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.

Monday, May 12, 2008

May 12, 2008

Top News of the Day
Disasters
Earthquake in China kills nearly 9,000
Reuters, May 12, 2008
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKSP24948720080512

China's most devastating earthquake in three decades killed nearly 9,000 people on Monday, with the toll likely to soar as authorities struggle to reach casualties in large areas cut off from relief. The earthquake that hit China's southwestern province of Sichuan killed 8,533 people, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, citing the provincial government. The epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude quake was in a mountainous region about 100 km from Sichuan's capital Chengdu, a bustling city of 10 million.

News
Bilateral Ties
China Is Urged to Use Influence With Junta
Wall Street Journal, May 12, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121054394987883529.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Belgium Accuses China of Cyberattacks
PC World, May 10, 2008
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/145732/belgium_
accuses_china_of_cyberattacks.html

Children
China's Lost Children
ABC News, May 12, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4774224&page=1

Disasters

Expert Warns of Aftershocks in SW China

Xinhuanet
, May 12, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/12/content_8154544.htm

Thousands Feared Dead as Strong Quake Hits China
New York Times, May 12, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/world/asia/13china.html?hp

Six Die in South China Landslide
Xinhuanet (via China Daily), May 11, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/11/content_6675772.htm

Fire Engulfs East China Factory, Casualties Unknown
Xinhuanet, May 11, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/11/content_8145451.htm

Six People Detained Over Fatal China Rail Accident: Report
AFP, May 11, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gEayhfcHOIlyEw6ayYeS4401go8w

Human Rights Defenders
Dissident to Apply for Visa to Visit Hong Kong
SCMP, May 12, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7
733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=558d60bf7d8d9110VgnVCM10000
0360a0a0aRCRD

维权活动人士齐志勇再次被当局限制行动自由
Human Rights Defender Qi Zhiyong's Freedom of Movement Restricted Once Again

Radio Free Asia, May 11, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/qi-05112008154725.html

Media
Legal Action Against CNN Dropped
SCMP, May 12, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7
733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=be1460bf7d8d9110VgnVCM100000
360a0a0aRCRD

Migrant Workers
China Launches Project to Help Children of Migrant Workers
Xinhuanet, May 10, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/10/content_8142387.htm

Hard Lessons for Beijing Migrant Worker Children
Reuters, May 09, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Olympics/idUSPEK22242120080
509

Olympics
Beijing Medical Workers Undergo Anti-Terror Training for Olympics
Xinhuanet, May 12, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/12/content_8151200.htm

Cross-Strait Theme for Quanzhou Relay
SCMP, May 12, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7
733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=bc47804d25bd9110VgnVCM10000
0360a0a0aRCRD

Man Arrested for Chat-Room Threat to Grab Torch
SCMP, May 12, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7
733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=e54360bf7d8d9110VgnVCM100000
360a0a0aRCRD

Unruly Crowds Prompt Concern at Ability to Keep Spectators in Check
SCMP, May 12, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7
733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=816360bf7d8d9110VgnVCM100000
360a0a0aRCRD

Beijing Invites Citizens to Report Olympic Logo Infringement by Offering Huge Rewards
Xinhuanet, May 11, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/11/content_8147874.htm

Beijing Olympics to Boost Chinese Energy Demand: Analysts
AFP, May 11, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5igXJNHgYyDgCBL_PslCR4M1_HSJQ

Fuzhou Greets Olympic Flame with Passion and Former Heroes
SCMP, May 11, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7
733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=9dca267c796d9110VgnVCM100000
360a0a0aRCRD

Olympic Torch Relay in China's Guangdong Province Ends
Xinhuanet, May 10, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/10/content_8141874.htm

Chance of Podium Protests in Beijing: Coates
The Age (Australia), May 10, 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/news/beijing2008/chance-of-podium-pro
tests-in-beijing-coates/2008/05/10/1210131311932.html

Protests and Petitions
15万下岗教师联署发表公开信
150, 000 Unemployed Teachers Sign Open Letter Urging Authorities to Help Resolve
Questions of Livelihood

Radio Free Asia, May 12, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jiaoshi-05122008105
508.html


邯郸上千学生罢课抗议事件未了

Student Protest in Handan, Hebei, Continues

Radio Free Asia, May 12, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/handan-05122008105201.h
tml


江苏强占百亩农地
35位进京代表被抓回
35 Jiangsu Land Rights Representatives Petition in Beijing, Arrested

Radio Free Asia, May 11, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jiang-05112008154958.html

China Punishes 6 for Protest Against Chemical Plant
Reuters, May 11, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK314359


河南访民反映在北京上访遭殴打情况
Henan Doctor Recounts Beating After Petitioning in Beijing

Radio Free Asia, May 10, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/huo-05102008005757.html

Public Health

5 More Die in China of Child Virus, Bringing Death Toll to 39
AP (via International Herald Tribune), May 12, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/12/news/China-Child-
Virus.php


Health Official: China's Nurse Workforce Surges, But Shortage Persists

People's Daily, May 12, 2008
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6408987.html

Tibet
Dalai Lama Looking Forward to Talks with China, with Reservations
International Herald Tribune, May 12, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/12/asia/dalai.php

China Floats Inviting Dalai Lama to Olympics: Tibet MP
Reuters, May 12, 2008
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-335346200805
12


Tibet
Rally in Paris Calls for Pressure on China
AFP, May 11, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gFi0am96_hSEHG8ofhA1Vi_Zn
w6w


Nepal Police Arrest 500 Tibetan Women Protesting Chinese Rule
Bloomberg, May 12, 2008
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aKBDWm7
yl0l0&refer=india