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.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

February 10, 2009

Top News

Multilateral
China Says Protects Human Rights, West Voices Doubt
Reuters (available at YahooNews), February 09, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090210/wl_nm/us_un_rights_china

On Monday, February 9, a Chinese delegation faced scrutiny of its human rights record before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. In response to questions raised regarding the Chinese government’s human rights policies, rule of law, and treatment of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, delegation chief Li Baoding said, “China is fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights.” The Chinese delegation also denied the existence of “black jails” and media censorship.

Related News
China’s UN Human Rights Review: New Process, Old Politics, Weak Implementation Prospects
Human Rights China, February 9, 2009
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/127014

News

Labor
贵州:爆竹违规使用高度敏感原料氯酸钾爆炸6人死 (Use of Illegal Chemical Results in Fatal Explosion at Firecracker Plant in Guizhou)
Xinhuanet, February 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-02/09/content_10789049.htm

Bilateral Ties
Pro-Tibetan Group Excluded from Talks
Sydney Morning Herald, February 10, 2009
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/protibetan-group-excluded-from-
talks/2009/02/09/1234027955845.html

Corporate Social Accountability
China Sets Limit on Executive Pay
China Daily, February 10, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-02/10/content_7460583.htm

Related News
Executive Pay Ignites Public Grumble, Regulation Urged in China
Xinhuanet, February 09, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/09/content_10790185.htm
Corruption
杭州西湖区建设局原副局长受贿近千万一审被判死缓 (Hangzhou Official Sentenced to Death for Taking Bribes)
Xinhuanet, February 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-02/10/content_10791988.htm

Economic Development
Half of Chinese Toy Makers Wiped Out in Crisis
Agence France-Presse (available at YahooNews), February 10, 2009
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/business/2009/02/10/195426/Half-of.htm

Environment
China's Drought Slightly Eased by Rainfall
Shanghai Daily, February 10, 2009
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200902/20090210/article_390536.htm

Government
国家林业局回应郝劲松虎照申请称将公开相关信息 (Appeal for Information from Photo Scandal Successful under Open Government Information Regulations)
Xinhuanet, February 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-02/10/content_10791165.htm

江蘇新任地稅局長自殺 (Newly Appointed Jiangsu Official Commits Suicide)
Ming Pao, February 09, 2009
http://www.mpinews.com/htm/INews/20090209/ca11833c.htm

Hong Kong
2 More Bodies Wash Up on City's Shores
South China Morning Post, February 10, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/
?vgnextoid=9d7b562752b5f110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Labor
China to Create 775,000 Jobs Via Rural Retailing
China Daily, February 09, 2009
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-02/09/content_7458264.htm

Law
司法部设法律援助工作司 将重点加强农村法律援助 (Ministry of Justice Establishes Legal Aid Department)
Xinhuanet, February 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-02/10/content_10791307.htm

Public Health
Bird Flu Peril Increasing, Health Chief Warns
South China Morning Post, February 10, 2009
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/
?vgnextoid=b6170571b7b5f110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Rural Issues
安徽返乡农民工土地创业 成立协会发展规模生产 (Returned Workers Form Farming Associations in Anhui)
Xinhuanet, February 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-02/10/content_10791982.htm

Society
Fire Engulfs Beijing Hotel Complex
International Herald Tribune, February 10, 2009
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/10/asia/10beijing.php
Related News
Official: CCTV Hotel Fire Caused by Fireworks
Xinhuanet, February 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/10/content_10794146.htm
XUAR
"东突"散发传单 鼓动新疆少数民族学生闹事 (Xinjiang Party Secretary Claims "East Turkestan" Movement Spread Leaflets in Schools)
World Post, February 10, 2009
http://news.163.com/09/0210/11/51PNPR810001124J.html