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, March 04, 2021

Inner Mongolia (内蒙古)

Chinese province: No more energy-sucking data centers
Protocol, March 3, 2021

Taiwan (台湾)

Chinese military in South China Sea landing drill as Taiwan tension persists
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

Lithuania to open Taiwan trade office, the latest sign of discontent with China by a ‘17+1’ member
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

Tibet (西藏)

3名青海藏族青少年因“违规”建微信群被警方逮捕 (3 Tibetan teens in Qinghai are arrested for "violating regulations" for creating WeChat group)
Voice of America, March 4, 2021

Access to Information (公众知情权)

China's Communist party ran campaign to discredit BBC, thinktank finds
The Guardian, March 4, 2021

法国通过CGTN播放执照申请 官媒环球电视网在欧洲死灰复燃(France approves CGTN broadcast license, state media Global Television is back in Europe)
Voice of America, March 5, 2021

Government Accountability (政府问责)

US Sec. of State Blinken calls China biggest ‘geopolitical test of the 21st century,’ vowing support for Hongkongers, Uighurs
Hong Kong Free Press, March 4, 2021

26名国际专家联署呼吁重启新冠病毒调查 世卫组织变更武汉报告发布计划(26 international experts call for new inquiry into Covid-19; WHO changes plans for releasing Wuhan report)
Radio Free Asia, March 4, 2021

Related:
WHO Investigators to Scrap Plans for Interim Report on Probe of Covid-19 Origins
The Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2021

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

US-China tech war: Beijing’s main policy lender pledges US$62 billion to fund tech innovation
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

How Chinese Companies Push Back On Beijing
Protocol, March 3, 2021

‘Dependency’ of UK universities on China creates risks, report says
英国一份报告称中英学术合作对英构成安全风险

Financial Times, March 4, 2021

Hong Kong (香港)

China’s ‘two sessions’: resolution on overhauling Hong Kong’s electoral system officially on agenda of National People’s Congress’ plenary session
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

Related:
‘One country, two systems’ and other key Hong Kong phrases disappear from Beijing’s Two Sessions report
Hong Kong Free Press, March 4, 2021

All 47 democrats facing security law charges remanded in custody after Dep’t of Justice appeals against bail decision for 15
Hong Kong Free Press, March 4, 2021

Related:
Hong Kong court refuses to lift reporting restrictions on bail hearing for democrats facing security law charges, despite online leaks
Hong Kong Free Press, March 4, 2021

民間集會團隊宣布解散 (Hong Kong Civil Assembly Team disbands amid arrest of spokesperson Ventus Lau)
Radio Television Hong Kong, March 4, 2021

Benny Tai sent back to jail to await Hong Kong court’s ruling in Occupy Central appeal
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

Related:
佔中案上訴 律師指定罪及刑期過重造成寒蟬效應 (Occupy Central appeal: Lawyer says excessive sentences create chilling effect)
Radio Television Hong Kong, March 4, 2021

A new Hong Kong election law will be a ‘challenge’ to opposition and pro-establishment camp, says Beijing academic
Hong Kong Free Press, March 4, 2021

China expected to send veteran trade official to Hong Kong for top economic job
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

‘Hong Kong isn’t a copy of anyone’: ex-leader CY Leung says city’s unique system crafted by Beijing, should be respected
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

Hong Kong dropped from economic freedom index after crackdown
Financial Times, March 4, 2021

Hong Kong universities slide down rankings in nearly 40 per cent of subjects, according to Britain-based firm
South China Morning Post, March 4, 2021

英國關注香港人權組織發報告 警告國際社會以港為鑑 注意紅色資本 (Hong Kong Watch report warns of “red capital” in Hong Kong)
Radio Television Hong Kong, March 4, 2021

Related:
Red Capital in Hong Kong: The invisible hand transforming the city’s politics
Hong Kong Watch, March 3, 2021