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, May 30, 2008

May 30, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Liu Shui (刘水)
警方限制异议作家刘水回深圳工作 (Police Prevent Dissident Writer Liu Shui from Returning to Shenzhen)
Radio Free Asia, May 29, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/liushui-05292008104337.html
Freelance writer Liu Shui (刘水) has been trying to return to Shenzhen to work, but authorities there have refused to allow his return. According to Independent Chinese PEN Center member Zhang Yu, it is because the Shenzhen police do not want Liu to "bring any trouble." Liu began working in Shenzhen in the 1990s, but was told to leave because of his negative influence on Shenzhen's reputation in 2006.

Human Rights Defenders - Lawyers
China Rights Lawyers Say Licenses Blocked after Tibet Call
Reuters, May 30, 2008
http://cn.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idCNPEK17394720080530
Rights defense lawyers Teng Biao (滕彪) and Jiang Tianyong (江天勇) reportedly have been refused renewal of their lawyers licenses. Jiang reports that he has been told that his license renewal is being delayed due to "representing sensitive cases"; however, both believe that this is because they signed a letter supporting full legal protection for Tibetans arrested following the March riots.

Related information:
HRIC Press Advisory: Chinese Lawyers Offer Legal Help to Detained Tibetans (includes translation of letter)
Human Rights in China, April 04, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/48358
News
Bilateral Ties
Indian FM to Visit China for Talks on Trade, Border Row
Agence France-Presse (via Google), May 29, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gzH4d6_YczclFdAgJWmEKjMEv7Bw

US Probes Whether Laptop Copied on China Trip
Associated Press (via Google), May 30, 2008
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4D9t60-W8j66NYZaBwez4_gq7mwD90VIL4G4

Civil Society
Citizens' Groups Step up in China
Washington Post, May 29, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/28/AR2008052803398.html

Corruption
7 Officials Sacked for Neglect amid Crisis
South China Morning Post, May 30, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=471cc3937153a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

China Official Atones as School Collapse Probe Widens
Reuters, May 29, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-China/idUSPEK16279720080529

Disasters
After the Shock of an Earthquake, Thousands Now Huddle in Fear of a Flood
New York Times, May 29, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/world/asia/30china.html

China Aftershocks Set for Weeks, Months even Years
Reuters, May 29, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSSYD7250120080529

China Quake Victims Consider Legal Action
Financial Times, May 30, 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/308edc0c-2d9c-11dd-b92a-000077b07658.html

China to Speed up Earthquake Insurance
Associated Press (via Google), May 29, 2008
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hS-KJjbwScZPY_IZGbNNDXbg776AD90V2TH80

Chlorine Reaction Injures China Quake Rescuers
Reuters, May 29, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK23503720080529

中纪委监察部颁布处分规定要求 严查.违规使用抗震救灾款物 (Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Ministry of Supervision Issue Regulations on the Misappropriation of Relief Donations)
Legal Daily, May 30, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2008-05/30/content_868702.htm

Related information:
抗震救灾款物管理使用违法违纪行为处分规定(全文) (Full text: Disciplinary
Regulations on the Administration of the Misappropriation of Earthquake Relief
Donations)
China News, May 29, 2008
http://chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2008/05-29/1266721.shtml
Environment
Ban on Ultra-Thin Plastic Bags Draws Mixed Reaction
Xinhua (via China Daily), May 30, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/30/content_6722759.htm

Major China Cities Hit by Diesel Fuel Rationing
Reuters, May 29, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Oil/idUSPEK18688520080529

Taihu Lake Water Safety Fears Remain
China Daily, May 30, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/30/content_6722842.htm

Human Rights Defender - Guo Quan (郭泉)
中国民主人士郭泉获释 (Former Nanjing University Professor and Political Activist Guo Quan Released)
Radio Free Asia, May 29, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/guoquan-05292008164719.html

Human Rights Defender - Li Changqing (李长青)
China Keeps Journalist's Family from Attending World Newspaper Congress
Editor and Publisher, May 28, 2008
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003808788

Media
批评江西法官枉法办案 记者反成犯罪嫌疑人 (Reporters Criticizing Jiangxi Judge Forced to Turn Selves In)
Radio Free Asia, May 29, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jiangxi-05292008104928.html

中国监督网被中断无法登陆 批评官员遭报复? ("China Supervision Online" Website Blocked)
Radio Free Asia , May 29, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/jiandu-05292008103612.html

Tibet
Tibetan Exiles Vow to Press on with March Home
Agence France-Presse (via Google), May 29, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gLzKsZQkKYoyKPYYZQC49mlvXcEA

Tibetan Monks Linked to Blasts
Radio Free Asia, May 29, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet_blast-05292008131318.html