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, January 04, 2007

January 4, 2007

Top News of the Day

Human Rights Defenders - Sun Xiaodi (孫小弟)
Activist is Denied Medical Attention
South China Morning Post, January 04, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0K8GOFWE.html
Environmental activist Sun Xiaodi (孫小弟) has been denied medical treatment in Beijing for a potentially life-threatening tumor and is subject to constant harassment, according to a human rights organization. Sun was jailed in April 2005 for exposing a radiation poisoning scandal in Gansu, where he was a former employee of a state-owned uranium mine. He was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor recently and local authorities have rejected his application to go to Beijing for treatment.


Religion
内蒙新疆家庭教会庆祝圣诞活动受打压 (Crackdowns Reported on House Churches in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang during Christmas)
Radio Free Asia, January 03, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/01/03/church/
According to the China Aid Association, police raided the private homes of house church leaders in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, barring them from gathering with church followers for Christmas. About eight Mongolian Christians were taken away, with three reportedly still in detention after questioning, and a priest in Xinjiang is in critical condition after being beaten up by police.


News
Corruption
China's Crackdown on Corruption Still Largely Secret
Washington Post, December 30, 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/
12/30/AR2006123000932.html
dyn/content/article/2006/12/30
/AR2006123000932.html


Food Security
Food Security at Risk: Report
China Daily, January 04, 2007
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-01/04/content_773
928.htm


Freedom of Association
中国泛蓝联盟被迫取消网友聚会 (Pan-Blue Alliance Members Harassed and Forced to Cancel Public Meeting)
Radio Free Asia, January 03, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/xinwen/2007/01/03/china_
dissident_panblue/


Human Rights Defenders - Ching Cheong (程翔)
家屬:程翔被轉送北京天河監獄 (Jailed Journalist Ching Cheong Has Been Transferred to Tianhe Prison in Beijing, Family Says)
BBC, January 04, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_6220000/newsid
_6229700/6229749.stm


Law
多部重要法律新年伊始实施 (A Number of Important New Laws Will Take Effect in January 2007)
Legal Daily, January 04, 2007
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2007-01/04/content_505288.htm

检察官办案禁说就是你干的” (Procurators Banned from Saying 10 Phrases to Suspects During Investigation)
The Beijing News, January 04, 2007
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0565/2007/01-04/014@
033102.htm


最高人民法院有关部门负责人解读:诉讼费下调 (Supreme People's Court Explains Measures on Lowering Fees for Lawsuits)
Xinhuanet, January 04, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2007-01/04/content_556
3355.htm


Media
Chinese Gov'ts "Serve the Media, Not Manage Them"
Xinhuanet, January 04, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/04/content_556
4508.htm


Migrant Workers
调查:多数女农民工无产假 1成多单位发产假工资 (Survey: Most Employers Fail to Provide Maternity Leave for Migrant Workers)
Xinhuanet, January 04, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newcountryside/2007-01/04/content
_5563256.htm


Politics
Why China Wants You to Learn Chinese
The Christian Science Monitor, January 04, 2007
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0104/p17s01-legn.html

Population
China's Henan Bans Abortion Drugs
BBC, January 03, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6226949.stm

Protests and Petitions
Fujian Villagers Block Road to Protest Pollution
Radio Free Asia, January 03, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2007/01/03/china_protest/

Public Health
近八成西部青年未享受医疗保障 (Nearly 80% of Youth in Western China Do not Enjoy Health Insurance)
China Youth Daily, January 04, 2007
http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2007-01/04/content_1630976.htm

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

January 3, 2007

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender – Lawyer - Gao Zhisheng (高智晟)
高智晟律师一家的行踪引起关注 (Whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng and His Family Unknown)
Radio Free Asia, January 02, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/01/02/gao/
Contact has been lost with Gao Zhisheng's family, according to his sister-in-law and his friend Hu Jia. Hu said someone told him Gao and his family were escorted out of Beijing, but another source said he saw Gao's daughter near their home. Hu speculated that Gao's family had to leave Beijing because the authorities did not want them to receive media interviews, as is permitted under the new regulations on foreign journalists.
News
Children
中国涉外收养政策没有变 优先办理符合各方利益 (China Maintains Policy of Giving Preferential Treatment to Most Suitable Adoptive Parents)
Xinhuanet, January 03, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2007-01/03/content_556092
6.htm


Death Penalty
从人治走向法治 中国死刑复核下放的27年长路 (The History of Legal Reforms on the Death Penalty in China)
EastDay.com, January 03, 2007
http://news.eastday.com/c/20070103/u1a2544296.html

"9•15"特大贩毒案贩毒家族3名主犯一审被判死刑 (Three Drug Dealers Sentenced to Death in Anhui)
Xinhuanet, January 02, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2007-01/02/content_5559754
.htm


Environment
As Officials Bicker, Polluters Cash In and Waterways Die
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFX5GOFWE.html

Counting the Cost of Chaotic Development
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZGYJIOFWE.html

No Price Too High for China's Clean Water
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZALSHOFWE.html

Pollution Engulfs Bohai Bay Fishermen
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZN6UGOFWE.html

Government
高干子女掌握中国五大经济部门 (Cadres' Children Control China's 5 Main Financial Sectors)
Radio Free Asia, January 02, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/01/02/gaogan/

Human Rights Defender - Xu Yonghai (徐永海)
北京基督徒徐永海受到警方监视 (Christian Xu Yonghai Not Allowed to Leave Home for 3 Days Starting New Year's Day)
Radio Free Asia, January 02, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/01/02/zongjiao/

Law
Lawyer Joins Calls to Close Rural-urban Compensation Gap
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZOYJIOFWE.html

郑州命传媒监督公仆 (New Regulations Ask Media to Monitor Civil Servants in Zhengzhou, Henan)
Ming Pao, January 03, 2007
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20070103/cab2.htm

Media
Clamour Grows for Freedom of Speech
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZV6UGOFWE.html

中国境内仅境外记者有采访自由? (Commentary: Do Only Foreign Media Have the Freedom to Work in China?)
Voice of America, January 02, 2007
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2007-01-02-voa30.cfm

Olympics
Service with a Smile -- It's the Law
Los Angeles Times, January 02, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-rude2jan0
2,1,1724960.story?coll=la-headlines-world
rude2jan02,1,1724960.st
ory?coll=la-headlines-world


Politics
New Year's Propaganda?
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZFW5GOFWE.html

Populist Policies Target Reforms in Key Sectors
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZQKSHOFWE.html

Population
The Graying of China
Boston Globe, January 03, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2007/01/02/th
e_graying_of_china/


Protests and Petitions
广州千名教师请愿被驱 (1,000 Petitioning Teachers Dispersed in Guangzhou)
Ming Pao, January 03, 2007
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20070103/cci1.htm

Tibet
Unfree Thinker
South China Morning Post, January 03, 2007
http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZILSHOFWE.html

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

December 30, 2006 - January 2, 2007

Top News of the Day
Media
Magazine Editor Loses Job After Outspoken Campaign
South China Morning Post, January 01, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZQ9NPD9WE.html
Huang Liangtian (黄良天), the chief editor of the outspoken monthly Baixing (百姓) has been removed from his post after a series of high-profile investigative reports on corruption, land disputes and workers' rights, which "spoke out for the ordinary citizens but angered the authorities”. Huang said he has been transferred to a publication which "does not produce real news".

News
Children
Children Bear Brunt of Great Divide
South China Morning Post, December 31, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ4FPPD9WE.html

Civil Society
中国天网人权事务中心成立 (Tianwang Human Rights Affairs Center Established)
Radio Free Asia, January 01, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/01/01/tianw
ang/


Corruption
Drugs Watchdog Chief Facing Probe
South China Morning Post, January 01, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZFTIPD9WE.html

Death Penalty
合肥网吧爆炸案两主犯被处死 (Duo Executed over Cyber Café Explosion in Anhui)
Nanfang City News, January 01, 2007
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/shyp/200701010266.a
sp


山西警察打警察案主犯之一被处死 (Murderer of Policeman Executed in Shanxi)
Nanfang City News, January 01, 2007
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/shyp/200701010265.
asp


佳木斯连环杀童案凶手被处死 (Serial Killer of Children Executed in Heilongjiang)
Nanfang City News, January 01, 2007
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/shyp/200701010267
.asp


Environment
A New Year Resolution for the Leaders - Clean up the Foul Air in Beijing
South China Morning Post, January 02, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZRHTPD9WE.html

'Certain Pollution Can Be Tolerated. It's a Common Practice of Local Governments All over China'
South China Morning Post, January 02, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ8FRPD9WE.html

Hundreds of Thousands of Villagers Rely on this Foul, Polluted River, and the Authorities Don't Seem to Care
South China Morning Post, January 02, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ8PUPD9WE.html

'I Don't Think We'll Ever See Clean Water in the River or the Sea Again'
South China Morning Post, January 02, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZS7OPD9WE.html

Freedom of Speech
Beijing Ordered Pay-off in Legal Tussle over Book
South China Morning Post, December 30, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZK9KPD9WE.html

Human Rights Defender - Hada (哈达)
Dissident's Health Worsening, Says Wife
South China Morning Post, January 02, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZW7OPD9WE.html

Labor
Report: Workers at Foreign-funded Companies in China Need More Protection
International Herald Tribune, December 31, 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/31/business/AS_FIN_Chi
na_Labor_Foreign.php


Media
Bao Tong Visited by Journalist as Press Curbs Eased
South China Morning Post, January 02, 2007
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZKPUPD9WE.html

中国严控媒体同时抱怨外电不客观 (China Complains that Foreign Media Reports Are Not Objective)
Voice of America, December 29, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-12-29-voa2.cfm

China's Internet Users Jump 30%
BBC, December 29, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6216231.stm

Migrant Workers
调查显示:多数女农民工未能享受产假待遇 (Survey Finds Most Migrant Workers Do Nsot Enjoy Maternity Benefits)
EastDay.com, January 02, 2007
http://news.eastday.com/c/20070102/u1a2543574.html

Olympics
New Games Rules for HK Media
South China Morning Post, December 31, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZYGMPD9WE.html

Politics
学者分析中国官方报纸为何赞民主 (Academics Analyze Why China's Official Newspaper Praises Democracy)
Voice of America, January 01, 2007
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2007-01-01-voa37.cfm

Protests and Petitions
新年元旦北京几百名访民被抓 (Hundreds of Petitioners Taken Away on New Year's Day in Beijing)
Radio Free Asia, January 01, 2007
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007/01/01/shangfa
ng/


Public Health
新年落实利民新措施 广州医疗费大减价 (Guangzhou Residents to Pay Lower Medical Fees)
Apple Daily, January 02, 2007
http://appledaily.atnext.com/template/apple/art_main.cfm?iss
_id=20070102&sec_id=15335&subsec_id=15336&art_id=6674896

335&subsec_id=15336&art_id=6674896

新疆乙肝歧视 60名新生被勒令退学 (60 Students Ordered to Quit School in Xinjiang over Hepatitis B Discrimination)
Radio Free Asia, December 30, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/30/xinjiang/

Religion
Nine Catholic Priests Arrested in China
AFP (via YahooNews), December 29, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061229/wl_asia_afp/chinavatica
narrests_061229194852

Friday, December 29, 2006

December 29, 2006

Top News of the Day
Death Penalty

Mass Murderer Executed Without Psychiatric Test
SCMP, December 29, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ4IHPD9WE.html
Convicted mass murderer Qiu Xinghua (邱兴华) was executed in public yesterday, just days before the Supreme People's Court is due to start reviewing all lower-level death penalty decisions. The Shaanxi Higher People's Court refused to order a psychiatric test, even though some psychiatric experts argued that his behavior and family history pointed to mental illness; under the mainland legal system, only the police, prosecutors and judges have the power to initiate a test. Qiu was executed about 50 minutes after the court opened at 9:00 am.

News
Death Penalty

社论:立斩邱兴华是对程序公正的执意漠视 (Editorial: Immediate Execution of Qiu Xinghua Is Blatant Disregard of Procedural Justice)
Nanfang City News, December 29, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/spqy/200612290529.
asp


邱兴华匆匆被“斩立决”说明什么? (Commentary: What Does the Immediate Execution of Qiu Xinghua Illustrate?)
Nanfang City News, December 29, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/spqy/200612290411
.asp


多省赶死线掀打靶潮 (Several Provinces Rush Through Executions Ahead of Implementation of New Rule)
Ming Pao, December 29, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061229/caa1.htm

China's Supreme Court Guarantees Strict Control of Death Penalty
People's Daily, December 28, 2006
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200612/28/eng20061228_3366
06.html


Environment
水利部安排中央投资60亿元解决3000万农村人口饮水安全 ( 6 Billion Yuan to Be Invested in Providing Safe Drinking Water for 30 Million Rural Residents)
Legal Daily, December 29, 2006
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2006-12/29/content_502244.htm

Lower Emission Data Fictitious: Watchdog
SCMP, December 29, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZAIHPD9WE.html

Freedom of Speech
中日同研历史和中国限制史学研究 (Sino-Japanese History Study Group and China's Internal Ban on Research on Selected Contemporary Historical Topics)
Voice of America, December 28, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-12-28-voa46.cfm

Government
The Death of a Chinese Democrat
Time.com, December 27, 2006
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1572943,00.html

Hukou
改革户籍制度才能解决留守儿童问题 (Hukou Reforms – The Way to Solve the Problem of Children Left Behind by Migrant Workers)
China Youth Daily, December 29, 2006
http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2006-12/29/content_1627456.htm

Human Rights Defenders
代理人刘正有被解除资格 失地农民状告公安案受阻 (Liu Zhengyou Barred from Representing Sichuan Victims of Land Grabs in Illegal Detention Case)
Radio Free Asia, December 28, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/28/land/

Human Rights Defender - Chen Guangcheng (陈光诚)
陈光诚两律师被殴重伤 警方不管 (Police in Shandong Ignore Reports on Beatings of Chen Guangcheng's Lawyers)
Voice of America, December 28, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-12-28-voa51.cfm

Labor
Jobs Scarce for China's Graduates
Los Angeles Times, December 28, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chigrads28dec28,1,5943111.
story?coll=la-
headlines-business

Land Policy
成都养殖户奶牛场遭强拆 百万家财一夕化乌有 (Dairy Farm in Chengdu Demolished)
Radio Free Asia, December 28, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/28/chengdu/

Law
讨薪6年无果 状告法院 (Migrant Workers in Hunan Sue Court over Ruling on Back Pay Claims)
The Beijing News, December 29, 2006
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0567/2006/12-29/011@232249
.htm


Media
社论:十大新闻关宏旨 大众感知有隔阂 (Commentary: Xinhua's Selection of Top 10 News in 2006 Does Not Reflect People’s Concerns)
Nanfang City News, December 29, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/spqy/200612290522.
asp


New Media Rules May Be Permanent
SCMP, December 29, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ21OPD9WE.html

各地发言人接电矇查查 (Government Spokespersons Across China Still Confused)
Ming Pao, December 29, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061229/cca2.htm

Military
China Issues White Paper on National Defense
China Daily, December 29, 2006
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/29/content_770831
.htm


Three Gorges
In Building of Chinese Dams, Poorest Are Paying a High Price
International Herald Tribune, December 26, 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/26/news/dam.php

Thursday, December 28, 2006

December 28, 2006

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender – Chen Guangcheng (陈光诚)

Lawyers for Jailed Activist Beaten up
SCMP, December 28, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZKR2147WE.html
Chen Guangcheng's lawyers Li Jinsong (李劲松) and Li Fangping (李方平) were beaten when they were on their way to Linyi, Shandong Province, to deal with Chen's case. A female passenger accused Li Jinsong of sexually harassing her, but his friend and AIDS activist Hu Jia contended that the accusation was totally groundless. Hu said the beatings may be related to Chen's case.

News
Children

未成年人保护法修订草案已较成熟建议提请表决 (Standing Committee of NPC Advised to Vote on Draft Amendments on Protection of Minors)
Xinhuanet, December 25, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-12/25/content_5527964.h
tm


Environment
环保总局要求所有城镇征污水处理费 每吨0.8元 (All Chinese Towns to Charge 0.8 Yuan for Treatment of Each Metric Tonne of Sewage)
Xinhuanet, December 27, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2006-12/27/content_5537187.
htm


Dire Warnings from China's First Climate Change Report
AFP (via YahooNews), December 27, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061227/wl_asia_afp/chinaenviron
mentclimatewarming_
061227073927

Illegal Power Plants, Coal Mines in China Pose Challenge for Beijing
Wall Street Journal, December 27, 2006
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116718773722060212.html?mod=
todays_us_page_one


败诉促使中国扩大环保领域行政复议受理范围 (Lost Lawsuit Leads to Issuance of Environmental Measures that Expand the Scope of Administrative Review)
Xinhuanet, December 25, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-12/25/content_5528637.htm

Human Rights Defenders
The 'Conscience of Chinese Lawyers' Will Fight to the End
SCMP, December 28, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ2KDM37WE.html

My Life After Tiananmen: Chen Ziming
Radio Free Asia, December 27, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/in_depth/2006/12/27/china_ch
enziming/


June 4th
“天安门事件”的评价成为日中共同历史研究的对象 (June 4th Incident Becomes Research Topic in Sino-Japanese History Study Group)
Radio Free Asia, December 27, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/27/lishi/

Labor
考试不过关 女工罚脫衣 (Shanghai Beauty Shop Workers Forced to Strip as Punishment for Failing Exams)
Wen Wei Po, December 28, 2006
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH0612280035&c
at=002CH


劳动合同法草案:试用工资不得低于合同工资80% (Draft Labor Contract Law Stipulates that Probational Wages Cannot Be Less than 80 Percent of Contractual Wages)
Xinhuanet, December 25, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-12/25/content_5527331.htm

Land Policy
600万被徵地农民将获保障 (Six Million Victims of Land Grabs to Be Protected by Social Security Measures)
Wen Wei Po, December 28, 2006
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH0612280028&c
at=002CH


Law
Pioneer for Shareholders' Rights Learns About Justice the Hard Way
SCMP, December 28, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZCNCM37WE.html

隆胸第一案 深中院发回重审 (Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court Asks Lower Court to Retry Case Involving Defective Plastic Surgery Materials)
Wen Wei Po, December 28, 2006
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH0612280016
&cat=002CH


江苏竹海失地农告官 (Victims of Land Grab Sue Jiangsu Authorities)
Radio Free Asia, December 27, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/27/tudi/

云南省高级人民法院将实行判后释疑制度 (Yunnan Higher People's Court to Provide Oral Explanations of Rulings Starting 2007)
Xinhuanet, December 20, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-12/20/content_5512648.htm

Media
国务院九部门下个月推出定时定点新闻发布制度 (Nine State Council Departments to Establish Spokesperson System in January 2007)
EastDay.com, December 28, 2006
http://news.eastday.com/c/20061228/u1a2535562.html

Olympics
北京启建奥运医疗网络 (Beijing Starts Developing Medical Network for Olympics)
The Beijing News, December 28, 2006
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0553/2006/12-28/015@231979
.htm


Mainland Eases Restrictions on Taiwanese Reporters
SCMP, December 28, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZGNCM37WE.html

China to Tackle Olympic Pollution
BBC, December 27, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6213051.stm

Poverty
Rich-poor Divide Serious, Study Finds
China Daily, December 26, 2006
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/26/content_767384.
htm


Protests and Petitions
杭州退休工人维权三名代表被延长刑拘 (Detention Periods of 3 Labor Activists Extended in Zhejiang)
Radio Free Asia, December 27, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/27/weiquan/

Society - Ethnic Minorities
'Increase Resource Tax in Minority Areas'
People's Daily, December 28, 2006
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200612/28/eng20061228_3364
25.html


State Security
非法获取中国气象资料将受打击 (China to Classify Meteorological Information as a State Secret)
Radio Free Asia, December 27, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/26/qixiang/

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

December 23 - 27, 2006

Due to the damage to regional communication networks, we were unable to produce the Daily News Brief on Tuesday December 27. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.


Top News of the Day
Religion
Christian Leaders Sent to Prison over Protest
SCMP, December 24, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZKH6N9UVE.html
On December 23, eight underground Christian leaders accused of "inciting violence" in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, were tried and convicted. Pastor Shen Zhuke was sentenced to 3-1/2 years in prison, and the others were given sentences ranging from suspended sentences to three years' imprisonment. The group organized a protest against the demolition of their church, which the government argued was an illegal structure.

News
Corruption
排除干扰秉公办理 高官异地审判制度初露端倪 (Corrupt Senior Officials Tried Outside Home Provinces)
Xinhuanet, December 27, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-12/27/content_5529137.
htm


Corruption 'Still Quite Serious', Says Politburo
SCMP, December 26, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9JZNQ3WE.html

Qingdao Party Chief Fired from All Posts
SCMP, December 25, 2006
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZOC6OQ3WE.html

Death Penalty
Death Term Handed to Top Officer Commuted
SCMP, December 23, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZYR9I9UVE.html

Environment
Conservation Comes First, Hu Warns Local Officials
SCMP, December 27, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZIJ8OQ3WE.html

Hukou
暂住證被轰违法 (Legality of Temporary Residence Permit Questioned)
Ming Pao, December 27, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061227/cab1.htm

Human Rights Defender - Gao Zhisheng (高智晟)
Rights Lawyer Given Light Sentence
SCMP, December 23, 2006
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZT3Z3AUVE.html

  • Related Information
    HRIC Statement on Gao Zhisheng’s Sentence
    Human Rights in China, December 22, 2006
    http://www.hrichina.org/
Labor
Activist Criticize China Toy Factory
AP( via YahooNews), December 22, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061222/ap_on_re_as/china_bratz
_dolls_2


Law
Lawyers at Risk Trying to Apply the Law
SCMP, December 25, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6SYNQ3WE.html

Media
记者东莞遭掳劫官禁报道 (Dongguan Authorities Prohibit Newspaper from Reporting on Robbery)
Ming Pao, December 27, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061227/cca1.htm

《物权法》传媒禁唱反调 (Media Barred from Negative Reporting on the Property Rights Law)
Ming Pao, December 27, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061227/caa1.htm

《百姓》披露江苏村民被强迁 关注土地问题受整肃 (Baixing Magazine Purged over Land Grab Report)
Radio Free Asia, December 26, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/26/baixing/

Migrant Workers
四川民工陕西讨薪被殴致死 (Migrant Worker Beaten to Death for Demanding Backpay in Shaanxi)
BBC, December 24, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_6200000/newsid_6
208300/6208315.stm


Olympics
Polluters to Take a Breather for Two Months Before Olympics
SCMP, December 27, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZO1NMQ3WE.html

Access to Foreign Media Crucial for Success of Games
SCMP, December 25, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9GLMQ3WE.html

China Stages Olympic Anti-terror Drill
AFP (via YahooNews), December 23, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061223/wl_asia_afp/oly2008chnc
hinasecurityattacks_061223070304
1223070304

Population
In China, Aging in the Care of Strangers
Washington Post, December 21, 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12
/21/AR2
006122101898.html
dyn/content/article/2006/12/21/AR2006122
101898.html


Poverty
Wealth Gap Widening, Survey Reveals
SCMP, December 26, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZRCMMQ3WE.html

Protests and Petitions
Medics Armed for Battle After Claimants Attack Hospital
SCMP, December 26, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZXCMMQ3WE.html

郑恩宠和拆迁户联名举报黄菊 (Zheng Enchong and Evictees Request Supreme People's Procuratorate to Prosecute Huang Ju over Corruption)
Radio Free Asia, December 26, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/26/zheng/

Religion
青草地家庭教会圣诞节活动被警方中止 (Protestant House Church's Christmas Celebration Stopped by Police in Beijing)
Radio Free Asia, December 25, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/25/christm
as/


Congress Increases Pressure for Sanctions over China's Religious Freedom Record
SCMP, December 23, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ5D5N9UVE.html

Social Security
Basic Social Security Net to Cover All Farmers
SCMP, December 25, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZESYNQ3WE.html

Tibet
Dalai Lama Says China Boom Offers Hope for Tibet
AFP (via YahooNews), December 25, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061225/wl_afp/indiachinatibetreli
giondalai_061225060441
41

Friday, December 22, 2006

December 22, 2006

Top News of the Day
Human Rights Defender – Gao Zhisheng (高志晟)
China Gives Rights Lawyer Suspended Sentence
Reuters (via Yahoonews), December 22, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061222/wl_nm/china_lawyer_dc_2
Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was sentenced to three years in prison for subversion but he was given a five-year reprieve, which means that he does not have to serve his sentence unless he commits another crime over the next five years. However, he was also deprived of his political rights for one year, which will prevent him from speaking to reporters and might mean he could be kept under house arrest or surveillance.

News
Children
病残儿沦为行乞工具 76岁离休老干部卧底丐帮两月揭黑幕 (Retired Cadre Reveals Use of Children with Disabilities as Begging Tools in Shenzhen)
Nanfang Daily, December 22, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/jwxy/200612210549
.asp


中国南方虐童问题日益严重 (Child Abuse Getting More Serious in Southern China)
Radio Free Asia, December 21, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/21/ertong/

Corporate Social Accountability
中国高官呼吁给民营企业以宽容 (Senior Officials Urge Public to Show Leniency to Private Enterprises)
Radio Free Asia, December 22, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/21/qiye/

Corruption
Senior Legislator Goes on Trial for Corruption
China Daily, December 21, 2006
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/21/content_764920.
htm


Food Security
中国物价上涨使得有毒食品肆虐 (Rise in Food Cost Leads to Proliferation of Toxic Food)
Radio Free Asia, December 21, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/21/wujia/

Government
社论:事故频曝官商勾结 自我监察难解症结 (Editorial: Self-Monitoring Cannot Solve Problem of Collusion Between Government and Business)
Nanfang City News, December 22, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/spqy/200612220496.
asp


Human Rights Defender – Gao Qinrong (高勤荣)
A True Chinese Hero
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZKB6I9UVE.html

Human Rights Defenders – Petitioners
美驻华大使官员会见天津维权人士郑明芳 (US Diplomat Meets Tianjin Rights Defender Zheng Mingfang)
Radio Free Asia, December 21, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/21/weiquan1/

Labor
30个城市工会组织为农民工结成"城际维权联盟" (30 Unions Form "City Rights Defense Coalitions")
EastDay.com, December 22, 2006
http://news.eastday.com/eastday/node81741/node81762/node1782
30/u1a2522730.html


Mainland Should Heed Lessons on Worker Safety
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZ287I9UVE.html

Land Policy
顺德土地维权不同对待 质疑官方肃贪乃对策 (Rights Defense Campaigns in Guangdong Receive Different Treatment)
Radio Free Asia, December 21, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/21/weiquan/

Law
Dissident Writer Loses 'Political' Copyright Case
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZOC6I9UVE.html

HK Man in 110m Yuan Dispute to Get Hearing
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZH77I9UVE.html

争议声声:合阳133官们走上被告席 (Shaanxi Officials Stand Trial as Defendants in Administrative Litigations)
Legal Daily, December 22, 2006
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/misc/2006-12/22/content_494070.
htm


Media
China's Reporters Face a Backlash over Investigations
Wall Street Journal, December 22, 2006
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116664572288655958.html?mod=to
days_us_page_one


Unveiling China's Past
Los Angeles Times, December 22, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-ed-veil21dec
21,1,425681.story?coll=la-news-a_section
veil21dec21,1,425681.story
?coll=la-news-a_section


四公司联手帮助网民突破中国封锁 (Four Companies Cooperate on Breaking China's Internet Censorship)
Voice of America, December 21, 2006
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2006-12-21-voa13.cfm

Migrant Workers
托管班争议引发留守儿童寄宿难题 (School in Anhui Ordered to Stop Providing Boarding Service Supported by Parents' Donations)
The Beijing News, December 22, 2006
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0547/2006/1218/014@229671.htm

Police
官员们为何最关注社会治安? (Commentary: Why Are Officials the Group that Is Most Concerned About Social Order?)
Nanfang City News, December 22, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/spqy/200612220490.asp

广州拟组建城管公安机构 欲从根本上解决执法问题/打击暴力抗法 (Guangzhou Considers Establishing City Management Police Body)
Nanfang City News, December 22, 2006
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/jwxy/200612210008.asp

Protests and Petitions
南沙工人罢工讨加班费 (600 Guangzhou Workers Go on Strike over Demands for Overtime Pay)
Ming Pao, December 22, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061222/ccm1.htm

In Booming China, Protests by Poor Escalate
Wall Street Journal, December 21, 2006
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116663625973155809.html?mod=t
odays_us_page_one


Public Health
HIV Expert Advocates Free Testing, Treatment
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZSC6I9UVE.html

Religion
央视罕有播天主教特辑 (CCTV Unexpectedly Shows Catholic Program)
Ming Pao, December 22, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061222/cae1.htm

Trouble Brews as Bishops Die
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZF52N9UVE.html

Rural Issues
Land Sale Proceeds to Help Rural Growth
SCMP, December 22, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZE4W3AUVE.html

Thursday, December 21, 2006

December 21, 2006

News

Death Penalty
Butcher Who Slew 12 in NE China Executed
People's Daily, December 21, 2006
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200612/21/eng20061221_
334523.html


Government
China to Push Forward Government News Briefing System in 2007: Official
People's Daily, December 20, 2006
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200612/20/eng20061220_
334262.html


Media
港记内地采访放宽 近期推新例 有望跨越奥运成常规 (Beijing Plans to Issue New Rules Relaxing Restrictions on Hong Kong Press Soon)
Ming Pao, December 21, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061221/caa1.htm

Police
讯问录像须经被讯问者封签 (Recording and Videotaping of Interrogations of Should Be Sealed and Marked with Suspect’s Thumbprint)
The Beijing News, December 21, 2006
http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0565/2006/12-21/021@
031006.htm


公安部有关负责人解读公安机关组织管理条例 (Ministry of Public Security Officials Explain New Regulation on Organizational Management of Public Security Organs)
Legal Daily, December 21, 2006
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2006-12/21/content_
492737.htm


Protests and Petitions
湖北随州村民因耕地补偿问题抗议 (Hubei Villagers Protest Over Resettlement Compensation)
Radio Free Asia, December 20, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/20/hubei/

Public Health
Shanghai Begins to Build Public Health Emergency HQ
Xinhuanet, December 21, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/21/content_
5513879.htm


广州爱滋感染者排全国四成 (Guangzhou Ranked 4th Largest Chinese City for Registered HIV-AIDS Carriers)
Guangzhou Daily, December 20, 2006
http://gzdaily.dayoo.com/html/2006-12/20/content_
19570571.htm


HIV Education Spreading Throughout Beijing's Schools
Xinhuanet, December 20, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/20/content_
5510260.htm


Society
Survey: Nearly 70% Beijing Hutongs Destroyed
Xinhuanet, December 19, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/19/content_
5508497.htm


Tibet
西藏农村强制重建 漠视藏人选择权 (Tibetans Given No Choice in Tibetan Village Redevelopment Campaign)
Radio Free Asia, December 20, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/20/
tibet/


Xinjiang
新疆两学童当街被斩死 (Two Han Students Killed in the Street by Uyghur Man)
Ming Pao, December 21, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061221/ccc1.htm

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

December 20, 2006

Top News of the Day
State Security
Sociologist Who Wrote Articles for Ching Is Jailed for 20 Years
SCMP, December 20, 2006
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZ0IWM9UVE.html
Academic Lu Jianhua (陆建华), who was arrested in connection with the spying case of Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong, was secretly sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment by a Beijing court on December 18 on charges of leaking state secrets. His wife was only informed of the sentence by a Beijing court a day later when she called to confirm media reports about it. The court also told her Lu had decided to appeal. Lu did not appoint a lawyer during the first trial and has no plans to do so in his appeal. The sentence is considered unusually harsh for the charge, as generally only very serious cases are given more than 10 years.

News
Death Penalty
安徽省双轮集团原董事长刘俊卿被核准执行死缓 (Death Sentence with Two-year Reprieve Ratified for Former Company Director)
Xinhuanet, December 20, 2006
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2006-12/19/content_5504784.h
tm


Human Rights Defender – Fu Xiancai (付先财)
付先财就被袭事件致信贾春旺 (Fu Xiancai Sends Petition Letter to Procurator-general of Supreme People's Procuratorate)
Radio Free Asia, December 19, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/19/fu/

Human Rights Defender – Zheng Enchong (郑恩宠)
上海当局要求沈婷与郑恩宠断交 (Shanghai Authorities Harass Hong Kong Resident Shen Ting for Communicating with Zheng Enchong)
Radio Free Asia, December 19, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/19/zheng/

Land Policy
征地拆迁和新农村建设职务犯罪成明年查办重点 (Land-Related Crimes to Be Targeted in 2007)
EastDay.com, December 20, 2006
http://news.eastday.com/eastday/node81741/node81762/node177
776/u1a2518159.html


Law
Protest Farmers on Trial for Extortion
SCMP, December 20, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ3A0I9UVE.html

三名上海访民被判刑,两名被审理 (Three Shanghai Petitioners Convicted, 2 Tried)
Radio Free Asia, December 19, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/19/fangmin/

Media
中国將续推 新闻发佈制 (More Government Bodies to Adopt Spokesperson System)
Wen Wei Po, December 20, 2006
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?cat=001YO&news_id=Y
O0612200008


Migrant Workers
Chinese City May Limit Migrants
BBC, December 20, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6192187.stm

Police
Police Pay Family After Man Dies in Cell
SCMP, December 20, 2006
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZZ90I9UVE.html

Protests and Petitions
政治诉求转向利益捍卫 (Abstract Political Demands Become Defense of Concrete Interests)
Ming Pao, December 20, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061220/cay2.htm

中央软硬兩手应付 (Central Authorities Try to Handle Petitions Using Both Soft and Hard Tactics)
Ming Pao, December 20, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061220/cay3.htm

民怨炸弹密集爆发 (Commentary: Public Grievances Explode)
Ming Pao, December 20, 2006
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20061220/cay1.htm

杭州官方抓捕十多名维权代表 八旬老人称只求对话 (Two of 15 Protestors Taken Away by Hangzhou Authorities Still Being Held)
Radio Free Asia, December 19, 2006
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2006/12/19/qingyu
an/


Society
Chinese Success Story Chokes on Its Own Growth
New York Times, December 19, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/world/asia/19shenzhen.html?
_r=1&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print
&pagewanted=print