Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Yang Chunlin (杨春林)
Trial Begins Over Olympics Letter
Associated Press (available at South China Morning Post), February 20, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=656a233c53238110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Heilongjiang land rights activist Yang Chunlin's (杨春林) trial on the charge of subverting state power started on February 19 and the verdict has not yet been announced. Yang circulated a petition saying "We want human rights, not the Olympics" last year. His lawyer Li Fangping said that this petition was one part of the evidence used in his prosecution. Yang has reportedly plead not guilty.
News
Freedom of Speech
中国蒙族作者新书被公安没收 (Inner Mongolian Writer's Book Confiscated)
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/19/wanshiwuyan/
Government
Rail Bosses Hit Back at Attack
South China Morning Post, February 20, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=692a233c53238110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Human Rights Defender - Qiao Yanbing (乔延兵)
乔延兵被判刑家属得不到判决书 (Shandong Soldier-Turned-Cadre Representative Sentenced to 4 1/2 Years; Family Didn't Receive Verdict)
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/19/qiao/
Labor
政协委员：请叫外来工“新广州人” (Guangzhou CPPCC Member: Please Call Migrant Workers in Guangzhou "New Guangzhouers")
Xinhuanet, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2008-02/20/content_7634784.htm
Olympics
Housing Official Admits Beijing Evicted 15,000 in Path of Games
South China Morning Post, February 20, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=674a233c53238110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Olympic Committee Set to Loosen Gag on Athletes
The New Zealand Herald, February 20, 2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10493451
简要新闻: 国际组织呼吁欧洲奥委会会议关注中国人权问题 (International Groups Urge European Olympic Committees Not to Limit Speech of Athletes)
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2008/02/19/xinwen/
Politics
中国把做好就业工作作为政府政绩考核的重要指标 (Improving Employment Conditions Will Be Included in Evaluation Criteria of Cadres)
Xinhuanet, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-02/20/content_7633108.htm
Elite China Think-tank Issues Political Reform Blueprint
Reuters, February 18, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK20590720080219
Population
China's Shandong to Include Sex Ratio in Local Gov't Appraisals
Xinhuanet, February 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/19/content_7632497.htm
Protests and Petitions
Poor Legal Petitioners to Get Financial Assistance Under New Plan
South China Morning Post, February 20, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=647a233c53238110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
河源非法采矿污染环境 村民维权遭黑社会打击(Illegal Mining Contaminates Villagers' Water Supply; Villagers' Protest Met with Attacks)
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/19/China_pollution_rural/
Public Health
Bird Flu Kills Central China Man
British Broadcasting Corporation, February 18, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7251336.stm
Religion
简要新闻: 山东临沂抓捕270位家庭教会领袖，21人被劳动教养 (Linyi Arrested 270 Protestant House Church Leaders, 21 Sent to Reeducation Through-Labor Camps)
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2008/02/19/xinwen/
中国基督教家庭教会联合会会长张明选牧师给国际社会公开信-要奥运更要爱与公义(Protestant House Church Leader Sends Open Letter: "We Want the Olympics; We Need Love and Justice Even More")
Radio Free Asia, February 19, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/19/aoyun/
Three Gorges
SEPA Report: Three Gorges Main Water Body Slightly Cleaner, Branches Worsening
Xinhuanet, February 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/19/content_7632558.htm
XUAR
Authorities Defend Killing Xinjiang Terrorists
South China Morning Post, February 20, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=cb922a0f80538110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD