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, April 25, 2008

April 25, 2008

Top News of the Day
Media

China Becomes World's Largest Internet Population
Reuters, April 24, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews
/idUSPEK34240620080424

It was reported on April 24 that China’s online population reached 221 million by the end of February; China has surpassed the U.S. in having the world’s largest Internet-using population.

News
Bilateral Ties

France Wants European Union to Decide on Olympic Boycott
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_re_eu/france
_sarkozy_china_1;_ylt=AtAiG
wQA15IvnASdLxdDqRpPzWQA

Death Penalty
中澳中法死刑犯不引渡 (Suspects Who Might Face Death Penalty Will Not Be Extradited Under China's Agreements with Australia and France)
The Beijing News, April 25, 2008
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/guonei/2008/04-25/
021@075033.htm


Environment
China Will Go Further in Climate Change Talks, UN Official Says
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080424/wl_asia_afp/unc
limatewarmingchina_08042411
4745;_ylt=An5XmFddaNX
wbxpppnx4j4ZPzWQA


Law
China Adopts Amendment to Law Protecting Disabled
Xinhuanet, April 24, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/24/content_
8045874.htm


Media
Cracking the 'Great Firewall' of China's Web Censorship
USA Today, April 22, 2008
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2008-04
-22-InternetBandits_N.htm


Olympics
Pre-Games Moves against Smoking 'Not Enough'
South China Morning Post, April 25, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ec
b329d3d7733492d9253a0a0
a0/?vgnextoid=40f3dec1851
89110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=New


Bracing for Games, China Sets Rules That Complicate Life for Foreigners
New York Times, April 24, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/world/asia/24china.
html?ref=todayspaper


Chinese Authorities Stepping Up Security ahead of Olympics
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 24, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_re_as/china
_keeping_control_1;_ylt=Aj7r.
sIvUc8J9nD0lsC.mSBPzWQA

Olympic Partner VW Urges China to Open Society
Reuters, April 24, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/
idUSL2468747920080424


Protests and Petitions
云南麻栗坡县徵地冲突五名村民被指袭警遭刑拘 (Five Yunnan Protestors Placed Under Criminal Detention "for Attacking Police")
Radio Free Asia, April 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/land_riot-0423200811
4001.html?encoding=simplified


Society
On His Weekends, Chinese Samaritan Saves Lives
Los Angeles Times, April 24, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-
suicide24apr24,1,6853982.story


Tibet
西藏严惩 ”造谣传谣” 康定再现抗议传单 (Tibet Starts Punishing Rumor-Mongering; Protests Leaflets Reappear in Kangding County)
Radio Free Asia, April 24, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zang-
04242008152517.html


Tibet to Receive First Tour Group Since March 14 Unrest
Xinhuanet, April 24, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/24/content_
8043915.htm