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, October 24, 2008

October 24, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defenders - Hu Jia (胡佳)
Jailed Chinese Activist Wins EU Human Rights Award
Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/asia/la-fg-china24-2008oct24,0,5701757.story

Related information:
HRIC Congratulates Hu Jia, Recipient of 2008 Sakharov Prize
Human Rights in China, October 23, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/70239

Related news:
Beijing Opposes EU's Award to Chinese Criminal
Xinhua (via Shanghai Daily), October 24, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=378059
News
Bilateral Ties

China, Singapore Sign Free Trade Pact
Xinhuanet, October 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10238375.htm

U.S. Condemns Beating of Sons of Chinese Pastor
Reuters, October 23, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49M7E020081023

Corruption
Probe Begins on Former Vice Minister of Finance
Shanghai Daily, October 23, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=377922

Death Penalty
Chinese Vice Mayor Sentenced to Death for Taking Bribes
Agence France-Presse (via Google), October 23, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iPxcMrl5NIEbCueJYL8Olx8CKpjw

Environment
Arsenic Pollutes Scenic Lake in China: State Media
Agence France-Presse (via Google), October 23, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgBheijF1na9sTo3CSe0yIC92OhQ

Big Chinese Companies Join Climate Group
The Guardian, October 24, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/24/china-mobile-climate-group

Food Security
China Reviews Food Safety Draft Law Following Tainted Dairy Products Scandal
Xinhuanet, October 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10240195.htm

Six More Arrests over Melamine-tainted Chinese Dairy Products
Xinhuanet, October 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10240578.htm

Labor
Dongguan Plans Fund for Workers
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3f3d7220d8a2d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Land Policy
广东南海市南村再次发生强拆抓捕村民事件 (Guangdong Villager Detained, Beaten during Housing Destruction)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/qiangchai-10232008160724.html

Police
贵州 “人权研讨会活动” 发起人遭传唤与警告 (Guizhou Dissidents Planning "Human Rights Symposium" Subpoenaed and Cautioned)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/guizhou-10232008085727.html

Protests and Petitions
百位访民在亚欧首脑会议举行当天申请游行 (Around 100 Petitioners Apply for Demonstration on Day of Asia-Europe Meeting)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/protest-10232008090051.html

数百江西民工冲击温州派出所 (Hundreds of Jiangxi Laborers Protest outside Police Substation Where Colleague Died)
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/mingong-10232008113008.html

Public Health
Burden of Chronic Diseases 'Increasing'
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c9e17220d8a2d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Related news:
China to Get U.S. Training on Handling Outbreaks
Reuters, October 23, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE49M3WD20081023
Drug Maker Recalls Tainted Eczema Cream
Shanghai Daily, October 23, 2008
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=377925

State May Pay for Causing Distress
South China Morning Post, October 24, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=8bb17220d8a2d110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Rural Issues
China Targets Rural Economy
Wall Street Journal, October 24, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122481315763865507.html

China's Farmers Face Land Risks
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/energy_watch/china-farmer-10232008152210.html