The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Thursday, March 01, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China detains relatives of U.S. reporters in apparent punishment for Xinjiang coverage
The Washington Post, February 28, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-detains-relatives-of-us-reporters-in-apparent-punishment-for-xinjiang-coverage/2018/02/27/4e8d84ae-1b8c-11e8-8a2c-1a6665f59e95_story.htm

Xi sets China on a collision course with history
习近平欲重塑威权主义,中国走向与历史相悖之路
The New York Times, February 28, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/world/asia/xi-jinping-china.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180301/xi-jinping-china/

Related:
First term limits ... now Xi Jinping to shake up the state to tighten Communist Party’s grip on government
South China Morning Post, February 28, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2135165/first-term-limits-now-xi-jinping-shake-state-tighten

A summer vacation in China’s Muslim Gulag
Foreign Policy, February 28, 2018
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/02/28/a-summer-vacation-in-chinas-muslim-gulag/

Related:
新疆:一个露天监狱 (Xinjiang: A roofless prison)
Voice of America, March 1, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/uyghur-freedom-china-20180228/4275386.html

江西宜春四访民计划进京 未启程已被村官打昏 (4 petitioners in Jiangxi stopped and beaten by local cadres before departure for Beijing)
Radio Free Asia, February 28, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/ql3-02282018100914.html

大智立法——五年25部新法出台的背后 (NPC Standing Committee passes 25 new laws in past 5 years, counts “building the framework for a national security legal system with Chinese characteristics” among its achievements)
Xinhua News Agency, February 27, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/legal/2018-02/27/c_1122461914.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

China's top paper says reform does not mean life-long presidency
Reuters, March 1, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics/chinas-top-paper-says-reform-does-not-mean-life-long-presidency-idUSKCN1GD3LF

China stifles critics of plan to extend Xi Jinping’s reign
The Wall Street Journal, February 28, 2018
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-stifles-critics-of-plan-to-extend-xi-jinpings-reign-1519838066

How China’s media sold Xi Jinping’s power grab
The New York Times, February 28, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000005771054/how-chinas-media-sold-xi-jinpings-power-grab.html

Related:
「抱歉,此內容違反了《規定》」──2017年微博審查回顧 (“Sorry, the content violates relevant laws and regulations”: A summary of Weibo censorship in 2017)
The Initium, March 1, 2018
https://theinitium.com/article/20180301-opinion-fukingwah-weibo/

全国律协:律师微信朋友圈发相关信息也可能被认为是业务推广 (All China Lawyers Association issues new rule on lawyers promoting business: Information on WeChat Moments to be regulated)
The Paper, February 28, 2018
http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2012707

Related:
中华全国律师协会律师业务推广行为规则(试行) (Code of Conduct for Lawyers to Promote Business of the All China Lawyers Association (for Trial Implementation))
All China Lawyers Association, February 2, 2018
http://www.acla.org.cn/article/page/detailById/22483

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

两会前夕 海外中国学生学者致信全国人大反击性骚扰 (Chinese students overseas sign open letter urging NPC members to take actions against sexual harassment)
Voice of America, March 1, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/chinese-anti-sexual-harrassment-20180228/4275433.html

Proposed removal of Chinese leader’s term limit meets with public resistance
China Change, February 28, 2018
https://chinachange.org/2018/02/28/proposed-removal-of-chinese-leaders-term-limit-meets-with-public-resistance/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

129名公职人员充当黑保护伞 猫鼠一家有多可怕 (129 government employees including police officers found of mafia involvement in Heilongjiang)
China Youth Daily, February 28, 2018
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2018-02-28/doc-ifwnpcns4436099.shtml

中国共产党第十九届中央委员会第三次全体会议公报 (The third CPC plenary session highlights key task of Party and state institutional reform to “ensure total coverage of party leadership”)
Xinhua News Agency, February 28, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/2018-02/28/c_1122468000.htm

Why build Kenya’s first coal plant? Hint: Think China
肯亞首座煤電廠背後的中國煤炭擴張潮
The New York Times, February 27, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/climate/coal-kenya-china-power.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/business/20180228/coal-kenya-china-power/zh-hant/

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

别让大数据沦为侵害消费者权益的帮凶 (Don’t let Big Data become accomplice in violating consumers’ rights)
The Beijing News, March 1, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/opinion/2018/03/01/477357.html

China takes a bite out of Apple privacy claims
Deutsche Welle, February 28, 2018
http://www.dw.com/en/china-takes-a-bite-out-of-apple-privacy-claims/a-42769851

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

Is China using “divide and rule” tactics to gain influence in Europe?
South China Morning Post, March 1, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2135244/china-using-divide-and-rule-tactics-gain-influence

Senate passes Taiwan travel bill that has angered China
Reuters, March 1, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-taiwan-china/senate-passes-taiwan-travel-bill-that-has-angered-china-idUSKCN1GD3HI

Hong Kong (香港)

UK watchdog urges fair trials for Hong Kong activists; suggests stripping Justice Sec. of prosecution power
Hong Kong Free Press, March 1, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/01/uk-watchdog-urges-fair-trials-hong-kong-activists-suggests-stripping-justice-sec-prosecution-power/

Budget 2018: Pro-democracy lawmakers say budget “perpetuates wealth gap” and offers little for the poor
Hong Kong Free Press, March 1, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/01/budget-2018-pro-democracy-lawmakers-say-budget-perpetuates-wealth-gap-offers-little-poor/

Anthony Wong: Hong Kong actor on looking for his father
黃秋生- 混血影帝笑看身世 「本來無一物,何處惹塵埃?」
British Broadcasting Corporation, February 28, 2018
EN: http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-43215669/anthony-wong-hong-kong-actor-on-looking-for-his-father
CH: http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/chinese-news-43040787/

Commentary (评论)

十九屆三中全會做了三件事 (Three highlights in third CPC plenary session)
British Broadcasting Corporation, February 28, 2018
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/chinese-news-43231803

Xi Jinping's unsettling approach to governing modern China
Reuters, February 28, 2018
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/china-president-xi-jinping-removal-term-limits-9997962

Can governments protect human rights?
Al Jazeera, February 28, 2018
https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2018/02/governments-protect-human-rights-180228120714275.html

The myth of a kinder, gentler Xi Jinping
The Atlantic, February 27, 2018
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/02/xi-jinping-authoritarianism-china/554375/

Welcome to Xi Jinping's new era
The Diplomat, February 27, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/welcome-to-xi-jinpings-new-era/

Xi Jinping’s abolition of the term limit ruptures assumptions of party’s adaptability and stability
任期制取消堪比皇族內閣
The Reporter, February 26, 2018
EN: https://chinachange.org/2018/02/27/xi-jinpings-abolition-of-the-term-limit-ruptures-assumptions-of-partys-adaptability-and-stability/
CH: https://www.twreporter.org/a/opinion-xi-to-stay-in-power

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Interview: “The Chinese Communist Party wants to stay in power forever”
专访鲍彤:中共高层当年为何废除终身制?
Radio Free Asia, February 27, 2018
EN: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/interview-the-chinese-communist-party-wants-to-stay-in-power-forever-02272018095543.html
CH: https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/zhengzhi/ql2-02272018094553.html

With Xi’s power grab, China joins new era of strongmen
习近平掌控下,中国加入全球威权回归趋势
The New York Times, February 26, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/world/asia/china-xi-jinping-authoritarianism.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180227/china-xi-jinping-authoritarianism/

全国政协委员朱征夫建议:按搜查程序约束扣查嫌疑人手机行为 (CPPCC’s Zhu Zhengfu suggests procedures and guidelines for mobile phone search and seizure)
Procuratorate Daily, February 27, 2018
http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2011500

Access to Information (信息公开)

Uyghur student in US faces down Chinese threats to “turn him in”
Radio Free Asia, February 28, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/threats-02272018150624.html

Ce*sored! China bans the letter N from the Internet as Xi Jinping extends grip on power
The Guardian, February 28, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/28/china-bans-the-letter-n-internet-xi-jinping-extends-power

国务院办公厅印发《关于推进社会公益事业建设领域政府信息公开的意见》 (General Office of State Council issues opinions to promote open government information in 7 public interest areas, including poverty alleviation, education, disaster rescue, and public culture)
Xinhua News Agency, February 26, 2018
http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2018-02/26/content_5268894.htm

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Disagreement between Chinese celebrities sparks online accusations of gender inequality
China Film Insider, February 28, 2018
http://chinafilminsider.com/disagreement-between-chinese-celebrities-sparks-online-accusations-of-gender-inequality/

著名報人李大同發公開信反對修憲 「我都這把年紀了,還怕什麼」 (Renowned Chinese journalist Li Datong defies constitutional amendment in open letter, claiming he is too old to be afraid)
British Broadcasting Corporation, February 27, 2018
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/chinese-news-43209195

Related:
Xi term limit proposal sparks rare public dissent in China
Associated Press, February 27, 2018
https://www.apnews.com/3abb380a71614cd7bf291a85dda9eebe

关于非营利组织免税资格认定管理有关问题的通知 (Ministry of Civil Affairs issues notice on tax exemption for nonprofits, disqualifying those involved in “illegal political activities”)
Ministry of Civil Affairs, February 27, 2018
http://www.mca.gov.cn/article/zwgk/tzl/201802/20180200007943.shtml

中國的「後89一代」:凝視深淵,抑或忘記大象——誰是「後89」? (“Post 1989” Chinese activists: Who are they, how is their activism different from their predecessors?)
SOS Reader, February 26, 2018
Part 1: https://sosreader.com/ n/user/@achilleszhao/article/5a93e8fdfd8978000175d811
Part 2: https://sosreader.com/n/user/@achilleszhao/article/5a9552bcfd89780001674166

Government Accountability (政府问责)

违反八项规定 20多名官员死在酒场上 (More than 20 officials violate party disciplines and die of alcohol poisoning at dinner table)
China Youth Daily, February 27, 2018
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/zs/2018-02-27/doc-ifyrwsqi9884219.shtml

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

About to break the law? Chinese police are already on to you
The Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2018
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-said-to-deploy-big-data-for-predictive-policing-in-xinjiang-1519719096

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

Xi Jinping extends power, and China braces for a new Cold War
習近平推進大國議程,中美或迎來新冷戰
The New York Times, February 27, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/world/asia/xi-jinping-china-new-cold-war.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180228/xi-jinping-china-new-cold-war/zh-hant/

Taipei faces a tougher Beijing if Xi Jinping stays in power, analysts warn
South China Morning Post, February 27, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2134967/taipei-faces-tougher-beijing-if-xi-jinping-stays-power

Hong Kong (香港)

Plenty for Legco by-election hopefuls to chew over in New Territories East despite familiar look to race
South China Morning Post, February 28, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2134936/plenty-legco-election-hopefuls-chew-over-new-territories

朱偉聰:經歷半年監禁,更毋容置疑不認罪 (On bail after spending 6 months in jail, David Chu, political prisoner from N.T. East protest says he would never plead guilty)
Inmediahk, February 28, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1055420a

Taiwan and HK fear China’s harder line after Xi Jinping power play
Financial Times, February 28, 2018
https://www.ft.com/content/c577bb4a-1b94-11e8-aaca-4574d7dabfb6

香港团体抗议习近平欲「恢复帝制」 (Hong Kong groups protest against Xi’s “revival of monarchy”)
Radio Free Asia, February 27, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/cp2-02272018094838.html

Commentary (评论)

「終身制」與中國夢 (Indefinite rule and the Chinese Dream)
Apple Daily, February 28, 2018
https://hk.news.appledaily.com/local/daily/article/20180228/20317417

Xi Jinping dreams of world power for himself and China
The New York Times, February 27, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/opinion/xi-jinping-power-china.html

Reform of Labor Contract Law unlikely at this year’s National People’s Congress
China Labor Bulletin, February 27, 2018
http://www.clb.org.hk/content/reform-labour-contract-law-unlikely-year%E2%80%99s-national-people%E2%80%99s-congress

Xi Jinping’s power grab demands a clear western response
Financial Times, February 27, 2018
https://www.ft.com/content/c826a386-1af6-11e8-956a-43db76e69936

Xi Jinping's latest power move, in context
The Diplomat, February 27, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/xi-jinpings-latest-power-move-in-context/

Globalization has created a Chinese monster
Foreign Policy, February 26, 2018
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/02/26/globalization-has-created-a-chinese-monster/

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Lawyer’s death at Chinese military hospital raises questions
Associated Press, February 26, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/lawyers-death-at-chinese-military-hospital-raises-questions/2018/02/26/410f850a-1b61-11e8-98f5-ceecfa8741b6_story.html

除了取消任期限制,习氏修宪还将带来哪些深远影响? (What impacts will Xi’s Constitution amendments bring other than removing term limits?)
The Initium, February 27, 2017
https://theinitium.com/article/20180227-mainland-constitutional-revision/

Related:
中国军方也表态了 “坚决拥护”修宪建议 (Chinese military pledges “resolute” support to amend Constitution)
Voice of America, February 27, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-military-term-limit-20180227/4272140.html

法工委:正会同有关方面对个人信息保护立法进行研究论证 (Legislative Affairs Commission of NPC Standing Committee researches legislation to “protect personal information”)
The Paper, February 26, 2018
http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2010284

最高检出台《规定》进一步规范强制医疗决定监督工作, 坚决防止和纠正“假精神病”“被精神病” (Supreme People’s Procuratorate issues regulation to further standardize supervision of medical decisions to prevent healthy individuals from being “falsely” diagnosed or “subjected” to compulsory mental health treatment)
Supreme People’s Procuratorate, February 26, 2018
http://www.spp.gov.cn/xwfbh/wsfbt/201802/t20180226_367788.shtml

Access to Information (信息公开)

“Ensuring happier lives”: Chinese media defends move to make Xi Jinping all powerful
The Guardian, February 27, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/27/ensuring-happier-lives-chinese-media-defends-move-to-make-xi-jinping-all-powerful

Xi Jinping Thought explained: A new ideology for a new era
习近平思想:为巩固和加强权力而生的中国政治蓝图
The New York Times, February 26, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/world/asia/xi-jinping-thought-explained-a-new-ideology-for-a-new-era.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180227/xi-jinping-thought-explained-a-new-ideology-for-a-new-era/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

世界人权团体致函联合国人权理事会成员国问责中国人权 (Human rights groups urge UN Human Rights Council in open letter to hold China accountable for violations)
Voice of America, February 27, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/news-human-rights-groups-call-on-states-to-hold-china-accountable-at-the-un-human-rights-council-20180226/4271139.html

Related:
Human rights groups call on States to hold China accountable at the UN Human Rights Council
International Federation for Human Rights, February 26, 2018
https://www.ishr.ch/sites/default/files/article/files/26feb_press_release_china_final.pdf

海外民主人士发联署声明 反对习近平可永续延任 (Chinese dissidents overseas launch signature campaign against Xi’s indefinite rule)
Radio Free Asia, February 26, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/statement-02262018065716.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China defends controversial detention measure of new anti-graft ministry
Reuters, February 27, 2018
https://goo.gl/WTaydL

自然保护区最大执法行动问责千余人 关停企业2460家 (Ministry of Environmental Protection holds over 1,000 people accountable, shuts down 2,460 companies in 5 months joint sweep)
Legal Daily, February 27, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-02/27/c_1122457192.htm

Who is “Uncle He?” The man in charge of China’s economy
The Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2018
https://www.wsj.com/articles/blessed-by-xi-jinping-the-new-captain-of-chinas-economy-1519688592

China urges regions to take responsibility after Yangtze smog surge
Reuters, February 27, 2018
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/china-urges-regions-to-take-responsibility-after-yangtze-smog-surge-9995262