Top News of the Day
Protests and Petitions
山东访民林英明被关进精神病院56天 (Shandong Petitioner Lin Yingming Already Detained in Psychiatric Hospital for 56 Days)
Radio Free Asia, February 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/23/56/
Shandong petitioner Lin Yingming (林英明) is being held in a psychiatric hospital by the Rushan, Shandong police due to repeated petitions in Beijing. RFA speaks with Huang Qi (黄琦), head of Tianwang Human Rights Center, whose help Lin has requested many times; Huang states, "When they brought him to the hospital, they strapped him into the bed and for several days injected him with unknown chemicals. […] He has been again detained in a psychiatric hospital for 53 days, because he continues his accusations. […] We can tell from what he's said and what he's written that he is an extremely healthy person, including his mental health." Fellow petitioner Liu Zhengyou (刘正有) comments that petitioners being retrieved by local police and sent to a psychiatric hospital is hardly unusual, as public security bureaus are wont to stop petitioners by any means necessary.
News
Bilateral Ties
China Keen to Help Solve Darfur Conflict: Envoy
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), February 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080224/wl_asia_afp/sudanchinaunrestdarfurdiplomacy_080224134309
Civil Society
China's State Council to Use Internet for Public Opinion
Xinhuanet, February 22, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/22/content_7651001.htm
Disasters
China Jails 17 for Deadly Coal Mine Blast
Reuters, February 24, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK16549
Economic Development
Experts Warn Inflation in China Could Lead to Social Unrest
Voice of America, February 22, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-22-voa13.cfm
Environment
Pollution Fears Spark Outcry on Refinery Project
South China Morning Post, February 25, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d925 3a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=46db39c816c48110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Rumours of Dam-building Leave Villagers Fearing for Their FutureSouth China Morning Post, February 25, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=7c1e1c568cb48110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Government
中国政府又要“瘦身”？ (Does the Chinese Government Want to Downsize Again?)
Radio Free Asia, February 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/23/shou/
Human Rights Defender
山东维权人士周孟新被警方带走 (Shandong Human Rights Defender Zhou Mengxin Carried Away by Police)
Radio Free Asia, February 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/24/zhuo/
Land Policy
On Solid Ground - Beijing's Landmark Edict on Land Rights for the Vast Rural Population Is a Powerful Signal of Change
South China Morning Post, February 23, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d
7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=e729e236f2248110VgnVCM1000
00360a0a0aRCRD
Law
How One Man in China Strengthens the Rule of Law
Christian Science Monitor, February 22, 2008
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0222/p01s04-wosc.html
泛蓝成员张子霖被判刑两年 不服提出上诉 (Zhang Zilin Sentenced to Two Years, Plans to Appeal)
Radio Free Asia, February 22, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/22/zhang/
Media
China Asks Web Sites to Eradicate Porn, Violence
Reuters, February 22, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSPEK2316520080222
Olympics
Time to Worry About the Unthinkable – Failure
South China Morning Post, February 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=d4e2505533648110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Olympics-Six China Provinces Ordered to Cut Pollution
Reuters, February 22, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK15389
Public Health
中国现存艾滋病病毒感染者和病人约70万 (Approximately 700,000 People in China Currently Carry or Are Infected with HIV)
Radio Free Asia, February 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/24/ai/
Tibet
Tibetans, Chinese Police Clash at Festival
Radio Free Asia, February 22, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2008/02/22/tibet_clash/
XUAR
中国官员指疆独恐布集团有计划袭击奥运 (Chinese Official States that XUAR Separatist Group Is Planning a Surprise Attack During the Olympics)
Radio Free Asia, February 22, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/22/china_xinjiang/