Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)
上海公安局否认派人殴打维权律师 (Shanghai Police Deny Beating Zheng Enchong)
Voice of America, February 18, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2008-02-18-voa22.cfm
Shanghai rights defender Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠) told Voice of America on February 18 that he was beaten in three occasions on February 16 and 17. Zheng alleged that he was beaten by the police officers who monitored him on February 16 and 17 mornings, when he tried to leave his home to buy newspapers and go to church respectively. On February 17 afternoon, Zheng was summoned to the police station, where he was beaten by two thugs whom he believed were employed by the police. An anonymous official of the Northern Substation of the Zhabei Branch of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security denied the beating.
News
Environment
More than 40pc of Drinking Water Unsafe in Countryside
South China Morning Post, February 19, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=89ccf0e242d28110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
China to Create Environmental Disaster Insurance
Reuters, February 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK360859
Government
“政府阳光财政”再获突破 (Further Breakthrough for Transparency of Guangzhou Government's Fiscal Situation)
Legal Daily, February 19, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2008-02/19/content_799090.htm
Survey: 90% Chinese Slate Local Officials for Inefficiency
Xinhuanet, February 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625333.htm
Human Rights Defender - Yang Chunlin (杨春林)
China Opens Trial of Dissident Who Blasted Olympics
Reuters, February 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK346876
Human Rights Defenders
温州维权村民被判有罪 (Rights Defense Villagers Convicted in Wenzhou, Zhejiang)
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/18/wenzhou/
武汉维权人士肖昌海失踪 (Whereabouts of Wuhan Rights Defender Xiao Changhai Unknown)
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/18/china_rights_detain/
Labor
24 Killed in China Iron Mine Explosion
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), February 19, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_re_as/china_mine_explosion_1
Land Policy
China Orders Localities to Intensify Land Management for Restoration in Disaster-Afflicted Areas
Xinhuanet, February 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625834.htm
广东兴宁市村民护地阻工被打 (Guangdong Villagers Beaten for Obstructing Highway Construction)
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/18/china_rights_land/
佛教名山五台申遗 居民不满土地补偿 (Wutai Mountain Applies for Heritage Recognition; Residents Dissatisfied with Relocation Compensation)
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/18/wutaishan/
Law
检察“错案”首次定义为“执法过错” (New Implementing Opinions Define Prosecutors' "Wrong Decisions" as the "Wrong Implementation of the Law"; Consequences Include Disciplinary Action)
Legal Daily, February 19, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2008-02/19/content_799109.htm
Media
新闻出版总署：恐怖灵异与魔幻有本质区别 (General Administration of Press and Publication Distinguishes Between "Horror and Occult" and "Fantasy")
The Beijing News, February 19, 2008
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/guonei/2008/02-19/021@081705.htm
Yunnan Newspaper Publishes Local Gov't, Party Directory
Xinhuanet, February 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7624914.htm
Olympics
State Press Attacks US Groups that Tie Olympics to Darfur
South China Morning Post, February 19, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=13c47f1c9bd28110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Protests and Petitions
郑明芳欲上京遭围困 奥运加剧截访频率 (Zheng Mingfang Barred from Petitioning to Beijing; "Retrieval" of Petitioners Escalates Before Olympics)
Radio Free Asia, February 18, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/18/zhengmingfang/
Public Health
非医学需要不得鉴定胎儿性别 (New Hebei Regulations Ban Fetal Gender Identification Unless Medically Necessary)
Legal Daily, February 19, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2008-02/19/content_799092.htm
Three Gorges
New Environment Protection Facilities Planned at Three Gorges Dam
Xinhuanet, February 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/18/content_7625502.htm