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 11, 2008

April 11, 2008

Top News of the Day
Tibet

China Keeping Tibet Closed to Tourists
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 10, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080410/ap_on_re_as/china_tibet
Despite announcing on April 3, 2008, that Tibet would be reopened to tourists on May 1, 2008, Chinese authorities have revoked the decision to issue Tibet travel permits. According to Tibet tour operators, the Tibet Tourism Bureau said that tours could not be arranged to Tibet due to safety concerns in Lhasa and concerns over the Olympic torch relay in May. No date was given for the resumption of travel permits. China has already banned multiple-entry visas until after the Olympics.

News
Bilateral Ties

China Rejects Bid by UN Rights Boss for April Visit
Reuters, April 10, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL10591021

Chinese Urged to Boycott French Goods
Financial Times, April 10, 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0d2d6b20-072c-11dd-b41e-0000779fd2ac.html

Corruption
Chongqing Officials Investigated for Corruption
South China Morning Post, April 11, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=df6f5ff449839110VgnVCM100000360
a0a0aRCRD


Food Security
中国粮食生产形势面临严峻挑战 (China's Grain Producers Faced with Grim Fight)
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/04/10/liangshi/

Human Rights Defender - Ren Ziyuan (任自元)
山东异见人士任自元狱中重病仍被强迫劳动 (Imprisoned Dissident Ren Ziyuan Forced to Do Labor while Seriously Ill)
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/04/10/ren

Media
《西藏:真相与民族主义情绪》引起网民批评 (Southern Metropolis Weekly Editor's Online Commentary on Tibet Gains Mass Criticism from Netizens)
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/04/10/tibet_article/

Olympics
China Alleges New Olympic Terror Plot
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 10, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080410/ap_on_re_as/oly_beijing_
security_7


China Tells Olympic Boss to Stay out of Politics
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 10, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080410/wl_afp/chinaunresttibetrights
oly2008_080410212636


Dalai Lama Reiterates Support for Beijing Olympics
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), April 10, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080410/ts_afp/chinaunresttibetrights
japandalaioly2008_080410074316


Detours Possible in HK to Avoid Torch Chaos
South China Morning Post, April 11, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=f4f6b3bf63939110VgnVCM100000360
a0a0aRCRD


IOC Denies Rift with Beijing on Torch Relay
South China Morning Post, April 11, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d77
33492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=1f87b3bf63939110VgnVCM100000360
a0a0aRCRD


Rudd Says 'No' to China Torch Guards
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), April 10, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080410/ap_on_re_as/australia_torch_
security_1


Protests and Petitions
海南失地农民计划包围博鳌论坛 (Tens of Thousands of Hainan Farmers to Protest against Rights Violations during Boao Forum for Asia)
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/04/10/nongmin

Religion
维族基督徒被控分裂国家 疑滥用欲加之罪 (Uighur Christians Charged with Secession)
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/04/10/weizu/

XUAR
公安搜捕维族男子,伊宁郊区戒严十天 (Curfew Being Imposed in Ghulja Suburbs for Ten Days as Police Search for Alleged Terrorist)
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/04/10/yining/