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, April 18, 2014

Culture (文化)

好莱坞大牌北京电影节上意外“开炮”(At Beijing int’l film festival, Hollywood director calls on Chinese film industry to focus on China’s historical controversies)
Deutsche Welle, April 17, 2014
http://dw.de/p/1BkAw

Related:
Oliver Stone slams Chinese film industry at Beijing festival
The Hollywood Reporter, April 16, 2014
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oliver-stone-slams-chinese-film-697058

Environment (环境)

中国近五分之一耕地污染,南方甚于北方
One-fifth of China’s farmland is polluted, state study finds
The New York Times, April 18, 2014
http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20140418/c18pollute/dual/

As opposition grows, China defends plans for petrochemical plants
Reuters, April 18, 2014
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/18/us-china-petrochemicals-campaign-idUSBREA3H07020140418?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

Human Rights Defenders (人权卫士)

China sentences anti-corruption activists
Al Jazeera, April 18, 2014
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/04/china-sentences-anti-corruption-activists-201441885818751847.html

Related:
Citizen activists on trial 2014: schedule/status and essays
Human Rights in China, April 18, 2014
http://www.hrichina.org/en/citizen-activists-trial-2014-schedulestatus-and-essays

音频:辩护律师称丁家喜无罪 (Audio: lawyer defends Ding Jiaxi’s innocence)
British Broadcasting Corporation, April 18, 2014
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/multimedia/2014/04/140418_iv_zhang_keke.shtml

“这是一场荒谬的政治审判”(Ding Jiaxi’s lawyer: “This case is a political mockery”)
Deutsche Welle, April 18, 2014
http://dw.de/p/1Bkj8

Information Control (信息控制)

An Internet “Big V” opts for abject contrition
The New York Times, April 17, 2014
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/an-internet-big-v-opts-for-abject-contrition/?_php=true&_type=blogs&partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

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

乌克兰危机虽推动俄中接近 但戒心难消除 (Ukraine crisis draws Russia and China closer, but hard to eliminate distrust)
Voice of America, April 18, 2014
http://www.voachinese.com/content/russia-china-balance-20140418/1896174.html

中国人走进拉美:新伙伴,老问题 (China expands influence in South America: new friends, old problems)
Deutsche Welle, April 18, 2014
http://dw.de/p/1Bkjp

June Fourth (六四)

June 4 museum to open on April 26
RTHK English News, April 18, 2014
http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20140418/news_20140418_56_1000477.htm

Labor (劳工)

Labour disputes in China increase as the workforce shrinks
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2014
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1486398/labour-disputes-china-increase-workforce-shrinks

Yue Yuen strikers vow to continue until benefit contribution deficit paid in full
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2014
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1486399/yue-yuen-strikers-vow-continue-until-benefit-contribution-deficit-paid

Interview with China Labour Bulletin Communication Director on labor unrest
China Central Television, April 17, 2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnTe0shzXPw&feature=youtu.be

Land, Property, Housing (土地、财产、房屋)

官员赞强拆人员是当代“最可爱的人”
Official praises eviction workers as “most lovable”
The New York Times, April 17, 2014
http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20140417/c17eviction/dual/

Persons with Disabilities (残疾人)

China finally offers college entrance exam in braille
The Guardian, April 18, 2014
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/china-college-entrance-exam-braille

Political and Economic Reform (政治经济改革)

报告称中国信访“信升访降” 吁制定国家信访法 (Report states: written petitions increase, in-person petitioning decreases)
People's Daily, April 18, 2014
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2014/0418/c1026-24916086.html

Opinion (观点)

Without social mobility, our city can go nowhere
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2014
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1486129/without-social-mobility-our-city-can-go-nowhere