The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Monday, December 18, 2006

December 16-18, 2006

Top News of the Day

Religion
Shanghai Preacher Detained by Police, US Christian Group Says
SCMP, December 16, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQQ58YPVE.html
Wang Mingwei (王明伟), a preacher from a house church in Changqiao, Shanghai, has been reportedly taken away by police after a police raid on December 16, according to China Aid Association. The local authorities have yet to give information or issue any notice that Wang has been officially detained.

News

Corruption
More Judges Held in Graft Crackdown
SCMP, December 16, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZYQG8YPVE.html

Death Penalty
Fate of a Killer Is Litmus Test for Future of Courts
SCMP, December 18, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZL5M7YPVE.html

拒捕枪杀公安民警 被告一审被判死刑 (Two Hunan Men Sentenced to Death for Killing a Policeman)
Legal Daily, December 18, 2006
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2006-12/18/content_
489603.htm


广东女博裸死案凶手获死刑 (Rapist and Murderer of Guangzhou Doctoral Student Executed)
The Beijing News, December 16, 2006
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0567/2006/12-16/014@
229396.htm


China Executes Two Former Bank Employees for Fraud
AFP (via YahooNews), December 15, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061215/wl_asia_afp/
chinacorruptionbankingcrimetrial_061215041845
61215041845

Environment
China's Largest Underwater Exploration Project Completed
Xinhuanet, December 17, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/17/content_
5497975.htm


Int'l Advisory Organization Suggests Setting up Environmental Protection Ministry in China
Xinhuanet, December 17, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/17/content_
5499697.htm


Human Rights Defenders – Chen Guangcheng (陈光诚)
陈光诚起诉临沂公安局局长刘杰 (Detained Rights Lawyer Chen Guangcheng Sues Local Police Chief for Harassment and Intimidation)
Radio Free Asia, December 15, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/15/chen/

Labor
深圳厂要员工签畜生协议 (New Recruits at a Shenzhen Factory Asked to Sign Contract Containing Humiliating Clauses)
Ming Pao, December 18, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061218/cce1.htm

Wal-Mart Sets up Chinese Communist Party Branch in Shenzhen
China Daily, December 18, 2006
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/18/content_
761049.htm


Land Policy
China Sends Out Inspectors to Monitor Local Gov't Land Use
Xinhuanet, December 17, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/17/content_
5498969.htm


Media
网民成为时代英雄 管理理应与时俱进 (Editorial: Management of Internet Should Be in Line with the Growing Power of Netizens)
Nanfang City News, December 18, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/dd/dsb/A02/
200612180250.asp


Chinese Web TV Bonanza Beyond Reach
Asia Times Online, December 15, 2006
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/
HL15Cb02.html


Military
禁止其他党派在军队中建立组织 (Non-CPC Political Parties Not Allowed to Organize Activities or Establish Organizations in the Military)
Nanfang City News, December 17, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/newdaily/zg/
200612170162.asp


Politics
和谐社会究竟由谁来付钞 (Who Will Pay for the Cost of Upholding a Harmonious Society?)
Ming Pao, December 18, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061218/caf1.htm

《百姓》发文批评中国智库 (Outspoken Magazine Bai Xing Criticizes Chinese Think-Tanks)
Radio Free Asia, December 15, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/15/zhiku/

解读六中全会:发挥宗教促进社会和谐的积极作用 (Religion Should Strive to Promote Social Harmony, According to Newly Issued CPC Resolution)
People's Daily, December 18, 2006
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/5176888.html

Population
中国男女出生比已达119100 (Male-Female Birth Ratio Reaches an Alarming Rate of 119:100)
The Beijing News, December 16, 2006
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0565/2006/12-16/014@
040103.htm


Poverty
Beijing's Homeless "Living" in McDonalds 24-hour Restaurants
Xinhuanet, December 18, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/16/content_
5496642.htm


Protests and Petitions
调查称官员首次认为社会治安成最严重社会问题 (Officials Admit Social Order Is the Most Serious Social Problem in China, Shows Survey)
Sina.com, December 18, 2006
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-12-18/102611820646.shtml

自杀者冲击连发 天安门戒备森严 (Police Tighten Security Around Tiananmen Square to Prevent Suicide Attempts by Petitioners During US Treasury Secretary's Visit)
Radio Free Asia, December 17, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/17/
tiananmen/


学者规劝政府不要把群体事件弄成敌我问题 (The Government Should Not Over-react by Taking a Hostile Position Against Mass Incidents, Academics Advise)
Radio Free Asia, December 15, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/15/
kangyi/


Religion
Women Take a Leading Role in Mainland's Muslim Heartland
SCMP, December 18, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZKW88YPVE.html

中国将审判抗议政府拆教堂基督徒 (Eight Christians to Stand Trial on December 22 for Protesting Church Demolition)
Voice of America, December 15, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-12-15-voa49.cfm

基督教中国家庭教会风波迭起 (More Crackdowns on Protestant House Churches in Zhejiang)
Radio Free Asia, December 15, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/15/
zongjiao/


Society
Growing Middle Class Raises Its Voice in Chinese Boomtown
International Herald Tribune, December 17, 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/17/news/shenzhen.php

Xinjiang
新疆医院爆炸或涉恐袭 (Bomb Explosion in Xinjiang Hospital May Be Related to Terrorism)
Ming Pao, December 18, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061218/ccf1.htm