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.

Monday, May 16, 2011

May 16, 2011

Top news
Human Rights Defender – Ai Weiwei (艾未未)
艾未未被抓四十天后首次与家人会面 (40+ Days into Detention, Ai Weiwei Finally Permitted Meeting with Wife)
Radio Free Asia, May 15, 2011
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/Xinwen/aww-05152011214157.html

The wife of Ai Weiwei (艾未未), Lu Qing (路青), was permitted a brief meeting with her husband on Sunday evening. Lu was taken to meet with her husband but told not to discuss the case with him. During their meeting, Ai told her that he had not been tortured and was doing well.
Related news:
Detained Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei Allowed Visit from Wife
The Guardian, May 16, 2011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/may/16/ai-weiwei-allowed-visit-from-wife

外交部副部长称艾未未事件应信任中国司法 (MFA Vice Minister: Should Have Faith in China's Judiciary in Ai's Case)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 16, 2011
http://news.163.com/11/0516/08/745PB6QN00014JB5.html

News
Bilateral Ties
外交部副部长称中欧可就网络安全扩大合作 (MFA Vice-Minister: PRC-EU May Expand Cooperation in Internet Security)
China News Service, May 16, 2011
http://news.qq.com/a/20110516/000861.htm

Int'l Dialogues Aim to Promote Positive Images
China Daily, May 07, 2011
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2011-05/07/content_12462695.htm

China Hits Out at Clinton over Rights Criticism
Agence France-Presse, May 16, 2011
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110514/pl_afp/chinausrightsunrest

US Congressional Panel Concludes China Is Increasing its Crackdown on Dissent
Voice of America, May 13, 2011
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/121808054.html

Food Security
China Gives Press More Freedom — for Food Safety
Associated Press, May 15, 2011
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110516/ap_on_he_me/as_china_food_safety
Related news:
Officials Get Black Mark on Record for Food Scandals
South China Morning Post, May 16, 2011
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3b010d554b4ff210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD
Hong Kong
Banned Mainland Books on Shortlist for HK Prize
South China Morning Post, May 16, 2011
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=31c70d554b4ff210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

港環保署就港珠澳大橋環評報告裁決提上訴 (HK Govt to Appeal against High Court Ruling Quashing Controversial HK-MO-Guangdong Bridge's Environmental Permit)
China Review News, May 13, 2011
http://www.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1016/9/3/2/101693289.html

Land Policy
国土部下发紧急通知要求严查强征强拆 (Land Ministry Issue Urgent Notice Demanding Investigation into Forced Demolitions)
The Beijing News, May 16, 2011
http://news.bjnews.com.cn/2011/0516/118714.shtml

结婚别墅遭强拆 世界冠军质疑“选择性”执法 (Retired Athlete Protests Demolition of Home, Questions "Selective" Enforcement of the Law)
Southern Metropolis Daily, May 16, 2011
http://gcontent.oeeee.com/7/2d/72dee70a8d52e44d/Blog/d6a/98f082.html

Media
China Cracks Down on VPN Use
The Guardian, May 13, 2011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/may/13/china-cracks-down-on-vpn-use

Police
Chongqing Prisoners May Get Out Early with ‘Red’ Activities
Agence France-Presse, May 15, 2011
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2011/05/15/2003503305

Protests and Petitions
男子信访局发飙被送劳教一年半 (Man Ordered to 1 Year Reeducation-Through-Labor for Breaking Things Inside Petitioning Bureau)
Guangzhou Daily, May 16, 2011
http://gzdaily.dayoo.com/html/2011-05/16/content_1353378.htm

南京数千工人游行与千警冲突数人被捕 (Several Detained in Clash between Police and Laid-off Workers Protesting Severance Conditions)
Radio Free Asia, May 15, 2011
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/ql-05152011171548.html

Religion
Crackdown on Church Continues
South China Morning Post, May 16, 2011
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=80610d554b4ff210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Society
深圳能否像香港,把动物保护做出创意来? (Will Shenzhen Become More Like HK and Find New Ways to Protect Animals?)
Southern Metropolis Daily, May 16, 2011
http://gcontent.oeeee.com/1/5a/15a12b83500e93d7/Blog/9be/2a8146.html