Access to Justice (司法公正)

EU demands China investigate torture of lawyer and release political prisoners
The Guardian, January 28, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/29/eu-demands-china-investigate-torture-of-lawyer-and-release-political-prisoners

709大抓捕有維權律師羈押時遭酷刑逼供　家屬促交代 (Lawyers detained in 709 crackdown suffered torture, families press government for answers)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 30, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1310694-20170130.htm

Related:
Statement by the Spokesperson on the cases of several human rights defenders in China
European Union External Action, January 28, 2017
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/19428/statement-spokesperson-cases-several-human-rights-defenders-china_en

Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers and Defenders
中国大规模镇压维权律师和活跃人士
Human Rights in China, June 10, 2015
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

China detains thousands with grievances as year of rooster begins
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/detains-01302017133620.html

中国良心犯流亡海外家人的新年期盼 (Overseas family members of Chinese prisoners of conscience hope to be reunited with loved ones in New Year)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ml1-01302017103106.html

China's bar association pledges enhanced reforms
Xinhua, January 29, 2017
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-01/29/content_28073251.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

With Oscar buzz dead, China clips “Hooligan Sparrow” wings
Hong Kong Free Press, January 29, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/29/oscar-buzz-dead-china-clips-hooligan-sparrow-wings/

China warns officials to stay on message when chatting online
Radio Free Asia, January 27, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/message-01272017124310.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

UN social media posts removed in China after backlash
Voice of America, January 30, 2017
http://www.voanews.com/a/un-social-media-posts-removed-in-china-after-backlash/3698222.html

Chinese send fake Trump tweets as jokes, New Year wishes
Voice of America, January 27, 2017
http://www.voanews.com/a/china-fake-trump-tweets/3695908.html

China’s feminists go to Washington
China File, January 28, 2017
http://www.chinafile.com/media/chinas-feminists-go-washington

Hong Kong (香港)

New Year, new abduction allegations from Hong Kong
The Diplomat, January 31, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/new-year-new-abduction-allegations-from-hong-kong/

Post-Occupy surge in young voters during Hong Kong’s 2016 Legco elections
South China Morning Post, January 31, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2066860/post-occupy-surge-young-voters-during-hong-kongs-2016-legco

Video: The fight for gov’t access – Hong Kong Free Press featured on RTHK’s “The Pulse”
Hong Kong Free Press, January 29, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/31/video-fight-govt-access-hong-kong-free-press-featured-rthks-pulse/

Commentary (评论)

The origins of China’s new Law on Foreign NGOs
China File, January 31, 2017
http://www.chinafile.com/viewpoint/origins-of-chinas-new-law-foreign-ngos

Baby girls – and women – in China should be a thing of wonder, not pity
South China Morning Post, January 31, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2066741/baby-girls-and-women-china-should-be-thing-wonder-not-pity

Hong Kong’s censored New Year’s Fair – another own-goal by the government
Hong Kong Free Press, February 1, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/02/01/hong-kongs-censored-new-years-fair-is-another-own-goal-by-the-government/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese liberal think tank’s days were numbered, director says
South China Morning Post, January 27, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2065831/chinese-liberal-think-tanks-days-were-numbered-director

China’s premier just extolled the virtues of openness on a news site blocked by China
Quartz, January 26, 2017
https://qz.com/895229/chinese-premier-li-keqiang-just-extolled-the-virtues-of-openness-on-a-news-site-blocked-by-china/

“文革二日”戛然而止? 中共首席大法官周强“对司法独立亮剑”讲话被收回 (Is "Cultural Revolution 2.0" screeching to a halt? Portions of Chief Justice Zhou Qiang’s speech in which he declared war against “Western judicial independence" removed)
Bowen Press, January 18, 2017
http://bowenpress.com/news/bowen_158987.html

Related:
A Chief Justice Like Zhou Qiang Must Leave: An Open Letter Urging Zhou Qiang to Resign
这样子的周院长，必须走人——敦请周强辞职书（图）
Human Rights in China, January 19, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/citizens-square/chief-justice-zhou-qiang-must-leave-open-letter-urging-zhou-qiang-resign
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/gong-min-yan-chang/zhe-yang-zi-de-zhou-yuan-chang-bi-xu-zou-ren-dun-qing-zhou-qiang-ci-zhi-shu-tu

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Chinese activists send cards to hundreds of prisoners of conscience
Radio Free Asia, January 26, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/prisoners-cards-01262017135703.html

常州毒地诉讼案两环保组织败诉 (Two environmental groups lose over Changzhou “toxic land” litigation)
Radio Free Asia, January 27, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/huanjing/ml1-01262017103056.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China tries to ease fears over impact of VPN crackdown
South China Morning Post, January 25, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2065344/china-tries-ease-fears-over-impact-vpn-crackdown

Hong Kong (香港)

Lunar New Year fair poster leads to safety concerns about pro-independence activities
South China Morning Post, January 26, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2065723/lunar-new-year-fair-poster-raises-safety-concerns-about-pro

聯合國組織關注傘運警濫權 港府人權報告hea答拒改善 (UN committee expresses concern about police’s abuse of power during Umbrella Movement, unsatisfactory response and lack of improvement in Hong Kong gov’t’s response)
Apple Daily, January 26, 2017
http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/realtime/news/20170126/56223881

港入境处长：暂无证据向李波提控 (HK Director of Immigration: No evidence to prosecute Lee Bo)
Radio Free Asia, January 26, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/wsw-01262017103242.html

彭定康憂英出賣尊嚴換對華生意　指背棄對港承諾　辜負一代香港人 (Patten worries that UK is "selling honor" for business with China, says it breaks promise to Hong Kong, disappoints a generation of Hong Kong people)
Mingpao, January 26, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170126/s00001/1485408547637

Commentary (评论)

Implementing the overseas NGO law—26 NGOs register in Beijing and Guangdong
NGOs in China Blog, January 25, 2017
http://ngochina.blogspot.hk/2017/01/implementing-overseas-ngo-law-26-ngos.html

＂雾霾”、“宪政”，中国当局的“不可描述”现象 (“Smog”, “constitutionalism”, the Chinese authorities' “indescribable” phenomenon)
Voice of America, January 26, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/china-smog-20170126/3692964.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Torture accusations as EU ambassador raises case of Chinese lawyer Xie Yang
Hong Kong Free Press, January 25, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/25/torture-accusations-eu-ambassador-raises-case-chinese-lawyer-xie-yang/

Related:
Two held in Northeastern China after online campaign for tortured lawyer
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/campaign-01252017123116.html

国际关注危难律师日 29名各国律界人士谴责中国迫害律师 (29 legal professionals worldwide criticize China on “Day of Endangered Lawyer” for persecuting lawyers)
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl1-01252017102850.html

中国人权律师团2016十大人权案件出炉 709案列首位 (Chinese human rights lawyers’ group publishes list of 10 biggest human rights cases of 2016, “709 Crackdown” case ranks number 1)
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl2-01252017102920.html

Related:
Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology
Human Rights in China, January 23, 2017
http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-defenders-and-international-reactions-brief-chronology

Access to Information (信息公开)

自由派北京天则所批关闭其网站违法 (The liberal Unirule Institute of Economics in Beijing criticizes “illegal” closing down of their website)
Voice of America, January 26, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/news-china-liberals-unirule-website-shutdown-20170125/3691394.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

China to crack down further on “cult” activities
Reuters, January 25, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/uk-china-religion-crime-idUSKBN15917O

Related:
“两高”发布新惩治邪教犯罪司法解释 七种邪教犯罪行为将从重处罚 (The SPC and SPP jointly issue new legal interpretation on punishment of “cult” crimes, severe punishment will be imposed on 7 types of “cult” crime)
Legal Daily, January 25, 2017
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2017-01/25/content_6997114.htm

When China’s feminists came to Washington
Foreign Policy, January 25, 2017
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/01/25/when-chinas-feminists-came-to-washington-womens-march-feminist-five-activism/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Global corruption worsens under populist leaders: watchdog
South China Morning Post, January 25, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2065334/global-corruption-worsens-under-populist-leaders

Related:
观察组织：中国清廉排名有上升仍较低 (Anti-corruption watchdog: China’s ranking for integrity increases but remains low)
Voice of America, January 26, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/news-china-corruption-20170125/3691780.html

China corruption prosecutions drop for first time in five years
去年中国公诉腐败官员5年来首次减少
Financial Times, January 26, 2017
EN: https://www.ft.com/content/41a961d2-e2bb-11e6-9645-c9357a75844a
CH: http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001071175

Tibetan doctor linked to self-immolation is freed after beatings, torture
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/doctor-01252017153010.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

The who, what and why in China’s latest VPN crackdown
South China Morning Post, January 26, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2065432/who-what-and-why-chinas-latest-vpn-crackdown

Analysts: China's new Internet controls may hurt China
Voice of America, January 25, 2017
http://www.voanews.com/a/china-internet-controls/3691276.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Lawyers group criticizes “unwise” gov’t ban on political groups selling merchandise at New Year fair
Hong Kong Free Press, January 25, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/25/lawyers-group-criticises-unwise-govt-ban-on-political-groups-selling-merchandise-at-new-year-fair/

Former Hong Kong governor accuses UK of “selling its honor” over protests
The Guardian, January 26, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/26/britain-hong-kong-democracy-activists-chris-patten

Chinese military newspaper hurls insults at Hong Kong pop star
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/popstar-01252017134319.html

Commentary (评论)

Autonomy in Hong Kong is at a 20-year low
The Washington Post, January 25, 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/01/25/autonomy-in-hong-kong-is-at-a-20-year-low/

Implementing the overseas NGO law—Six NGOs manage to register in Shanghai
NGOs in China Blog, January 24, 2017
http://ngochina.blogspot.hk/2017/01/implementing-overseas-ngo-law-six-ngos.html

Why China will be able to sell itself as the last liberal great power
The Washington Post, January 24, 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/24/why-china-will-be-able-to-sell-itself-as-the-last-liberal-great-power/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China abandoning rule of law, human rights lawyers say
The Guardian, January 24, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/24/china-abandoning-rule-of-law-human-rights-lawyers-say

李春富被關押後健康欠佳　歐盟駐華大使表示十分關切 (E.U. Ambassador to China expresses concern for Li Chunfu’s health after detention)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 24, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1309853-20170125.htm

Related:
709 Lawyer Released on Bail in Psychological Distress
“709”被捕律师李春富取保候审，身心状况异常
Human Rights in China, January 13, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/hric-bulletin/709-lawyer-released-bail-psychological-distress
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/xin-wen-gong-zuo/zhong-guo-ren-quan-jian-xun/709bei-bu-lu-shi-li-chun-fu-qu-bao-hou-shen-shen-xin

709大抓捕：律师李和平王全璋遭酷刑曝光　电击曾致昏厥 (709 Crackdown: Torture of lawyers Li Heping and Wang Quanzhang comes to light, subjected to electric shocks until they passed out)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl2-01242017103042.html

Related:
The anti-torture work of lawyer Li Heping that irked the Chinese authorities
China Change, January 25, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/25/the-anti-torture-work-of-lawyer-li-heping-that-irked-the-chinese-authorities/

Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology
Human Rights in China, January 23, 2017
http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-defenders-and-international-reactions-brief-chronology

Access to Information (信息公开)

China's rebel villagers sent to jail with no option to appeal
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/chinas-rebel-villagers-sent-to-jail-with-no-option-to-appeal-01242017114355.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Citizen Lab investigates Alipay, social credit
China Digital Times, January 24, 2017
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2017/01/citizen-lab-investigates-security-flaws-regulatory-history-alipay/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Tibetans ordered home by China are questioned by police, lose their passports
Radio Free Asia, January 23, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/ordered-01232017165731.html

中国多名律师起诉政府治霾不力 法院拒不受理 (Court rejects case brought by Chinese lawyers against gov’t for incompetence in smog control)
Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/huanjing/m0124-zl-01242017145753.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Forget Xi’s “defense” of globalization. China just fortified the Great Firewall.
The Washington Post, January 23, 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/01/23/forget-xis-defense-of-globalization-china-just-fortified-the-great-firewall/

China’s IT Ministry says VPN crackdown will not affect normal operations of foreign companies
Hong Kong Free Press, January 25, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/25/chinas-it-ministry-says-vpn-crackdown-will-not-affect-normal-operations-of-foreign-companies/

China's online population growing fast
Deutsche Welle, January 23, 2017
http://www.dw.com/en/chinas-online-population-growing-fast/a-37235022

Hong Kong (香港)

Four Hong Kong lawmakers facing disqualification win more time to prepare defense
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2064675/four-hong-kong-lawmakers-facing-disqualification-win-more

青政及民族黨年宵攤位被取消　浸大學生會寄賣產品　批政府壓制本土港獨主張 (Youngspiration and Hong Kong National Party Lunar New Year Fair stalls cancelled, Student union of Baptist University consigns products of Youngspiration and Hong Kong National Party for sale, criticizes gov’t for suppressing idea of Hong Kong independence)
Mingpao, January 25, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170125/s00001/1485312897192

Netflix購黃之鋒紀錄片版權　擬全球190國家播放 (Netflix purchases documentary on Joshua Wong, plans to stream in 190 countries worldwide)
Mingpao, January 25, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170124/s00001/1485254672570

“反港独”　《中国国防报》赞同抵制香港歌手张敬轩 (Chinese National Defense News, “anti-HK independence” news outlet, agrees with boycott against Hong Kong singer Hins Cheung)
British Broadcasting Corporation, January 25, 2017
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-38740959

Commentary (评论)

Without freedom for rights lawyers, how can China lay claim to a just legal system?
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2064626/without-freedom-rights-lawyers-how-can-china-lay-claim-just

China must respect lawyers’ human rights
The Guardian, January 23, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/23/china-must-respect-lawyers-human-rights

The continued importance of the U.S.-China cyber dialogue
Council on Foreign Relations, January 23, 2017
http://blogs.cfr.org/cyber/2017/01/23/the-continued-importance-of-the-u-s-china-cyber-dialogue/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

“国际危难律师日”聚焦中国维权律师 (“The 7 Annual Day of the Endangered Lawyer” focuses on Chinese rights defense lawyers)
Voice of America, January 24, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/news-day-of-endangered-lawyers-20170124/3689271.html

Related:
“处境危险律师国际日”法国律师公会声援中国律师 (French Bar Association supports Chinese lawyers on “Day of the Endangered Lawyer” )
Radio France Internationale, January 24, 2017
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/20170124-“处境危险律师国际日”法国律师公会声援中国律师

709大抓捕案　李和平遭化名扣押　王全璋未獲見律師 (709 Crackdown: Li Heping detained under different name, Wang Quanzhang still hasn’t met with lawyers)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 24, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1309654-20170124.htm

Related:
Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers and Defenders
中国大规模镇压维权律师和活跃人士
Human Rights in China, June 10, 2015 (Updated January 23, 2017)
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-and-defenders
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-da-gui-mo-zhen-ya-wei-quan-lu-shi-he-huo-yue-ren-shi

Resident of China’s “democracy village” transferred to Guangdong prison before appeal, son says
Hong Kong Free Press, January 24, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/24/resident-chinas-democracy-village-transferred-guangdong-prison-appeal-son-says/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese liberal think tank slams Beijing censors after website and media accounts shut down
South China Morning Post, January 24, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2064991/chinese-liberal-think-tank-slams-beijing-censors-after

Government Accountability (政府问责)

北京、山西、浙江三省市监察委员会成立 (National supervisory commission set up in Beijing, Shanxi, and Zhejiang)
People’s Daily, January 24, 2017
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0124/c1001-29047247.html

China jails two former officials, who fled abroad, for corruption
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2064632/china-jails-two-former-officials-who-fled-abroad

Hong Kong (香港)

《保衛立法會 撤銷司法覆核》- 全港跨界別公民聯合行動聲明 (Joint statement from cross-sectoral Hong Kong Citizens: “Defend Legco, Revoke Judicial Review Cases” )
InmediaHK, January 24, 2017
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1047218

盧偉聰稱去年旺角騷亂拘捕90人　6人已被定罪 (Stephen Lo: 90 people arrested over Mong Kok riot last year, 6 convicted)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 24, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1309647-20170124.htm

Student takes HKU Council to court over alleged vote bribes
Hong Kong Free Press, January 24, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/24/student-takes-hku-council-court-alleged-vote-bribes/

Commentary (评论)

How Hong Kong contributes to China’s human rights law
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2064730/how-hong-kong-contributes-chinas-human-rights-law

Access to Justice (司法公正)

处境危险律师国际观察站关注中国律师 (“L’Observatoire international des avocats en danger” pays close attention to Chinese lawyers)
Radio France Internationale, January 22, 2017
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/20170122-处境危险律师国际观察站今年关注中国律师

“Your only right is to obey”: lawyer describes torture in China's secret jails
The Guardian, January 23, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/23/lawyer-torture-china-secret-jails-xie-yang

Related:
Scores of Chinese lawyers rally around colleague who claims he was tortured during crackdown
South China Morning Post, January 21, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2064227/scores-chinese-lawyers-rally-around-colleague-who

谢阳反告10名国保施酷刑 (Xie Yang brings torture claims against 10 Domestic Security officers)
Radio France Internationale, January 21, 2017
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/20170121-谢阳反告10名国保施酷刑

Chinese human rights lawyers set their sights on smog
Agence France-Presse, January 23, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/23/chinese-human-rights-lawyers-set-sights-smog/

中国敢言律师告当局治理污染不利 (Chinese outspoken lawyer sues the authority for incompetence in controlling pollution)
Radio France Internationale, January 21, 2017
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/20170121-中国敢言律师告当局治理污染不利

A broken lawyer and a hawkish judge cast deep pall over China’s legal system
The Washington Post, January 20, 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/a-tortured-broken-lawyer-and-a-hawkish-judge-cast-deep-pall-over-chinas-legal-system/2017/01/20/1daf0ff6-dd62-11e6-b2cf-b67fe3285cbc_story.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Historian’s latest book on Mao turns acclaim in China to censure
The New York Times, January 21, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/world/asia/china-historian-yang-jisheng-book-mao.html

Beijing Internet censors close websites of liberal economic think tank
South China Morning Post, January 21, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2064260/beijing-internet-censors-close-websites-liberal

China cracks down on Mao critics
Financial Times, January 22, 2017
https://www.ft.com/content/321d2330-e053-11e6-9645-c9357a75844a

Related:
北京关闭17家网站 茅于轼微博账号被封 (Beijing closes down 17 websites, Mao Yushi’s Weibo account also suspended)
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/yf1-01222017100533.html

Ministry of Truth: No independent reporting of Trump’s inauguration
China Digital Times, January 20, 2017
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2017/01/ministry-truth-no-independent-reporting-trumps-inauguration/

How China tightened its grip on the media during 2016, by IFJ
The Guardian, January 20, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2017/jan/20/how-china-tightened-its-grip-on-the-media-during-2016-by-ifj

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

First batch of overseas NGOs register under China’s new law
Sixth Tone, January 20, 2017
http://www.sixthtone.com/news/first-batch-overseas-ngos-register-under-china%E2%80%99s-new-law

聲援佔中 詩人年關遭逼遷 (Poets evicted at the end of year for supporting Occupy Central movement)
Mingpao, January 23, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20170123/s00013/1485108572994

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Communist Party puts graft interrogators on tighter leash
South China Morning Post, January 21, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2064071/communist-party-puts-graft-interrogators-tighter-leash

Punches, kicks and the “dangling chair’: Detainee tells of torture in China
The New York Times, January 20, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/world/asia/china-lawyer-torture-xie-yang.html

Doctors and red envelopes: How corruption has blighted China’s public health system
Caixin, January 20, 2017
http://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-01-20/101047316.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China tightens Great Firewall by declaring unauthorized VPN services illegal
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2064587/chinas-move-clean-vpns-and-strengthen-great-firewall

Related:
中国正式“清算”VPN (China “cleans up” VPN services officially)
Deutsche Welle, January 22, 2017
http://www.dw.com/zh/中国正式清算vpn/ a-37231959

工业和信息化部关于清理规范互联网网络接入服务市场的通知 (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Notice Regarding Clearance and Regulation of VPN Services)
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, January 17, 2017
http://www.miit.gov.cn/n1146295/n1652858/n1652930/n3757020/c5471946/content.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Why China's supporters in Hong Kong are divided
The Diplomat, January 20, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/why-chinas-supporters-in-hong-kong-are-divided/

曾鈺成：接受反對派「推倒8‧31」要求沒可能當選 (Jasper Tsang: Those who accept the opposition’s demand to “overturn August 31 Decision” will never be elected)
Mingpao, January 23, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170123/s00001/1485129525079

暗示对手不被北京接受? 林郑陷"失言"风波 (Hinting that her opponents aren’t accepted by Beijing? Carrie Lam caught in “gaffe” scandal)
Deutsche Welle, January 22, 2017
http://www.dw.com/zh/暗示对手不被北京接受林郑陷失言风波/a-37232533

民主動力倡計劃予市民向選委推薦特首人選　被提名人士需符3項條件 (Power for Democracy launches campaign for general public to nominate CE candidate, nominee should meet 3 requirements)
Mingpao, January 22, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170122/s00001/1485091982994

香港维园年宵 支联会设六四展馆 呼吁勿忘历实 (Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China sets up mini June-Fourth museum in Lunar new year market, advocates to never forget historical truth)
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhengzhi/yf2-01222017101638.html

逾百議員、選委及學者等聯署要求撤消對4議員司法覆核 (Over 100 scholars, Legco and Election Committee members petition for gov’t to drop judicial review cases against 4 Legco members)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 21, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1309099-20170121.htm

Commentary (评论)

Codifying illegality? The case of Jiang Tianyong
China Law and Policy, January 20, 2017
http://chinalawandpolicy.com/2017/01/20/codifying-illegality-the-case-of-jiang-tianyong/

The real secret of Chinese Internet censorship? Distraction
The Guardian, January 22, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/22/chinese-internet-censorship-uses-distraction

Access to Justice (司法公正)

中国法律人敦促周强引咎辞职 (Chinese legal profession urges Zhou Qiang to resign)
Deutsche Welle, January 19, 2017
http://www.dw.com/zh/中国法律人敦促周强引咎辞职/a-37189971

Related:
中国知识界联署要求最高院周强“走人” (Intellects in China petition to demand President of SPC Zhou Qiang to “leave”)
Voice of America, January 20, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/news-china-scholars-demand--resignation-20170119/3682745.html

四位旅美前中国法律界人士谴责周强抵制司法独立的言论违法违宪要求人大撤销其职务 (4 U.S.-residing former Chinese legal professionals criticize Zhou Qiang for speech rejecting judicial independence, demand his dismissal from CPC)
Radio Free Asia, January 19, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ck-01192017100729.html

“709案”谢燕益回家仍有8人被羁押 谢阳拒绝当局“放人条件” (“709 case”: Xie Yanyi returns home while 8 people still detained, Xie Yang refuses the authorities’ “conditions for release” )
Radio Free Asia, January 19, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl1-01192017103426.html

Related:
Transcript of Interviews with Lawyer Xie Yang (1)
China Change, January 19, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/19/transcript-of-interviews-with-lawyer-xie-yang-1/

Authorities Deny Lawyers’ Access to Xie Yang and His Case File
“709”案谢阳律师被违法阻止律师会见和阅卷
Human Rights in China, October 21, 2016
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/citizens-square/authorities-deny-lawyers-access-xie-yang-and-his-case-file
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/gong-min-yan-chang/709an-xie-yang-lu-shi-bei-wei-fa-zu-zhi-lu-shi-hui-jian-he-yue-juan

Rights groups ask China to free Tibetan education advocate
人权组织呼吁释放藏语教育倡导者扎西文色
The New York Times, January 20, 2017
EN: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20170120/china-tibetan-education-advocate/en-us/
CH: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20170120/china-tibetan-education-advocate/

Wife of detained Chinese rights lawyer seeks Angela Merkel’s help
被监禁的人权律师江天勇妻子向默克尔求助
The New York Times, January 19, 2017
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/world/asia/china-lawyer-jiang-tianyong-germany.html
CH: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20170120/china-lawyer-jiang-tianyong-germany/

Access to Information (信息公开)

What’s behind China’s mass fabrication of official figures?
Caixin, January 19, 2017
http://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-01-19/101046909.html

China orders state media not to criticize Trump ahead of inauguration
Radio Free Asia, January 19, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/media-trump-01192017163646.html

Related:
Ministry of Truth: Handle Trump carefully
China Digital Times, January 18, 2017
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2017/01/minitrue-handle-trump-carefully/

Commentary by Gao Wenqian: Human Rights and the U.S.-China Diplomatic Chessboard
高文谦：中美外交棋局与人权
Human Rights in China, January 19, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/china-rights-forum/commentary-gao-wenqian-human-rights-and-us-china-diplomatic-chessboard
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-ren-quan-shuang-zhou-kan/gao-wen-qian-zhong-mei-wai-jiao-qi-ju-yu-ren-quan

China’s official 2016 GDP number is in, and the government promises it’s “authentic”
Quartz, January 20, 2017
https://qz.com/890084/chinas-official-2016-gdp-growth-was-6-7-and-the-government-promises-its-authentic/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Chinese migrant workers protest over unpaid wages
Voice of America, January 19, 2017
http://www.voanews.com/a/chinese-migrant-workers-protest-unpaid-wages/3682577.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China to launch graft-busting super bureau next year
South China Morning Post, January 20, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2063690/china-launch-graft-busting-super-bureau-next-year

China asks foreign diplomats for closer cooperation in anti-graft war
Reuters, January 19, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-corruption-idUSKBN1540AL

China jails former senior oil executive for 15 years for graft
Reuters, January 19, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-corruption-cnpc-idUSKBN1530TY

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Evaluating the U.S.-China cybersecurity agreement, Part 1: The U.S. approach to cyberspace
The Diplomat, January 19, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/evaluating-the-us-china-cybersecurity-agreement-part-1-the-us-approach-to-cyberspace/

Related:
Evaluating the U.S.-China cybersecurity agreement, Part 2: China’s take on cyberspace and cybersecurity
The Diplomat, January 19, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/evaluating-the-us-china-cybersecurity-agreement-part-2-chinas-take-on-cyberspace-and-cybersecurity/

Hong Kong (香港)

United States Congress set to introduce Hong Kong human rights act “in coming days”
South China Morning Post, January 20, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2062798/will-hong-kongs-pro-democracy-camp-find-ally-trump

Video: There is absolutely no room for Hong Kong independence, C.Y. Leung warns
Hong Kong Free Press, January 18, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/18/video-absolutely-no-room-hong-kong-independence-cy-leung-warns/

Hong Kong's localist revolutionaries
Al Jazeera, January 19, 2017
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2017/01/hong-kong-localist-revolutionaries-170118060422170.html

Hong Kong’s democrats say no to China’s treasures
The Economist, January 21, 2017
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21715042-worlds-most-popular-museum-political-too-hong-kongs-democrats-say-no-chinas-treasures

Why China's supporters in Hong Kong are divided
The Diplomat, January 20, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/why-chinas-supporters-in-hong-kong-are-divided/

曾俊華：人大8.31是基礎　若氛圍與2014年相似不會重推政改 (John Tsang: CPC’s August 31 decision is a foundation, I will not push for political reform again if atmosphere is similar to that in 2014)
Mingpao, January 20, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170120/s00001/1484873862833

終止青政民族黨年宵租約　高永文稱為市民安全被迫下決定 (Ko Wing-man says he had no choice but to ban stalls of Youngspiration and National Party for the sake of public safety)
Mingpao, January 20, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170119/s00001/1484821546254

Commentary (评论)

Is Xi Jinping the new champion of globalization? Far from it.
The Washington Post, January 18, 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/is-xi-jinping-the-new-champion-of-globalization-far-from-it/2017/01/18/ecfda27a-dda0-11e6-acdf-14da832ae861_story.html

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Chinese human rights lawyer Xie Yanyi reunited with family after 18 months in detention
Hong Kong Free Press, January 19, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/19/chinese-human-rights-lawyer-xie-yanyi-reunited-family-18-months-detention/

Related:
Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers and Defenders
中国大规模镇压维权律师和活跃人士
Human Rights in China, June 10, 2016
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

律师再申请会见江天勇 要求检察院监督案件 (Lawyers apply again to meet Jiang Tianyong, demand Procuratorate supervise the case)
Radio Free Asia, January 19, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-01182017104900.html

Related:
Statement by Lawyers Tan Chenshou and Chen Jinxue on Jiang Tianyong’s Case
覃臣寿、陈进学关于江天勇案的律师声明
Human Rights in China, December 16, 2016
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/citizens-square/statement-lawyers-tan-chenshou-and-chen-jinxue-jiang-tianyongs-case
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/gong-min-yan-chang/tan-chen-shou-chen-jin-xue-guan-yu-jiang-tian-yong-de-lu-shi-sheng-ming

中国最高人民法院院长驳斥司法独立 (President of SPC refutes judicial independence)
Financial Times, January 19, 2017
http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001071044

Access to Information (信息公开)

国家网信办深入整治“标题党”问题 (Cyberspace Administration of China punishes news websites for “clickbait” titles)
Cyberspace Administration of China, January 13, 2017
http://www.cac.gov.cn/2017-01/13/c_1120302910.htm

Related:
整治标题党是互联网新闻法治化的重要举措 (Regulation of “clickbait” titles is an important measure towards regulation of Internet news)
Legal Daily, January 17, 2017
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/commentary/content/2017-01/17/content_6962684.htm

Liaoning government admits false growth data from 2011-14
Caixin, January 18, 2017
http://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-01-18/101046468.html

Related:
辽宁省长陈求发：我们顶着压力挤压数据造假的水分 (Governor of Liaoning Province Chen Qiufa: We have suppressed the excessive fabrication of financial data)
People’s Daily, January 17, 2016
http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2017/01-17/8127221.shtml

中国气象局暂停发布霾预警 引发舆论热议 (China Meteorological Administration sparks heated debate as it stops smog alerts)
Radio Free Asia, January 18, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/huanjing/yf1-01182017104816.html

Related:
新京报快评: 谁来发布雾霾预警，不要扯皮 (The Beijing News Quick Commentary: Who is responsible for smog alerts, stop wrangling)
The Beijing News, January 18, 2017
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/opinion/2017/01/18/431090.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Family of reformist leader Zhao Ziyang vows to keep pressing for his exoneration
South China Morning Post, January 18, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/2063170/family-reformist-leader-zhao-ziyang-vows-keep-pressing-his-exoneration

Related:
趙紫陽逝世12年 女冀平反 杜導正親悼 高瑜丁子霖遭禁足 (On 12th anniversary of Zhao Ziyang’s death his daughter hopes for redress, Du Daozheng joins mourning while Gao Yu and Ding Ziling are banned)
Mingpao, January 18, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20170118/s00013/1484675828270

全国首批6家境外非政府组织驻沪代表机构在上海获颁登记书 (Six foreign NGOs’ Shanghai offices granted nation’s first batch of registration certificates under Foreign NGO Management Law)
Shanghai Observer, January 17, 2017
http://www.shobserver.com/news/detail?id=42540

On taking gay rights from Taipei to Beijing: Don’t call it a “movement”
The New York Times, January 18, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/world/asia/china-taiwan-same-sex-gay.html

Chinese feminist “Hooligan Sparrow” faces eviction by Beijing authorities
Radio Free Asia, January 18, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/feminist-eviction-01182017123114.html

14类职业人员将建个人信用记录 (14 types of professionals will be given individual social credit rating record)
People’s Daily, January 19, 2017
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0119/c1001-29035345.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China’s top prosecutor takes aim at corrupt village officials over rural land grabs
Caixin, January 16, 2017
http://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-01-16/101044470.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Unsolved problems hang over Hong Kong leader's last policy address
Reuters, January 18, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-politics-idUSKBN1520CD

梁振英冀民主派推願接受基本法規定者參選特首選舉 (C.Y. Leung hopes pro-democracy camp will nominate candidates who accept the restrictions under the Basic Law)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 19, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1308593-20170119.htm

John Tsang formally declares bid to lead Hong Kong and vows to “restore hope to city in time of great uncertainty”
South China Morning Post, January 19, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2063523/john-tsang-officially-announce-chief-executive-bid-despite

Related:
曾俊華：決定競逐下屆行政長官 (John Tsang: I have decided to run for the next CE)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 19, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1308678-20170119.htm

曾鈺成指京若2047取消一國兩制未違承諾　視乎國家利益定奪 (Jasper Tsang: It’s not a broken promise if Beijing cancels One Country Two Systems in 2047, it must depend on the national interest)
Mingpao, January 19, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170119/s00001/1484785952077

香港民族黨及青年新政年宵攤檔　遭食環署終止租約　稱「可能危害公共秩序」(FEHD banned stalls of Hong Kong National Party and Youngspiration at Lunar New Year’s fair, stating that they “may endanger public order”)
Mingpao, January 19, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170118/s00001/1484753078342

Commentary (评论)

【給特首參選人的試卷】新特首能否進退有度護「兩制」？ (An exam paper for CE candidates: Could the new CE protect “Two Systems” with the right strategy?)
Mingpao, January 19, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170119/s00022/1484792075088

Access to Justice (司法公正)

A fourth update on lawyer Li Chunfu’s situation: “What are you hiding from me?”
China Change, January 17, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/17/a-fourth-update-on-li-chunfus-situation-what-are-you-hiding-from-me/

Related:
709 Lawyer Released on Bail in Psychological Distress
“709”被捕律师李春富取保候审，身心状况异常
Human Rights in China, January 13, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/hric-bulletin/709-lawyer-released-bail-psychological-distress
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/xin-wen-gong-zuo/zhong-guo-ren-quan-jian-xun/709bei-bu-lu-shi-li-chun-fu-qu-bao-hou-shen-shen-xin

Access to Information (信息公开)

China orders local forecasters to stop issuing smog alerts
Deutsche Welle, January 18, 2017
http://www.dw.com/en/china-orders-local-forecasters-to-stop-issuing-smog-alerts/a-37170575

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China tightens party loyalty requirements in sensitive year
Reuters, January 17, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-education-media-idUSKBN1510IF

Demolition, expulsions stop for now at Larung Gar
Radio Free Asia, January 17, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/stop-01172017131906.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China orders registration of app stores
加强监管，中国要求应用商店备案
The New York Times, January 14, 2017
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/business/china-orders-registration-of-app-stores.html
CH: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20170116/china-orders-registration-of-app-stores/

Related:
下载运用软件须报批 中国网络监控扩及手机平台 (Records need to be filed for downloading apps, China’s Internet monitoring extends to smartphone platforms)
Radio France Internationale, January 17, 2017
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/ 20170117-下载运用软件须报批-中国网络监控扩及手机平台

国家网信办启动互联网应用商店备案工作 (Cyberspace Administration of China starts work on record filing of Internet app stores)
Cyberspace Administration of China, January 13, 2017
http://www.cac.gov.cn/2017-01/13/c_1120308336.htm

Hong Kong (香港)

C.Y. Leung delivers final policy address to polarized Hong Kong
South China Morning Post, January 18, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2063101/cy-leung-delivers-final-policy-address-polarised-hong-kong

Related:
In final speech, Hong Kong leader warns on independence push
Associated Press, January 18, 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/hong-kong-leader-warns-on-independence-push-in-final-speech/2017/01/17/9ae8de1c-dd39-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html

引言總結過去4年施政　梁振英：港沒獨立或任何形式分離空間 (A summary of the past four years’ policies in opening remarks, C.Y. Leung: There is no room for independence or separation of any kind for Hong Kong)
Mingpao, January 18, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170118/s00001/1484709216416

梁振英：高度自治按《基本法》　不是完全及隨意自治 (C.Y. Leung: “High degree of autonomy” under the Basic Law is not complete or arbitrary autonomy)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 18, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1308355-20170118.htm

The elites who want to run Hong Kong are desperately trying to show they’re one of the people
Quartz, January 18, 2017
https://qz.com/886681/the-elites-who-want-to-run-hong-kong-are-desperately-trying-to-show-theyre-one-of-the-people/

China warns Hong Kong activists over meetings with Taiwan independence groups
Radio Free Asia, January 17, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-taiwan-01172017143918.html

Education Bureau under fire for hasty introduction of mandatory Basic Law course in secondary schools
Hong Kong Free Press, January 18, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/18/education-bureau-fire-hasty-introduction-mandatory-basic-law-course-secondary-schools/

Related:
教局突增中學《基本法》課時要求 (The Education Bureau introduces required teaching time of the Basic Law in secondary schools)
Apple Daily, January 17, 2017
http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20170117/19899678

Commentary (评论)

Beijing should heed growing public anger at China’s filthy air
South China Morning Post, January 17, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2062735/beijing-should-heed-growing-public-anger-chinas-filthy-air

鼓吹错误思潮危及国家政治安全 (Advocacy of erroneous ideologies threatens the state’s political security)
People’s Court Daily, January 18, 2017
http://rmfyb.chinacourt.org/paper/html/2017-01/18/content_120959.htm

Access to Justice (司法公正)

A third update on lawyer Li Chunfu: He was drugged in custody
China Change, January 15, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/15/a-third-update-on-lawyer-li-chunfu-he-was-drugged-in-custody/

Related:
709 Lawyer Released on Bail in Psychological Distress
“709”被捕律师李春富取保候审，身心状况异常
Human Rights in China, January 13, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/hric-bulletin/709-lawyer-released-bail-psychological-distress
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/xin-wen-gong-zuo/zhong-guo-ren-quan-jian-xun/709bei-bu-lu-shi-li-chun-fu-qu-bao-hou-shen-shen-xin

Chinese government thwarts effort to appeal the recent Wukan sentences
China Change, January 17, 2017
https://chinachange.org/2017/01/17/chinese-government-thwarts-effort-to-appeal-the-recent-wukan-sentences/

人权组织呼吁释放藏族活动人士：审判扎西文色就是审判中国宪法 (Rights group calls for release of Tibetan activist: Putting Tashi Wangchuk on trial means putting the Chinese Constitution on trial)
Voice of America, January 17, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/hrw-calling-chian-drop-charges-tibetan-activist-20170116/3678608.html

Lawyers urge China’s top judge to quit over controversial comments against “Western” judicial independence
South China Morning Post, January 17, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2062829/lawyers-urge-chinas-top-judge-quit-over-controversial

Related:
“对司法独立亮剑"引发网民唇枪舌剑 (“To wield a sword against judicial independence” speech sparks heated online debate)
Deutsche Welle, January 17, 2017
http://www.dw.com/zh/对司法独立亮剑引发网民唇枪舌剑/ a-37145086

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese official fired after calling Mao “a devil”
Reuters, January 16, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-mao-idUSKBN151050

China ramps up control of domain names, adds new layer to Great Firewall
Radio Free Asia, January 16, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/internet-domain-01162017155356.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Ministry wants random inspections for China’s non-governmental organizations
South China Morning Post, January 16, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2062578/ministry-wants-random-inspections-chinas-non

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Tiananmen activist’s hands and feet shackled for extended periods in Chinese prison, lawyer says
Hong Kong Free Press, January 17, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/17/tiananmen-activists-hands-and-feet-shackled-for-extended-periods-in-chinese-prison-lawyer-says/

Hong Kong (香港)

Beijing approves resignation of John Tsang and Carrie Lam; chief exec. bids expected
Hong Kong Free Press, January 16, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/16/breaking-beijing-approves-resignation-of-john-tsang-and-carrie-lam-chief-exec-bids-expected/

Related:
A guide to the top contenders vying to be Hong Kong’s next chief executive
Quartz, January 17, 2017
https://qz.com/884690/a-guide-to-the-top-contenders-vying-to-be-hong-kongs-next-chief-executive/

Police make fifth arrest connected to assault of pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law at airport
Hong Kong Free Press, January 16, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/16/police-make-fifth-arrest-connected-to-assault-of-pro-democracy-lawmaker-nathan-law-at-airport/

戴耀廷推「民間投票」選特首 強調不綑綁選委 (Benny Tai launches “civil referendum” on the CE, stresses that the result would not bind the Election Committee)
Mingpao, January 16, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20170116/s00002/1484503826065

林鄭指23條立法屬憲制責任　惟應審時度勢 (Carrie Lam says enactment of laws for Art. 23 is a constitutional responsibility, but gov’t should assess first)
Sing Tao Daily, January 16, 2017
http://std.stheadline.com/instant/articles/detail/318569-香港-【特首選戰】林鄭指23條立法屬憲制責任+惟應審時度勢

Commentary (评论)

Zhou Qiang on judicial independence, the separation of powers, and constitutional democracy
REACH, January 15, 2017
https://china-research.net/2017/01/15/zhou-qiang-jiang-ping-and-he-weifang-debate-judicial-independence-the-separation-of-powers-and-constitutional-democracy/

Related:
China’s Chief Justice’s extraordinary statement: The most enormous ideological setback for a professional judiciary
Jerry’s Blog, January 17, 2017
http://www.jeromecohen.net/jerrys-blog/chinas-chief-justices-extraordinary-statement

The People’s Court Daily on independent adjudication
REACH, January 16, 2017
https://china-research.net/2017/01/16/the-peoples-court-daily-on-independent-adjudication/

旗帜鲜明地维护和落实依法独立审判的宪法原则 (Taking a clear-cut stance on protecting and realizing the constitutional principle of independent adjudication)
People’s Court Daily, January 16, 2017
http://www.rmfyb.com/paper/html/2017-01/16/content_120886.htm?div=-1

《关于司法机关独立的基本原则》被联合国大会1985年第40/32号决议和40/146号决议认可。《关于司法机关独立的基本原则：实施程序》由联合国经济及社会理事会第1989/60号决议通过，成员国必须遵守。中国是联合国常任理事国有责任和义务在实施这些原则与制度方面采取行动和作出表率 https://t.co/efqop3V5zZ

— 刘晓原律师 (@liu_xiaoyuan) January 15, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Chinese lawyer held for more than 500 days in civil rights crackdown has mental disorder
South China Morning Post, January 14, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2062246/chinese-lawyer-held-more-500-days-civil-rights

Related:
中国维权律师李春富被释放后“精神失常” (Rights defense lawyer Li Chunfu suffers “mental disorder” after release)
British Broadcasting Corporation, January 14, 2017
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-38624049

709 Lawyer Released on Bail in Psychological Distress
“709”被捕律师李春富取保候审，身心状况异常
Human Rights in China, January 13, 2017
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/hric-bulletin/709-lawyer-released-bail-psychological-distress
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/chs/xin-wen-gong-zuo/zhong-guo-ren-quan-jian-xun/709bei-bu-lu-shi-li-chun-fu-qu-bao-hou-shen-shen-xin

China's top judge warns courts on judicial independence
Reuters, January 15, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-policy-law-idUSKBN14Z07B

Related:
中国最高法院长周强公开拒绝“宪政民主”“司法独立”引热议 (President of SPC Zhou Qiang sparks heated debate after he publicly rejects “constitutional democracy” and “judicial independence”)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-01152017103002.html

扎实做好人民法院各项工作 以优异成绩迎接党的十九大胜利召开 (Solid performance by courts, welcoming the Party’s victorious opening of the 19th National Congress with outstanding achievements)
China Court Daily, January 14, 2017
http://www.chinacourt.org/article/detail/2017/01/id/2512789.shtml

决不落入西方错误思潮“陷阱” (Never fall into the “trap” of western erroneous ideologies)
China Court Daily, January 15, 2017
http://www.chinacourt.org/article/detail/2017/01/id/2512848.shtml

How nine Wukan villagers were illegally tried and sentenced after rising up against corruption
China Change, January 14, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/14/how-nine-wukan-villagers-were-illegally-tried-and-sentenced-after-rising-up-against-corruption/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Clearing the air
China Media Project, January 13, 2017
http://cmp.hku.hk/2017/01/13/40112/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

China's Zhou Youguang, father of Pinyin writing system, dies aged 111
The New York Times, January 14, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/world/asia/zhou-youguang-who-made-writing-chinese-as-simple-as-abc-dies-at-111.html

China fears sovereignty rows with neighbors may spark “patriotic” protests at home
South China Morning Post, January 13, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2061884/china-fears-sovereignty-rows-neighbours-may-spark

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China's president calls on law enforcement to protect party rule
Radio Free Asia, January 13, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/rule-01132017135358.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Localist duo’s final appeal over oath row rejected
Hong Kong Free Press, January 16, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/16/breaking-localist-duos-final-appeal-oath-row-rejected/

Related:
上訴庭駁回梁頌恆游蕙禎上訴至終院申請　兩人須付政府訟費 (Court of Appeal rejects Sixtus "Baggio" Leung and Yau Wai Ching’s appeal application to Court of Final Appeal, they must pay gov’t legal costs)
Mingpao, January 16, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170116/s00001/1484530354145

Activist Joshua Wong returns safely to Hong Kong after Taiwan visit marred by multiple protests
South China Morning Post, January 16, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2062444/activist-joshua-wong-returns-safely-hong-kong-after-taiwan

Controversy follows election for Hong Kong leaders
Voice of America, January 13, 2017
http://www.voanews.com/a/controversy-follows-election-for-hong-kong-leaders/3674785.html

Related:
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive race heats up
The Diplomat, January 13, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/hong-kongs-chief-executive-race-heats-up/

Beijing wants to crush youth activists in Taiwan and Hong Kong trying to band together
Quartz, January 16, 2017
https://qz.com/883640/beijing-wants-to-crush-youth-activists-in-taiwan-and-hong-kong-trying-to-band-together/

Commentary (评论)

Xiaolu Guo: “There was no private or personal space in China”
The Guardian, January 15, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jan/15/xiaolu-guo-meet-the-author-once-upon-a-time-in-the-east

雾霾与中国人觉醒的“公民性” (Smog and the awakening of Chinese “citizenship”)
Financial Times, January 16, 2017
http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001070990

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Death in custody: a Chinese scandal that will not die
The Economist, January 14, 2017
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21714389-public-resentment-police-brutality-growing-death-custody-chinese-scandal-will

Access to Information (信息公开)

Prominent Chinese university bans staff from criticizing Communist Party in class
South China Morning Post, January 12, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2061491/chinese-university-bans-staff-criticising-communist

空气检测APP发布真实污染数据受中国政府警告 (Air monitoring app puts Chinese gov’t on defensive over pollution data)
Voice of America, January 13, 2017
http://www.voachinese.com/a/china-orders-air-monitoring-app-20170112/3674597.html

Related:
Seeking transparency in Chinese pollution data
China Digital Times, January 11, 2017
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2017/01/seeking-transparency-chinese-pollution-data/

维权律师被警告不得赴香港观看709纪录片 (Rights defense lawyers warned against traveling to Hong Kong to watch documentary on “709”)
Radio Free Asia, January 12, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql2-01122017102556.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Ten held, dozens injured after clashes in China's Shenzhen
Radio Free Asia, January 12, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/shenzhen-clash-01122017142758.html

穗大學禁非議中共及憲法 (University in Guangzhou bans criticism of CPC and Constitution)
Ming Pao, January 13, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20170113/s00013/1484243743971

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China's top political advisory body pledges continuous anti-graft campaign
Xinhua, January 12, 2017
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/12/c_135974594.htm

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

习近平对政法工作作出重要指示 强调全面提升防范应对各类风险挑战的水平 (Xi Jinping emphasizes that political and legal work must include overall improvement in the ability to prevent and respond to various types of risk and challenges)
China Central Television, January 12, 2016
http://tv.cctv.com/2017/01/12/VIDEVVliAmiesRZYy6i8IUvC170112.shtml

Xinjiang town orders residents to engrave names and ID numbers on to all knives, including kitchen tools
Hong Kong Free Press, January 12, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/12/xinjiang-town-orders-residents-engrave-names-id-numbers-knives-including-kitchen-tools/

Will China now boost Malaysia’s new counterterrorism center?
The Diplomat, January 13, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/will-china-now-boost-malaysias-new-counterterrorism-center/

Hong Kong (香港)

The only reason for my resignation is to run for Chief Executive, says Hong Kong Chief Sec. Carrie Lam
Hong Kong Free Press, January 12, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/12/the-only-reason-for-my-resignation-is-to-run-for-chief-executive-says-chief-sec-carrie-lam/

More activists arrested for allegedly participating in November protest at Liaison Office
Hong Kong Free Press, January 12, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/12/activists-arrested-allegedly-participating-november-protest-liaison-office/

Commentary (评论)

打好新形势下维稳主动仗（深入学习贯彻习近平同志系列重要讲话精神） (Fight a good offensive battle of stability maintenance under new circumstances: absorb and practice essence of Xi Jinping’s important speeches)
People’s Daily, January 13, 2017
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0113/c1001-29019665.html

不再欽點 是中央對港人最起碼的尊重 (Stop appointing the CE is the minimum respect Central gov’t could pay to Hong Kong people)
Ming Pao, January 13, 2017
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20170113/s00022/1484269830961

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Hangzhou pastor who opposed cross removal arrested for embezzlement again
Hong Kong Free Press, January 11, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/11/hangzhou-pastor-opposed-cross-removal-arrested-embezzlement/

Access to Information (信息公开)

China to merge state media for stronger voice in financial news
Reuters, January 11, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-media-idUSKBN14V17B

Government orders Chinese air quality app to limit readings
Sixth Tone, January 11, 2017
http://www.sixthtone.com/news/government-tells-chinese-air-quality-app-%E2%80%98reform%E2%80%99

履行气候协议，中国还没有作出表率
China wants to be a climate change watchdog, but can it lead by example?
The New York Times, January 11, 2017
CH: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20170111/china-wants-to-be-a-climate-change-watchdog-but-cant-yet-lead-by-example/
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/10/world/asia/china-wants-to-be-a-climate-change-watchdog-but-cant-yet-lead-by-example.html

China is scrubbing outspoken Taiwan and Hong Kong celebrities from its streaming services
Quartz, January 11, 2017
https://qz.com/882724/china-is-scrubbing-outspoken-taiwan-and-hong-kong-celebrities-from-its-streaming-services/

China, fanning patriotism, adds 6 years to war with Japan in history books
The New York Times, January 11, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/world/asia/china-japan-textbooks-war.html

Related:
中国教育部要求中小学课本改称“十四年抗战” (Ministry of Education demands schools rewrite text books to read “14-Year War”)
British Broadcasting Corporation, January 10, 2017
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-38566194

刘飞跃逮捕通知书曝光 国际人权组织吁中国保证其羁押中权利 (Liu Feiyue’s arrest notice surfaces, international human rights organizations urge China to guarantee his rights during detention)
Radio Free Asia, January 11, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/xl1-01112017102616.html

Related:
中国人权：中国维权大事记（2016年11月21日—12月4日）(HRIC: Major developments on China rights defense (November 21 –December 4, 2016))
Human Rights in China, December 7, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/chs/zhong-guo-ren-quan-shuang-zhou-kan/zhong-guo-ren-quan-zhong-guo-wei-quan-da-shi-ji-2016nian-11yue-0

Government Accountability (政府问责)

去年26名中管干部被开除党籍 超七成涉对抗组织审查 (26 cadres managed by central government expelled last year, over 70% of cases involved resisting Party investigation)
People’s Daily, January 11, 2017
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2017/0111/c1001-29013953.html

吳玉良：黨國監督均在黨領導下進行　不存在獨立監督 (Wu Yuliang: The Party carries out and leads supervision of both the Party and the state, independent supervision does not exist)
Radio Television Hong Kong, January 9, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1306584-20170109.htm

Over 6,200 CPC members held accountable for undesirable work styles
Xinhua, January 11, 2017
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/11/c_135974340.htm

Corruption runs through flood-ravaged Yangtze village
Sixth Tone, January 11, 2017
http://www.sixthtone.com/news/flood-petty-corruption-pushes-paizhou-farmers-protest

China detains 720, imposes $21.8 million of fines in pollution crackdown: media
Reuters, January 11, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-pollution-idUSKBN14W07H

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

中国二维码应用被国外标准垄断 信息安全问题频发 (Application of QR codes in China monopolized by foreign standards, information security issues abound)
Economic Information Daily, January 12, 2017
http://www.chinanews.com/it/2017/01-12/8121342.shtml#zw_cyhd

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

Beijing’s ban puts stop to Pokemon Go in China
South China Morning Post, January 11, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2061283/beijings-ban-puts-stop-pokemon-go-china

Hong Kong (香港)

Report: Hong Kong human rights situation worst since 1997
The Diplomat, January 11, 2017
http://thediplomat.com/2017/01/report-hong-kong-human-rights-situation-worst-since-1997/

Related:
China a month late in submitting Hong Kong human rights update to UN—report
Hong Kong Free Press, January 11, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/11/china-a-month-late-in-submitting-hong-kong-human-rights-update-to-un-report/

中国仍未向联合国提交香港人权报告 (China has yet to submit to the U.N. a progress report on implementation of Convention Against Torture in Hong Kong)
Radio Free Asia, January 11, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/ml1-01112017102757.html

Protesters rally at police HQ, urge investigation of airport assault on lawmaker Nathan Law
Hong Kong Free Press, January 12, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/12/protesters-rally-at-police-hq-urge-investigation-of-airport-assault-on-lawmaker-nathan-law/

Hong Kong no. 2 official resigns with eye on becoming next city leader: media
Reuters, January 12, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-politics-idUSKBN14W0EG

Access to Justice (司法公正)

江天勇“被失踪” 50天 陈进学律师申请政府信息公开 (50 days after Jiang Tianyong “disappeared” lawyer Chen Jinxue applies for disclosure of government information)
Radio Free Asia, January 10, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-01102017102905.html

Related:
江天勇失联逾24小时 (Jiang Tianyong incommunicado for over 24 hours)
Human Rights in China, November 23, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/chs/gong-min-yan-chang/jiang-tian-yong-shi-lian-yu-24xiao-shi

称教材“污名”同性恋 秋白状告教育部案二审开庭 (Qiu Bai’s appeal trial against Ministry of Education opens, states teaching materials “defame” homosexuality)
The Beijing News, January 10, 2017
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2017/01/10/430137.html