February 6, 2008

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender - Lü Gengsong (吕耿松)
浙江网络作家吕耿松被判刑四年 (Hangzhou-based Writer Lu Gengsong Sentenced to 4 Years’ Imprisonment)
Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/05/lugengsong/
On February 5, Hangzhou-based writer Lü Gengsong (吕耿松) was sentenced to four years for "inciting subversion of state power" and his political rights will subsequently be deprived for one year. Lü was sentenced based on 19 articles that he posted online. Only Lü's immediate family and two friends were allowed to attend the hearing, which lasted only 15 minutes. Outside the courthouse, more than 20 people came to voice their support, one was detained. According to RFA, his wife said that he plans to appeal.

Related Information
HRIC Statement: Ching Cheong's Release Sends Mixed Message
Human Rights in China, February 05, 2008
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/47310

Human Rights Defender - Wang Guilin (王桂林)
王桂林被劳教一年半 举证不构犯罪劳教何理？ (Heilongjiang Petitioner Wang Guilin Sentenced to 1.5 Year of RTL)
Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/05/wang/
On February 5, Heilongjiang police informed the wife of rights defender Wang Guilin (王桂林), surnamed Sun, that he has been sentenced to 1.5 year in Reeducation-Through-Labor (RTL) for “disturbing social order”. Wang was detained on January 10. The authorities held a hearing on his case on January 22 and sent him to a RTL facility on January 28; it was unclear when exactly he was sentenced. Sun said the police alleged in the hearing that Wang was involved in the open letter campaign which held the slogan “We want human rights, not the Olympics,” and that he gave interviews to the overseas Epoch Times website.

News
Disasters
Millions in China to Greet New Year Without Power
Reuters, February 05, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK16157020080205

Food Security
FDA Looks for "Boots on the Ground" in China
Reuters, February 05, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0518943220080205

Japan: China Dumpling Poisoning May Be Deliberate
Reuters, February 05, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST171196200802050205

Government
Officials Admit Being Too Hasty with Tiger News
South China Morning Post, February 06, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=fa4ce5b782ae7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

CPC Vows Penalties for Lax Officials During Snow Crisis
Xinhuanet, February 05, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/05/content_7574500.htm

Human Rights Defender - Guo Quan (郭泉)
原南京师范教授郭泉宣布成立中国网民党 (Former Nanjing Professor Guo Quan Announces Establishment of "Chinese Netizen Party")
Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/05/china_internet_freedom/

Media
Cadre Told to Step Down Over Arrest Order
South China Morning Post, February 06, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=26cb3d7ae9ae7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

China Cuts Online Video a Little Slack
Associated Press (available at CNN), February 05, 2008
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/02/05/china.video.ap/index.html

Migrant Workers
Migrant Workers Bear the Brunt of China's Transport Chaos as Cold Snap Continues
The Guardian, February 05, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,2252561,00.html

Olympics
'Great Firewall' May Be Dropped
South China Morning Post, February 06, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3c78e5b782ae7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Report: Manners to Make a Better Beijing Olympic Games
Xinhuanet, February 06, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/06/content_7576536.htm

Protests and Petitions
温江农民维权取得成果 (Farmers' Protest Yields Good Results in Wenjiang, Chengdu)
Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/05/wenjiang/

江阴市利港镇长拒绝支付农民补偿费 (Farmers Refuse Land Compensation Payment in Jiangyang, Jiangsu)
Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/05/ligang/

State Security
甘孜县曲仓达隆寺藏族住持堪布金巴被判刑 (Tibetan Abbot Sentenced to Three Years for "Inciting Subversion of State Power")
Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/02/05/china_tibetan/

January 31, 2008

News
Corruption
Anti-Graft Spending Card System to Be Expanded
South China Morning Post, January 31, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=be1896da1bbc7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Disasters
We Will Require Global Help, Says Disaster Chief
South China Morning Post, January 31, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=02aef690f1bc7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Government
辽宁从公务员扣薪筹资赔偿蚂蚁养殖户 (Pay Cut for Liaoning's Civil Servants to Compensate Ant Raisers)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/30/china_government_investor/

Hukou
中国发改委建议三到五年内取消户口制度 (National Development and Reform Commission Proposes to Abolish Hukou System Within 3 to 5 Years)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/30/hukou/

Human Rights Defender - Hu Jia (胡佳)
Chinese Dissident Watched, Then Taken
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), January 30, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_re_as/china_life_of_dissent_2

Human Rights Defender - Guo Qizhen (郭起真)
维权人士郭起真在狱中健康恶化 大腿股坏死 (Jailed Rights Defender Guo Qizhen's Femur Deteriorates)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/30/guo/

Human Rights Defender – Wang Guilin (王桂林)
王桂林案开庭未判决家人受威胁 (Wang Guilin Stood Trial on January 29; Family Threatened for Speaking to Foreign Media)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/30/wang_guilin/

Labor
25 Confirmed Dead in N China Coal Mine Blast
Xinhuanet, January 30, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/30/content_7528096.htm

Two More Electricians Die Repairing China's Snow-Damaged Power Grid
Xinhuanet, January 30, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/30/content_7526839.htm

Land Policy
成都拆迁户因拒绝拆迁被黑恶势力打伤 (Chengdu Evictee Suffers Concussion After Being Beaten by Thugs)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/30/chengdu/

镇政府报复村民上访强拆鸽场 (Guangdong Authorities Demolish Pigeon Farm After Villagers Petition Land Grab)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/30/china_petition_abuse/

Media
北京《中国经营报》女记者武真遇害 (China Business Journal Reporter Murdered)
Radio Free Asia, October 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/30/china
_media_reporter/

China Steps Up Internet Video Control
Associated Press (available at Washington Post), January 30, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/30/AR2008013000898.html

Olympics
全国首部关于安检方面的政府规章3月1日起实施 (Beijing's New Measures on Security Check for Mass Social Activities to Take Effect on March 1)
Legal Daily, January 31, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0705/2008-01/31/content_
792072.htm

Bureau Looking Ahead Seven Months to Rain-Free Olympics
South China Morning Post, January 31, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=531cf690f1bc7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Police
China Sees Rise in Economic Crimes in 2007
Xinhuanet, January 30, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/30/content_7528374.htm

Protests and Petitions
攀枝花退休工人追讨欠薪被警察打伤 (Sichuan Police Beat and Detain Workers Who Demand Back Pay)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/30/china_labor_wage/

访民北京街头游行乞讨 诉生活不济有家难归 (Sixty Petitioners Hold Demonstration in Beijing)
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/30/fangmin/

Public Health
Tainted Drugs Linked to Maker of Abortion Pill
New York Times, January 31, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/world/asia/31pharma.html

Rural Issues
No.1 Central Document Focuses on Rural Issues for 5th Year
Xinhuanet, January 30, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/30/content_7529372.htm

January 29, 2008

Top News of the Day
Media
甘肃宁夏推行版主实名制 ("Real Name Registration" Required for Online Forum Operators in Gansu and Ningxia)
Nanfang City News, January 28, 2008
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/djjz/200801280554.asp
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Gansu Province are reportedly requiring online forums, bulletin board systems (BBS), chat rooms, and other similar services to report their operations. All these online services must have operators, who have to submit their personal information and be available by phone 24 hours a day. The Ningxia and Gansu authorities are reportedly using this policy to implement the central authorities’ decision to crack down on online pornography.

News
Civil Society
People's Voices Will Be Heard, Says Mayor
South China Morning Post, January 25, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=83042f7bf1ca7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Death Penalty
恶魔兄弟公安局旁奸杀少女 民警接警不出被判刑 (Brothers Rape and Murder Girl Next to Police Station; Policeman Sentenced for Ignoring Citizen's Report on the Case)
Xinhuanet, January 29, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2008-01/29/content_7516281.htm

河南农民十年冤狱终得清白 (Henan Migrant Worker Released After 10 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment)
People's Daily, January 26, 2008
http://www.hnsc.com.cn/news/2008/01/26/259560.html

Disasters
Wen Acts as Cold Spell Brings Chaos
South China Morning Post, January 28, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62
ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=6d24c5d96bbb7
110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News

Environment
Chengdu Officials Reject Baitiao River Hydropower Plan
South China Morning Post, January 29, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3f4e4f8a4d0c7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Human Rights Defenders – Yang Chunlin (杨春林), Wang Guilin (王桂林)
杨春林案将延迟开庭 王桂林案将于星期二开庭审理 (Yang Chunlin's Trial Postponed; Wang Guilin to Stand Trial on Tuesday)
Radio Free Asia, January 28, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/28/yang-wang/

Human Rights Defender - Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)
郑恩宠第十八次被传唤 (Zheng Enchong Summoned for the 18th Time)
Radio Free Asia, January 28, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/28/zheng_enchong/

Law
新修订《律师法》会和《刑诉法》打架吗 (Are Criminal Procedure Law and the Newly Amended Lawyers' Law Incompatible?)
China Youth Daily, January 29, 2008
http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2008-01/29/content_2050041.htm

Legal Team Helps Win Back Wages for Workers
China Daily (available at Xinhua), January 29, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/29/content_7515686.htm

民生呼声将渗入新修法规 (Regulations to Be Amended to Incorporate Public Concerns)
Legal Daily, January 29, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2008-01/29/content_789525.htm

Media
Foreign News Organizations in China Total 374 by End of 2007
Xinhuanet, January 25, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/25/content_7498166.htm

Olympics
Officials Acknowledge 6 Deaths at Games Sites
South China Morning Post, January 29, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=313e4f8a4d0c7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD

Olympic Watercube Swimming Venue Opens
Associated Press (available at YahooNews), January 28, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080128/ap_on_re_as/oly_beijing_watercube_4

英国王储查尔斯将不出席北京奥运 (U.K.'s Prince Charles Will Not Attend Beijing Olympics)
Radio Free Asia, January 28, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/28/charles/

Politics
Migrant Worker Moves - to NPC
China Daily, January 25, 2008
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-01/25/content_6419836.htm

Public Health
China Reiterates Regulations on Medical Care Costs
Xinhuanet, January 28, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/28/content_7513539.htm

Three Gorges
Pact May Ease Impact of Three Gorges Dam
Wall Street Journal, January 29, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120154424362122751.html

January 16, 2008

News
Death Penalty
Top Chinese Officials Sentenced to Death for Graft: State Media
Agence France-Presse (via YahooNews), January 15, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080115/wl_asia_afp/china
politicscorruption_080115201754;_ylt=AtnzRY.WL6ACHcUQ
E4eJXctPzWQA754;_ylt=AtnzRY.WL6ACHcUQE4eJXctPzWQA

Environment
Green Goals at Risk from Flaws and Corruption
South China Morning Post, January 16, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62e
cb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=7e017c8fdcd7
7110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News

South China Province Reports Worsening Air Quality
Xinhuanet, January 15, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/16/content_
7430191.htm

Human Rights Defender - Li Zhiyou (李志友)
广西异见人士李志友被捕 (Guangxi Dissident Li Zhiyou Taken Away)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/15/china_
dissident_detain/

Human Rights Defender - Hu Jia (胡佳)
美国和欧盟关注胡佳被捕事件 (The US and the E.U. Express Concern about the “Disturbing” Detention of Rights Activist Hu Jia)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2008/01/15/us_china_
humanrights/

Human Rights Defenders - Yang Chunlin (杨春林), Yu Changwu (于长武), and Wang Guilin (王桂林)
黑龙江富锦两名失地农民代表将被判劳教 (Two Heilongjiang Land Rights Activists to Be Sentenced to RTL; Yang Chunlin to Stand Trial Before Lunar New Year)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/15/fujin/

Labor
New Labour Law 'Setback for HK'
South China Morning Post, January 16, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ec
b329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=0e717c8fdcd77
110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News

East China Chemical Explosion Kills Four
Xinhuanet, January 15, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/16/content_74
28251.htm

Toxic Factories Take Toll on China's Labor Force
Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119972343587572351.html?
mod=hpp_asia_pageone

Land Policy
Farmers to Get Help in Transferring Land-Use Rights for Farmland
South China Morning Post, January 16, 2008
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb
329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=72d07c8fdcd77
110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=China&s=News

Law
环境维权案诉讼难 我国将建首家环境公益律所 (First National Environmental Public Interest Law Center Established)
Legal Daily, January 16, 2008
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0705/2008-01/16/content_
782177.htm

Migrant Workers
China Arrests Employers for Failing to Pay Wages
Xinhuanet, January 15, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/15/content_
7425784.htm

Olympics
Shanghai Consumers' Rights Watchdogs Get Ready for More Complaints
Xinhuanet, January 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/16/content_
7430459.htm

China Oceanic Authority: Water Quality in Qingdao Up to Standard for Olympic Sailing
Xinhuanet, January 15, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/15/content_
7428197.htm

Protests and Petitions
天安门广场一百多名访民被押走 (One Hundred People Taken Away While Petitioning in Tiananmen Square)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/15/
fangmin/

嵊州万人抗议强拆事件被捕人士被判刑 (Seven Zhejiang Protesters Against Forced Evictions Receive Sentences)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/15/
zhejiang/

Religion
新疆维族基督徒被刑拘 信仰与国安不相容？ (Xinjiang Province Place Uyghur Christian Under Criminal Detention)
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/01/15/xj/

Tibet
Antique Statues Missing from Tibetan Monastery
Radio Free Asia, January 15, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2008/01/15/tibetan_statues/

China Earmarks Special Funds to Protect Tibet Cultural Relics
Xinhuanet, January 15, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/15/content_
7426259.htm