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.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

December 24, 2009

Top News of the Day


Human Rights Defender - Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波)

Dissident's Trial Sends Message to Activists; Protests Ignored, Liu Xiaobo Faces Subversion Charges
South China Morning Post, December 24, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=efeb157e63cb5210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

The trial of Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波) on charges of "incitement to subvert state power" took less than three hours Wednesday. Liu pleaded not guilty to the charge. About twenty people attended the trial as observers, including Liu’s brother, Liu Xiaoxuan (刘晓暄), and brother-in-law. A verdict in the closed trial is expected to be announced on Friday, December 25.

Related Information:
What Constitutes Liu Xiaobo’s “Incitement to Subvert State Power”?
Human Rights in China, December 23, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/172669

Trial in China Signals New Limits on Dissent
New York Times, December 23, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/world/asia/24china.html

News

Corruption
调查显示民众认为腐败问题是未来10年最大挑战 (Opinion Poll: Corruption Is China's Biggest Challenge in Next 10 Years)
Renmin Luntan, December 24, 2009
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2009-12/669849_2.html

Government
中国各级政府纷纷设置网络发言人 (Different Levels of Gov't Launch "Internet Spokesman" Service)
Radio Free Asia, December 23, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/webspokesperson-12232009110402.html

Human Rights Defender - Guo Quan (郭泉)
郭泉案闭门二审超期不判 (No Verdict for Dissident Professor in Second Trial)
Radio Free Asia, December 23, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/guoquan-12232009112656.html

Internet Censorship
文化部将严厉整治网络游戏、手机游戏 (Ministry of Culture to Impose Strict Controls over Online, Cellphone Game)
Guangming Daily, December 24, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-12/24/content_12697450.htm

Law
New Rule Requires Cellphone Users to Register Identities
South China Morning Post, December 24, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=c6ee157e63cb5210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Media
Supreme Court's Rules Criticised As Gag on Press Freedom
South China Morning Post, December 24, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=4a3f157e63cb5210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

最高法印發法院接受新聞媒體輿論監督若幹規定 (Supreme Court Issues Regulation on Press and Public Opinion Supervision over Courts)
Sina, December 23, 2009
http://news.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/9/1/1/1370863/1.html

Multilateral
"Security Council Should Act Prudently in Imposing Sanctions," Chinese Envoy Says
Xinhua News Agency, December 24, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/24/content_12695806.htm


XUAR
China Tries 22 Xinjiang Accused
Agence France-Presse, December 23, 2009
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=China+tries+22+Xinjiang+accused&NewsID=216239