China city
Big News Network, 30th March, 2005
The number of HIV infections in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen jumped 180 percent in 2004, said a city health report made public Tuesday.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/7d28957831ff7112/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Public health - other
Twenty-seven killed, 285 poisoned in east China chlorine leak
AFP, March 30, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050330/wl_asia_afp/chinachemicalleak

China Compiles 105 Emergency Response Programs
Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2005
China has complied 105 national emergency response programs since the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, said a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) director Wednesday.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/124287.htm

Resettlement - Dam
China to take stern supervisory measures for a "clean" Three Gorges Dam
People’s Daily Online, March 30, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/30/eng20050330_178
703.html


Society - Housing
Public feel helpless with rising interest rates for mortgage loans, survey says
调查显示:面对房贷利率上调,公众多惊讶而无奈
ChinaNews.com, March 30, 2005
A recent survey shows that over 70% of the respondents expressed concerns about the rising interest rate for mortgage loan because it would place a heavy burden for their mortgage payment and discourage them from buying houses in future.
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2005/2005-03-30/26/556
629.shtml


China orders clampdown on property
Bloomberg News, Thursday, March 31, 2005
China's rising property prices pose a threat to the stability of the economy and local officials who fail to take measures to rein in growth will be held to account, the country's highest ruling body has said.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/30/bloomberg/sxprop.html

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

March 25-29, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Rebiya Kadeer / Xinjiang
'Your Children Will Be Finished,' China Warned Uyghur Activist Rebiya Kadeer
Radio Free Asia, March 28, 2005
Dissident Rebiya Kadeer who has been recently released from jail said that she had been warned not to reveal sensitive information on Xinjiang and stay away from Uyghur; otherwise, her business and her children would be in danger.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/03/28/China
_Kadeer/


Political Dissidents-Banned
Professor sacked after call to delete China's censors
Sydney Morning Herald March 30, 2005
Jiao Guobiao, an associate professor in Beijing University's department of journalism and communications, was effectively sacked from his position earlier this month, according to reports in Hong Kong.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Professor-sacked-after-call-to-delete-Chinas-censors/2005/03/29/1111862392321.html?oneclick=true

News

Bilaterals - US/China

Pakistan, Chinese Human Rights Criticized
Associated Press Newswires, 28 March 2005
The State Department renewed its criticism of the human rights records of Pakistan and China on Monday in a report.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7319590/

Death Penalty
Public throw supports to launch thorough investigation of innocent death penalty case
“聂树斌冤杀案”悬而未决 防“勾兑”公众吁异地调查
Nanfang Weekend, March 24, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050324/xw/fz/200503
240044.asp


Environment
Watchdog bares teeth to developers
SCMP, March 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZLU9EAM6E.html

Gender
Investigation on marriage fraud in Hainan
海南婚介诈骗集团调查
Nanfang Weekend, March 24, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050324/xw/tb/200503
240038.asp


Human Rights – bilateral ties
Human rights report criticizes Pakistan, China
CNN, March 28, 2005
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/28/us.human
rights.ap/index.html



June 4th – EU arms ban
Chirac reiterates need to lift arms ban
SCMP, March 28, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZO8FZ1M6E.html

Japan strongly opposes EU lifting arms ban
日本强烈反对欧盟取消对华武器禁运
Radio Free Asia, March 27, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/03/27/riben/

Labour – industrial accidents
11 people trapped in Datong coal mine
大同矿难11人被困
Beijing News, March 29, 2005
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005/0329/12@0345
36.html


Law / corruption
Supreme Court beefs up effort on anti-corruption campaign
最高法院要求推进反腐倡廉工作
Legaldaily.com.cn, March 29, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2005-03/29/content_200
111.htm


Law – legal profession
Campaign launched to repair the tainted image of notaries
SCMP, March 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZSOLE1M6E.html

Media – internet
Group Protests China's Web Site Crackdown
AP via YahooNews.com, March 28, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050328/ap_
on_hi_te/china_chat_crackdown_9


Petitions and Protests
email
The Guardian, 28 March 2005 If you were to map an emotional topography of China, the valleys of grief and resentment would run deepest in the rubbish-strewn alleys of Fengtai, near South Beijing railway station.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1446793,00.html

Police
Police reforms put more officers on the beat
SCMP, March 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZTU9EAM6E.html

Public health
Lack of rehab staff causes widespread woe
Xinhuanet.com, March 29, 2005
There is a short of supply of rehabilitation staff and speech therapists in China to meet the growing demand.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/29/content_2756
073.htm


Public health – HIV Aids
Crackdown on illegal blood agencies
SCMP, March 26, 2005
Ministry of Health tightened the control on blood collection scheme to prevent the improper inflection of Aids during blood transmission. 147 illegal blood-collection agencies were under closed and dozens of people were arrested in the past 10 months.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ7CME1M6E.html

Blood centre sues newspaper over report it spread virus
SCMP, March 28, 2005
Xingtai Blood Center took a Chinese newspaper to court for being wrongful accused of spreading Aids. The newspaper reported that the blood center selling blood products tainted with HIV and punished staff of leaking details of the HIV scare to public.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZCBOE1M6E.html

  • related news:
    HIV whistle-blower still paying the price
    SCMP, March 28, 2005
    Li Qianji, an employee of the Xingtai Blood Center, faced retribution for releasing information of tained blood and plasma sales to reporters.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ08FZ1M6E.html

Reform – social
RESIDENTS, MIGRANTS FACE DIFFERENT RETIREMENT
China Daily, 28 March 2005
The funds invested within an endowment are enough to satisfy the pension needs of retired people in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, according to the Guangzhou Labour and Social Security Bureau.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/28/content_428774.htm

China: Shenzhen protest highlights frustration among unemployed graduates
World Socialist Web Site, 29 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/chin-m29.shtml

Religion / Hong Kong
Bishop Zen starts joint mission to Guangzhou
SCMP, March 29, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZ1CQE1M6E.html

Society - Housing
Why prime minister need to concern property market?
总理为什么要关心房价?
Nanfang Weekend, March 24, 2005
In light of an overheating property market, the government is urged to reconsider Public Housing Scheme for the benefits of poor urban residents.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050324/xw/ttzs/2005
03240040.asp

Women
COMFORT WOMEN DESERVE JUSTICE
China Daily, 28 March 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/28/content_428663.htm


Taiwan
Thousands Protest In Taiwan
Washington Post, March 27, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3945-2005
Mar26.html?nav=rss_topnews


Tibet
Tibetan women oppose Wen visit
SCMP, March 26, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5V9EAM6E.html

Hong Kong – Basic Law
Ruling on Basic Law hastened
SCMP, March 29, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZCSDEAM6E.html

Xinjiang
No children in church, Catholics told
Forum 18 News Service, March 28, 2005
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=532

Thursday, March 24, 2005

March 24, 2005


Top News

Detention – Jiang Yanyong (蔣彥永)
Sars whistle-blower wins freedom
SCMP, March 24, 2005
Jiang Yanyong, the surgeon who was put under house arrest by the authorities for revealing SARS outbreak, was set free on Tuesday after eight month detention.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZD1AZ1M6E.html



Freed China Prisoner Details 1999 Arrest
Associated Press, March 24, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61999-2005
Mar24.html?nav=rss_world/asia/eastasia/china


June 4th – EU arms ban
Op-ed by Wang Dan: History tells us to keep the arms ban on China
Financial Times, March 23, 2005
Wang Dan, rights activist exiled to US due to his participation in Tiananmen student movement in 1989, urged EU leaders not to lift arms ban on China as the leadership refused to reveal the truth of and to take responsibility for the June 4th massacre.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/7538d2fe-9b41-11d9-af0f-00000e
2511c8.html




News

Children
More attention to roving children issue is needed
解决流浪儿童问题
Legal Daily, March 24, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/24/content_198
702.htm


Children – child labour / industrial accident
Lack of treatment did not kill teens, probe finds
SCMP, March 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZGS6EAM6E.html

Gender – law
Regulations on the protection of women workers to be revised
女职工劳动保护规定亟待修订
Legal Daily, March 24, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/24/content_1987
24.htm


June 4th – EU arms ban
Lifting of arms ban expected by July, says Chirac
SCMP, March 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZF96EAM6E.html

British lawmakers warn against lifting EU arms embargo on China
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 24, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&amp
;amp;ncid=731&e=6&u=/afp/20050324/wl_asia_afp/euchinaar
msbritain


EU's position on lifting China arms ban remains unchanged: official
People’s Daily, March 24, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/24/eng20050324_
177991.html


China's Law On Taiwan Backfires
Washington Post, March 24, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61389-2005
Mar23.html?nav=rss_world/asia/eastasia/china


Britain lands in middle of U.S.-EU China spat
International Herald Tribune, March 24, 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/23/news/embargo.html

Labor - disasters
Death Toll Rises to 70 in Shanxi Coal Mine Blast
Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/China/123696.htm

China investigates suffocations of 5 teenage girls
Japan Today, March 24, 2005
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7&id=331732

Media
Different laws to target printed media and internet media
法律对纸质媒体和网络言论应区别对待
China Youth Daily, March 24, 2005
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-03/24/content_10551
34.htm


Media – internet
Chinese Crack Down On Student Web Sites
Washington Post.com, March 24, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61334-
2005Mar23.html?nav=rss_world/asia/eastasia/china


Natural resources / energy – Water
Clean water should be a top priority, officials say
SCMP, March 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZN3AZ1M6E.html

Project to Provide Clean Water for 20 Million Farmers
Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2005
China will provide another 20 million people in its rural areas with safe drinking water by the end of 2006, according to an annual plan for building emergency water supply projects.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/123728.htm

Natural resources - other
Too much for Mother Earth
Inter Press Service, March 24, 2005
Even if per capita income in China grows at only 8% per year - lower than the red-hot pace of 9.5% at which it has grown since 1978 - it will still overtake the current per capita US income in just over 25 years, according to the latest analysis by the Earth Policy Institute (EPI).
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GC25Ad08.html

NGO / Public health – HIV Aids
Aids group told to change name or close
SCMP, March 24, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZYYIE1M6E.html

Olympics - security
Beijing Unveils Security Plan for 2008 Olympics
China Daily March 24, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/2005/Mar/123733.htm

Public Health-HIV/Aids
Disparity, AIDS top China's agenda for child development
Xinhuanet.com, March 23, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/23/content_2737
525.htm


Public Health - other
Half a Million TB Patients Get Free Treatment in 2004
Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/2005/Mar/123643.htm

Rural Issues- Taxation
How do township governments survive without the revenue from agricultural taxation?
免征农业税 乡镇怎么办
People’s Daily, March 24, 2005
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/30178/3266290.html

Rural Issues - Poverty
CHINA: China can ensure food security says US campaigner
just-food.com, 24 Mar 2005
Earth Policy Institute president Lester Brown is confident China's can ensure food supplies in the face of the new global food security challenge, reports the People’s Daily newspaper.
http://www.just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=60274

Hong Kong
NPC interpretation not a done deal
SCMP, March 24, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZHLIE1M6E.html

Constitutional affairs chief vows to step-down if the rule of law is damaged
林瑞麟﹕若法治受損 不再做局長
Ming Pao, March 24, 2005
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050324/t_gdj1.htm

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

March 23, 2005


Top news of the day

Children – child labour / industrial accidents
Retribution Feared in Shijiazhuang Case
HRIC Press release, March 22, 2005
It is reported that Premier Wen Jiabao had ordered a full investigation into the sources of reports of the deaths of five female child labour in a factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. This generates fears of retributions from local authorities as families of the victims are set to sue the Ministry of Labour.
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/press?revision%5fid=2
1054&item%5fid=21053


Media – press freedom
Rules tighten the leash on reporters
SCMP, March 23, 2005
The Chinese government has announced a new set of regulations to tighten control of the management of journalists, claiming to prevent fabrication of news stories and corruption.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZZRFE1M6E.html

News

Corruption
Ex-party chief admits taking cash for careers
SCMP, March 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ3SFE1M6E.html

Death penalty
Death penalty debate 10 years too late for Nie Shubin
Financial Times, March 23, 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/f77b9508-9b41-11d9-af0f-00000e2511c8.html

Detention – Jiang Yanyong (蔣彥永)
Dr Jiang Yanyong freed from "double regulations"
China Information Centre via ChinaDigitalNews.com, March 22, 2005
http://www.cicus.org/news/newsdetail.php?id=4249

Government – governance and accountability
Only 50 out of 5,000 yuan poverty relief funds reach the hands of poor farmers
扶 貧 5000 元   農 民 到 手 僅 50
Apple Daily, March 23, 2005
http://appledaily.atnext.com/template/apple/art_main.cfm?sec_
id=15335&showdate=20050323&art_id=4757725


June 4th – EU arms ban
Solana to mediate in China arms ban dispute
Financial Times, March 23, 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/5a4b817c-9b40-11d9-af0f-00000e25
11c8.html


Natural resources / energies – Water
300 mln rural Chinese lack clean drinking water
Xinhuanet.com, March 22, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/22/content_2731
005.htm


China to step up water resource protection
People’s Daily, March 22, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/22/eng20050322_
177791.html


Protests and petitions
Massive Upheaval Likely in China: Veteran Dissident Liu Binyan
SCMP, March 21, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/03/21/china_liubinyan/

Public health – HIV Aids
Provinces' mandatory HIV tests worry UN
SCMP, March 23, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ7SFE1M6E.html

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

March 22, 2005

Top news of the day

Resettlement – Dam projects / Protests
Waves of ethnic discontent rise up against Tiger Leaping Gorge dam
SCMP, March 22, 2005
Ethics minorities living around the south western Yunnan’s Jonhsa River prepared to stand up for their right to livelihood, which would be adversely affected by the controversial Tiger Leaping Gorge dam project.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZDMJE456E.html

News

Corruption
Ex-official to stand trial in money-for-position case
China Daily, March 22, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/22/content
_427168.htm


Environment
Pollution treating projects in major rivers going too slow
Xinhuanet, March 21, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/21/content_272
5539.htm


Government – governance and accountability
China's ruling Party opening up to the world
People’s Daily, March 22, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/22/eng20050322_
177753.html


June 4th – EU arms ban
EU May Delay Lifting China Arms Embargo-Diplomats
Reuters via YahooNews.com, March 22, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=
731&e=2&u=/nm/20050322/wl_nm/arms_china_delay_dc


Human rights – bilateral ties
Rice urges China to improve human rights
赖斯结束访华敦促中国改善人权
Voice of America, March 21, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-03-21-voa24.cfm

Labour – industrial accidents
China mine death toll rises to 63
AAP via YahooNews.com, March 22, 2005
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050321/2/tlji.html

Law
Advancing the rule of law in good progress
我們向法治政府邁進了多少
Legal Daily, March 22, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2005-03/22/content_
197945.htm


Common people have more say on legislation
China Daily, March 22, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/22/cont
ent_426996.htm


Public health – HIV Aids
Government urge NGOs to fight against HIVS
中国促非政府组织积极打击艾滋病
Voice of America, March 21, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-03-21-voa61.cfm

Resettlement – land grab / forceful eviction
Court finds ministry failed to protect farmers in land grab
SCMP, March 22, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTPOF456E.html

Monday, March 21, 2005

March 19-21, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Zhang Lin (張林)
Chinese Dissident Charged With Subversion
AP via YahooNews.com, March 19, 2005
Political dissident Zhang Lin is formally charged with “Conspiring to Subvert state power” by Bengbu, Anhui last Saturday after being detained for about two months for attending the memorial service of Zhao Ziyang.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&n
cid=731&e=10&u=/ap/20050319/ap_on_re_as/china_dissident
_charged


Media – internet
Non-students barred from chat room
SCMP, March 21, 2005
Students at Tsinghua University staged a protest at campus blaming the announcement of an unreasonable regulation that aims to block outside access to a popular student chat room “Shuimu”.
http://china.scmp.com/chitech/ZZZU7AE456E.html


News

Corruption
To tighten the loopholes of laws against corruption
堵住公款行賄的法律漏洞
Legal Daily, 21 March, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/zb/2005-03/01/content_1910
67.htm


Child – child labour / labour – industrial accidents
Investigation of child labour death in Hebei
“老板闷死女童工”传言溯源
Nanfang Weekend, March 17, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050317/xw/dcgc/2005
03170013.asp


Death penalty
To replace “death penalty with immediate effect” with “suspended death penalty”
以“死缓”替代“死刑立即执行”
Nanfang Weekend, March 17, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050317/xw/fz/200503
170015.asp


Government- Election
Farmers to choose villages’ committees
Xinhaunet.com, March 21, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/21/content_2722
602.htm


June 4th – EU arms ban
EU plan to lift arms ban hits snag
SCMP, March 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZACKF456E.html

Labour
Increasing conflicts between management and labour reveals inadequacy of Labour Law
劳动争议增多凸显法律空白
LegalDaily.com, 21 March, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/zl/2004-12/16/content_1684
27.htm


Labour – industrial accidents
Death toll from gas blast at coal mines reaches 60
SCMP, March 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZF3FE456E.html

Labour- Protest
5000 Guangdong workers protest against employer for covering up infectious disease in the work place, says China Labour Watch
中国劳工观察:无耻资本家隐瞒尘肺病,广东五千工人集体罢工
Chinesenewnet.com, March 18, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/
Mainland/2005_3_19_8_42_52_406.html


Police – Reeducation through labour (RTL)
Critics take shine off boot-camp reforms
SCMP, March 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ85FE456E.html

Protests and petitions
Hundreds protest after ticket chaos at job fair
SCMP, March 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZB3FE456E.html

Public health
Guangdong hospitals to aid poor patients
Xinhuanet.com, March 21, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/21/content_2723
319.htm


Public health – HIV Aids
Lack of information hinders fight against Aids
SCMP, March 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZSCCE456E.html

HIV/AIDS proposals announced for 2005
Xinhuanet.com, March 19, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/19/content_27163
55.htm


Jiangsu tests former blood-sellers for HIV
ChinaDaily.com, March 21, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/21/content_
426797.htm


Religion
China Tighten the screws on religion-Believers continues to face tough restriction
Zenit news agency via China Digital News, March 19, 2005
http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=68037

Xinjiang
Put rights before profit, says dissident
SCMP, March 21, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZLPEE456E.html

Hong Kong
Hong Kong government says mistaken on leadership term
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 21, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&amp
;ncid=731&e=1&u=/afp/20050321/wl_asia_afp/hongkongchinap
olitics

Friday, March 18, 2005

March 18, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention- Rebiya Kadeer
China Frees Uyghur Businesswoman Rebiya Kadeer
Radio Free Asia, 18 March, 2005
The Chinese government released Rebiya Kadeer, a Muslim woman who was serving a 10-year jail terms in China for sending news clips to overseas, a few days before the visit of the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/03/17/uyghur
_kadeer/


Freed Chinese dissident determined to fight for Uighur minority
AFP, March 18, 2005
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/73b0252a3531a
47a/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Human rights – bilateral ties
US Forgoes Anti-China Human Rights UN Resolution
Voice of America, March 17, 2005
US Government decided to drop the motion in discrediting China’s human rights records in the upcoming UN Human Rights Commission meeting, claiming that the Chinese government has made significant and important steps to improve human rights conditions in the country.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-17-voa63.cfm




News

Children – child labour / industrial accidents
Investigation for child labour death cover-up in Hebei underway
河北栾城五女工死因调查
TheBeijingNews.com, March 15, 2005
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005/0315/08@025
804.html


The mystery of child labour died of asphyxiation in Hebei factory unveiled
剥开意外中毒事件重重谜团
Beijing Youth Daily, March 16, 2005
http://bjyouth.ynet.com/article.jsp?oid=4867524


Corruption
Why suspend death penalty to the corrupt official?
毕玉玺受贿上千万为何免于一死
EastDay.com, March 17, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node53310/userobject1ai942492.html


Death penalty
Law may demand compensation for wrongful death sentences, as Court admits wrongful charges to an innocent rape suspect 10 years ago
聂树斌死刑案官方首次表态 律师可能提出国家赔偿
People’s Daily, March 18, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42733/3252380.html


Death-penalty debate grips China after wrongful execution
Globe and Mail, March 18, 2005
When police executed a man named Nie Shubin in 1995, nobody bothered to tell his parents.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/7e6003d87d986
ed3/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Government – governance & accountability
Hubei to abolish advisory bodies
SCMP, March 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ526K456E.html

Human rights – bilateral ties
U.S. sees improved rights in China
CNN, March 17, 2005
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/03/17/china.hum
anrights/index.html


Human rights – EU arms ban
EU reassures China over plans to lift arms ban
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 17, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050317/
wl_asia_afp/euchinaarms_050317203004


Labour – industrial accidents
18 dead, one missing as China sets up office to tackle mining accidents
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 18, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&
amp;ncid=731&e=2&u=/afp/20050318/wl_asia_afp/chinamineac
cident


Law
The conception of building a harmonious society in the rule of law
建构和谐社会的法律理念
Legal Daily, March 17, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/17/content_1968
97.htm


Legislation of corruption to be improved
我国贿赂犯罪立法的完善
Legal Daily, March 17, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-03/17/content_19689
5.htm


Report of the work of The Supreme People’s Procuratorate (full text)
最高人民检察院工作报告(附全文)
Legal Daily, March 18, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2005-03/18/content_1972
22.htm


Report of the work of the Supreme People’s Court (full text)
最高人民法院工作报告(附全文)
Legal Daily, March 18, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2005-03/18/content_1972
21.htm


Media – internet
Non-students barred from using popular university chat room
SCMP, March 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZORCF456E.html

Media- Press freedom
Editorial- Chinese Journalist in Peril
New York Times via China Digital News, 17 March, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/opinion/17thu3.html?ex=
1111726800&en=395c4fe6f4bfc78b&ei=5040&par
tner=MOREOVERFEATURES


Migrant workers
21 tortured migrant workers in Heilongjiang saved
黑龙江民工受虐续:警方救出21名民工[组图]
EastDay.com, March 18, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node53430/userobject1ai944640.html


Population policies- one child policy
When 'little emperors' become parents…
China Daily, 17 March, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/17/content
_425961.htm


Public health – HIV Aids
Ministry of Health to improve Aids patient database
卫生部将完善艾滋病患者和感染者的个案库
EastDay.com, March 17, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node53310/userobject1ai942471.html


Hong Kong
China should intervene in Hong Kong leader row: Chinese media
AFP via YahooNews.com, March 17, 2005
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050317/19/tjtz.html

Tibet
China must listen to the Dalai Lama, Tibetan exile spokesman says
AFP, Mar 18, 2005
China should listen to the Dalai Lama's pledge that he is not seeking independence for Tibet, a spokesman for the Tibetan government in exile said.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050318/wl_
sthasia_afp/indiatibetchina

Thursday, March 17, 2005

March 17, 2005

Top News of the Day
Political dissidents - detention cases
China frees top Uighur prisoner
BBC, March 17, 2005
Rebiya Kadeer, 58, was allowed to leave China for medical treatment in the US, the Dui Hua Foundation said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4357637.stm

News
Bilaterals - U.S./China

U.S. government decides against offering China rights resolution, officials say
Associated Press Newswires, 17 March 2005
The U.S. government has decided against proposing a U.N. resolution critical of China's human rights policy because of positive steps by Beijing in the past year, United States officials said Thursday.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20050317-0249-us-china-rights.html

Homeland Insecurity
New York Times March 17, 2005
When it comes to China, the Bush administration is engaged in one of the greatest acts of unilateral disarmament ever seen in U.S. foreign policy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/opinion/17friedman.html?ex=1268715600&en=19cb8a4f361c299c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

Death Penalty
Suspended death term for Beijing official
SCMP, March 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZYM9F456E.html

23-year-old man sentenced to death for murdering an American in Guangdong
廣東東莞美國人被害案嫌犯肖友尊一審被判死刑
CRI Online, 16 March, 2005
http://big5.chinabroadcast.cn/gate/big5/gb.chinabroadcast.cn/38
21/2005/03/16/381@483083.htm


June 4th – EU arms embargo
EU pledges fail to dent US resolve on embargo
SCMP, March 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6N9F456E.html

Arms needed 'to end strait standoff'
SCMP, March 17, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZEP1K456E.html

China hopes EU has "wisdom" to lift arms ban
Reuters News, 17 March 2005
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L17689019.htm

They Will Call Us Hypocrites
The Wall Street Journal Europe, 17 March 2005
Those European governments that are apparently bent on lifting the European Union's arms embargo against China would be well-advised to take notice of the gathering tide of opposition among legislators on both sides of the Atlantic.
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111102657400782014,00.html

Selling arms to China: If Europe has to do it, here's how
International Herald Tribune, March 18, 2005
On many U.S.-European policy differences, whether in the Middle East or Iraq, Americans themselves are divided, and many even share the European view. But on selling arms to China, U.S. public and political opinion is united.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/17/opinion/edgordon.html

Labour – industrial accidents
6 saved after trapped in Hunan coal mine for 2 days while 28 died in blast in Shanxi
湖南6名被困矿工获救,山西28名矿工确认死亡
Radio Free Asia, March 16, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/03/16/kuangnan/

Labor- Work Conditions
Occupational death on the rise
我國職業病危害嚴重
China Youth Daily, 17 March, 2005
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-03/17/content_1050585.htm

Law- Legal Profession
Appraisals ensure judicial fairness
Xinhuanet.com, 16 March, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/16/content_270
4500.htm


Media-Press Freedom/Police
Xinhua journalists clash with local police and government officials after they were blocked covering villagers petitioning
新華社記者遭惡警圍-採訪山西村民上訪 地方官員阻撓
Mingpo.com, 17 March, 2005
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050317/__cca1.htm

Protests and petitions
Leaders' Promises Have Little Impact on China's Petitioners
Radio Free Asia, March 16, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/03/16/china_
NPC_aftermath/


Rural issues- Land Policy
Intensifying land reforms to revive agricultural economy, says expert
深化土地制度改革再创农村辉煌
Fanfan Daily.com, 16 March, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/spqy/sheping/20050
3160516.asp


Tibet
Exile Tibetans feedback on Dalai’s soften line on Tibetan independence
达赖喇嘛和解姿态流亡藏人反应
Voice of America, March 16, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-03-16-voa50.cfm

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

March 16, 2005


Top news of the day
Human rights - bilaterals ties
Javier Solana must press the Chinese foreign minister over human rights: Amnesty International reports growing harassment of activists in China
Wednesday 16 March, 2005
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=BAF761D0
75129AC780256FC500586948A


Death penalty
Corrupt China official gets suspended death sentence.
Reuters News, 16 March 2005
Bi Yuxi, a top Beijing transport official entrusted with building a huge network of roads across the Chinese capital, received a suspended death sentence on Wednesday for taking huge bribes, state media reported.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/16/news/corrupt.html

Detention – Guo Guoting ( 郭國汀)
'Accidental activist' under house arrest
SCMP, 16 March, 2005
Activist lawyer Guo Guoting, known for defending political dissidents, is reported under house arrest, after he is banned from practice for a year by a Shanghai court.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTH5F456E.html

Detention - Shi Tao (師濤)
CHINA: Dissident reporter faces 10 years' jail
Asia Pacific Media Network via SCMP, 12 March, 2005
Dissident journalist Shi Tao is expected to receive a 10-year imprisonment after a secret trial ended yesterday. Shi is charged with illegally revealing state secrets.
http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=21747


News

Corruption / law – legal profession
Heilongjiang judge and procurator expelled from CCP and under disciplinary investigation for corruption
黑龙江省检院原检察长徐发、省法院原院长徐衍东被双开
Chinesenewsnet.com, March 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/xhw_2005_03_15_23_05_17_468.html


Death Penalty
Abolishment of death penalty should be a gradual process, says expert
死刑的限制與廢除需要一個漸進的過程
YahooNews.com (Chinese edition), 16 March, 2005
http://cn.news.yahoo.com/050315/346/29y0d.html

Detention –Yan Zhengxue (嚴正學)
Chinese Writer Yan Zhengxue missing after clashes with Zhejiang court
獨立中文作家筆會成員嚴正學在與浙江台州法院發生衝突後失蹤
Radio Free Asia, 15 March, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2005/03/15/china_int
ellectual/


Education
Equal Opportunities for Quality Education
China Daily March 16, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/China/123027.htm

Environment
China committed to building lower carbon economy
Xinhuanet.com, March 16, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/16/content_2703
458.htm


The state of pollution
Asia Times Online, March 15, 2005
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GC16Ad01.html

Wrangle over green GDP
Asia Times Online, March 16, 2005
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GC16Ad02.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
In Washington, EU Delegation Finds Resistance to Lifting China Arms Embargo
Voice of America, 15 March, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-15-voa58.cfm

Chinese foreign minister brands EU arms embargo as 'discrimination'
Australian Broadcasting Company, 16/03/2005 http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1325189.htm

EU fails to sway US on China arms ban
Financial Times, 16 March 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/6bc7f458-9582-11d9-bc72-00000e
2511c8.html


Labor - Disasters
Chinese rescuers save six miners trapped underground by mudflow
Reuters, 16 March 2005
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK352485.htm

Media- Internet
Political concerns go public as China's Net users find their voice
SCMP, 16 March, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZR10E456E.html

Media – Press Freedom
China top the “Attack on the Press” list for 6 consecutive years, say CPJ report
中國連續六年被列為關押記者最多的國家
Radio Free Asia, 15 March, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2005/03/15/china_jour
nalist/


Ex-editor kicked off advisory body
SCMP, March 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZU6YJ456E.html

Labour - law
Revising Labour Law to meet the need of building a harmonious society, says Guangdong senior official
修改《劳动法》是建设和谐社会的需要
People’s Daily, March 16, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3247487.html

Population - urbanization
Urbanization the way to resolve rural problems
城市化战略是解决“三农”问题的重要出路
Chinesenewsnet.com, March 15, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/xhw_2005_03_15_23_05_30_799.html


Public health
Search for Regular and Willing Blood Donors
China Daily March 16, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/China/123029.htm

Abortion Pills Banned from Pharmacies
Shenzhen Daily March 16, 2005
Shenzhen has banned retail drugstores from selling abortion pills.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/123031.htm

Society
China rediscovers Confucius in drive for social harmony
Beijing, Telegraph, March 16, 2005
Zou Jing has a cheeky smile and fights with friends in his school playground just like most other eight-year-old Chinese boys. But unlike most of his contemporaries, in class he also recites the Analects of Confucius off by heart.
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005
/03/16/wchina16.xml

Taiwan
Is the Empire Striking Back?New York Times March 16, 2005HALFWAY though the 10th paragraph of an otherwise bland statement issued last month by the United States and Japan is a historic sentence. Among the "common strategic objectives" of the two nations, it reads, is "the peaceful resolution of issues concerning the Taiwan Strait."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/16/opinion/16xue.html?ex=1268629200&en=f7cc8480fe48a554&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

Tibet
China Chooses Nortel for Tibet Railway
AP, 3.16.2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050316/ap_on_hi_te/china_nortel_tibet_railway

Xinjiang
Elsewhere on RFA: Human Rights in China‘s Muslim Northwest
Radio Free Asia, 16 March, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/promos/human_rights/

Uighurs face return to China from Guantanamo
Financial Times, March 16, 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3b486478-95c0-11d9-bc72-00000
e2511c8.html

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

March 15, 2005

Top news of the day

Death Penalty
Place trust on the institutional arrangement
用制度保证死刑判决的慎重和公正
China Youth Online, March 15, 2005
Premier Wen emphasized that China would not abolish the death penalty but leaves room for discussion for reforms on more transparent institutional arrangements.
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-03/15/content_1048948.htm


News

Corruption
China vows to clean up corruption on land market
Xinhuanet.com, March 14, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_2696
491.htm


Food security – GM foods
Green group says GMO policies fail consumers
SCMP, March 15, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ092F456E.html

Labour – industrial accidents
Mine blast traps 19 miners in northeast China
SCMP, March 15, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ593F456E.html

Labour- Work Safety
Work safety watchdog to be given more power
Xinhuanet.com, March 14, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_2693
412.htm


The “price” of earning more: occupational death goes hand in hand with GDP increase
工傷死亡與GDP同步上升
MingPo.com, March 15, 2005
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050315/t_cae1.htm

Labour- Employment market and income
Low wages and poor work conditions the reasons of labuor shortages in Guangdong, says senior governor
勞務大省析「民工荒」
Wenweipo.com, March 15, 2005
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?cat=001YO&news_id=
YO0503150010&PHPSESSID=16d4fc6e74677266b95e99e1aed1
a959&PHPSESSID=dadddad745ceee5ff754ba21a6e6340c


Law – court system
Discontent with reports by judiciary
SCMP, March 15, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZHIWD456E.html

Population – aging population
One-child rural families rewarded
Xinhuatnet.com, March 14, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/14/content_26962
20.htm


Police
Tighter rein on police, prosecutors urged
Xinhuanet.com, March 15, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/15/content_2698
370.htm


Religion
Experts comment on new regulations on religious affairs
专家评中国新实施的宗教事务条例
Voice of America, March 14, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-03-14-voa67.cfm

Rural issues - rural development
Tax reforms bring new hopes solve rural problems
稅費改革解決「三農」問題
WenWeiPo.com, March 15, 2005
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH05031500
27&cat=002CH


Xinjiang
China rules out terrorism in Muslim region blasts
Reuters via Latelinenews.com, March 13, 2005
http://latelinenews.com/ll/english/1353495.shtml

Monday, March 14, 2005

March 12-14, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention
Parliamentary sitting a magnet for nation's poor petitioning for justice
SCMP, March 12, 2005
Thousands people flocked to Beijing to address their grievances and hoping to get an answers from the officials.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZKQQD456E.html


News
Bilaterals - US/China
White House Unhappy With New Chinese Law
Associated Press, March 14, 2005
The Bush administration said Monday that China's threat to use force to stop any Taiwanese move toward independence is an "unfortunate" development that could increase tensions in the region.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050314/ap_
on_go_pr_wh/us_china


US 'deeply troubled' by China forcibly returning North Korean refugees
Agence France Presse, 11 March 2005
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/
136994/1/.html


Death Penalty
Chinese Premier says China not to abolish death penalty
People’s Daily Online, March 14 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/14/eng20050314_17
6772.html


Premier: China Won't Abolish Death Penalty
Associated Press, 14 March 2005
China has no plans to abolish its death penalty but is carrying out reforms to ensure that it is used prudently, Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/03/14/
premier_china_wont_abolish_death_penalty/


Education
CPPCC adviser urges reform of student financial aid scheme
政协委员呼吁完善助学体系
China Youth Daily, March 14 2005
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-03/14/content_1048356.htm

First Human Rights Course Debuts in China's University
Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2005
Family planning policy, death penalty, freedom of speech were all fiercely debated at a human rights course that began Wednesday in South China's Guangzhou University.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/122602.htm

Human rights – freedom of speech
Dissidents urges “release political dissidents as the first step to build a harmonious society” in open letter
李国涛等:释放异议人士,实现社会和谐──致中国两会公开信
Chinesenewsnet.com, March 14, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_3
_13_21_35_45_436.html


Human rights – education
First human right course debuts in China's university
People’s Daily, March 12, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200503/12/eng20050312_176
584.html


Human rights / UN
China: Human Rights Concerns for the 61st Session of the U.N. Commission
Human Rights Watch, March 10, 2005
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/03/10/china10296.htm

Human rights – bilateral ties
Human rights off China agenda
The Australian, March 14, 2005
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5
744,12538474%255E1702,00.html


June 4th - arms embargo
EU firm on ending China arms embargo-commissioner
Reuters News, 12 March 2005
The European Union is determined to lift its 15-year ban on arms sales to China and does not expect any retaliation from Washington when it does so, a top official said on Saturday.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=26941

Labour- industrial accident
Six workers trap in mining accident in Hunan
湖南宁乡县一煤矿发生突泥事故6人被困
LegalDaily.com, March 14 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/xwzx/2005-03/14/content_1959
62.htm


Work Safety Watchdog to Be Given More Power
China Daily March 14, 2005
The State Council has decided to grant more power to the State Administration of Work Safety so that it can conduct inspections and supervise more effectively, especially in coal mines where at least 6,000 were killed last year, Huang Yi, spokesman for the administration, said.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/122821.htm

Guizhou Targets Mine Safety
Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2005
The families of dead miners face a hefty burden in dealing with colliery owners, a high-ranking official in charge of coal mine production in the southwestern Guizhou Province said in an exclusive Xinhua interview.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/122680.htm

Blood and coal: the human cost of cheap Chinese goods
The Guardian, March 14, 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1437055,00.html
?gusrc=rss


Legal reform / RTL
New law on “rectifying illegal activities” to replace re-education through labour system
违法行为矫治法列入今年立法计划 取代劳教制度
East Day.com, March 14, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node52970/userobject1ai933181.html


Media - censorship
BBCensored OBSERVER FROM BEIJING
Financial Times, 14 March 2005
Coinciding with the NPC has been another performance, this time staged by the BBC, whose compe`res, reporters and producers, seemingly also in their thousands, have been visiting as part of the broadcaster's China Week.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a29db658-942d-11d9-9d6e-00000e
2511c8.html


In China, Two Books but One Party
Officials Ban Party Veteran's Work, Endorse Biography by U.S. Businessman
Washington Post, Saturday, March 12, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28236-2005
Mar11.html?nav=rss_world


Petitions and protests
China detains high-profile petitioners during parliament session
Agence France Presse, 13 March 2005
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/
137125/1/.html


Population
Population control main task, says Wen
SCMP, March 14, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZHHSD456E.html

Public Health-HIV Aids
China launches human trials of AIDS vaccine
YahooNews.com, March 13 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1529&a
mp;amp;ncid =1529&e=6&u=/afp/20050313/wl_asia_afp/china
aidsvaccine_0 50313083317


Public health - other
School Children Reel from Lack of Sleep
China Daily March 12, 2005
The survey, conducted among 5,846 students in 10 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing in the past two years, showed that 10.4 per cent of those under 12 years old slept less than eight hours a day.
http://china.org.cn/english/China/122604.htm

Resettlement
500,000 to be moved off "Beijing rim"
China Daily, March 12, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/12/conte
nt_424113.htm


Rural issues - poverty
China rejects complaints on currency; says poor will get priority in economic reforms
Associated Press Newswires, 14 March 2005
http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=149017

State secrets / detention
Chinese dissenters face jail for 'state secrets' violations Vague, catchall term is used to punish activists
Baltimore Sun via China Digital News, March 13, 2005
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.secrecy
13mar13,1,156684.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines&ctrack
=1&cset=true


Tibet
Conciliatory Dalai Lama expounds on winds of change
SCMP, March 14, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZLASD456E.html

Hong Kong – Basic Law
Democrats vow to fight Basic Law 'U-turn'
SCMP, March 12, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZ8QQD456E.html

Taiwan
China Enacts Law to Stop Taiwan Secession
AP via YahooNews.com, M arch 14, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&a
mp;amp;amp;ncid=731&e=3&u=/ap/20050314/ap_on_re_as/ch
ina_legislature


Chen calls for 1m marchers
SCMP, March 12, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZUGWE456E.html

Top Legislature Adopts Anti-Secession Law
Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2005
http://china.org.cn/english/2005/Mar/122756.htm

Tibet
Tibetan Panchen Lama lashes out at military spending in rare comments
Agence France Presse, 14 March 2005
The teenage boy picked by Beijing to become the second-highest spiritual figure in Tibet has lashed out at countries spending vast sums of money on weapons in rare comments published Monday.
http://asia.news.designerz.com/beijing-appointed-tibetan-panch
en-lama-lashes-out-at-military-spending.html?d20050314


Xinjiang
China rules out terrorism in Muslim region blasts.
Reuters News, 13 March 2005
China has ruled out terrorism as a cause of two explosions in the Muslim-majority northwestern region of Xinjiang and the top government official there said on Sunday ethnic tension had eased.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=7884486&
type=worldNews