Top News of the Day
Protests and Petitions
最高检：疑难信访可听证 (Supreme People's Procuratorate Issues Regulation on Petitioning Work)
The Beijing News, May 14, 2007
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0564/2007/05-14/017@2
62047.htm
The Supreme People's Procuratorate has issued a regulation on petitioning work, which took effect on May 13. These are some of its main points:
i) Officials will be punished for abuse of power, dereliction of duty and other negligent behavior when they process petitions;
ii) Petitioners will be held criminally responsible for distorting facts and harming others' lawful interests; and
iii) Heads of local procuratorate offices must receive petitioners at least 12 times a year and for at least half a day each time they meet.
News
Death Penalty
In Brief: Policeman, Court Official Get Death Sentences for Murder
South China Morning Post, May 14, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZJ8KE0I1F.html
Environment
China's Yellow River is 10% Sewage: NGO
The Sydney Morning Herald, May 11, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Chinas-Yellow-River-i
s-10-sewage-NGO/2007/05/11/1178390544634.html
Freedom of Association
Beijing Police Call Off UN Anti-Hunger March
South China Morning Post, May 14, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ30ZPXH1F.html
Gender
Rise in Abortions Marks a Changing Society in China
International Herald Tribune, May 11, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/11/news/china.php
Human Rights
中国再次上世界人权状况“劣中之劣”之榜 (Freedom House Again Lists China as One of the "World's Most Repressive Societies")
Radio Free Asia, May 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/05/11/zh
ongguo/
Human Rights Defender - Zhu Yufu (朱虞夫)
简要新闻：异议人士朱虞夫及儿子两人案件被送检察院 (In Brief: Case of Dissident Zhu Yufu and Son Sent to Hangzhou Procuratorate)
Radio Free Asia, May 14, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2007/05/11/xinwen/
Human Rights Defender – Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)
胡佳上海看望郑恩宠 警方强加阻挠 (Police Bar Hu Jia from Visiting Zheng Enchong in Shanghai)
Radio Free Asia, May 13, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/05/13/hu/
Human Rights Defenders
中国维权者频频遭打压 (Suppression of China's Rights Defenders Continues)
Radio Free Asia, May 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/05/11
/weiquan/
Labor
China Faces Labour Shortage in 2010
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), May 12, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070512/wl_asia_afp/china
economylabour_070512052254;_ylt=AhQIsJc9qowd__lIy9
h4M05PzWQA
Land Policy
Shop Owners Hounded by Locals
South China Morning Post, May 14, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNJYPXH1F.html
群众声援京租房业主 大批警察到现场阻止 (Police Prevent Public Show of Support for Owners of Demolished Apartments in Beijing)
Radio Free Asia, May 13, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/05/13
/chaiqian/
Media
Media Turns a Blind Eye at Politically Sensitive Period
South China Morning Post, May 14, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZN8KE0I1F.html
Olympics
澳洲对北京奥运空气污染提出警告 (Australian Olympic Committee Raises Air Pollution Warning on Beijing Olympics)
BBC, May 13, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_6650000/
newsid_6652100/6652167.stm
Steven Spielberg Urges China to Act over Darfur
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), May 11, 2007
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070511/wl_asia_afp/suda
ndarfurunrest_070511224859;_ylt=AkQiFR5JgPfZT89mw
0QjYABPzWQA
Protests and Petitions
Attack on Mao Portrait Just One of Many Protests in Beijing's Heart
South China Morning Post, May 14, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZVJYPXH1F.html
中国地方政府对付访民有新招：陪访和领访 (Local Government in Hubei Has New Methods for Handling Petitioners: Accompanying and Leading Petitioners)
Radio Free Asia, May 11, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/05/11/f
angmin/