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.

Friday, February 22, 2008

February 22, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defenders - Hu Jia (胡佳), Zeng Jinyan (曾金燕)
隔绝两月曾金燕获准通讯 谈见胡佳忧心忡忡 (Zeng Jinyan Regains Right to Communication After Two Months of Blockage; Detained Hu Jia Looks Distressed)
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/21/ceng/
Human rights defender Zeng Jinyan (曾金燕) gave an interview to RFA on February 21, although she suspected the phone conversation was monitored. For the past two months she has been barred from external communication. On February 17, she visited her husband, human rights defender Hu Jia (胡佳), in a detention center. She thought Hu could not speak freely because many officers were present at the couple's meeting. Jurist Teng Biao (滕彪) said Zeng was allowed to see Hu before a verdict was delivered due to international and domestic condemnation of Hu Jia's arrest.

News
Bilateral Ties
China Makes Rare Public Admission of Vatican Talks
Reuters, February 21, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK2650920080221

Economic Development
Many Factories in China's South Sound Last Whistle
Wall Street Journal, February 22, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120364402025884745.html

Government
领导电话能否承受民意诉求之重 (Can Kunming Government Leaders Stand the Public Pressure After Disclosing Their Phone Numbers?)
Legal Daily, February 22, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2008-02/22/content_801254.htm

Human Rights Defender - Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)
Harassment Stepped Up, Dissident Says
South China Morning Post, February 22, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=78f8ff663ac38110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Human Rights Defender – Ching Cheong (程翔)
I Didn't Spy for Taiwan, Says Released Journalist
South China Morning Post, February 22, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3975dc2645c38110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Human Rights Defender - Qi Chonghuai (齐崇淮)
齐崇淮被超期拘押 律师要求取保候审 (Shandong Journalist Qi Chonghuai Placed Under Prolonged Detention; Lawyer Demands Release on Bail Pending Further Investigation)
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/21/qi_chonghuai/

Human Rights Defender - Miao Jun (苗军)
威海公安警告维权代表不要接触“反动势力” (Shandong Police Warn Rights Defender Not to Contact "Reactionary Forces")
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/21/china_rights_rural/

Human Rights Defender - Yuan Weijing (袁伟静)
袁伟静:欲探视陈光诚五度受阻 法律不保护我们 (Yuan Weijing Barred from Visiting Husband Chen Guangcheng for the Fifth Time)
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/21/yuan/

Land Policy
“自主拆迁”将成城市拆迁新模式? (Will "Autonomous Eviction" Become the New Mode for Eviction in Cities?)
China Youth Daily, February 22, 2008
http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2008-02/22/content_2074106.htm

Media
Chinese Youth Push Political Expression Online
Reuters, February 21, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSS2117384120080221

艾博维客网站因土地纠纷文章被关闭 (Website Shut Down After Publishing Article on Land Grab in Anhui)
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/21/blog/

Olympics
北京开查暂住证护奥运安全 (Beijing Police Start Requiring Floating Population to Apply for Temporary Residence Permits to Ensure Safety at the Olympics)
The Beijing News, February 22, 2008
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/beijing/2008/02-22/021@080926.htm

China "Regrets" U.S. Decision on Food Supplies
Reuters, February 21, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSPEK191920080221

Spielberg Never Took on Beijing Olympic Role: China
Reuters, February 21, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSN2152185220080222

Population
Rural Population Dwindles 80m, Migrant Workers Up 60m in Decade
South China Morning Post, February 22, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=0258ff663ac38110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Public Health
AIDS Prevention Lesson amid Cement and Steel
Xinhuanet, February 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/21/content_7640804.htm

被遗忘的受难者 (The Forgotten Victims)
Nanfang Weekend, February 21, 2008
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/zmzg/200802210099.asp

The Heparin Trail - China's Role in Supply of Drug Is Under Fire
Wall Street Journal, February 21, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120354600035281041-pY4IcITvYzE_S9JtWfUReW_3kS4_20080321.html

Religion
新疆基督徒周恒获释受访 对华援助协会吁释放所有良心犯 (XUAR Christian Zhou Heng Gives Interview on His Release)
Radio Free Asia, February 21, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/21/zhou/

Rural Issues
Survey: Rural Facilities Improved
Xinhuanet, February 22, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/22/content_7646445.htm