October 24, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defenders - Hu Jia (胡佳)
Jailed Chinese Activist Wins EU Human Rights Award
Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/asia/la-fg-china24-2008oct24,0,5701757.story

Related information:
HRIC Congratulates Hu Jia, Recipient of 2008 Sakharov Prize
Human Rights in China, October 23, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/70239

Related news:
Beijing Opposes EU's Award to Chinese Criminal
Xinhua (via Shanghai Daily), October 24, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=378059

News
Bilateral Ties
China, Singapore Sign Free Trade Pact
Xinhuanet, October 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10238375.htm

U.S. Condemns Beating of Sons of Chinese Pastor
Reuters, October 23, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49M7E020081023

Corruption
Probe Begins on Former Vice Minister of Finance
Shanghai Daily, October 23, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=377922

Death Penalty
Chinese Vice Mayor Sentenced to Death for Taking Bribes
Agence France-Presse (via Google), October 23, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iPxcMrl5NIEbCueJYL8Olx8CKpjw

Environment
Arsenic Pollutes Scenic Lake in China: State Media
Agence France-Presse (via Google), October 23, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgBheijF1na9sTo3CSe0yIC92OhQ

Big Chinese Companies Join Climate Group
The Guardian, October 24, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/24/china-mobile-climate-group

Food Security
China Reviews Food Safety Draft Law Following Tainted Dairy Products Scandal
Xinhuanet, October 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10240195.htm

Six More Arrests over Melamine-tainted Chinese Dairy Products
Xinhuanet, October 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10240578.htm

Labor
Dongguan Plans Fund for Workers
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3f3d7220d8a2d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Land Policy
广东南海市南村再次发生强拆抓捕村民事件 (Guangdong Villager Detained, Beaten during Housing Destruction)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/qiangchai-10232008160724.html

Police
贵州 “人权研讨会活动” 发起人遭传唤与警告 (Guizhou Dissidents Planning "Human Rights Symposium" Subpoenaed and Cautioned)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/guizhou-10232008085727.html

Protests and Petitions
百位访民在亚欧首脑会议举行当天申请游行 (Around 100 Petitioners Apply for Demonstration on Day of Asia-Europe Meeting)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/protest-10232008090051.html

数百江西民工冲击温州派出所 (Hundreds of Jiangxi Laborers Protest outside Police Substation Where Colleague Died)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/mingong-10232008113008.html

Public Health
Burden of Chronic Diseases 'Increasing'
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c9e17220d8a2d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Related news:
China to Get U.S. Training on Handling Outbreaks
Reuters, October 23, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE49M3WD20081023

Drug Maker Recalls Tainted Eczema Cream
Shanghai Daily, October 23, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=377925

State May Pay for Causing Distress
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=8bb17220d8a2d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Rural Issues
China Targets Rural Economy
Wall Street Journal, October 24, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122481315763865507.html

China's Farmers Face Land Risks
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/energy_watch/china-farmer-10232008152210.html