Top News
Media
Olympic Freedoms for Foreign Press in China Set to Expire
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), October 16, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081016/wl_asia_afp/chinamediarightsoly2008
The Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period (北京奥运会及其筹备期间外国记者在华采访规定), which granted foreign journalists greater freedom while reporting in China will expire on October 17. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Qin Gang, China will “continue to follow the opening-up policy and facilitate the work of foreign media and journalists in China.” The Regulations took effect on January 1, 2007. Related regulations issued for journalists from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan will also expire on October 17.
News
Children
新疆石河子福利院多名孩子被暴打 (Children Beaten at Xinjiang Welfare Institution)
Radio Free Asia, October 16, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/tifa-10162008123935.html
Environment
湖北监利千余棉农皮肤病感染与钒污染无因果关系 (Hubei Farmers' Skin Infections Unrelated to Vanadium)
Xinhuanet, October 17, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-10/17/content_10206746.htm
四川雅安江水疑遭污染全城停水 市委书记向市民表歉意 (Pollutions Cuts off Ya'an's Water Supply)
Xinhuanet, October 17, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-10/17/content_10206761.htm
Food Security
Courts Compound the Pain of China's Tainted Milk
International Herald Tribune, October 17, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/17/asia/17milk.php
Recalled Milk Sold to Students in China: State Media
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), October 16, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081016/wl_asia_afp/chinafoodsafetychilduniversity/
Freedom of Speech
云南异议诗人欧阳小戎在贵阳被国保带走下落不明 (Poet Dissident's Whereabouts Unknown - Ouyang Xiaorong Captured)
Radio Free Asia, October 16, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/ouyang-10162008090343.html
Gender
Sexy Clothing Rule Stirs Ayi Controversy
Shanghai Daily, October 17, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=377209
Labor
Death Toll from NW China Mine Blast Rises to 11
Xinhua (via China Daily), October 17, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/17/content_7116008.htm
云南富源矿难致9人死亡 矿长被判缓刑 (Yunnan Mine Boss Given Suspended Sentence over Deaths of Nine Miners)
EastDay.com, October 17, 2008
http://news.eastday.com/c/20081017/u1a3923661.html
Land Policy
Beijing Moves to Stop Land Being Taken from Farmers
South China Morning Post, October 17, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=63b922fcf160d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Law
重庆开县农民工上海被不当劳教获国家赔偿5.4万 (Rural Worker Compensated for Wrongful Reeducation-Through-Labour)
EastDay.com, October 17, 2008
http://news.eastday.com/c/20081017/u1a3924005.html
Police
Fight Witness: No One Knew They Were Police
Shanghai Daily, October 16, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=377085
Population
China's Populous Guangdong Sees Baby Boom
Xinhuanet, October 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/16/content_10203451.htm
Protests and Petitions
广东村民不满工厂污染要求赔偿反遭逮捕 (Guangdong Villagers Arrested Demanding Compensation for Pollution Damage)
Radio Free Asia, October 16, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/rights_rural-10162008112738.html
湖北访民郑大靖被非法长期关押 (Hubei Petitioner Zheng Dajing Detained and Beaten)
Radio Free Asia, October 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/petitioner_abuse-10152008103659.html
Public Health
Relatives Compensated after E. China Anesthesia-related Deaths
Xinhuanet, October 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/16/content_10205664.htm
XUAR
中国政府限制维吾尔退休干部参加宗教活动 (Government Restricts Religious Activities of Uighur Retirees)
Radio Free Asia, October 15, 2008 http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/xinjiang_uyghur-10152008104429.html