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.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

August 27, 2008

Top News
Human Rights Defender - Hu Shigen (胡石根)
Dissident Released after 16 Years in Jail in China
Associated Press (via Google), August 27, 2008
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jAedSxUxFNPR3R9UM6axlzAsPWBwD92QDS380

Veteran democracy activist Hu Shigen (胡石根) was released from prison on August 26. He was sentenced in 1994 to twenty years for “carrying out counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement” and “organizing a counterrevolutionary group” and had served sixteen years of the sentence. He still remains subject to five years of deprivation of political rights.
Related information:
Imprisoned Democracy Activist Hu Shigen Released
Human Rights in China, August 26, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/75710
News
Bilateral Ties
China Expresses Dissatisfaction with U.S. Human Rights Remarks
Xinhuanet, August 26, 2008
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/26/content_9717629.htm

Corruption

Corrupt Official Sentenced to Death
Shanghai Daily, August 27, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=371619

Disasters
Two Thousand Evacuated after Quake in Tibet
Xinhuanet, August 26, 2008
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/26/content_9718215.htm

Education
China Eliminates Fees for Urban Primary Students
Xinhuanet, August 27, 2008
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/27/content_9721813.htm

Human Rights Defender
泛蓝浙江成员魏桢陵被判劳教 (Zhejiang Pan-Blue Alliance Member Wei Zhenling Sentenced to Reeducation-Through-Labor on Charges of "Gambling and Soliciting Prostitutes")
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fanlan-08262008092751.html

Labor
16 Killed as Blasts Rip Chemical Plant
Shanghai Daily, August 27, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=371632

Related news:
No Pollution after Fatal Chemical Plant Blast in South China
Xinhuanet, August 27, 2008
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/27/content_9721867.htm
Media
境外新聞網 京奧後可瀏覽 (Non-Mainland News Sites Accessible following Olympics)
Ming Pao, August 27, 2008
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20080827/ccc1.htm

Migrant Workers
Free Schooling for Migrant Kids
China Daily, August 27, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08/27/content_6973558.htm

Military
Two Elite PLA Units Begin 'Sharpening 2008' Drill
South China Morning Post, August 27, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=d16f4fc34fffb110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Politics
Top Political Advisory Body Holds Meeting to Discuss Development
Xinhuanet, August 26, 2008
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/26/content_9717960.htm

Protests and Petitions
南通维权人士在法院被绑架 访民被关精神病院 (Jiangsu Rights Defender Taken from Court by Three Unidentified Men in July Remains Missing)
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/nantong-08262008093437.html

上海访民不知去向 (Five Shanghai Petitioners Whereabouts Unknown Following Petitioning Trip to Beijing, Another Disappeared En Route)
Radio Free Asia, June 26, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fangmin-08262008172555.html

Rural Issues
Rural Loan Scheme Gives Credit Where Due in NW China
Xinhuanet, August 26, 2008
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/26/content_9715587.htm

State Security
Security Upgraded on Beijing Bus Route
China Daily, August 27, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08/27/content_6973312.htm

Taiwan
FM Urges China's Goodwill on U.N. Bid
Channel News Asia (via China Post), August 27, 2008
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign%20affairs/2008/08/27/171962/FM%2Durges.htm