Access to Justice (司法公正)

China Focus: China adopts amendments to Criminal Law
我国对现行刑法作出重要修改
Xinhua, August 29, 2015
EN: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-08/29/c_134568394.htm
CH: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2015-08/29/c_1116414407.htm

Related:
People's Republic Of China Criminal Law Amendment (9) (English translation)
China Law Translate, August 31, 2015
http://bit.ly/1O3LyOU

China approves prisoner amnesty ahead of military parade to mark end of WWII, state media reports
South China Morning Post, August 29, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1853687/china-approves-prisoner-amnesty-ahead-military-parade-mark-wwii

Inland Chinese province hailed for passing nation’s first women’s labor law that takes into account effects of menopause
South China Morning Post, August 31, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1853908/inland-chinese-province-hailed-passing-nations-first-womens

佛山维权人士陈启棠获准见律师案件再送检 (Foshan rights activist, Chen Qitang permitted to see lawyer, case again sent to procuratorate)
Radio Free Asia, August 29, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql1-08292015124132.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

China’s Communist Party silences former critic, the liberal Nanfang news group
South China Morning Post, August 30, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1853616/chinas-communist-party-silences-former-critic-liberal

China punishes 197 over stock market and Tianjin “rumors”
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 30, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-34104114

Related:
公安部部署专项打击整治网络谣言　依法查处编造传播谣言违法犯罪人员197人　关停网络账号165个 (Ministry of Public Security deploys dedicated attack on Internet rumors: 197 offenders investigated and punished for spreading rumors, 165 online accounts shut down in accordance with the law)
Xinhua, August 31, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2015-08/31/c_128181730.htm

Arrested financial journalist apologizes for causing stock market rout
Hong Kong Free Press, August 31, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/31/arrested-financial-journalist-apologises-for-causing-stock-market-rout/

Beijing battens down, cranks up propaganda ahead of war parade
Reuters, August 30, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/30/us-ww2-anniversary-china-idUSKCN0QZ00D20150830

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Families of China's “disappeared” say country is a place of “fear and panic”
The Guardian, August 31, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/families-of-chinas-disappeared-say-country-is-a-place-of-fear-and-panic

Related:
Relatives of recently disappeared lawyers and activists write a letter to China’s Minister of Public Security
China Change, August 29, 2015
http://chinachange.org/2015/08/29/relatives-of-recently-disappeared-lawyers-and-activists-write-a-letter-to-chinas-minister-of-public-security/

失踪维权律师家属致函中国公安部长 (Families of missing rights lawyers write letter to China’s Minister of Public Security)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 30, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150830_china_lawyers

台湾发起“一人一明信片”呼吁释放中国维权律师 (Taiwanese groups launch “one person, one postcard” campaign to urge release of China’s rights lawyers)
Voice of America, August 30, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/media/photogallery/taiwan-china-right-20150830/2938219.html

As Chinese manufacturing growth cools off, worker protest mounts
International Business Times, August 27, 2015
http://www.ibtimes.com/chinese-manufacturing-growth-cools-worker-protest-mounts-2071621

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China's top securities regulator vows legal action against rogue officials who abuse power to trade stocks
South China Morning Post, August 30, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1853978/chinas-top-securities-regulator-vows-legal-action

China investigates former chairman of Wuhan Iron and Steel
Reuters, August 30, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/30/us-china-corruption-wuhan-steel-idUSKCN0QZ06620150830

Behind deadly Tianjin blast, shortcuts and lax rules
天津瑞海公司，一颗制度造就的定时炸弹
The New York Times, August 30, 2015
http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20150831/c31tianjin/dual/

Market turmoil? To Xi, another battle still comes first
The Wall Street Journal, August 28, 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/market-turmoil-to-xi-another-battle-still-comes-first-1440759216

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

U.S. government “developing sanctions against Chinese companies for cyber theft of trade secrets”
South China Morning Post, August 31, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1854013/us-government-developing-sanctions-against-chinese

Hong Kong (香港)

Outgoing Hong Kong Legco chief warns “one country, two systems” will fall apart if Beijing keeps on interfering
South China Morning Post, August 30, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1853845/exclusive-hong-kong-legco-chief-says-urgent-review-needed

Politician James Tien accuses CY Leung, Beijing of meddling with HKU council appointment
August 29, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1853543/pro-business-politician-james-tien-accuses-chief-executive

Protests and parades as Hong Kong marks 70th anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender
Hong Kong Free Press, August 31, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/31/protests-and-parades-as-hong-kong-marks-70th-anniversary-of-japans-wwii-surrender/

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

As the Communist Party wages a war on history, it would do well to examine its own
Hong Kong Free Press, August 30, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/30/as-the-communist-party-wages-a-war-on-history-it-would-do-well-to-examine-its-own/

Does China have a roadmap to eliminate corruption?
The Diplomat, August 29, 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/does-china-have-a-roadmap-to-eliminate-corruption/

Rethinking the Obama-Xi Summit
The Diplomat, August 31, 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/rethinking-the-obama-xi-summit/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

中国人权律师与美国官员会面后遭当局软禁 (Chinese human rights lawyer placed under house arrest after meeting with U.S. official)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 27, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150827_zhuangdaohe_housearrest

Access to Information (信息公开)

Press freedom watchdog calls for release of Chinese business reporter
The Guardian, August 27, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/aug/27/press-freedom-watchdog-calls-for-release-of-chinese-business-reporter

Related:
国际组织呼吁中国释放《财经》记者王晓璐 (International organizations urge China to release Wang Xiaolu, reporter for Caijing Magazine)
Radio Free Asia, August 27, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/xl2-08272015124210.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

China arrests Christians who opposed removals of crosses
The Guardian, August 27, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/27/china-arrests-christians-opposed-cross-removals-zhejiang/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

President and vice-president of Chinese Communist Party's news website “taken away by investigators”
South China Morning Post, August 27, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1853302/president-and-vice-president-chinese-communist-partys

Related:
中国媒体指人民网两名高管被带走调查 (Chinese media: 2 top executives for People’s Daily Online taken away and investigated)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 27, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150827_china_media_arrest

Tianjin official jumps to his death as 23 others are held over deadly blasts
Hong Kong Free Press, August 27, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/27/tianjin-official-jumps-to-his-death-as-23-others-are-held-over-deadly-blasts/

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong “Umbrella Movement” students charged
香港“雨伞运动”学生领袖被正式检控
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 27, 2015
EN: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-34071195
CH: http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150827_hongkong_student_leaders_charges

Related:
Hong Kong student pro-democracy leader Joshua Wong decries “political prosecution”
The Independent, August 27, 2015
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/hong-kong-student-prodemocracy-leader-joshua-wong-decries-political-prosecution-10475643.html

Signs of a thaw? Hong Kong Democratic Party members hold behind-closed-doors talks with top Beijing official
South China Morning Post, August 27, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1853150/signs-thaw-hong-kong-democratic-party-officials-hold-behind

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

China jails 45 in unrest-hit Xinjiang
新疆大抓捕 批评人士说高压严打全国化
Voice of America, August 27, 2015
EN: http://www.voanews.com/content/china-jails-45-in-unrest-hit-xinjiang/2934424.html
CH: http://www.voachinese.com/content/voa-news-china-jails-45-on-terror-related-charge-20150827/2934733.html

China's Uyghur university students are closely watched for their political views
Radio Free Asia, August 27, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/watched-08272015154440.html

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Is this China’s Chernobyl moment?
Open Democracy, August 26, 2015
https://www.opendemocracy.net/maria-repnikova/is-this-china-chernobyl-moment

How long before Macau’s “Article 23” security law makes it to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong Free Press, August 28, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/26/how-long-before-macaus-article-23-security-law-makes-it-to-hong-kong/

After “Black Monday,” structural reform in China?
The Diplomat, August 26, 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/after-black-monday-structural-reform-in-china/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China detains lawyer in Zhejiang amid ongoing cross demolition program
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/lawyer-08262015111356.html

包龙军涉“煽颠”律师会见被拒 包蒙蒙已开学户口本被没收 (Bao Longjun suspected of “subversion” and is denied meeting with lawyer, son’s Hukou certificate confiscated and he is prevented from leaving country to study abroad)
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl1-08262015120846.html

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

[CHRB] What Happened to the Detained Lawyers: 18 Held in Secret & Several Accused of “Endangering National Security” (8/12-20/2015)
Chinese Human Rights Defenders, August 12-20, 2015
http://chrdnet.com/2015/08/chrb-what-happened-to-the-detained-lawyers-18-held-in-secret-several-accused-of-endangering-national-security-812-202015/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Great Firewall reinforced for WWII anniversary parade
China Digital Times, August 26, 2015
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2015/08/great-firewall-reinforced-ahead-of-ww2-anniversary-parade/

Related:
China won't tolerate anything but praise for its showy World War II parade
Global Voices, August 27, 2015
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/08/27/china-wont-tolerate-anything-but-praise-for-its-showy-world-war-ii-parade/

国际记者联合会批评中国继续控制媒体 (The International Federation of Journalists criticizes China's continued control of the media)
Voice of America, August 26, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/voa-news-chinese-authorities-continue-attempts-20150826/2932759.html

Financial journalist detained as China ramps up censorship and cracks down on “market rumors”
Hong Kong Free Press, August 26, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/26/financial-journalist-detained-as-china-cracks-down-on-market-rumours/

Related:
中国财经记者被指散布“虚假信息”遭传唤 (Chinese financial journalist accused of spreading “false information” summonsed by police)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 26, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150826_china_finance_journalist

Chinese people want to know “How was China’s economy destroyed?”
Quartz, August 27, 2015
http://qz.com/488191/chinese-people-want-to-know-how-was-chinas-economy-destroyed/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

River crabbed: Tianjin blast victims seek brave lawyers
China Digital Times, August 26, 2015
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2015/08/river-crabbed-tianjin-blast-victims-seek-brave-lawyers/

广东省茂名村民抗议强征土地八人被拘留 (Villagers protest land-grabs in Maoming city, Guangdong province, 8 people detained)
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql1-08262015105058.html

Ten are detained in Tibetan protest march in Nangchen
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/march-08262015152430.html

Chinese Tiananmen Square dissident says seeking asylum in Taiwan
Reuters, August 26, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/26/us-taiwan-china-asylum-idUSKCN0QV12Y20150826

Related:
Taiwan turns down asylum request by 1989 Chinese democracy activist
Radio Free Asia, August 26, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/taiwan-turns-down-asylum-request-by-1989-chinese-democracy-activist-08262015111923.html

China's migrant workers head home as Beijing faces an economic storm
The Guardian, August 27, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/27/china-small-time-recyclers-down-on-their-luck-amid-stock-market-turmoil

Human rights groups face global crackdown “not seen in a generation”
The Guardian, August 26, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/aug/26/ngos-face-restrictions-laws-human-rights-generation

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China detains 12 over Tianjin blasts, accuses officials of dereliction
Reuters, August 26, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/27/us-china-blast-idUSKCN0QW02U20150827

Related:
天津港爆炸有关责任人被采取刑事强制措施--新华 (Xinhua: Those responsible for Tianjin explosion will be subjected to criminal compulsory measures)
Reuters, August 27, 2015
http://cn.reuters.com/article/2015/08/27/tianjin-idCNKCS0QW03T20150827

Chinese work safety regulator Yang Dongliang is sacked
安监总局局长杨栋梁涉“严重违纪”被免职
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 26, 2015
EN: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-34059948
CH: http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150826_china_sacking

The story of China's left-behind children
The Telegraph, August 26, 2015
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11824563/The-story-of-Chinas-left-behind-children.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China shuts down 300 websites for online extortion and paid post deletions
China Daily, August 26, 2015
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-08/27/content_21720084.htm

Hong Kong (香港)

Trio of Occupy Central student leaders arrive at Hong Kong police HQ facing unlawful assembly charges
South China Morning Post, August 27, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1852958/trio-occupy-central-student-leaders-arrive-hong-kong-police

Hong Kong Christian groups feel new scrutiny from mainland
New York Times, August 27, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/world/asia/hong-kong-christian-groups-feel-new-scrutiny-from-mainland.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China probes another top rights lawyer for “subversion”
Radio Free Asia, August 25, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-probes-another-top-rights-lawyer-for-subversion-08252015110314.html

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

China considers landmark law to protect victims of domestic violence including restraining orders
South China Morning Post, August 25, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1852512/mainland-china-may-pass-first-law-protecting-victims

China: legal ordeals for brothers of a journalist
The New York Times, August 25, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/asia/china-legal-ordeals-for-brothers-of-a-journalist.html

Echoes of Mao as China’s Xi prepares to pardon prisoners
The Wall Street Journal, August 25, 2015
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/08/25/echoes-of-mao-as-chinas-xi-prepares-to-pardon-prisoners/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese authorities force Tibetan literary website offline
Radio Free Asia, August 25, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/chinese-authorities-force-tibetan-literary-website-offline-08252015152643.html

Minitrue: delete articles on stock market slide
China Digital Times, August 25, 2015
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2015/08/minitrue-delete-articles-stock-market-slide/

Related:
China’s party-run media is silent on market mayhem
The New York Times, August 25, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/asia/chinese-news-media-largely-silent-amid-stock-market-turmoil.html

Black Monday and Tumble Tuesday: How China reacted
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 25, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-34048486

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

A statement concerning the detention of lawyer Wang Yu by the parents of the Jiangxi sexual abuse of young girls’ case
江西幼女性侵案当事家长关于王宇律师的声明
Radio Free Asia, August 24, 2015
EN: http://www.chrlawyers.hk/en/content/statement-concerning-detention-lawyer-wang-yu-parents-jiangxi-sexual-abuse-young-girls%E2%80%99-case
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/Xinwen/JYXW-08242015114343.html

China on high alert, detains critics, protesters ahead of war parade
Radio Free Asia, August 25, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/alert-08252015110153.html

Hong Kong groups urge release of China’s detained lawyers in postcard campaign
Hong Kong Free Press, August 26, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/26/hong-kong-groups-urge-release-of-chinas-detained-lawyers-in-postcard-campaign/

Related:
香港多团体游行寄明信片呼吁释放被捕律师 (Hong Kong groups hold “Mail Postcards to Urge Release of Detained Lawyers” protest march)
Radio Free Asia, August 25, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/xl1-08252015113016.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

中国五家国有房企将回购天津爆炸事故受损房屋 (China’s 5 state-owned enterprises to repurchase homes damaged in Tianjin explosion)
Reuters, August 26, 2015
http://cn.reuters.com/article/2015/08/26/china-blast-property-idCNKCS0QV05F20150826

Air quality rule changes put heat on local authorities
South China Morning Post, August 26, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1852516/air-quality-rule-changes-put-heat-local-authorities

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

VPN down: China goes after Astrill, other anti-censorship apps in run up to WW2 anniversary parade
South China Morning Post, August 26, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/tech/apps-gaming/article/1852658/vpn-down-china-goes-after-astrill-other-anti-censorship-apps-run

Hong Kong (香港)

Three Hong Kong protesters jailed using metal barrier to charge doors of Legco building
South China Morning Post, August 25, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1852563/hong-kong-protesters-handed-jail-time-using-metal-barrier

HKU sets September deadline for decision on appointment of controversial academic
South China Morning Post, August 26, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1852576/hku-sets-september-deadline-decision-appointment

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

China mulls banning “terrorist” clothing
UCA News, August 25, 2015
http://www.ucanews.com/news/china-mulls-banning-terrorist-clothing/74146

China vows to continue grip on Tibet
The Age, August 25, 2015
http://www.theage.com.au/world/china-vows-to-continue-grip-on-tibet-20150826-gj857m.html

Related:
习近平：治藏方略着眼反分裂和稳藏 (Xi Jinping: Tibet strategy aimed at anti-separatism and stability)
Voice of America, August 26, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/xi-jinping-tibet-20150825/2932637.html

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Political risks may foil economic reform in China
The New York Times, August 25, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/business/economy/chinese-economy-faces-risks-from-political-instability.html

天津大爆炸突显中国增长失控 (Tianjin explosion highlights China’s out-of-control growth)
The New York Times, August 26, 2015
http://cn.nytimes.com/op-ed/20150826/c26iht-edshu/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

中国维权律师大抓捕：已有九人被指控危害国家安全 (Crackdown on Chinese human rights lawyers: nine are accused of endangering state security )
Canyu, August 25, 2015
http://canyu.org/n101805c6.aspx

律师不准会见基督徒戈平 同案三人羁押地点仍不明 (Lawyers not permitted to meet Christian Ge Ping, detention location of all three in same case still unknown)
Radio Free Asia, August 24, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-08242015115137.html

Human rights lawyer prevented from flying out of Beijing
中国维权律师被禁止出国
The New York Times, August 24, 2015
http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20150825/c25sino-lawyer/dual/

律师就大抓捕再申请信息公开 会见当事人仍阻碍重重 (Lawyer Yu Wensheng again submits Open Government Information request about mass crackdown, Lawyer-client meetings are still obstructed)
Radio Free Asia, August 24, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl1-08242015113819.html

Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

Mainland China finally considering reclassifying sex with underage prostitutes as rape after pressure from activists
South China Morning Post, August 24, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1852295/mainland-china-may-reclassify-sex-underage-prostitutes

Related:
China's first draft law on domestic violence reviewed
China Daily, August 25, 2015
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-08/25/content_21693576.htm

全国人大常委会今召开16次会 反家暴法初亮相 (16th NPC Standing Committee meeting held today, will review China's first draft law on domestic violence)
Xinhua, August 24, 2015
http://www.nmg.xinhuanet.com/xwzx/jrjj/2015-08/24/c_1116351949.htm

中国为纪念抗战胜利将特赦刑事罪犯 (China to commemorate war victory by giving amnesty to criminal offenders)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 24, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150824_china_amnesty_criminals

Related:
"人大常委会会议审议关于特赦部分服刑罪犯的决定草案
NPC SC deliberates draft decision to grant amnesty for a portion of prisoners currently serving sentences
Xinhua (Accessible at Ifeng.com), August 25, 2015
http://news.ifeng.com/a/20150825/44513731_0.shtml

特赦！时隔四十年，全国人大常委会再次启动！
Amnesty! NPC Standing Committee Reactivates it after 40 hiatus!
China Youth Online, August 25, 2015
http://news.cyol.com/content/2015-08/24/content_11570611.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

Minitrue: don’t rain on our military parade
China Digital Times, August 24, 2015
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2015/08/beijing-shuts-commemoration-parade-rehearsal/

What caused “Black Monday”? The answer’s blocked in China.
Foreign Policy, August 24, 2015
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/08/24/china-black-monday-stock-markets-global-censorship-media/

Related:
China censoring Black Monday on country’s biggest search engine, Baidu, stopping citizens looking for information about financial chaos
The Independent, August 24, 2015
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-censoring-black-monday-on-countrys-biggest-search-engine-baidu-stopping-citizens-looking-for-information-about-financial-chaos-10469850.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

广州两民主人士被押两年多从未放风 (Two Guangzhou democracy activists—Guo Feixiong and Liu Yuandong— not allowed outside in over 2 years of detention)
Voice of America, August 24, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/voa-news-hk-mistreament-of-rights-20150824/2930063.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China's Black Monday comes amid much deeper economic pessimism: analysts
Radio Free Asia, August 24, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/economy-08242015105234.html

In nature’s name
NewsChina Magazine, August, 2015
http://www.newschinamag.com/magazine/in-natures-name#id:2324#date:17:12

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Celebrating an anti-Fascist victory or a Fascist victory?
China Change, August 24, 2015
http://chinachange.org/2015/08/24/celebrating-an-anti-fascist-victory-or-a-fascist-victory/

China must be pressed to end torture by police
Washington Post, August 24, 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/china-must-be-pressed-to-end-torture-by-police/2015/08/21/faace9de-0fb7-11e5-adec-e82f8395c032_story.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Activist Guo Feixiong held 743 days without yard time
China Change, August 21, 2015
http://chinachange.org/2015/08/21/activist-guo-feixiong-held-743-days-without-yard-time/

中国打压维权律师人数升至276 (Number of lawyers affected in China’s crackdown reaches 276)
Voice of America, August 24, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/china-lawyer-20150821/2927493.html

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

全国人大法律委员会关于《中华人民共和国刑法修正案（九）（草案）》审议结果报告 (NPC Law Committee report on the public consultation results of draft China Criminal Law Amendment (9) )
Legal Daily, August 24, 2015
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2015-08/24/content_6235917.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

China to unblock Facebook and Twitter during World Championships in Athletics
Hong Kong Free Press, August 21, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/21/china-to-unblock-facebook-and-twitter-during-world-championships-in-athletics/

China indicts dozens of journalists, media companies for “extortion”
21世纪传媒30人被公诉涉案金额逾亿元
Radio Free Asia, August 21, 2015
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/extortion-08212015111154.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/ql2-08212015110752.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Netizens think official explanations for Tianjin's dead fish are as likely as fish drowning
Global Voices, August 21, 2015
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/08/21/chinese-netizens-slam-official-explanations-for-tianjins-dead-fish-after-explosions/

Related:
China says mass fish deaths unrelated to Tianjin blasts
Al Jazeera, August 21, 2015
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/china-mass-fish-deaths-tianjin-blasts-150821155203669.html

劳工维权人士张治儒被调查 劳工NGO或成当局“眼中钉” (Head of Labor rights NGO Zhang Zhiru investigated, labor organizations become ”thorns in the side” of authorities)
Radio Free Asia, August 21, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-08212015115513.html

Beijing turns into Forbidden City as war anniversary clampdown widens
The Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2015
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/08/21/beijing-turns-into-forbidden-city-as-war-anniversary-clampdown-widens/

Related:
律师接连被阻出境 阅兵将至北京银弹维稳 (Lawyer restricted from leaving the country, as parade approaches, Beijing uses “silver bullet” of social stability maintenance
Radio Free Asia, August 21, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-08212015115513.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

天津爆炸：政府计划以市价回购受损房屋 (Tianjin explosion: Government plans to repurchase damaged homes at market value)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 22, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150822_tianjin_blast_compensation

Related:
Tianjin blast: Shock turns to anger and distrust after massive explosions
The Age, August 21, 2015
http://www.theage.com.au/world/tianjin-blast-shock-turns-to-anger-and-distrust-after-massive-explosions-20150821-gj4eoz.html

Another factory explosion rocks China. Another case of corruption exposed?
Christian Science Monitor, August 22, 2015
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/0822/Another-factory-explosion-rocks-China.-Another-case-of-corruption-exposed

Sons of top Chinese officials “used family links to cash in”
South China Morning Post, August 23, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1851783/sons-top-chinese-officials-used-family-links-cash

China expels brother of former senior official from Communist Party over graft
Reuters, August 21, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/21/us-china-corruption-idUSKCN0QQ0F420150821

Related:
中纪委：令计划之兄令政策被“双开”(Central Commission for Discipline Inspection: Ling Jihua and brother Ling Zhengce “doubly expelled”
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 21, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150821_china_li_zhengce

No promotion for slackers on reform agenda, China's state media tells Communist Party cadres
South China Morning Post, August 21, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1851605/no-promotion-slackers-reform-agenda-chinas-state-media

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Why Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong needs to be more transparent
South China Morning Post, August 24, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1851942/city-beat-why-beijings-liaison-office-hong-kong-needs-be

Massive Tianjin blast highlights flaws in China’s governance model
Foreign Policy, August 19, 2015
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/08/19/china-tianjin-explosion-corruption-civil-society/

China's flawed corruption crusade: How the Tianjin disaster was the latest consequence of a system that places profit before public safety
The Independent, August 22, 2015
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/corruption-in-china-the-tianjin-explosion-offers-a-glimpse-of-how-the-country-really-works-10466255.html

China the great host, atrocities are ignored
IOL, August 24, 2015
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/china-the-great-host-atrocities-are-ignored-1.1904672#.Vdtw6iVVhHw

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Police prevent top Chinese rights attorneys from leaving the country
律师出境受阻再增一人 梁小军机场被拦
Radio Free Asia, August 20, 2015
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/police-prevent-top-chinese-rights-attorneys-from-leaving-country-08202015095944.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-08202015104805.html

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

Beijing court extends detention of top rights lawyer by three months
浦志强案审限再延长3个月
Radio Free Asia, August 20, 2015
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/extension-08202015131406.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/hc-08202015135814.html

Beijing court to hear suit over texts calling homosexuality an illness
The New York Times, August 20, 2015
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/20/beijing-court-to-hear-suit-over-texts-calling-homosexuality-an-illness/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese media and the Tianjin disaster
China Media Project, August 20, 2015
http://cmp.hku.hk/2015/08/20/39159/

Disclosure on pollution improves but major gaps remain
China Dialogue, August 20, 2015
https://www.chinadialogue.net/blog/8138-Disclosure-on-pollution-improves-but-major-gaps-remain/en

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Chinese netizens mock global city rankings
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 20, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-33998626

Uncivil society: A new draft law spooks foreign not-for-profit groups working in China
The Economist, August 22, 2015
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21661819-new-draft-law-spooks-foreign-not-profit-groups-working-china-uncivil-society

Related:
HRIC Law Note: Draft Law on Foreign NGOs Undermines Chinese Civil Society and China’s International Engagement
中国人权法律评论：境外非政府组织管理法草案损害了中国的民间社会和中国政府的国际参与
Human Rights in China, May 21, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/legal-resources/hric-law-note-draft-law-foreign-ngos-undermines-chinese-civil-society-and-chinas
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-ren-quan-fa-lu-ping-lun-jing-wai-fei-zheng-fu-zu-zhi-guan-li-fa-cao-sun-hai-liao-zhong-guo

War veterans’ protest shuts down part of Guangdong city
Hong Kong Free Press, August 21, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/21/war-veterans-protest-shuts-down-part-of-guangdong-city/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Officials backtrack on refusal to buy flats in Tianjin blast zone
South China Morning Post, August 20, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1851222/officials-backtrack-refusal-buy-flats-tianjin-blast-zone

Related:
当局承诺“受损房屋需回购的一定回购” (Authorities promise: Damaged homes in need of repurchase will definitely be repurchased)
Deutsche Welle, August 20, 2015
http://bit.ly/1HZbKFg

China's leaders vow to severely punish officials responsible for Tianjin's deadly blasts
South China Morning Post, August 20, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1851223/chinas-leaders-vow-severely-punish-officials

Poisonous connections: The explosions exposed murky links between business and government
The Economist, August 22, 2015
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21661818-explosions-exposed-murky-links-between-business-and-government-poisonous-connections

Chinese authorities investigate mass fish death near Tianjin explosion site
The Guardian, August 21, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/21/chinese-authorities-investigate-mass-fish-death-near-tianjin-explosion-site

Tianjin explosion erodes faith in leadership for many in China
Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/blast-erodes-faith-in-leadership-for-many-in-china-1440094622

Xi Jinping's reforms encounter “unimaginably fierce resistance”, Chinese state media says in “furious” commentary
South China Morning Post, August 21, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1851314/xi-jinpings-reforms-encountering-fierce-resistance

中纪委立案审查令政策严重违纪 (CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection investigates Ling Zhengce for serious discipline violations)
Radio France Internationale, August 21, 2015
http://rfi.my/1E7Y3sk

How General used his military service to amass fortune
Caixin, August 21, 2015
http://english.caixin.com/2015-08-21/100842193.html

党政干部损害生态环境 追责谁执行？——四问《党政领导干部生态环境损害责任追究办法（试行）(Who investigates when Party and government cadres harm the ecological environment?—4 questions on the “Measures for Investigating Responsibility of Party and Leading Government Cadres for Harm to the Ecological Environment” (trial draft) )
Sichuan Legal News, August 20, 2015
http://dzb.scfzbs.com/shtml/scfzb/20150820/29960.shtml

Related:
党政领导干部生态环境损害责任追究办法（试行）(Measures for Investigating Responsibility of Party and Leading Government Cadres for Harm to the Ecological Environment (trial draft))
General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, August 8, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2015-08/17/c_1116282540.htm

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

明星受聘公安局？新昌警方：代言通讯诈骗防范 (A movie star hired by police? Xinchang police hire spokesperson to help raise awareness of communications fraud prevention)
Zhejiang Legal News, August 20, 2015
http://zjfzb.zjol.com.cn/html/2015-08/20/content_132011.htm

Chinese hackers target Indian institutions
The Financial Times, August 20, 2015
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/77889fca-4735-11e5-af2f-4d6e0e5eda22.html

Hong Kong (香港)

香港学运领袖被“秋后算账” 美国务院呼吁公平处理 (“Scores settled” for Hong Kong student leaders, U.S. Department of State calls for fair process)
Radio Free Asia, August 20, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/xl2-08202015110519.html

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

China’s deadly Tianjin explosions show the limits of Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive
Quartz, August 19, 2015
http://qz.com/483736/now-evidence-shows-chinas-tianjin-explosions-are-really-about-corruption/

VOA专访周锋锁 第五部分 (VOA interview with Zhou Fengsuo: Part 5)
Voice of America, August 20, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/media/video/2925486.html

A Chinese rights revolution reversed?
The Diplomat, August 20, 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/a-chinese-rights-revolution-reversed/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

14 cases exemplify the role played by lawyers in the rights defense movement, 2003–2015
China Change, August 19, 2015
http://chinachange.org/2015/08/19/14-cases-exemplify-the-role-played-by-lawyers-in-the-rights-defense-movement-2003-2015/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Tianjin explosions: Journalism stands as official line stumbles
China Digital Times, August 19, 2015
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2015/08/tianjin-explosions-journalism-stands-official-line-stumbles/

Related:
Apology but few answers as Tianjin’s mayor finally addresses media –a week after deadly blasts
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850997/apology-few-answers-tianjins-mayor-finally-meets-media

中国社交媒体打破官媒垄断 (Chinese social media break official media monopoly)
Radio Free Asia, August 19, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/xql-08192015113334.html

天津爆炸：联合国专家批当局缺乏透明度 (Tianjin explosion: United Nations experts criticize authorities’ lack of transparency)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 19, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150819_tianjin_blast_kindergarten

China jails dissident over Tianjin blast death toll retweet
Radio Free Asia, August 19, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/retweet-08192015135855.html

China can learn from West about briefing public on disasters, admits Communist Party mouthpiece
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850788/china-can-learn-west-about-briefing-public-disasters-admits

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Authorities in Tianjin rule out buying back flats damaged in explosions but homeowners standing firm
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850768/protests-among-angry-tianjin-homeowners-grow-chinese-government

Related:
天津当局否认回购房再惹民众不满 (Tianjin authorities reject buying back homes, again provoking public dissatisfaction)
Deutsche Welle, August 19, 2015
http://www.dw.com/zh/天津当局否认回购房再惹民众不满/a-18658098

Angry Chinese ask: Why did so many firefighters die in Tianjin explosion?
Washington Post, August 18, 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/angry-chinese-ask-why-did-so-many-firefighters-die-in-tianjin-explosion/2015/08/18/4b14b669-de26-4b47-aa57-b2ea844de25b_story.html

Related:
In China, there is no firefighters’ trade union and it shows
China Labour Bulletin, August 19, 2015
http://www.clb.org.hk/en/content/china-there-no-firefighters%E2%80%99-trade-union-and-it-shows

Four big questions Chinese people want answered following deadly Tianjin blasts
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850765/4-big-questions-chinese-people-want-answered-following-deadly

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Chinese report details role of political connections in Tianjin blasts
The New York Times, August 20, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/20/world/asia/tianjin-china-explosions.html

Related:
China investigates executives, top work safety official after Tianjin explosions
The Diplomat, August 20, 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/china-investigates-executives-top-work-safety-official-after-tianjin-explosions/

Tianjin blast: more warehouses accused of violating rules on toxic materials
The Guardian, August 19, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/19/tianjin-blast-more-warehouses-accused-of-violating-rules-on-toxic-materials

China seeks to beat corruption by separating football and politics
Hong Kong Free Press, August 19, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/19/china-seeks-to-beat-corruption-by-separating-football-and-politics/

Hong Kong (香港)

HKU head of humanities slams “absurd in the extreme” delay in appointing pro-vice-chancellor
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1850939/hku-head-humanities-slams-absurd-extreme-delay

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Tianjin disaster a wake-up call to change business culture in China
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1850785/tianjin-disaster-wake-call-change-business-culture-china

大家谈中国：我该相信谁? (Talk about China: Who should I believe?)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 19, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/comments_on_china/2015/08/150819_coc_i_should_believe_who

VOA专访周锋锁：八九一代遗忘六四可耻 (VOA interview with Zhou Fengsuo: The 1989 generation forgetting June Fourth is shameful)
Voice of America, August 19, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/voa-news-zhou-fengsuo-june4th-20150819/2924188.html

Time for the U.S. to punish China in Cyberspace?
The Diplomat, August 20, 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/should-the-us-punish-china-in-cyberspace/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

十二届全国人大常委会第十六次会议24日开始在京举行, 继续审议刑法修正案(九)草案等
16th meeting of 12th NPC Standing Committee to start August 24, Beijing: deliberation of Criminal Law Amendment Bill (9) and other legislation to continue
Legal Daily, August 18, 2015
http://epaper.legaldaily.com.cn/fzrb/content/20150818/Articel01003GN.htm

浦志强案审限已至 律师未收到法院通知 (Trial deadline for Pu Zhiqiang case passes, lawyer yet to receive court notice)
Radio Free Asia, August 18, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-08182015102308.html

中国多位维权律师及人士被禁出境 (Many Chinese rights defense lawyers and defenders banned from leaving the country)
Voice of America, August 19, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/voa-news-hk-more-chinese-rights-attorneys-20150818/2922178.html

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

Access to Information (信息公开)

China's official response to emergencies is “censorship”
Deutsche Welle, August 18, 2015
http://www.dw.com/en/chinas-official-response-to-emergencies-is-censorship/a-18656291

Related:
Tianjin lives up to its “city without news” nickname after deadly blasts
Global Voices, August 18, 2015
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/08/18/tianjin-lives-up-to-its-city-without-news-nickname-after-deadly-blasts/

U.N. Expert slams China on chemical blast secrecy
Associated Press, August 19, 2015
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/expert-slams-china-chemical-blast-secrecy-33177859

China says thousands arrested for online crime
Al Jazeera, August 19, 2015
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/china-thousands-arrested-online-crime-150818192622887.html

Chinese rights websites hit by suspected hacker attack, Great Firewall blockade
六四天网、中国舆论监督网再遭攻击
Radio Free Asia, August 18, 2015
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/rights-websites-hit-by-suspected-hacker-attack-great-firewall-blockade-08182015111603.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/ql2-08182015102821.html

Google’s new Internet domain name blocked instantly
中國下手快 Google新域名迅遭屏蔽
Sina, August 12, 2015
http://finance.sina.com/bg/tech/udn/su/20150812/16271314690.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

“保持与大方向同步"
Keeping in-step with the overall direction
Beijing Evening News, August 18, 2015
http://www.kaixian.tv/gd/2015/0818/482313.html

Excerpt:

“中国政府高度赞赏境外非政府组织的积极作用，欢迎和支持境外非政府组织来华开展友好交流与合作，将进一步做好境外非政府组织服务管理工作。”日前，外交部、公安部、民政部在上海共同召开非政府组织座谈会，公安部部长郭声琨在会上明确表态。

"The Chinese Government highly appreciates the positive role of foreign NGOs, welcomes and supports foreign NGOs as they come to China and commence friendly exchange and cooperation, and will further advance the management of foreign NGOs," said Guo Shengkun, Minister of Public Security, yesterday in Shanghai at a joint discussion on foreign NGOs by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Public Security Ministry, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Behind China's slowdown, signs of labor unrest
CBS Money Watch, August 18, 2015
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/behind-chinas-slowdown-signs-of-labor-unrest/

Chinese police beat Tibetan women, elderly over dam protest
Radio Free Asia, August 18, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/protest-08182015165252.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

时事大家谈：天津大爆炸，政府严控信息，民众追问真相 (“Let’s Talk Current Affairs”: Tianjin explosion, government control of information, public questioning the truth)
Voice of America, August 19, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/voa-voaio-tianjin-explosion-20150818/2922667.html

Xinhua says China blast warehouse did not have proper licence
Channel News Asia, August 18, 2015
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/xinhua-says-china-blast-w/2057854.html

Related:
State media: China firm used connections for hazmat permit
The Wall Street Journal, August 19, 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/state-media-china-firm-used-connections-for-hazmat-permit/2015/08/19/9f47c116-4641-11e5-9f53-d1e3ddfd0cda_story.html

Mounting questions over deadly Tianjin blast prove biggest test of Xi Jinping's leadership
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850627/mounting-questions-prove-test-leadership

China's work safety chief detained for alleged graft in midst of Tianjin blast fallout
传杨栋梁之子被带走调查 董培军与津门首虎武长顺交好
South China Morning Post, August 18, 2015
EN: http://www.scmp.com/news/article/1850699/chinas-work-safety-chief-detained-alleged-graft-midst-tianjin-blast-fallout
CH: http://www.nanzao.com/sc/national/14f43af74d783ae/chuan-8-12-jin-yang-dong-liang-la-ma-qi-ji-dong-pei-jun-yu-jin-men-shou-hu-wu-chang-shun-jiao-hao

Former vice governor stands trial for bribery
China Daily, August 18, 2015
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-08/18/content_21637222.htm

Hong Kong (香港)

Student protesters who pre-empted Occupy Central face justice–11 months on
South China Morning Post, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1850653/student-protesters-face-justice-11-months

Student activists charged a year after protesting at gov’t headquarters
Hong Kong Free Press, August 18, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/18/student-activists-charged-a-year-after-protesting-at-govt-headquarters/

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

The politics of senseless tragedy
Medium, August 17, 2015
https://medium.com/@cmphku/the-politics-of-senseless-tragedy-12cc9230fa4

China’s disaster playbook falls short in Tianjin blasts
Hong Kong Free Press, August 19, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/18/chinas-disaster-playbook-falls-short-in-tianjin-blasts/

Lessons from Tianjin
The Wall Street Journal, August 18, 2015
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/08/19/lessons-from-tianjin/

Is the pressure being put on the University of Hong Kong payback for being a political troublemaker?
South China Morning, August 19, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1850749/pressure-being-put-university-hong-kong-payback-being

Musings on Supreme People’s Court Vice President Xi Xiaoming
Supreme People’s Court Monitor, August 19, 2015
http://supremepeoplescourtmonitor.com/2015/08/19/musings-on-supreme-peoples-court-vice-president-xi-xiaoming/

“打孩子会犯法”应成为社会常识
“Hitting children is a crime” should become common knowledge
China Education News Online, August 19, 2015
Available at: http://www.jyb.cn/opinion/pgypl/201508/t20150819_634279.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

湖南律师蔡瑛长沙出境被阻止 (Hunan lawyer Cai Ying blocked from leaving China)
Radio Free Asia, August 17, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql1-08172015095238.html

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

Access to Information (信息公开)

China cracks down on websites accused of spreading “rumors” about the Tianjin blast
Vice, August 18, 2015
https://news.vice.com/article/china-cracks-down-on-websites-accused-of-spreading-rumors-about-the-tianjin-blast

Related:
(国家网信办依法查处50家传播涉天津港火灾爆炸事故谣言网站 (The Cyberspace Administration of China investigates 50 websites for spreading rumors about the Tianjin explosion)
People’s Daily, August 15, 2015
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0815/c1001-27467538.html

Authorities suppress “right to know” about Tianjin explosions
Reporters without Borders, August 18, 2015
http://en.rsf.org/china-authorities-suppress-right-to-know-18-08-2015,48237.html

公安部“净网行动”清理网上违法信息19万余条 (Ministry of Public Security: “Cleaning the Internet” initiative has cleared 190,000 pieces of illegal information online)
Xinhua, August 18, 2015
http://news.ifeng.com/a/20150818/44459594_0.shtml

Related:
Chinese police arrest 15,000 for Internet crimes
Reuters, August 18, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/18/us-china-internet-idUSKCN0QN1A520150818

Chinese paper promises there will be no Tianjin blast cover-up. Why nobody believes It.
Washington Post, August 17, 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/08/17/chinese-paper-promises-there-will-be-no-tianjin-blast-cover-up-why-nobody-believes-them/

太原女子微信疯传“恐怖分子来晋”谣言被查处 (Taiyuan woman investigated for posting crazy rumor on Weibo about “terrorists advancing”)
China News, August 17, 2015
http://gj.tynews.com.cn/c/2015-08/17/content_1039732.htm

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

After Tianjin blasts, people demand action
天津爆炸后民众要求答复和行动
Voice of America, August 17, 2015
EN: http://www.voanews.com/content/death-toll-rises-in-tianjin-disaster-as-residents-seek-compensation/2920701.html
CH: http://www.voachinese.com/content/tianjin-blast-after-20150817/2921492.html

Beijing “encircled by security checkpoints” ahead of war anniversary parade
Radio Free Asia, August 17, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-parade-08172015141953.html

Nomad mother calls out for Tibetan freedom, is detained
阿坝一牧女示威抗议被捕
Radio Free Asia, August 17, 2015
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/nomad-08172015143950.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/dz-08172015120818.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Tianjin blasts shake public confidence in leadership, analysts say
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850351/tianjin-blasts-shake-public-confidence-leadership-analysts-say

Related:
Confusion mounts over Tianjin warehouse ownership
天津爆炸涉案仓库所有权成谜
The Financial Times, August 17, 2015
EN: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/af116316-44bd-11e5-af2f-4d6e0e5eda22.html
CH: http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001063541

天津爆炸事故"头七"祭 瑞海多名高层被控制 (“First 7 days” of Tianjin explosion: residents and rescuers hold memorials for victims, 10 senior-level of Ruihai employees are under police control)
Deutsche Welle, August 18, 2015
http://bit.ly/1UQjNxg

天津爆炸中的受损房屋，谁赔？(Tianjin explosion: who will pay for the damaged houses?)
Caijing, August 17, 2015
http://blog.caijing.com.cn/expert_article-151570-85328.shtml

天津爆炸受损市民户数超过1.7万 (Tianjin explosion: residents of damaged homes exceed 17,000)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 18, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150818_tianjin_blast_compensation

Former Chinese power company boss goes on trial on corruption charges
South China Morning Post, August 18, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1850398/former-chinese-power-company-boss-goes-trial-corruption

Shanxi arrests four ex-party officials for graft
The Standard, August 17, 2015
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=65596

China dismisses warning about agents operating secretly in U.S.
The New York Times, August 17, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/18/world/asia/china-obama-administration-warning-agents-us.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Expert tips: How to follow cybersecurity
Foreign Policy, August 17, 2015
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/08/17/expert-tips-how-to-follow-cybersecurity/

Hong Kong (香港)

Six challenges to Hong Kong’s judicial independence
Hong Kong Free Press, August 17, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/17/six-challenges-to-hong-kongs-judicial-independence/

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Without transparency, probe into Tianjin blasts will yield few answers
South China Morning Post, August 18, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1850358/without-transparency-probe-tianjin-blasts-will-yield-few

Rooting out PLA corruption is helping Xi Jinping to build his power base
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1850147/rooting-out-pla-corruption-helping-xi-jinping-build-his

Scaling China’s Great Firewall
The New York Times, August 18, 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/18/opinion/murong-xuecun-scaling-chinas-great-firewall.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China's embattled lawyers
British Broadcasting Corporation, Newshour Extra, August 15, 2015
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02yg6z4

Related:
Mass suppression of lawyers reveals true nature of Xi’s “rule by law”
对维权律师的大规模镇压揭示了习近平“依法治国”的真实面目
Human Rights in China, July 16, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

重庆拟出台遗体和人体器官捐献条例 买卖器官最高可处交易额十倍罚款 (Chongqing drafts corpse and human organ donation regulations, highest fine for trafficking organs is 10 times the value of transaction )
Legal Daily, August 17, 2015
http://epaper.legaldaily.com.cn/fzrb/content/20150817/Articel03003GN.htm

公安监管部门出台系列措施保障律师会见权 律师看守所会见一般半小时内安排 (Ministry of public security supervisory department proposes a series of measures to ensure lawyers' rights to access clients, lawyers can usually arrange a meeting at a detention center within half an hour)
Legal Daily, August 17, 2015
http://epaper.legaldaily.com.cn/fzrb/content/20150817/Articel05003GN.htm

Excerpt:
上海市闵行区看守所所长洪革说:“目前,除危害国家安全犯罪等三类犯罪嫌疑人会见需要侦查机关许可外,其他案件辩护律师凭‘三证’均可会见,只要不存在犯罪嫌疑人住院、侦查机关正在提审等情形,一般半小时内都能安排会见。”
Shanghai Minhang District Detention Center Chief Hong Ge: “At present, aside from meeting with suspects in 3 types of cases, including endangering state security, which requires the approval of investigating authorities, in other cases, as long as the suspect is not hospitalized or going through pre-trial procedures with investigating authorities, defense lawyers possessing ‘3 forms of documentation’ can normally arrange a meeting within half an hour.”

银川人大常委会废止4项法规 (Yinchuan abolishes juvenile protection regulations, construction management regulations, budgetary oversight regulations, and private medical facilities regulations on the basis that they conflict with superior laws)
Legal Daily, August 17, 2015
http://epaper.legaldaily.com.cn/fzrb/content/20150817/Articel03008GN.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

爆炸涉事企业安评公司遭质疑 因信息公开被表扬 (An Ping, company involved in Tianjin explosions is under suspicion but is praised for making its safety assessment report public)
China Youth Daily, August 17, 2015
http://news.qq.com/a/20150816/003595.htm

China’s censors scramble to contain online fallout after Tianjin blast
The Wall Street Journal, August 14, 2015
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/08/14/chinas-censors-scramble-to-contain-online-fallout-after-tianjin-blast/

Related:
Chinese media accuse authorities of lack of transparency after Tianjin explosions
The Telegraph, August 17, 2015
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11806790/Chinese-media-accuse-authorities-of-lack-of-transparency-after-Tianjin-explosions.html

“There'll be no cover-up over Tianjin blasts”, says Communist Party mouthpiece, as death toll rises to 114
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850117/therell-be-no-cover-over-tianjin-blasts-says-communist-party

Interference with foreign journalists covering the Tianjin explosion
Foreign Correspondents' Club of China, August 15, 2015
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sn8shj

Video: The songs China doesn't want you to hear
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 17, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33935355

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Public anger grows as China confirms hundreds of tonnes of cyanide were held at blast-hit port of Tianjin
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850084/public-anger-grows-china-confirms-hundreds-tonnes-cyanide-were

Related:
天津爆炸现场附近居民促政府回购房屋 (Residents near Tianjin explosion urge government to buy back their properties)
Deutsche Welle, August 16, 2015
http://www.dw.com/zh/天津爆炸现场附近居民促政府回购房屋/a-18652011

Buy our ruined homes, Tianjin explosion victims tell Chinese government
South China Morning Post, August 16, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1850021/buy-our-ruined-homes-tianjin-explosion-victims-tell-chinese

天津爆炸中失踪消防员家属举行抗议 (Families of missing firemen hold protest)
Voice of America, August 17, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/media/video/2919965.html

Protests as U.S. calls for release of detained Chinese rights lawyers
Radio Free Asia, August 14, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/protests-as-us-calls-for-release-of-detained-chinese-rights-lawyers-08142015110040.html

Bloggers ridicule Chinese film placing Mao Zedong at key wartime conference
The Guardian, August 17, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/17/bloggers-ridicule-chinese-film-placing-mao-zedong-at-key-wartime-conference

Government Accountability (政府问责)

天津爆炸事故善后难 (Relief and rehabilitation for Tianjin explosion will be difficult)
Financial Times, August 17, 2015
http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001063531

李克强：要彻查追责，给遇难者家属和历史一个交代 (Li Keqiang: Thorough accountability for victims' families and for history)
People's Daily, August 17, 2015
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0817/c1001-27472697.html

Related:
天津大爆炸：总理李克强要求彻查追责 (Tianjin explosion: PM Li Keqiang demands thorough accountability)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 16, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2015/08/150816_china_tianjin_blast

Chinese prosecutors announce probe into deadly warehouse blasts
Deutsche Welle, August 16, 2015
http://www.dw.com/en/chinese-prosecutors-announce-probe-into-deadly-warehouse-blasts/a-18652367

Related:
Son of former Tianjin police chief linked to company behind explosions
Hong Kong Free Press, August 17, 2015
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2015/08/17/son-of-former-tianjin-police-chief-linked-to-company-behind-explosions/

China says human rights should not dominate U.S. ties
Reuters, August 14, 2015
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/14/us-usa-china-rights-idUSKCN0QJ2EQ20150814

Related:
On-the-record briefing on the 19th U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue
U.S. Department of State, August 13, 2015
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/08/246092.htm

HRIC Commentary: U.S.–China Human Rights Dialogue
Human Rights in China, August 12, 2015
http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/statement/hric-commentary-us-china-human-rights-dialogue

U.S. tells China to stop using agents to force expatriates to return home
The Telegraph, August 16, 2015
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11806703/US-tells-China-to-stop-using-agents-to-force-expatriates-to-return-home.html

China's financial regulators urged to promote transparency, reduce complexity
South China Morning Post, August 15, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/1849655/chinas-financial-regulators-urged-promote-transparency-reduce

Chinese vice-president Li Yuanchao’s former aide sacked for “corrupting others”
South China Morning Post, August 14, 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1849654/chinese-vice-president-li-yuanchaos-former-aide-sacked