Thursday, February 21, 2008

February 21, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender – Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)

郑恩宠周三再遭殴打 冯正虎公开信吁中央介入 (Zheng Enchong Beaten Again; Rights Defense Scholar Calls for Central Government's Intervention)
Radio Free Asia, February 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/20/zheng_enchong/
Following Zheng Enchong's (郑恩宠) repeated beatings over the past two weeks, noted Shanghai rights defense scholar Feng Zhenghu (冯正虎) issued an open letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao on February 20. Zheng was beaten twice last week on Feb. 16 and 17; on Feb. 20 he was summoned by the police for a tax issue and was beaten again. Many have called out in response, including Feng Zhenghu. Feng's letter was simultaneously published online and calls on the authorities to adopt measures to stop the Shanghai police from persecuting Zheng and placing him under house arrest.
Related Information:
HRIC Press Release: Zheng Enchong Detained and Beaten
Again Human Rights in China, February 20, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/47417

News
Environment
China Factories Move Inland to Avoid Green Scrutiny
Reuters, February 20, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSHKG35657920080221

Law
南京出台办法鼓励实名举报 (Nanjing's New Regulations Encourage the Use of One's Actual Name When Reporting Crimes)
Xinhuanet, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-02/20/content_7636818.htm

张子霖案一审结束将于周五宣判 (Zhang Zilin's Case Concluded; Verdict to Be Issued Friday)
Radio Free Asia, February 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/20/china_dissident_panblue/

Media
北京市公安局:赠阅"艳照门"图片系违法 (Beijing Police Say Electronically Circulating over 200 Sexy Pictures Constitutes a Felony)
People's Daily (available at Xinhuanet), February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2008-02/20/content_7636953.htm

China Extends Ban on Foreign Cartoons
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), February 20, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080220/ap_on_re_as/china_cartoon_ban_3

Olympics
Olympics Helpers Not Chosen Based on Beauty, Says Shanghai
South China Morning Post, February 21, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/

Sponsors Stand by Games Amid Political Storm
South China Morning Post, February 21, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/

British Foreign Secretary: Boycotts of Beijing Olympics Are Not the Right Path
Xinhuanet, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/20/content_7637938.htm

China Defends Relocation Policy
Washington Post, February 20, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021901612.html

Relocated Beijingers Were Not 'Forced Out'
China Daily, February 20, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-02/20/content_6468830.htm

China Media, Public Angered by Spielberg
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), February 20, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080220/ap_on_re_as/china_olympics_spielberg_4

北京市文件称奥运期间防敌对人员 (Document of Local Authorities in Beijing Gives Orders to Effectively Monitor "Enemies" During the Olympics)
Voice of America, February 20, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2008-02-20-voa35.cfm

Protests and Petitions
河北访民计划到香港游行请愿被阻 (Henan Petitioners Barred from Petitioning to Hong Kong)
Radio Free Asia, February 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/20/china_petitioner/

Religion
China Official Explains Religion Policy
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), February 20, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080220/ap_on_go_ot/us_china_olympics_1

两名家庭教会女教师被公安带走后下落不明 (Two Female House Church Teachers Taken Away by Police; Whereabouts Unknown)
Radio Free Asia, February 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/20/china_religion_christian/

Tibet
Tibetan Language Seen Hurt by China's Neglect
Reuters, February 20, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK31852420080220

XUAR
Rights Group Demands Inquiry on Deadly China Raid
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), February 20, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080220/wl_asia_afp/chinaxinjiangpoliticsattacks_080220074402