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.

Tuesday, November 01, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Rights groups call for release of Chinese citizen journalist detained at G20
Radio Free Asia, October 31,2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/citizen-10312016105724.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

China specifies efforts to improve government affairs transparency
Xinhua, October 31, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/31/c_135795012.htm

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

维权人士刘艳丽被刑拘逾月 民间发起联署呼吁放人 (Rights defender Liu Yanli criminally detained over a month, citizens organize joint petition urging for her release)
Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-10312016103819.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Is this a chance for China’s top graft-buster to break a long-standing unofficial rule?
South China Morning Post, October 31, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2041722/chance-chinas-top-graft-buster-break-long-standing

Xi's role as Party “core” is not a sign of dictatorship: official
Reuters, October 31, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-idUSKBN12V15D

Larung Gar evictees forced to sign pledges never to return
Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/pledges-10312016140418.html

传习近平亲信夏宝龙蔡奇将任北京市一二把手 (Xin Jinping’s trusted aides Xia Baolong, Cai Qi rumored to be appointed first and second in command of Beijing City)
Radio France Internationale, October 31, 2016
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/20161031-传习近平亲信夏宝龙蔡奇将任北京一二把手

中国强人规则考验西方 (China’s strongman rule sets a test for the west)
Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhengzhi/nu-10312016151538.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Foreign hackers in China’s sights with proposed changes to cyber law
South China Morning Post, November 1, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2041725/foreign-hackers-chinas-sights-proposed-changes-cyber

Controversial Chinese cybersecurity law enters home stretch for approval
Reuters, October 31, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-china-lawmaking-idUSKBN12V1KO

Related:
Top legislature mulls draft laws on cybersecurity, nuclear safety
Xinhua, November 1, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-11/01/c_135795113.htm

Hong Kong (香港)

C.Y. says he cancelled Beijing trip to handle aftermath of oath-taking court case
Hong Kong Free Press, November 1, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/11/01/cy-says-cancelled-beijing-trip-handle-aftermath-oath-taking-court-case/

駐港部隊今早進行軍事演習似向“港獨”示威 (PLA in Hong Kong holds military exercise, some interpret as deterrence of Hong Kong independence movements)
Radio France Internationale, October 31, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161031-駐港部隊今早進行軍事演習似向“港獨”示威

Commentary (评论)

A plea to Britain: don’t forget Tibet in your dealings with China
The Guardian, October 31, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/31/britain-tibet-china-business-trade

Hong Kong localists’ oath-taking antics only play into the hands of Beijing hardliners
South China Morning Post, October 31, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2041570/hong-kong-localists-oath-taking-antics-only-play-hands

【特首選舉】香港需要一個怎樣的下屆特首(文:劉夢熊) ([Chief Executive election] What kind of CE does Hong Kong need for the coming term?)
Ming Pao, November 1, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161101/s00022/1477964045392

Monday, October 31, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

中国多位律师呼吁解决法院暴力侵害事件 (Chinese lawyers issue joint statement urging for resolution of court violence problem)
Voice of America, October 31, 2016
http://www.voachinese.com/a/news-rights-attorneys-call-for-punishment-of-court-abusers-20161031/3572751.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Did a story about rape take down a Chinese TV show?
British Broadcasting Corporation, October 31, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37795946

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

独立中文笔会创会15周年 曾金燕、王藏获奖 (15th anniversary of Independent Chinese PEN Center: writers Zeng Jinyan, Wang Zang receive awards)
Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql1-10312016101746.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

New Communist Party conduct rules to keep top cadres—and their families—in line
South China Morning Post, October 29, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2041120/new-communist-party-conduct-rules-keep-top-cadres-and

China denounces those who say graft battle aimed at political foes
Reuters, October 28, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-corruption-idUSKCN12S163

Can China finally solve its corruption problem?
The Diplomat, October 29, 2016
http://thediplomat.com/2016/10/can-china-finally-solve-its-corruption-problem/

Chinese army vows efforts on strict Party governance
Xinhua, October 31, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/31/c_135792102.htm

Women still a rare sight in China's male-dominated political life
Radio Free Asia, October 28, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/rare-10282016125126.html

路透社: 大陸試圖拉攏台灣“親陸”城市 (Reuters: China tries to entice “pro-China” Taiwanese cities)
Radio France Internationale, October 30, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161030-路透社:大陸試圖拉攏親北京城市

法治政府评估报告发布:部分地区行政不作为严重 (Release of government rule of law report: Serious dereliction of duty among some regional governments)
Global Times, October 31, 2016
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2016-10/9615002.html

全面两孩政策实施一年 今年底或进入二孩生育高峰 (Anniversary of Two-child policy implementation nears, second-child boom expected at the end of the year)
Global Times, October 31, 2016
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2016-10/9615006.html

蒋培坤去世周年 天安门母亲丁子霖发公开信 (Anniversary of Jiang Peikun’s death: Tiananmen mother Ding Zilin issues open letter)
Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhengzhi/xl1-10312016102828.html

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

Man held in China's Xinjiang for downloading “terrorist” circumvention software
Radio Free Asia, October 28, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/software-10282016121811.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong ministers stay tight-lipped over leadership race
South China Morning Post, October 29, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2041290/hong-kong-ministers-stay-tight-lipped-over-leadership-race

Hundreds protest to defend separation of powers, calls for LegCo Pres. Andrew Leung to step down
Hong Kong Free Press, October 31, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/10/31/hundreds-protest-defend-seperation-powers-calls-legco-pres-andrew-leung-step/

Related:
【短片:誓詞風波】約300人遊行促梁君彥下台 抗議行政機關干預立法會 ([Video: Oath taking scandal] Around 300 people rally urging Andrew Leung to step down, protesting the Executive’s interference into the Legislative)
Ming Pao, October 30, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161030/s00001/1477831726789

梁振英撰文自誇4年內對香港的5大貢獻 (CY Leung pens article boasting his five major contributions during the four years)
Radio France Internationale, October 31, 2016
http://trad.cn.rfi.fr/中國/20161031-梁振英撰文自誇4年內對香港的5大貢獻

台湾"时代力量"立委林昶佐申请港签遭拒绝入境 (Taiwan “New Power Party” legislator Lin Changzuo denied visa for Hong Kong)
Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/km-10312016101416.html

Commentary (评论)

Silence in Dajingta village
China Media Project, October 27, 2016
https://medium.com/china-media-project/silence-in-dajingta-village-31ddd5709ebd#.rnyxsk6ws

Lack of transparency remains core problem for Communist Party
South China Morning Post, October 31, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2041439/lack-transparency-remains-core-problem-communist-party

China’s strongman rule sets a test for the west
Financial Times, October 30, 2016
https://www.ft.com/content/76c27ac6-9c5b-11e6-a6e4-8b8e77dd083a?.tsrc=yahoo/2012-08-07.html/

Friday, October 28, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China orders lawyers to support Communist Party
Wall Street Journal, October 26, 2016
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2016/10/26/china-orders-lawyers-to-support-communist-party/

Access to Information (信息公开)

China is struggling to keep control over its version of the past
The Economist, October 29, 2016
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21709321-battle-raging-realm-historiography-china-struggling-keep-control-over-its

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Xi Jinping becomes “core” leader of China
The Guardian, October 27, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/27/xi-jinping-becomes-core-leader-of-china

Related:
How Xi Jinping can use his new power as “core” of China’s Communist Party
South China Morning Post, October 28, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2040942/how-xi-jinping-can-use-his-new-power-core-chinas-communist-party

Word of the week: Core
China Digital Times, October 27, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/10/word-week-core/

在台藏人与民间团体声援西藏五明佛学院 (Tibetans and civil societies in Taiwan rally in support of Larung Gar in Tibet)
Radio Free Asia, October 27, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/hx-10272016103419.html

Related:
美国人权委员会议员敦促中国停止拆除色达佛学院 (U.S. Human Rights Commission urges China to end demolitions of Larung Gar in Tibet)
Radio Free Asia, October 27, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/xl2-10272016110334.html

联合国推动反核武 美英反对 中国弃权 (UN votes to launch talks on nuclear weapons ban, U.S., U.K. oppose and China abstains)
Deutsche Welle, October 28, 2016
http://www.dw.com/zh/联合国推动反核武-美英反对-中国弃权/a-36182111

Two senior Chinese officers expelled from Communist Party
Reuters, October 28, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-corruption-defence-idUSKCN12S0B3

And the award for “best corruption confession by a Chinese official” goes to…
Quartz, October 27, 2016
http://qz.com/820427/and-the-award-for-best-corruption-confession-by-a-chinese-official-goes-to/

National Security & Counterterrorism (国家安全和反恐)

China holds first anti-terrorism drills with Saudi Arabian special forces
South China Morning Post, October 27, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2040590/china-holds-first-anti-terrorism-drills-saudi-arabian

Hong Kong (香港)

【胡國興選特首】獲中央祝福? 身體健康? 有無黑材料? 胡官參選記者會全面睇 (Retired judge Woo Kwok-hing to run for Chief Executive: General review of press conference)
Ming Pao, October 27, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161027/s00001/1477564207207

Related:
支持廿三條立法 胡國興:香港一直都是三權分立 (In favor of Article 23 legislation, Woo Kwok-hing: Hong Kong has always had separation of powers)
InMedia HK, October 27, 2016
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1045455

【短片:胡國興選特首】胡指六四坦克對付人民「好唔妥」 若當選會向中央轉達平反訴求 (Woo Kwok-hing on June Fourth: Using tanks against its people “very problematic,” will reflect the demand for redress toward the Chinese central government if elected)
Ming Pao, October 28, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161028/s00001/1477620281241

【胡國興選特首】胡指與市民同感受梁振英誠信問題不了了之 稱「一定唔可以畀佢走雞」 (Woo Kwok-hing empathetic with the people: CY Leung’s credibility problem remains unresolved, “should never be overlooked”)
Ming Pao, October 28, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161028/s00001/1477619628754

Hong Kong has its first contender for next Chief Executive
The Diplomat, October 27, 2016
http://thediplomat.com/2016/10/hong-kong-has-its-first-contender-for-next-chief-executive/

嚴正要求梁君彥下台 聯署聲明 (Joint statement: Solemnly demanding Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen to step down)
InMedia HK, October 28, 2016
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1045472

Commentary (评论)

America’s dangerous “China fantasy"
The New York Times, October 28, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/opinion/americas-dangerous-china-fantasy.html

An exiled editor traces the roots of democratic thought in China
The New York Times, October 28, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/29/world/asia/china-democracy-hu-ping.html

【誓詞風波】談宣誓風波(文:尹兆堅) (About the oath taking scandal)
Ming Pao, October 28, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20161028/s00022/1477617805157