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.

Monday, February 07, 2005

February 5-7, 2005

Top news of the day

Tibet
Tibetan political prisoner (仁增旺杰) allegedly died in prison
被判无期徒刑的藏人政治犯(仁增旺杰)在狱中死亡
Radio Free Asia, February 5, 2005
A Tibetan rights group said political prisoner仁增旺杰 who was serving life sentence in jail for supporting Tibetan independence movement died in prison in late December 2004. The Chinese government has yet to confirm the news. The Tibetan prisoner is allegedly tortured to death in prison.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/05/zangren/


News

Corruption
Ex-transport boss on wanted list is caught
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ2ORDHJ3E.html

A fine line between fighting graft and providing justice
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5RX9HJ3E.html

Former vice-governor jailed for bribery
SCMP, February 5, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZBODBHJ3E.html

Death penalty
Henan banker sentenced to death for corruption amounted to 73 million
河南商丘市一银行科长贪污7348万 一审被判死刑
EastDay.com, February 5, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/nod
e37979/node49250/userobject1ai853066.html

Detention – Zhang Lin (张林)
Freelance writer Zhang Lin (张林) yet to release after taken away by police for over 10 days
张林悼赵被拘 警察抄家 妻女悲戚
Dajiyuan.com, February 5, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/6/n806150.htm

Detention – Huang Jingao (黃金高)
Anti-graft 'hero' falls from grace amid claims of bribery
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZYNRDHJ3E.html

Detention – Shi Tao (師濤)
RSF urges EU to concern about Shi Tao’s case
记者无国界吁欧盟关注师涛遭遇
Voice of America, February 5, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=30844EFC
-85AE-428E-A55F7AC6E5918FA8&title=%BC%C7%D5%DF%CE%DE
%B9%FA%BD%E7%D3%F5%C5%B7%C3%CB%B9%D8%D7%A2%CA%
A6%CC%CE%D4%E2%D3%F6%2805%C4%EA2%D4%C25%C8%D5%2
9&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categorynam
e=National%20News

Education
Crackdown on disqualified school and staff as parents complain the rise of attack on students and campus violence
中国全面整治不合格学校和教职工
BBCNews (Chinese), February 6, 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_4240000/newsid_
4240600/4240635.stm

Education / poverty
Learning to make ends meet while studying for a future free of poverty
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZK4FBHJ3E.html

Expensive school fees discouraged poor students pay visit to their family in school break
学费三级跳 中国贫困生望断归乡路
Dajiyuan.com, February 5, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/5/n804807.htm

Government – governance & accountability
Attitude changes of senior government officials – from order to dialogue
中国高官正发生变化 与公众交流:从讲话到对话
EastDay.com, February 7, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/no
de37979/node49563/userobject1ai855820.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
Rice links arms ban to military balance
SCMP, February 7, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFQX9HJ3E.html

June 4th – prisoners – Zhang Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Tiananmen mothers pay respect to Zhao at his home
灵堂未撤 天安门母亲赵府悼紫阳
Dajiyuan.com, February 6, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/7/n806492.htm

Public health – HIV aids
China to stop clinic use of non-donated blood
Xinhuanet.com, February 6, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/06/content_25563
16.htm

Resettlement – Infrastructure (Hanyuan case)
Sichuan Hanyuan Hydro-electric plan may resume work after the New Year
四川汉源水电站年后可能强制性复工
Dajiyuan.com, February 5, 2005
http://www.dajiyuan.com/gb/5/2/5/n805016.htm

Society
After 800 years, Beijing's hutongs are history
SCMP, February 5, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ24W9HJ3E.html

CPPCC chairman stresses ethnic, religious work's role in building harmonious society
People's Daily, February 7, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/07/eng20050207_173
219.html

Friday, February 04, 2005

February 4, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Hu Jia (胡佳)
Hu Jia (胡佳) informed house arrest removed
胡佳：安全部的警察电话通知我解除软禁
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 4, 2005
Rights activist Hu Jia has been informed by the police on Tuesday that he would no longer be on house arrest. Hu was not allowed to leave his home for 10 days to stop him mourning Zhao.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_2_2_12_0_13_757.html

Detention – Yang Tianshui (楊天水) and Dai Xue (戴學)
Yang Tianshui (楊天水), Dai Xue (戴學) and other dissidents released from house arrest
杨天水、戴学武等人的软禁刚刚解除
Dajiyuan.com, February 4, 2005
Yang Tianshui, Dai Xue and other dissidents are free after being put in house arrest more than 10 days during Zhao’s funeral arrangement.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/3/n802959.htm

Gender – law
Draft revisions of women rights law submitted including suggestions of outlawing sexual harassment
妇女权益法修正案已报送国务院 明确禁止性骚扰
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 4, 2005
All-China Women Federation has submitted draft revisions of the Women Rights Law to the State Council. Ares for revision includes outlawing domestic violence against women and sexual harassment. Special attentions are also given to women rights in rural areas.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-04_537127.shtml

Media – press freedom
China tops world list for journalists jailed
Kyodo News via Yahoo.com, February 3, 2005
China persecuted the highest number of journalists (or a total of 42) than any country in the world in 2004, according a report released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York based rights group yesterday.
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050204/kyodo/d881boj81.html



News

Death penalty
Migrant sentenced to death for killing spree
SCMP, February 4, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ7PABHJ3E.html

Government – governance and accountability / Media
Chief auditor commends media’s role in publicizing the auditing report
审计长李金华谈公开审计报告和媒体作用
EastDay.com, February 4, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node49115/userobject1ai848303.html

Government - elections
Government’s responsibility in the development of grassroots democracy
草根民主发展的政府责任
Nangfang Weekend, February 2, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050202/xw/tb/20050
2030042.asp

June 4th – EU arms bans
US opposition to EU plan of lifting arms ban on China "unnecessary"
Xinhuanet.com, February 3, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/03/content_25
44303.htm

Arms sales to China a likely topic in Europe
Associated Press, February 4, 2005
The thorny issue of European weapons sales to China is likely to resurface in talks Friday between Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of Britain and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/03/news/arms.html

Labour – protests
A thousand Shenzhen workers clash with police in getting delay wage payment
深圳一台资工厂 千人抗争爆警民冲突
Dajiyuan.com, February 4, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/3/n802708.htm

Law – judicial system
The controversy of the role of Judicial Committee
审委会存废之辩
Nanfang Weekend, February 2, 2005
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050202/xw/fz/20050
2030057.asp


Law – commercial
GSK's chief calls for ban on East's counterfeit drugs
The Times, 4 February 2005
THE head of Europe's biggest drugmaker is to demand that China and India ban copycat manufacturers, warning them that overseas investment will stall unless laws enforcing intellectual property rights are reformed.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8209-1469931,00.html

Migrant workers
Guangzhou to regulate floating population, companies require to register their workers with the authorities
广州将出台流动人口管理规定 企业用工须登记
EastDay.com, February 4, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node49115/userobject1ai848219.html

Police – crime
Bombings, arson and rape cases on the dive
Xinhanet.com, February 4, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/04/content_2545
294.htm


Police – administrative detention (custody and education)
Democrat denies hiring vice girl
SCMP, February 4, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZXIS9HJ3E.html

Politics – political reform
People’s Daily article urges Communist Party to adopt democratic politics
人民网文章呼吁中共实行民主政治
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 4, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_2_3_19_12_51_918.html

Protests and Petitions
Solving complaints allays conflict
Xinhuanet.com, February 4, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/04/content_254
5102.htm

Petitioners say more police guarded at Tiananmen
访民：天安门五倍警力聚集 气氛异常
Dajiyuan.com, February 4, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/3/n802698.htm

Public health – HIV aids (blood-selling)
Bad blood in Xingtai as scandal's grim legacy emerges
SCMP, February 4, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ1JS9HJ3E.html


Public health – meningitis
China: Meningitis Outbreak Under Control
Associated Press Newswires, 4 February 2005
Health experts in Shanghai are testing to determine if a baby diagnosed by doctors as having meningitis actually died from the disease.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/10816642.htm

Public health – other
Beijing citizens' life expectancy reaches 79.87 years
Xinhua's China Economic Information Service, 4 February 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/03/content_2543956.htm

Rural issues / protests and petitions
China Promises Farmers Higher Subsidies
AP via YahooNews.com, February 3, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid
=731&e=10&u=/ap/20050203/ap_on_re_as/china_agriculture

Society
Survey: most people feel safe
Xinhuanet.com, February 3, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/03/content_2544
181.htm

Women -trafficking
ILO-backed program aimed to stop kidnapping of Chinese girls launched
Xinhua News Agency, 4 February 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/04/content_2547796.htm

Tibet
Panchen Lama urged to be patriotic
SCMP, February 4, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ1KS9HJ3E.html

Thursday, February 03, 2005

February 3, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – EU arms bans
EU finalises plan to lift arms embargo on China
Financial Times, February 3, 2005
Despite US discontent, EU is close to finalize the move to replace the current arms embargo on China with a transparent arms export system, which focuses on a set of code of conducts on arms sales of EU countries.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/23cb9d6e-753c-11d9-9608-00000e25
11c8.html


News
Bilaterals - US/China
US-China complications, contradictions
Asia Times.com, 3 February 2005
US and Chinese diplomats met this week in Beijing to discuss a wide range of issues, including Taiwan and North Korea. The United States and China are at odds over Taiwan, but agree that North Korea should not have nuclear weapons.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GB04Ad01.html

Children – abuse (trafficking)
China Rescues 44 Babies from Traffickers-Media
Reuters via YahooNews.com, February 2, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20050203
/wl_nm/china_babies_dc

Corruption
Anti-corruption agency reshuffled
Xinhuanet.com, February 2, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/02/content_25400
76.htm

Education
Education policy 'closes door on poor'
SCMP, February 3, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZRGP9HJ3E.html

Gender
Conflicts between law and school marriage ban
高校“禁育”规定与法律冲突
Legal Daily, February 3, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/03/content_18558
5.htm

Human Rights – bilateral ties
Editorial: China – Put human rights, economic ties in same basket
Ottawa Business Journal, February 2, 2005
http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/296118611593057.php

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Petitioners arrested and sent to education through labour camps for mourning Zhao
祭奠的访民纷纷被劳教和拘捕
Dajiyuan.com, February 3, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/3/n802357.htm

Labour – income level
It's Chinese New Year. Will workers get paid?
Christian Science Monitor, February 1, 2005
http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content/0201/p07s02-woa
p.html

Law – legal reform
Media proposes severe punishments on gamblers in the revised Criminal Law
媒体建议修正刑法 剥夺赌博犯罪严重者政治权利
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 3, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-03_536689.shtml

Media - Censorship
China and Cuba Jail Most Journalists - Report
Reuters, Feb 3, 2005
China jails more journalists than any other country and, along with Cuba, Eritrea and Myanmar, accounts for more than three quarters of journalists imprisoned around the world, a new report showed on Thursday. For the sixth year in a row, China was the leading jailer of journalists, with 42 imprisoned.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=industryNews&storyID=7530933

Population – one-child policy
Sex identification of unborn babies outlawed in Hunan from March
湖南：从3月1日起禁止鉴定胎儿性别
CYOL.net, February 3, 2005
http://news.cyol.com/gb/news/2005-02/03/content_1028370.htm

Rural issues - taxation
China pledges to lift wealth of its peasants
International Herald Tribune, February 3, 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/02/news/china.html

China Promises Farmers Higher Subsidies
Associated Press, February 3, 2003
BEIJING - China is promising farmers lower taxes and higher subsidies in its latest effort to raise rural incomes and ease burdens that have sparked violent protests.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050203/ap_on_bi_ge/china_agriculture

Three Gorges
Three Gorges work suspended after watchdog bites
SCMP, February 3, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZZL7BHJ3E.html

Tibet
Proportion of Tibetans in civil services decreased?
西藏藏人政府职员比例是否下降？
Voice of America, February 2, 2005
A recent study revealed that the proportion of Tibetans holding government official position in Tibet had dropped drastically, raising concerns on discriminative civil services recruitment policy against Tibetans.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=248184
A5-46E0-4D56-9CA9C62AED5A4C42&title=%CE%F7%B2%D8%B
2%D8%C8%CB%D5%FE%B8%AE%D6%B0%D4%B1%B1%C8%C0%
FD%CA%C7%B7%F1%CF%C2%BD%B5%A3%BF%2805%C4%EA2
%D4%C22%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC200
9027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

China president stresses support for Panchen Lama
Reuters, Feb 3, 2005
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Hu Jintao underscored Communist Party support on Thursday for the boy Beijing recognises as Tibet's second-most important religious figure despite a different choice by the Dalai Lama.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=7527663&type=topNews

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

February 2, 2005

Top news of the day
Protests and petitions
Many national-level petition offices closed after over 500 police raids petitioners’ accommodation in Beijing
北京500多名警察搜捕访民 关闭信访
Dajiyuan.com, February 1, 2005
After police raided petitioners’ accommodation in Beijing last Sunday, in which thousands of petitioners were taken away, petition offices of many government bureaus were suddenly closed.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/1/n800669.htm

Public health
2 migrants die, 11 are infected in Guangdong
SCMP, February 2, 2005
The outbreak of bacterial meningitis in China has raised public concerns of the spread when thousands of migrant workers are returning home for the New Year holiday. The anxiety heightened after all cases of meningitis infections were migrant workers.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZA567HJ3E.html

Authorities defend timing of alert on meningitis outbreak
South China Morning Post, 2 February 2005
Hong Kong and mainland health authorities yesterday insisted an alert on bacterial meningitis had been sent out on time, as questions persisted about whether the vaunted post-Sars disease notification system had been bypassed.
http://english.big5.cqnews.net/system/2005/02/02/000440021.shtml

News
Children
Leaving kids in villages amongst rural migrant workers sparks off concerns on impacts of child development
中国农村父母外乡谋生 儿女寄放乡下现隐忧
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 2, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/cna_2005_02_01_22_43_05_480.html

Abandoned babies and orphans may be given hukou in Beijing under new regulations
北京首次规范孤儿弃婴户口 孤儿弃婴可落户北京
EastDay.com, February 2, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48915/userobject1ai842317.html

Children – abuse (trafficking)
Cover-up of cross-province and cross-country children trafficking in Fujian
福建跨省跨国拐卖70名儿童案黑幕
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 2, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Forums/Back
Stage/2005_2_1_20_42_42_504.html

Death penalty
EU welcomes lifting of death sentence on Tibetan monk
Agence France Presse, 2 February 2005
BRUSSELS, Feb 2 (AFP) - The European Union welcomed Wednesday a Chinese court's decision to commute a death sentence against Tibetan monk Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche after an international outcry over his treatment in a fatal bombing case.
http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/050202101613.z0qb0yzw

Government – governance and accountability
Premier solicits views on govt work report
Xinhuanet.com, February 1, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/01/content_25363
61.htm

June 4th – arms ban
US House of Representatives plan to propose a bill to stop EU lifting arms embargo on China
美众议院拟提案阻欧盟解除对华武禁
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 2, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/NorthAmerica/
2005_2_1_20_2_25_401.html

Rice wary of EU plan on China arms
Reuters, Feb 2, 2005
Europe could send the wrong signal on human rights in China if it ends an arms embargo imposed after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=665025

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Activist detained, beaten on way to Zhao's funeral
SCMP, February 2, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZB367HJ3E.html

Remembering Zhao Ziyang: Bao Tong's Essay
SCMP, February 2, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/02/01/china_15th/

Dissidents group sets to organize memorial activities for Zhao in every Chinese province
民运准备在中国各省设立分会纪念赵紫阳
Dajiyuan.com, February 1, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/1/n800749.htm

Labor – employment market
Laid-offs, graduates key jobless priorities
Xinhuanet.com, February 2, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/02/content_2537
457.htm

Labor – safety and work conditions
Due concerns given to the rights of Guangdong migrant workers
广东民工权益日益受到关注
Radio Free Asia, February 1, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/01/mingong/

Law - legal reform
Lawmaker's resignation sparks debate on legislature reform in China
Xinhua News Agency, 2 February 2005
The resignation of provincial lawmaker Gao Minglun in east China's Anhui Province last week has sparked a hot debate on the reform of the country's legislatures.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/02/content_2541044.htm

Migrant workers
Feature: a rural worker's trip home
Xinhua News Agency, 2 February 2005
When Bai Guangqin stepped off the overcrowded train at 5:00 am, he had barely covered one third of his trip home.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/02/content_2540079.htm

Population – aging population
Mainland struggles to care for the aged
SCMP, February 2, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=SCMP/Printacopy&aid=ZZZU7M9HJ3E

Public health
Hainan children queue for jabs
SCMP, February 2, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ3567HJ3E.html

Drinking water safety top priority: minister
Xinhuanet.com, February 2, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/02/eng20050202_
172729.html

Social security
Coverage of China's social security up by big margins in 2004
People’s Daily, February 2, 2005
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200502/02/eng20050202_
172648.html

Social security / labour
Unemployment insurance covers more people
Xinhuanet.com, February 1, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/01/content_2536
284.htm

Women - rights
WOMEN'S FEDERATIONS TRYING TO HELP MEN
China Daily, 2 February 2005
GUANGZHOU: Women's federations have long protected the legal interests of women but in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, the local federation has branched out.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/02/content_414173.htm

Tibet
China Pleased as Nepal Shuts Down Offices of Tibetan Exiles
Voice of America, February 1, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/english/China-Pleased-as-2005-02-01
-voa103.cfm
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Tuesday, February 01, 2005

February 1, 2005


Top news of the day

Detention – Xu Zhengqing (許正清)
Shanghai resident Xu Zhengqing (許正清) arrested and may face sentence for mourning Zhao
悼念紫阳被刑拘 上海许正清面临被判刑
Dayiuan.ocm, February 1, 2005
A Shanghai Resident Xu Zhengqing (許正清) has been formed arrested by the policy on the charge of “suspected of creating a disturbance in a public place and transport depot”. According to a human rights group, Xu’s arrest is believed to be related to his plan to Beijing for mourning the death of Zhao Ziyang.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/1/n799824.htm



News

Education – basic education / rural poverty
Poor students in poverty stricken provinces exempted lump sum fees for books and stationary
国贫县农村义务教育贫困生书杂费全免
People’s Daily, February 1, 2005
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3158532.html

Gender – abuse (women trafficking)
Women caught fleeing ex-hostages' home county for vice trade
SCMP, February 1, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZROI9HJ3E.html

Gender
Maternity insurance regulation benefits women workers in Beijing
北京職工生育保險規定出臺 京籍女工生育不花錢
CRI Online, February 1, 2005
http://big5.chinabroadcast.cn/gate/big5/gb.chinabroadcast.cn/3821/
2005/02/01/106@439827.htm

Labour – industrial accidents
Coal mining company intentionally covered gas blast that killed 8 workers
唐山宏兴煤矿恶意瞒报瓦斯爆炸事故查实8人死亡
People’s Daily, February 1, 2005
http://society.people.com.cn/GB/1062/3157888.html

Law
Create a favorable environment for the rule of law
为司法营造良好环境
Legal Daily, February 1, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/01/content_184
609.htm

Media – press freedom
Freedom of speech to withstand lies and terrors – Liu Xiaobo’s speech of receiving News Freedom Defender award
刘晓波用自由言说对抗恐怖和谎言──接受无国界记者「新闻自由卫士奖」的答谢词
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 1, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_
31_18_54_8_442.html

Population
Fearing Future, China Starts to Give Girls Their Due
New York Times, January 31, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/31/international/asia/31china
.html

Protests and petitions
Urgent appeal: hundreds of petitioners in Beijing reported arrested by police with no given reasons
紧急呼吁：北京上访村警察正在大搜捕
Dajiyuan.com, February 1, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/1/n799608.htm

Excerpted article: over half of petitioners in China experienced vengeance
《半月谈》杂志：逾半中国上访者遭抄家报复
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 1, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_1_31_16_33_12_651.html

Poverty – rural poverty
Closing farm-urban income gap "top" goal
Xinhuanet.com, February 1, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/01/content_2533283
.htm

Poor rural population reduced by 3 mln
Xinhuanet.com, January 31, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/31/content_2532
236.htm

Public health – HIV aids
12 given jail terms for organizing blood selling
卫生部通报非法组织卖血案查处情况 12人被判刑
EastDay.com, February 1, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48788/userobject1ai839922.html

Rural issues
Interpretation of the No.1 document: a challenge to increase farmers’ incomes this year
中央一號文件解讀：農民增收今年難度大於去年
CRI Online, January 31, 2005
http://big5.chinabroadcast.cn/gate/big5/gb.chinabroadcast.cn/3821/
2005/02/01/106@439836.htm

  • Related news:
    Comments on policies to strengthen rural work by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council
    中共中央国务院关于加强农村工作若干政策的意见 (全文)
    People’s Daily, January 31, 2005
    http://www.people.com.cn/GB/jingji/1037/3155616.html

Rural tensions still threaten stability: adviser
SCMP, February 1, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNOI9HJ3E.html

Monday, January 31, 2005

January 29-31, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyuan (趙紫陽)
Former June 4th student leader Ma Shaofang (馬少方) missing on his way to Beijing
进京悼念赵紫阳 前天安门学生领袖马少方失踪
Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2005
Former June 4th student leader Ma Shaofang (馬少方) reported missing on his way to pay respect to Zhao in Beijing. A human right group alleged that Ma, alongside at least 4 other dissidents, has been arrested by the authority.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/30/mashaofang/

Public health – HIV aids / Government – governance and accountability
Pair punished over HIV spread
SCMP, January 29, 2005
Two former public health officials in Inner Mongolia are convicted of dereliction of duty which led to 11 people got infected with aids. This is the first time government officials held responsible for aids spread.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTQX6HJ3E.html


News
Bilaterals - US/China
Chinese, US ministries hold 1st special policy dialogue in Beijing
Xinhua News Agency, 31 January 2005
The first special policy dialogue between the Chinese Ministry of Defense and its US counterpart began here Monday, reflecting warming ties between the two major military powers.
http://search.xinhuanet.com/search/xhse.jsp

Children
Grassroots NGOs on children issues on the rise
我国民间救助困境儿童的力量日益壮大
EastDay.com, January 30, 2005
Government statistics show that there are over a hundred grassroots NGOs in China working on children welfares and other child-abuse and poverty issues.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48544/userobject1ai835416.html

Corruption
Reporting corruption cases online accelerates due to lucrative cash rewards
北京反贪网上举报升温 对举报者奖十万不封顶
EastDay.com, January 30, 2005
Since the Beijing procuratorate bureau encourages public to report corruption cases online last year, the bureau received a total of 89 reports in 2004. Public’s ardent responses are in part due to a lucrative cash reward of 100,000 yuan.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48544/userobject1ai835109.html

Death penalty
In possible nod to Europe, China says it may narrow use of death penalty
AFP via YahooNews.com, January 28, 2005
To address European concerns over death penalty incidence in China, China considers narrowing down the types of crimes for which the death penalty can be applied to make way for EU’s favorable decision on lifting the arms embargo.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1529&ncid=
1529&e=4&u=/afp/20050128/wl_asia_afp/chinaexecution_050
128084024

Detention – Yang Tianshui (楊天水)
杨天水获释后人身自由仍受限制
Voice of America via Dajiyuan.com, January 29, 2005
Dissident freelance writer Yang Tianshui (楊天水) reveals that he has been closely watched by the authority while the police is “framing up” the charge of “inciting subversion of state power” against him.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/29/n797086.htm

Education
S.Korea, Japan, China write history book
China National News, 30th January, 2005
Scholars, teachers and historians in China, Japan and South Korea have announced they will publish a jointly-written textbook in May.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/a6ff286d43c64b1b/cid/4a8b544d0e80ba53/

Food security
New criteria set for food safety
Xinhuanet.com, January 29, 2005
China is set to work on a series of technical standards to minimize pesticide residues and other hazards in food and fabrics to address public concerns on food safety in the country.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/29/content_2522
630.htm

Gender – abuse / population– one-child policy
In China, help for girls
International Herald Tribune, January 31, 2005
The high incidence of “missing girls” in China is clear evidence to the adverse consequence of China’s ill one-child policy.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/30/news/beijing.html

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyuang (趙紫陽)
Zhao's treatment exposes dilemma for leadership
SCMP, January 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNYXAHJ3E.html

We had little say over funeral, relatives claim
SCMP, January 31, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZY99DHJ3E.html

Beijing criticized for banning Chinese media coverage on Zhao funeral
记者无国界谴责中共阻记者采访
Voice of America, January 31, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-29_534875.shtml

Party picks No 4 man to attend Zhao's funeral
SCMP, January 29, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNEWAHJ3E.html

Conference to study the life of Zhao Ziyang held in New York
纽约举办赵紫阳生平研讨会
Voice of America, January 30, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=CBD76F
CC-47A1-462D-AC395F43A02B44C0&title=%C5%A6%D4%BC%B
E%D9%B0%EC%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%C9%FA%C6%BD%D1
%D0%CC%D6%BB%E1%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C230%C8%D5%29
&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&category
name=National%20News

Purported interview reveals Zhao Ziyuan’s hope to see China fighting its ways towards democracy
赵紫阳生前谈话盼中国走渐进式民主
Dajiyuan.com, January 29, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/29/n797372.htm

Remains of Comrade Zhao Ziyang cremated in Beijing
Xinhuanet.com, January 29, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/29/content_2522
819.htm

Zhao remembered, but cautiously
The Christian Science Monitor, January 31, 2005
In Beijing Saturday, mourners braved police presence to pay respects at purged premier's funeral.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0131/p06s01-woap.html

Labor - migrants
China amending construction law in bid to help migrant workers get backpay
China National News, January 31, 2005
China is amending its construction law in its first major concrete step to ensure that millions of migrant workers get the salaries they are owed.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/cf65105bd7f58bcd/cid/4a8b544d0e80ba53/

Politics
Hu presides over massive reshuffle to cement power
SCMP, January 31, 2005
The Hu government experienced one of the largest reshuffles of local and central government officials in recent years in order to cement his power and loyalty base under Hu’s leadership.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQ7YAHJ3E.html

Public health
Eight die in outbreak of meningitis
SCMP, January 31, 2005
The spread of meningitis through at least 11 cities in eastern Anhui and Jiangsu provinces has led to 8 died and 7 hospitalized.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZWOZ6HJ3E.html

Public health – HIV aids
Who saves the hearts of aids orphans?
谁来拯救艾滋孤儿的心灵？
People’s Daily, January 31, 2005
Social stigmas would further isolate poor aids orphans from the society and create social problems. An all-round assistance program is needed to alleviate their plight.
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3155832.html

Rural issues – rural development
China issues policies to further support agriculture sector
People’s Daily, January 31, 2005
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council announced a set of policies to strengthen and improve agricultural development and work in rural areas.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/31/eng20050131_1724
19.html


Tibet
Dalai Lama's Office Says China Pressed Nepal To Close Them Down
Radio Free Asia, January 28, 2005
The head of Dalai Lama’s office and Tibetan Refuge Welfare Office said that China exerted great pressure onto Nepal in closing down their operation and activities in the country.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/01/28/tibetan
_nepal/

Friday, January 28, 2005

January 28, 2005

Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Zi-yang (趙紫陽)
Hundreds to attend Zhao's funeral
SCMP, January 28, 2005
It is expected that hundreds of people would bid farewell to the former party leader Zhao Ziyang at a low-profile funer at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery tomorrow. However, the authority keeps silence on the presence of senior officials and cadres at the funeral.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0HTAHJ3E.html


Xinjiang – imprisoned dissident – Rebiya Kadeer
US to press case of sick, jailed dissident
SCMP, January 28, 2005
US will push harder for Beijing’s release of Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent advocate of women’s and minority rights who is now serving her remaining 12-month imprisonment in Xinjiang. Kadeer has been awarded the Norwegian Rafto Prize recently.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ21TAHJ3E.html


News

Border Issues - North Korea
UN Report on North Korean Human Rights Cites 'Egregious' Situation
Voice of America, 28 January 2005
The United Nations is circulating a draft of its first report on the human rights situation in North Korea. The draft includes sweeping recommendations for changes in North Korea, and in the way China treats refugees from that country.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-28-voa11.cfm

Border Issues- Taiwan
Anti-secession Law expected to promote cross-Straits relations
Xinhua News Agency, 28 January 2005
BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's Anti-Secession Law, of which the legislation procedures has been recently set in motion, will uphold the basic policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/28/content_2521054.htm

Corruption
List of bribers helps anti-corruption battle
Xinhuanet.com, January 28, 2005
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate is examining a blacklist of bribers and considers for further actions against them as part of the government’s prevent drive against corrupt government officials and businessmen.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/28/content_251751
4.htm

Death Penalty
In possible nod to Europe, China says it may narrow use of death penalty
Agence France Presse, 28 January 2005
BEIJING, Jan 28 (AFP) - China may decide to narrow down the types of crimes for which the death penalty can be used, state media said Friday, in a move observers said was possibly designed to address European concerns.
http://www.afp.com/

Education – basic education / Rural issues
Rural education still ministry's top priority
SCMP, January 28, 2005
The Ministry of Education has given top priority to the promotion of 9-year compulsory basic education in rural areas in this year education agenda.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ8T3DHJ3E.html

Environment
Fighting plagues demands more funds, says expert
SCMP, January 28, 2005
Environmental expert calls for bigger budget on pest programs because the plagues of insects and rodents are rampant in many part of the country due to worsening global warming.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZSCA9HJ3E.html

46 polluting thermal power plants blacklisted
Xinhuanet.com, January 28, 2005
After the halt of 30 large projects that failed to meet environmental standards, the environmental bureau blacklisted another 46 environmental-unfriendly thermal power plants due to the lack of desulfurization equipment in the plants.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_2516481.htm

Gender
Plan to bring back wet nurses opposed
SCMP, January 28, 2005
A re-employment initiative in Yangzhou, Jiangsu proince, aiming to provide ‘wet-nurses” services to young mothers who do not want to breastfeed their children, has drawn stiff opposition from local women’s groups who claim the service “a thing of the feudal past” and should not be promoted in the society.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFS3DHJ3E.html

Gender – status
Women in politics – a bumpy road
盘点中国女性高官从政之路
Nanfang Weekend, January 28, 2005
The appointment of Song Xiuyan(宋秀岩) to be the mayor of Qinghai province draws attention on the rising power of women in politics; however, statistics show that women holding senior official position remains far too small in a male-dominated Chinese political system.
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050127/xw/szxw2/2005
01270024.asp

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Zhao Death Shows Limits of China's Media Freedom
Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 27, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050127/lf_n
m/media_china_dc_1

Featured article from Liu Xiaobo: political reforms can delay no more – commemorate the death of Zhao
刘晓波：中国政治改革刻不容缓──再祭紫阳
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 28, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_
1_27_15_1_46_829.html

China Bars Dissidents From Memorial For Zhao Ziyang
Dow Jones International News, 28 January 2005
China will bar dissidents from a weekend memorial for Zhao Ziyang, a former Communist Party leader ousted in 1989 after sympathizing with Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters, but will allow some 2,000 other mourners.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/world/10758951.htm?1c

Hukou
Beijing police might scrap permit system
SCMP, January 28, 2005
Beijing may drop temporary residency permit, one of the most discriminatory treatment to migrant residents for many years, if a recent proposal on abolishing restrictions on migrant residents are adopted and smoothly carried out in the city.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZRY3DHJ3E.html

Law – legal reforms
Direction of the revision of the Administrative Procedure Law
《行政诉讼法》的修改方向
Legal Daily, January 28, 2005
According to a legal expert, the revision of the Administrative Procedure Law should be focused on directions of the content for revision, rather than specific articles for revision.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/27/content_183193.htm

Examining the reform of Chinese release-on-bail system with the bail models in the west
从西方保释制度看我国取保候审制度的改革
Legal Daily, January 28, 2005
Amid a wide discussion of reforming China’s release-on-bail system (取保候審), some legal experts advocate to replace the system with a Western bail model that is based on the basic legal principle of “suspect are innocent before trial”.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/27/content_183202.htm

Multilaterals - World Economic Forum
China's huge shadow at economic forum A growing influence of Asian power
International Herald Tribune, 27 January 2005
DAVOS, Switzerland: High-profile diplomacy with the European Union, trade accords in Latin America, oil deals in Africa and a string of corporate acquisitions all over the world: China is on an offensive to take its economic miracle.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/26/news/yuan.html

Police – administrative detention (Re-education through labour)
300,000 RTL inmates in China
中国有30多万劳教人员
Voice of America via Dajiyuan.com, January 28, 2005
It is estimated that there are about 300,000 “re-education through labour (RTL)’ inmates in China. Scholars claimed the role of RTL in relieving limited capacity of Chinese prisons, while former RTL inmates accused the system encourage abuse and arbitrary detention of the police.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/28/n795785.htm

Population
China to overhaul sperm banks
Xinhuanet.com, January 28, 2005
China is to monitor closely on institutions offering assisted reproductive techniques and human sperm banks in the country.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/28/content_25180
61.htm

Population – one-child policy
Fertility pills blamed for increase in twin births
SCMP, January 28, 2005
The Guangzhou authority has raised concerns to the high incidence of twin births in several hospitals, suspecting that couples might be resorting to fertility pills to exploit a grey area of the one-child policy.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZGAU6HJ3E.html

Hands up who hasn't got a girlfriend
SCMP, January 28, 2005
The consequence of the one-child policy surfaces in light of worsening sex-ratio imbalances. The high proportion of boy students in primary school is common in many Chinese rural villages, and has placed great concerns over the society’s future.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZNYSAHJ3E.html

Illegal sex identification and abortion in the lens of China’s Criminal Law
从刑法角度看非法鉴定胎儿性别和人工终止妊娠
Legal Daily, January 28, 2005
Legal experts said that the Criminal Law should be revised to specify the illegal nature of sex identification and illegal abortion to close the gap of vague references to these harmful practices in the society.
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/27/content_183194.htm

Public health – HIV aids
河南两会代表建议立法防治艾滋病 实行强制检测
EastDay.com, January 28, 2005
In a combined conference of NPC and Politico Bureau of Henan province, legislators and party officials propose to draft law for prevent the spread of aids in the province and adopt compulsory aids test on drug addicts, pregnant women and hospitalized patients.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48397/userobject1ai831465.html

Resettlement – forceful eviction (Petitions)
Housing protester petitions to the Chinese leaders for a probe into the corruption of senior Shanghai government officials and business tycoon on redevelopment project
中国人权：沈婷投书胡温要求调查周正毅案官商勾结黑幕
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 28, 2005
Shu Ting (沈婷), a Hong Kong resident who has been protesting against forceful eviction in a Shanghai re-development project, sent a petition letter to the Chinese leaders in calling for an investigation of corruption of senior government official and the business tycoon Zhou Zhengyi (周正毅).
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_1_27_15_40_55_61.html

Tibet – imprisoned dissident –Tenzin Delek Rinpoche
Tibetan Monk's Family Insist on His Innocence
Radio Free Asia, January 27, 2005
After the death sentence of the Tibetan monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was commuted yesterday, relatives and supporters of the monk stressed his innocence of the charge and called for greater international pressures on Beijing for his release.
http://origin.rfaweb.org/english/news/social/2005/01/27/tibetan
_monk/


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Thursday, January 27, 2005

January 27, 2005

Top News of the Day

June 4th – prisoners - Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
China to Hold Funeral for Zhao on Saturday
Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 27, 2005
Beijing has made an official announcement on holding funeral for former communist leader Zhao Ziyang on this Saturday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=731&e=8&u=/nm/20050127/wl_nm/china_zhao_dc

Labour – protest
China Labour Watch: labour petitioners detained and may face severe charges
中国劳工观察：烟台工人上访被关押，面临判刑厄运
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
Lay-off workers of Yantai (煙台), Shandong have been detained by police when they made a petition at the district office. Li Xintao (李信濤), leader of the petition, has yet to be released and may face severe charges.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_1_26_19_5_41_802.html

Tibet
China Commutes Tibetan Monk's Death Sentence
Voice of America, January 26, 2005
The Chinese authorities have commuted the death sentenced given to Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, a Tibetan spiritual leader who was convicted of involvement in fatal bombings and inciting separatist activities, to a life imprisonment.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-26-voa12.cfm


News

Corruption
Battle against official graft nets 459 in Shanghai last year
SCMP, January 27, 2005
According to an annual report of the Shanghai prosecutor’s office, it stated that 402 corruption cases involving 459 people had been filed for corruption last year in Shanghai.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZMQPAHJ3E.html

Detention - cases

US to push China to release Uighur minority leader Rebiya Kadeer
Agence France Presse, 27 January 2005
The United States said it would push Beijing to release a prominent advocate of women's and minority rights ailing in a Chinese prison.
www.afp.org

Death penalty
China questions death penalty
People’s Daily, January 27, 2005
In a conference on the topic of death penalty, a group of legal experts voiced their favorable support to a probably abolishment of death penalty in China, citing with powerful ground of China’s commitment in observing human rights in accordance with international standards.
http://english1.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/27/eng20050127_172
139.html

Gender – abuse (domestic violence)
Legislator urges the drafting of law to prevent domestic violence
人大代表呼吁立法防止家庭暴力 问责司法不作为
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
NPC representative of Guangdong province urges the government to draft law to redress the rising domestic violence cases in the province.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-27_533877.shtml

Government – elections
Civil Affairs bureau regulates corruption practice in elections as village elections in 18 provinces underway
中国18省份村委会换届选举 民政部界定贿选行为
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a notice in regulating corruption practice of village elections, aiming to deter intentional and unintentional corruption acts during upcoming village election in 18 provinces this year.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-27_533769.shtml

Government – governance and accountability
Auditors inspect int'l aid projects
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
International aid projects are to be subject for stringent supervision and auditing, highlighting the latest battleground of the China’s “auditing storm”.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_251309
6.htm

Audit results publicized helps supervision of government
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
State Auditing Administration will make auditing reports of government organs public to show the government’s persistent efforts in curbing economic crimes and corruption of government officials.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_251325
6.htm

Hukou
Beijing sets to reform hukou system, rural migrant workers may turn to be city industrial workers
国务院拟改革户籍制度 将民工转为城市产业工人
EastDay.com, January 27, 2005
According to a study conducted by the Development Research Centre of the State Council, it suggests to change the registration status of rural migrant labour to city industrial workers, a key area for reforming the hukou system.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48257/userobject1ai830330.html

Capital acts to scrap law on migrant restrictions
SCMP, January 27, 2005
Beijing’s municipal government considers abandoning restrictions on migrant residents, which have long been considered discriminatory in nature and unable to meet the development needs of the city.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFKZCHJ3E.html

Human Rights-reforms

China rejects US prod on democracy and human rights
Agence France Presse, 27 January 2005
China on Thursday rejected the United States' call for it to speed up democratic reforms and improve human rights, insisting great improvements have already been made at its own pace. www.afp.org

. . . But Don't Forget Democracy
The Asian Wall Street Journal, 27 January 2005 (Hu Ping)
U.S. President George W. Bush declared war on tyranny last week, and Condoleezza Rice branded six countries as "outposts of tyranny." But missing from this list was China. www.wsj.com

June 4th - EU arms embargo
Arming China, and Not
The Wall Street Journal, 27 January 2005
We thought the West had decided that the best way to deal with China is to increase commerce to encourage economic and political liberalization, while discouraging nationalist forces that would threaten such a peaceful evolution. www.wsj.com

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽) / Media – press freedom
Zhao’s death and its implications on Beijing’s control on the media
从赵紫阳去世看政府对媒体控制
Voice of America, January 27, 2005
Beijing’s shut down on news coverage on Zhao’s death well reflected the lack of independency of Chinese media.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=115000
26-CFC6-423A-AE69CB9EF70D39F2&title=%B4%D3%D5%D4%D 7%CF%D1%F4%C8%A5%CA%C0%BF%B4%D5%FE%B8%AE%B6%
D4%C3%BD%CC%E5%BF%D8%D6%C6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C22
6%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027A
CC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

Labour – industrial accidents
Firework blast in Guangxi leads to 18 death and injuries
广西一爆竹厂爆炸，死伤18人
Radio Free Asia, January 26, 2005
4 died and 14 injured in an illegal firework factory in Guangxi, with most of the victims women workers in the factory.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/26/baozha/

Law- legal rights
Some good news out of China
South China Morning Post, 27 January 2005
The Communist Party has traditionally intruded deep into people's personal lives. But now, we are told, there is draft legislation, entitled, Law for personal information protection of the People's Republic of China. www.scmp.com

Migrant workers- law
XIN ZHIMING
China Daily, 27 January 2005
It was astonishing to hear a Beijing policy adviser proposing an "access system" for the inflow of labourers from other parts of the country into the capital. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/home/index.html

Public health / Environment
Waste trade a far bigger threat than ants, say villagers
SCMP, January 27, 2005
Villagers in Wuchuan, Guangdong blamed the booming waste trade in the province lead to outbreak of red-ants infestation in villages and that caused substantial harms to the villagers.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZUJQ6HJ3E.html

Public health
Regulations on nutrition to be drafted the first time in China
居民营养令人忧 我国拟制定首部营养条例
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
China attempts to make the first set of regulations on nutrition in response to growing attentions on poor nutrition conditions in the society.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/food/2005-01/27/content_2512873.htm

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Wednesday, January 26, 2005

January 26, 2005

Top news of the day
June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Beijing pressures Zhao’s family to accept arrangement for Zhao’s funeral
中国政府向赵紫阳亲属施压，要求接受官方条件
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2005
It is reported that Beijing has put substantial pressures on the Zhao family in acceptin the conditions and arrangement for Zhao’s funeral, although the Zhao family remains disapprove official commentary on Zhao’s contribution to China.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/25/zhaoziyang/

Related news:
Beijing tightens control over mourning activities
北京加緊控制悼念趙紫陽活動
BBCChinese.com, January 25, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_4200000/newsid_4205700/4205773.stm

News
Corruption
China monitors officials' kin to curb corruption
Xinhuanet.com, January 26, 2005
Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection vows at a recent party meeting in keep running the initiatives that checking possible corruption of government officials and SOE senior management’s kin for curbing corruption.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/26/content_250925
7.htm

Death Penalty
China Spares the Life of Tibetan Monk
AP, 26 January 2005
A Chinese court on Wednesday spared the life of a Tibetan monk, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, 54, convicted in a series of fatal bombings, commuting his death sentence to life in prison. He was convicted in December 2002 and given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve, which expired Wednesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&u=/ap/20050126/ap_on_re_as/china_tibetan_monk&printer=1

Environment
Hazardous trade is still thriving
SCMP, January 26, 2005
Environmentalists warn that the continue increase of waste trade in China has worsened environmental and health problems.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ93WCHJ3E.html

Gender Issues - Abuse
DNA testing in China: eroding wedlock?
Xinhua News Agency, 26 January 2005
In the world of DNA testing, a casual remark about "a handsome child of a homely father" may come as a bad omen in a happy marriage. Noticeable differences between children and their parents, particularly their fathers, sometimes cause suspicion that can escalate into arguments, violence or divorce.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2475408.htm

Government – governance and accountability
Tightened legislature supervision shapes transparent govt
Xinhuanet.com, January 26, 2005
The government is set to strengthen NPC supervision over provincial government budget to increase accountability and transparency of provincial government.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/26/content_250932
7.htm

June 4th – EU arms ban
Beijing Presses Europe to Lift Arms Ban
AP via YahooNews.com, January 26, 2005
Beijing stresses again the arms embargo a “political discrimination” to China, putting pressures on EU to lift its 15-year-old arms band in the midst of US strong opposition.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=7
31&e=10&u=/ap/20050125/ap_on_re_as/china_arms_embargo

Keep the arms embargo against China
The Independent, 26 January 2005
Tony Blair’s claims to a moral arms policy are being drowned out by sad, cynical laughter. Whatever happened to the Labour government’s lofty words on arms policy? Tony Blair declared unequivocally a few years ago: "We don’t sell arms that could be used in human rights abuses.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/

June 4th
China's students changed by Tiananmen
BBC News, 26 January 2005
"Give me democracy or give me death!" read a banner waved by the students who occupied Tiananmen Square, China's political heart, 15 years ago.
Now the campuses are calm and some are empty - their students gone home for Chinese New Year holidays, conveniently out of the way when one of the heroes of the pro-democracy movement, Zhao Ziyang, died in a Beijing hospital on Monday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4191129.stm

Law – legal profession
Zhuhai abandons life-time employment of judges to encourage competition and efficiency
率先在全国打破法官终身制 珠海法官要竞争上岗
People’s Daily, January 26, 2005
Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court is set to open over half of judge position for competition to strive for better quality and efficiency of judges, indicating the abandon of life-time employment of judges for the first time in China.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3144248.html

Law- reform
Fifty electronic games banned in China
Xinhua, 26 January 2005
China has banned 50 illegal electronic games in a recent government probe into the electronic publication and software market as part of the effort to protect intellectual property rights and create a good environment for Chinese youth.
http://search.xinhuanet.com/search/xhse.jsp

Migrants - law
Migrants' Rights: Opening Up the System; Fearing unrest among the work force, Beijing is moving to loosen some of the most despise...
Newsweek International, 31 January 2005
Thanks to economic reforms that began in Zhao Ziyang's time, an estimated 140 million rural-born migrants now live and work in Chinese cities, lending energy and cheap labor to China's economic boom. But their right to live in the city is still bedeviled by the rigid Maoist-era registration, or hukou, system that categorizes them as rural residents.
http://www.newsweek.com/

Political Dissidents - detention cases
Tibetan monk 'broken' by China
BBC, 26 January 2005
A Tibetan monk imprisoned by China for nearly three years can no longer walk or speak clearly, according to US-based Human Rights Watch. Tashi Phuntsog, who was released earlier this month, worked with a prominent lama, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, whom China has branded a "terrorist".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4207989.stm

Politics – political reform
Slow, cautious approach to political reform favoured
SCMP, January 26, 2005
A political expert that the leadership would tend to take a gradual and cautious approach to reforming China’s political system, rather than making a drastic change in the governing system.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZOIMAHJ3E.html

Population – one-child policy
Legislators and experts suggest amending Criminal Law to redress illegal sex identification
人大代表、法学家建议改刑法打击非法性别鉴定
People’s Daily, January 26, 2005
In a meeting, NPC representatives and law experts show their support in outlawing illegal sex identification to redress growing sex ratio imbalances in China.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3145029.html

Public health
More disabled kids after compulsory pre-marital check-up cancelled
强制婚检取消 广东缺陷儿激增
BeijingNews.com, January 26, 2005
Guangdong health officials propose free pre-marital check-up to reduce the birth rate of disabled kids. This is a response to the rising number of disabled kids at birth after compulsory pre-martial check-up was abandoned in the province.
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-26/20051261480
7.html

Hong Kong – politics
HK free but not so fair, poll finds
SCMP, January 26, 2005
A study conducted by the University of Hong Kong revealed that Hong Kong people seem content about overall enjoyment of freedom, public order, honesty and judicial impartially since the handover, but are unhappy about the growing "unfairness" in the society.
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZ0Y39HJ3E.html

Tibet
Tibetans forced to back Beijing’s choice of new Panchen (班禪), report says
据报中国要藏民支持北京挑选班禅
Voice of America, January 25, 2005
Chinese officials demands Tibetan officials to follow Beijing’s policy in choosing Tibetan’s next Panchen lama.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=44048
DA1-2C5B-4D77-886FEE74D15DCCF2

North Korea
China demands Beijing Japanese school handover 8 North Koreans
中国要求北京日本学校交出8名朝鲜人
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2005
Beijing has officially demanded the Beijing Japanese school, where 8 North Koreans takes refuge for seeking asylum from the Japanese government on Monday, to handover the intruders.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/25/chaoxian/
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    Tuesday, January 25, 2005

    January 25, 2005

    Top news of the day

    Detention – Yang Tianshui (楊天水)
    Freelance writer Yang Tianshui releases on bail with the help of lawyer
    郭国汀援手 杨天水取保候审获释
    Dajiyuan.com, January 25, 2005
    Yang Tinshui, a freelance writer and PEN member, has been released on bail after he had been taken away by the police on December 24, 2004 for subversion allegation.
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/25/n791985.htm

    Resettlement – protest
    China hands stiff sentences to 27 Farmers over land seizure protest
    Voice of America, January 25, 2005
    27 farmers from Sanchawan village in Shaanxi were given stiff jailed terms for protesting against the confiscation of their land with meager compensation.
    http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-24-voa22.cfm
    (Chinese version of the article also available at:
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=72AA96D
    5-86CD-4BF1-BDA0C914415C3C10     )


    News
    Death penalty
    Two Chinese overseas studies students sentenced to death and life imprisonment for murder in Japan
    留学日本杀人 一死刑一无期
    BeijingNews.com, January 25, 2005
    Yang Ning (楊寧) and Wang Liang (王亮), Chinese students who had studied in Japan, were convicted of murdering a Japanese family. Yang was given a death penalty and Wang was sentenced for life imprisonment.
    http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-25/20051251201
    1.html

    Education-compulsory
    China bans beauty contests in schools
    AFP, 25 January 2005
    China has ordered education authorities and schools across the country to ban beauty contests in schools, state media reported Tuesday.
    http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1214200,00050004.htm

    Gender
    Cities set up coordinating institutions for protecting women’s rights
    大部分地市建立妇女维权协调机构
    Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
    Institutions for coordinating initiatives for the protection of women’s rights have been setup in 29 provinces, with 2,603 such institution in place at county level.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182116.htm

    June 4th – EU arms ban
    Britain's Straw, Rice Differ on China Arms
    AP via YahooNews.com, January 24, 2005
    British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw affirmed EU’s intentions to life arms ban on China to the US, despite US’s discontent over the move.
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=73
    1&e=10&u=/ap/20050124/ap_on_re_as/us_china_europe

    China urges EU to end arms ban amid U.S. opposition
    Associated Press, 25 January 2005
    China criticized Tuesday a 15-year-old European arms embargo as a handicap to normal diplomatic relations, a day after British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Europe plans to lift the ban despite U.S. opposition.
    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/25/international0723EST0490.DTL

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
    Zhao's funeral still delayed by wrangle
    SCMP, January 25, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ7CK6HJ3E.html

    Media curbs reflect fear of dissent
    SCMP, January 25, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chifeatures/ZZZW8LCHJ3E.html

    Police detain or arrest dissidents to stop them from paying respect to Zhao
    警方用拘捕和软禁制止异议人士前往悼念赵紫阳
    Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2005
    http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2005/01/24/yiyi/

    Zhao's Family Resists Beijing Over Funeral
    Washington Post Foreign Service, January 25, 2005
    The family of Zhao Ziyang is resisting government demands that it surrender control of his funeral and insisting on changes in an official obituary drafted by the party, family friends said Monday.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32960-2005Jan24?language=printer

    Law – legal reform
    Information legislation: a response to the quest of harmonious society values
    信息立法：回应和谐社会的价值诉求
    Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
    Legislations on the privacy of personal information and public information disclosure would facilitate a better environment for the protection to individual rights and strengthen government accountability to the citizens.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182137.htm

    Labor – work safety and conditions
    Revision of law to upgrade coal mines
    Xinhuanet.com, January 25, 2005
    Beijing is prepared to revise a 9-year-old coal mining law, aiming to incorporating more safety standards and efficiency requirements of coal mining in the new legislations.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/25/content_2503475.htm

    China to revise coal mining law to improve safety
    AFP, 25 January 2005
    China is to revise its nine-year-old coal mining law to try to improve safety in its notoriously dangerous pits, state media reported Tuesday.
    http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2005/January/theworld_January608.xml&section=theworld&col=

    Police – abuse / Law
    7 police put on trial for torturing innocent suspect for evidence and setup murder charge
    涉嫌刑讯逼供制造冤案 唐山7民警受审
    Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
    7 police from Tangshan in Hebei province have been put on trial for a wrongful murder charge on an innocent suspect, who was later given a death penalty.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182086.htm

    Politics – CPC
    CPC to strengthen multi-party cooperation
    Xinhuanet.com, January 25, 2005
    The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee discusses policy and initiatives in strengthening multi-party-cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of CPC.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/25/content_250325
    7.htm

    Protests and petition / Labour – protests
    System No Help to China's Laid-Off Workers
    WashingtonPost.com, January 24, 2005
    An unemployed worker found no ways to air his plight and discontent over government policy but pleaded with the Chinese President. However, the petitioning system does not seem making public grievances to be heard at the top.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31138-2005
    Jan23.html

    Public health
    190,000 died of taking wrong medicine
    誤用藥喪命 每年19萬
    MingPao, January 25, 2005
    A survey reveals that 12-25% of patients were found inappropriate use of medicine and over 190,000 were died after taking wrong medicine.
    http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050125/t_ccd1.htm

    Public health – HIV aids
    Doctors refused to treat a suspected aids patient
    內地醫院趕走愛滋病人
    MingPao, January 25, 2005
    Doctors at a Heilongjiang hospital refused to conduct operation of a patient as they suspected the patient carried HIV aids.
    http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050125/t_cca1.htm

    Social security
    Deputies call on gov't to step up social security
    China Daily, January 25, 2005
    Beijing Legislators called for a rise of social security payment, demonstrating government’s commitments in improving conditions for poverty-stricken retired workers, farmers and farmer-turned workers.
    http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/25/content_
    411847.htm

    Tibet
    Tibetan Monk's Followers Hope for his Release
    Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2005
    Supporters of a jailed Tibetan monk, Tenzin Delek Rimpoche, urge the Chinese government to rescind his death penalty, after one of the monk’s disciples has been freed recently.
    http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/01/24/tibetan_monk/

    Xinjiang
    Xinjiang bus blast blamed on disgruntled coal miner
    SCMP, January 25, 2005
    Police has confirmed that the bus blast that killed 11 last Thursday had nothing to do with Muslims separatist attacks, but was set off by a man dissatisfied with compensation for a work-related injury.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZVYIAHJ3E.html
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    Monday, January 24, 2005

    January 22-24, 2005

    Top news of the day

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    Organizers of march to mourn Zhao detained
    多维追击：组织前往赵紫阳故居游行发起人遭羁押
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 23, 2005
    The wife of former student leader Zhao Xin (趙昕) said her husband had been taken away by police for Zhao’s application for organizing a march in Beijing mourning Zhao Ziyang’s death.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/2005_1_23_3_24_38_795.html

    Police – abuse / human rights
    55 government officials investigated for human rights violations in Guangxi
    广西查处侵犯人权犯罪案55件55人
    People’s Daily, January 24, 2005
    55 government officials, including police officers, are under investigation by the Guangxi procuratorate bureau for human rights violations such as arbitrary detention of farmers who fail to pay fines for violating one-child policy, and forced confession to suspects.
    http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3139885.html



    News

    Corruption
    Two BOC staff flee after 1b yuan goes missing
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    At least two officials of the Bank of China are believed to have fled the country after being involved in the embezzlement of up to 1 billion yuan.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0TG6HJ3E.html

    Cadres' relatives in graft firing line
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    Party members will be required to report the overseas travel and employment of their family members, revealing the government’s latest anti-corruption efforts.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZMWMCHJ3E.html

    Death penalty
    Death sentences for nine Henan gangsters
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    Nine members of one of the mainland’s biggest gangs were sentenced to death by a Hunan court for crimes ranging from murders to running triad organizations.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQWMCHJ3E.html

    Fuzhou tycoon Chen Kai sentenced to death
    福州首富陈凯组织卖淫获死刑
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 23, 2005
    Chen Kai (陈凯), the wealthiest man in Fuzhou, and his triad gang were convicted of a range of organized criminal offences including fraud, abduction, drug trade, and etc. Chen was given a death penalty.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/2005_1_23_7_31_2_700.html

    Disaster
    Disaster forecasting system to be upgraded
    Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
    China’s early warning system for weather disaster is to be upgraded this year, with efforts focusing on six major areas such as calamity monitoring, public broadcasting, disaster assessment and emergency response.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249456
    1.htm

    Human rights – bilateral ties
    With might comes rights: Canada PM
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    Canada Prime Minister Paul Martin urges China to respect human rights as it is one of the new obligations for China’s rise in economic and political power in the international arena.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZPVMCHJ3E.html

    US says China's human rights record remains an issue to be dealt with
    AFX via YahooNews.com, January 23, 2005
    US urged China to improve its human rights record as human rights issue remains a stumbling block of Sino-US relations.
    http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050123/323/favid.html

    June 4th – EU arms ban
    Straw ties arms exports to rights
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    British emphasizes code of conduct on arms exports, in particular to human rights, stability and security in the region, and the security of friendly and allied countries remain the key consideration for lifting EU arms ban on China.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZUKDAHJ3E.html

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    Funeral plans for Zhao still in dispute
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZAKW8HJ3E.html

    Hundreds brave snow to pay tribute
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6KW8HJ3E.html

    Ceremony gives leaders perfect chance to show new colours
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ4DFAHJ3E.html

    Mainlanders join mass memorial for Zhao
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZEBU8HJ3E.html

    Group of party elders urge leaders to grant proper funeral honours
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ6LDAHJ3E.html

    Thousands in Hong Kong Mourn China's Zhao
    香港万余市民烛光集会悼念赵紫阳
    Voice of America, January 22, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=EE5EE6D7
    -9AD3-43B5-9079B801CF100468&title=%CF%E3%B8%DB%CD%F2
    %D3%E0%CA%D0%C3%F1%D6%F2%B9%E2%BC%AF%BB%E1%B5%
    BF%C4%EE%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C222%
    C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&c
    ategoryname=National%20News

    Labour – industrial accidents
    19 died in three coal mine blasts
    中国三起矿难死亡19人
    Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2005
    19 reported died in coal mine blasts in Liaoning, Gansu and Yunnan on January 20 and 21.
    http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/22/kuangnan/

    Media - reform
    More efforts urged to crack down on illegal publications in 2005
    Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
    The crack down on pornography and illegal publications in 2005 is seen as the government’s prime task in advancing reform in the media.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249588
    9.htm

    Natural resources and energies
    Power shortage causes blackouts nationwide
    Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
    21 Chinese provincial power grids oblige to impose blackouts since this January due to the surging demand for power caused by cold weather and rapid economic growth.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249451
    5.htm

    Politics / Society
    Excerpted article from Chinese News Week: public opinions slowly gaining influence in government policy-making?
    中国新闻周刊：民意诉求开始悄悄影响政府决策？
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 24, 2005
    Given the growing importance of public consultation meeting across China, it appears to show the increasing influence of public opinions in a modern style of policy-making in China.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/zxs_2005-01-24_532242.shtml

    Religion – Falungong
    Reformed Falun Gong followers renounce faith in jail
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    Liu Yunfang, a devoted Falungong follower who had set himself on fire in the name of Falungong and now serving a life sentence, denounced the religious group and confessed the wrongdoing against the government, reported in an interview arranged by the authority.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZYCFAHJ3E.html

    Rural issues / Government – fiscal
    Rural districts get big slice of budget
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    Beijing will allocate half of the city government’s budget, or an increase of 67.4% from last year, on developing rural areas this year as a way to solve resource shortages in the poor rural areas.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZR0PCHJ3E.html

    Rural issues / land policy
    40-50 million rural farmers now landless
    中国失地农民约四千万至五千万人
    Chinesenewnet.com, January 23, 2005
    It is estimated that 40 to 50 million rural farmers are now landless, with the group believed to be increased 2 to 3 million annually.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/cna_2005_01_23_00_38_02_763.html

    Xinjiang
    Xinjiang bus blast that killed 11 was man-made, officials say
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    Police confirmed the bus blast that killed 11 people in Xinjiang last Thursday a man-made incident.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ28E6HJ3E.html
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