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, October 02, 2013

Environment (环境)

环保部:改善重污染天气 京津冀面临严指标 (Environment Ministry: China’s major cities to set strict targets to improve air pollution)
Xinhua, October 2, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1002/c1001-23098259.html

China readies air quality warning system for major cities
The Brics Post, October 2, 2013
http://thebricspost.com/china-readies-air-quality-warning-system-for-major-cities/

Freedom of Expression and Privacy (言论自由和隐私)

人大常委会委员吁明确罚则严惩商家非法泄露信息 (Revisions to Consumer Protection Law proposed to protect private information)
Legal Daily, October 2, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1002/c1001-23097734.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Hundreds march on National Day in support of political prisoners
South China Morning Post, October 2, 2013
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1322327/hundreds-march-national-day-support-political-prisoners

See photo album:
Struggle for Human Rights in China
Human Rights in China, October 1, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152015213631414.1073741830.94042326413&type=1

Hukou (户口)

1800名异地务工人员今年可凭积分入户珠海 (Zhuhai to grant hukou to 1,800 workers from elsewhere based on education level)
Xinhua, October 2, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1002/c1001-23097113.html

Human Rights Defenders (人权卫士)

Chinese dissident Chen to join conservative U.S. think tank
陈光诚“将加入美国保守派智库”
Reuters (English) October 2, 2013
British Broadcasting Corporation (Chinese), October 2, 2013

EN: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/02/uk-china-usa-activist-idUKBRE99100420131002
CH: http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2013/10/131001_us_china_chenguangcheng.shtml

International Relations (Security, Trade and Investment), 国际关系(安全,贸易和投资)

China says 1 Syrian injured in shelling at Chinese Embassy in Damascus, condemns attack
Associated Press, October 1, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-says-1-syrian-injured-in-shelling-at-chinese-embassy-in-damascus-condemns-attack/2013/10/01/df2e4de2-2a71-11e3-b141-298f46539716_story.html

June Fourth (六四)

Critics take advantage as China celebrates a sensitive birthday
当国庆周年纪念撞上敏感数字
Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2013
EN:http://cn.wsj.com/gb/20131002/rlw103759.asp?source=rss
CH:http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/10/01/critics-take-advantage-as-china-celebrates-a-sensitive-birthday/

Open Government Information (信息公开)

22省份公开社会抚养费168.8亿 苏粤拒绝公开 (Twenty two provinces release information on one-child policy penalty fees, Jiangsu and Guangdong Refuse)
Beijing News, October 2, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1002/c1001-23096575.html

拒公开信息 财政部被判重新处理 (Ministry of Finance loses case for using “state secret” as excuse to withhold information from OGI applicant)
Beijing Morning Post, October 2, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1002/c1001-23095293.html

Political and Economic Reform (政治经济改革)

中央部门将试点向社会购买服务 明确七个重点领域 (Central gov’t to test “buying services” from society in 7 main areas)
Beijing Youth Daily, October 1, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/1001/c1001-23092429.html

See related official documents:
国办关于政府向社会力量购买服务的指导意见(全文)(State Council: Guiding Opinion Regarding Government’s Plan to Purchase Services from Social Forces)
State Council, September 30, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/0930/c1001-23090482-3.html

财政部就《关于政府向社会力量购买服务的指导意见》答问 (Q & A on “Guiding Opinion Regarding Government’s Plan to Purchase Services from Social Forces”)
Ministry of Finance, September 30, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2013/0930/c1001-23090481.html

Related:
More NGOs to provide govt services
China Daily, August 1, 2013
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-08/01/content_16861362.htm

Rule of Law (法治)

China courts lift veils but keep courtroom closed
Associated Press, October 1, 2013
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-10-01/china-courts-lift-veils-but-keep-courtroom-closed

Urban management officers: mean streets
News China Magazine, October 2013 Issue
http://www.newschinamag.com/magazine/mean-streets#id:1377#date:16:15

Political and Economic Reform (政治经济改革)

A devious blueprint to empower the party
Asia Times Online, October 1, 2013
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/CHIN-01-011013.html

Society (社会)

How Gen Y is changing office culture in China
Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2013
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/10/02/gen-y-is-changing-office-culture-in-china/

中国官媒称出新版《毛主席语录》系误传 (Chinese official media: story about republishing “Quotations from Chairman Mao” not true)
British Broadcasting Corporation, October 2 , 2013
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2013/10/131001_mao_book_denial.shtml

Technology (科技)

Apple kowtows to China’s censors; removes circumvention app
苹果删除iphone翻墙神器
Radio Netherlands, October 1, 2013
EN:http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/apple-kowtows-china%E2%80%99s-censors-removes-circumvention-app-0
CH:http://helanonline.cn/article/6126

Opinion (观点)

松开你们的手 (Release your grip on Wang Gongquan)
Wang Ying at 21st Centruy, October 2, 2013
http://wangying.blog.21ccom.net/?p=6

上海自贸区不自由 (Shanghai Free Trade Zone is not free)
South China Morning Post, October 2, 2013
http://www.scmpchinese.com/sc/opinion/13726/monitor-shang-hai-zi-mao-qu-bu-zi-you