The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Thursday, August 01, 2019

Xinjiang (新疆)

China’s latest attempt to spin its repressive policies in Xinjiang falls flat
World Politics Review, July 31, 2019

Access to Information (信息公开)

Lost in translation: The Hong Kong government’s dual messaging amid protests
The Diplomat, August 1, 2019

Watch out Peppa Pig: Chinese censors on cartoon alert ahead of 70th anniversary of People’s Republic
South China Morning Post, August 1, 2019

Chinese students are welcome in America, US education official Marie Royce says, calling China’s negative reports propaganda
South China Morning Post, July 31, 2019

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

US-based Hongkongers ask United Nations to help resolve extradition bill crisis
South China Morning Post, August 1, 2019

Hong Kong protests: “I'm in Australia but I feel censored by Chinese students”
BBC News, July 31, 2019

Related:
中国民族主义者在澳洲高校引发担忧
Chinese nationalists bring threat of violence to Australia universities
The New York Times, July 30, 2019

Government Accountability (政府问责)

台湾大选前,中国暂停赴台自由行
China, an eye on elections, suspends some travel permits to Taiwan
The New York Times, July 31, 2019

Related:
China to halt individual Taiwan tourism permits for 47 mainland cities
Reuters, July 31, 2019

The Tibetan Muslims of Kashmir
The Diplomat, July 31, 2019

Czech-Chinese “friendship” extends to social credit
China Digital Times, July 31, 2019

Xi Jinping evokes the “original aspirations” of the Communist Party - while seeking to further consolidate his hold on power
Jamestown Foundation, July 31, 2019

Xi’s article on CPC self-reform to be published
Xinhua, July 31, 2019

Related:
牢记初心使命,推进自我革命 (Advancing self-reform of the Party while keeping to the original mission)
Qiushi, July 31, 2019

White House told officials to go easy on China over Hong Kong
Wall Street Journal, July 31, 2019

Major themes in China’s 2019 national defense white paper
Jamestown Foundation, July 31, 2019

Hong Kong (香港)

指護士 7.28 救援卻被控暴動  醫護聯署譴責政府罔顧人道精神 促護士管理局勿追究被告 (Nurse offering first aid during protests charged with rioting; joint letter from medical professionals condemns disregard of humanitarian principles, urges Nursing Council to refrain from legal action against nurse)
Stand News, August 1, 2019

駐港解放軍發片宣傳鎮壓示威 廣東話喊「後果自負」 出動裝甲車催淚彈水炮 (“All consequences are at your own risk”: PLA Hong Kong garrison publishes promo video showing armed vehicles, tear gas, water cannons deployed against protesters)
Stand News, August 1, 2019

Related:
解放軍駐港司令員:絕不容忍近日極端暴力事件 堅決支持香港警方 (Commander of PLA Hong Kong garrison condemns “extreme acts of violence”)
Stand News, July 31, 2019

Hong Kong bankers join call for citywide strike over handling of outcry over extradition bill
South China Morning Post, August 1, 2019

【逃犯條例】港人穿黑衣北上被送公安局盤問 扣6小時簽悔過書承諾不遊行 (Hong Konger questioned for 6 hours by mainland public security when crossing border; forced to enter mainland, unlock phone and show protest photos, sign letter of apology, promises “never to attend demonstrations again”)
Ming Pao, July 31, 2019

律政司檢控人員公開信 轟鄭若驊檢控決定 主要考慮政治因素 (Department of Justice prosecutors issue third public letter condemning political prosecutorial decisions, criticize Teresa Cheng for disrespecting prosecution guidelines and being deferential to Carrie Lam’s demands)
Stand News, July 31, 2019

Related:
Hong Kong gov’t lawyers slam “kowtowing” justice chief following decision to prosecute 44 protesters for rioting
Hong Kong Free Press, August 1, 2019

Anger as Hong Kong protesters appear in court on rioting charges
The Guardian, July 31, 2019

Related:
Hong Kong: Charges against protesters a “chilling warning”
Amnesty International, July 31, 2019

【反修例】未發警告發放催淚彈致受傷 科大生及巿民入稟向一哥索15萬 (Demonstrators file lawsuit claiming damages for injuries suffered by tear gas fired without warning)
TOPick, July 31, 2019

Presidents of government-funded universities step up calls for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to meet demands of extradition protesters
South China Morning Post, July 31, 2019

Explainer: Police crowd control gear used during Hong Kong’s latest protest clashes
Hong Kong Free Press, July 31, 2019

Commentary (评论)

China has dropped the gloves. Should Canada turtle, or fight back?
Globe and Mail, July 31, 2019

What role will intellectuals play in China’s future?
ChinaFile, July 31, 2019

【詳盡整理】一文看懂7月21日晚元朗如何警黑合作 (Explainer: How did the police collude with triads on July 21?)
Inmediahk.net, July 31, 2019

Mainland Chinese lack sympathy for Hong Kong protesters
Nikkei Asian Review, July 30, 2019