Access to Justice (司法公正)

Chinese traffic police let offenders off if they post a confession online (and it gets enough likes)
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2142276/chinese-traffic-police-let-offenders-if-they-post-confession

中国公安部长：坚决捍卫国家政治安全 (Head of Ministry of Public Security claims to firmly defend political security)
Voice of America, April 18, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-secutrity-20180417/4352291.html

維權鐵漢吳淦囚8年 上訴維持原判 (Appeal court upholds sentence, sends rights defender Wu Gan to 8 years in jail)
Apple Daily, April 17, 2018
https://hk.news.appledaily.com/china/realtime/article/20180417/58086013

Tibetan farmland seized for new airport
Radio Free Asia, April 17, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/farmland-04172018164111.html

Chinese doctor at center of “poison tonic” case released from detention center
South China Morning Post, April 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2142164/chinese-doctor-centre-poison-tonic-case-released

Access to Information (信息公开)

央视记者在山西暗访化工国企遭扣押，村干部：不说好出不了村 (Shanxi village officials detain CCTV journalists for investigating pollution at chemical factory)
China Central Television, April 18, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2081902

文化和旅游部集中检查网络表演、网络游戏市场 (Ministry of Culture and Tourism intensifies scrutiny of gaming, live-streaming apps, websites to weed out banned contents)
Xinhua News Agency, April 17, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/legal/2018-04/17/c_1122697183.htm

Related:
China closes illegal live-streaming platforms, online games
Xinhua News Agency, April 17, 2018
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201804/17/WS5ad60cb7a3105cdcf6518de6.html

人民日报评论官微刊随笔文章：“不一样的烟火”一样可以绽放 (People’s Daily WeChat Public Account promotes gay rights, says gays have “social responsibilities”)
People’s Daily WeChat Public Account, April 15, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2076922

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

#Metoo in China: Fledgling movement in universities fights censorship
The Guardian, April 18, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/18/metoo-in-china-fledgling-movement-in-universities-fights-censorship

Bao Zou big news: Privacy in the era of big data
China Digital Times, April 17, 2018
https://chinadigitaltimes.net/2018/04/bao-zou-big-news-events-privacy-in-the-era-of-big-data/

“Beep. Beep Beep”: a group emerges in China and a code is born
China Change, April 17, 2018
https://chinachange.org/2018/04/17/beep-beep-beep-a-group-emerges-in-china-and-a-code-is-born/

First gay-ish film widely released in China
Sixth Tone, April 16, 2018
http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002095/first-gay-ish-film-widely-released-in-china

Related:
It’s still (just about) OK to be gay in China
Foreign Policy, April 17, 2018
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/17/its-still-just-about-ok-to-be-gay-in-china/

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Chairman of China’s biggest bad-loan bank investigated for graft
Financial Times, April 18, 2018
https://www.ft.com/content/0ecf3c62-42ca-11e8-803a-295c97e6fd0b

Why Beijing’s plan to break up mysterious tycoon Xiao Jianhua’s business empire hit the buffers
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2142139/why-beijings-plan-break-mysterious-tycoons-business-empire-hit

“Do not marry for money”
Radio Free Asia, April 17, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/bride-04172018135431.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Mentally ill Chinese man “lost” for a year reunited with family thanks to facial recognition technology
South China Morning Post, April 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2142119/mentally-ill-chinese-man-lost-year-reunited-family-thanks-facial

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

Taiwan says Beijing “saber rattling” as China starts military drills
Reuters, April 18, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-taiwan-drills/taiwan-says-beijing-saber-rattling-as-china-starts-military-drills-idUSKBN1HP0DI

EU ambassadors band together against Silk Road
Handelsblatt, April 17, 2018
https://global.handelsblatt.com/politics/eu-ambassadors-beijing-china-silk-road-912258

China takes the lead in UN peacekeeping
The Diplomat, April 17, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/china-takes-the-lead-in-un-peacekeeping/

Why is the US targeting China's Confucius Institute?
Deutsche Welle, April 16, 2018
http://www.dw.com/en/why-is-the-us-targeting-chinas-confucius-institute/a-43403188

Hong Kong (香港)

Mong Kok unrest: Localist Edward Leung tells court he held “election parade” to protect public from the police
Hong Kong Free Press, April 18, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/18/mong-kok-unrest-localist-edward-leung-tells-court-held-election-parade-protect-public-police/

Related:
Hong Kong localist Edward Leung “sorry” for assaulting police officers during Mong Kok unrest
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2142247/hong-kong-localist-edward-leung-sorry-assaulting-police

British report warns Beijing is increasing pressure on Hong Kong’s basic rights and freedoms
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2142161/british-report-warns-beijing-increasing-pressure-hong-kongs

Related:
Overseas business risk - Hong Kong
Foreign & Commonwealth Office of United Kingdom, April 16, 2018
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-hong-kong/overseas-business-risk-hong-kong

Activist Joshua Wong files legal challenge against Hong Kong Companies Registry for denying registration for his party
Hong Kong Free Press, April 18, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/18/activist-joshua-wong-files-legal-challenge-hong-kong-companies-registry-denying-registration-party/

Related:
Were “political considerations” behind rejection of Joshua Wong’s Hong Kong political party?
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2142158/were-political-considerations-behind-rejection-joshua-wongs

Hong Kong lawmakers fired in oath-taking row can keep their salaries, Legco body says
South China Morning Post, April 18, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2142250/hong-kong-lawmakers-fired-oath-taking-row-can-keep-their

Some pro-establishment camp members donated to campaign to investigate ex-leader CY Leung, says lawmaker
Hong Kong Free Press, April 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/17/pro-establishment-camp-members-donated-campaign-investigate-ex-leader-cy-leung-says-lawmaker/

Commentary (评论)

伸向歷史教科書的黑手 (Dark hands reach out to history textbooks)
Mingpao, April 18, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180418/s00022/1523971916895

台灣年輕世代的政治態度民調：願為台灣而戰、支持民主、反對統一 (Survey on Taiwan youngsters’ political attitudes: “willing to go to war for Taiwan, support democracy, oppose unification”)
The Initium, April 17, 2018
https://theinitium.com/article/20180417-opinion-chenfangyu-taiwan-teenagers/

Angola: China’s risky gamble in Africa
China File, April 16, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/library/china-africa-project/angola-chinas-risky-gamble-africa

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Families of Chinese activists face house arrest, harassment from “smiling tigers”
Reuters, April 16, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-rights/families-of-chinese-activists-face-house-arrest-harassment-from-smiling-tigers-idUSKBN1HN1BA

吴淦案二审将开庭 父亲徐孝顺被软禁 (Father put under house arrest as rights defender Wu Gan faces trial of second instance)
Radio Free Asia, April 16, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-04162018110017.html

甄江华的代理律师被通知遭解聘 (Lawyers of rights activist Zhen Jianghua told by police they are fired)
Radio Free Asia, April 16, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf1-04162018120449.html

最高检印发党组巡视工作5年规划：推动解决司法不公等问题 (Supreme People’s Procuratorate issues 5-year plan for system-wide inspection work , aims include “ensuring the Party's absolute leadership over procuratorial work”)
Supreme People's Procuratorate WeChat Public Account, April 16, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2078727

Related:
China to step up inspections of prosecutors
Xinhua News Agency, April 16, 2018
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201804/16/WS5ad4bbf5a3105cdcf6518943.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Why do Chinese citizens care so much about airstrikes on Syria this time?
The Diplomat, April 16, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/why-do-chinese-citizens-care-so-much-about-airstrikes-on-syria-this-time/

接受社会监督，全国法院决胜“基本解决执行难”信息网上线 (Supreme People’s Court launches website to publish information on court decisions that are difficult to implement)
People’s Court Daily, April 14, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2075956

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Chinese social media site reverses gay content ban after uproar
批评声浪下，微博取消审查同性恋题材计划
The New York Times, April 16, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/world/asia/china-weibo-gay.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180417/china-weibo-gay/

民政部集中曝光“中国海军史研究会”等307个涉嫌非法社会组织 (Ministry of Civil Affairs publishes list of 307 allegedly illegal civil society groups)
The Beijing News, April 16, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2018/04/16/483388.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China cuts smog but health damage already done: study
Reuters, April 17, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-pollution-health/china-cuts-smog-but-health-damage-already-done-study-idUSKBN1HO0C4

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

国家安全部开通互联网举报受理平台 (Ministry of National Security launches bilingual online platform to allow reporting of national security, espionage crimes)
Xinhua News Agency, April 15, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/legal/2018-04/15/c_1122685333.htm

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

Taiwan’s leader says island secure ahead of mainland China naval drills
Agence France-Presse, April 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2142091/taiwans-leader-says-island-secure-ahead-mainland-china

Related:
Beijing ready to snuff out any separatist move, and live-fire drill in Taiwan Strait is proof, official says
South China Morning Post, April 16, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2141995/beijing-ready-snuff-out-any-separatist-move-and-live

China's ZTE “poses risk to UK security”
British Broadcasting Corporation, April 16, 2018
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43784990

Related:
China vows to defend “rights” after US bans sales to ZTE for seven years
Deutsche Welle, April 17, 2018
http://www.dw.com/en/china-vows-to-defend-rights-after-us-bans-sales-to-zte-for-seven-years/a-43414678

國安教育日公布七案例 三外籍老師泄國家機密 (China publicizes 7 national security cases on National Security Education Day, accuses 3 foreign teachers of espionage)
Sing Tao Daily, April 16, 2018
http://std.stheadline.com/daily/news-content.php?id=1784330&target=2

Hong Kong (香港)

Legality of Hong Kong media covering pro-independence comments “will depend on the situation and law,” Lam says
Hong Kong Free Press, April 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/17/legality-hong-kong-media-covering-pro-independence-comments-will-depend-situation-law-lam-says/

Related:
No timetable for Hong Kong national security law legislation, says Chief Executive Carrie Lam
Hong Kong Free Press, April 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/17/no-timetable-hong-kong-national-security-law-legislation-says-chief-executive-carrie-lam/

Video: Hong Kong democracy activists “freeze” for Chinese national anthem in Mong Kok stunt
Hong Kong Free Press, April 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/17/video-hong-kong-democracy-activists-freeze-chinese-national-anthem-mong-kok-stunt/

Related:
Beijing “confuses Hong Kong localism with being anti-China”
South China Morning Post, April 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2141993/beijing-confuses-hong-kong-localism-being-anti-china

Construction of Hong Kong’s “shoebox” flats soars along with prices
South China Morning Post, April 17, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2142000/hong-kongs-shoebox-homes-increase-sevenfold-five-years

Related:
Video: Hong Kong’s maddening density explored by drone
Hong Kong Free Press, August 6, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/08/06/video-hong-kongs-maddening-density-explored-drone/

HK$2m investigation into ex-Hong Kong leader CY Leung will enlist local and overseas lawyers to gather evidence
Hong Kong Free Press, April 16, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/16/hk2m-investigation-ex-hong-kong-leader-cy-leung-will-enlist-local-overseas-lawyers-gather-evidence/

Commentary (评论)

In Translation: When does a China tech firm’s corporate apology become a political “confession”?
Hong Kong Free Press, April 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/17/translation-china-tech-firms-corporate-apology-become-political-confession/

23條立法 林太最大任務？ (Is enacting Article 23 Carrie Lam's greatest mission?)
Mingpao, April 17, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180417/s00022/1523884658924

Has Xi Jinping changed China? Not really
China File, April 16, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/reporting-opinion/viewpoint/has-xi-jinping-changed-china-not-really

The Chinese dissident who wrote in blood
The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2018
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-chinese-dissident-who-wrote-in-blood-1523634068

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China’s Xi Jinping says he is opposed to life-long rule
Financial Times, April 16, 2018
https://www.ft.com/content/2b449400-413a-11e8-803a-295c97e6fd0b

AP Exclusive: Jailed Chinese pastor’s US family seeks mercy
Associated Press, April 16, 2018
https://apnews.com/5f100e3346814ad28caf2ff2ec1a554c

湖北男子不满被贴罚单发朋友圈辱骂交警，被拘5日 (Hubei man detained 5 days for posting ticket on WeChat and insulting traffic police)
Chutian Metropolis Daily WeChat Public Account, April 13, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2075139

Access to Information (信息公开)

“I am gay, not a pervert”: Furor erupts in China as Sina Weibo bans gay content
微博清理同性恋相关内容引发网友抗议
The New York Times, April 15, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/15/world/asia/china-gay-ban-sina-weibo-.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180416/china-gay-ban-sina-weibo-/

Asia’s bastion of free speech? Move aside, Hong Kong, it’s Taiwan now.
台湾取代香港成亚洲言论自由新堡垒
The New York Times, April 14, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/14/world/asia/china-taiwan-hong-kong-free-speech.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/asia-pacific/20180416/china-taiwan-hong-kong-free-speech/

抖音发布处罚通告：3月份永久封禁15234个账号 (In March, Douyin permanently shuts down 15,234 accounts with “illegal” content, such as pornography, vulgarity, rumor, Bitcoin)
Douyin, April 13, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2073928

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Are China’s university lecturers exploiting their traditional “godfatherly” roles to abuse students?
South China Morning Post, April 15, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2141772/are-chinas-university-lecturers-exploiting-their-traditional

First foreign NGO de-registers in China
China File, April 13, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/ngo/latest/first-foreign-ngo-de-registers-china

Related:
Guangdong gives awards to foreign NGOs
China File, April 13, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/ngo/latest/guangdong-gives-awards-foreign-ngos

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Ex-chairman of China's insurance regulator has been formally charged - top prosecutor
中国检察机关对保监会原主席项俊波涉嫌受贿案提起公诉--最高检
Reuters, April 16, 2018
EN: https://www.reuters.com/article/china-corruption/ex-chairman-of-chinas-insurance-regulator-has-been-formally-charged-top-prosecutor-idUSB9N1JZ027
CH: https://cn.reuters.com/article/former-insurance-regulator-head-xiang-04-idCNKBS1HN0SA

China’s military veterans ministry opens after pension protests
South China Morning Post, April 16, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2141894/chinas-military-veterans-ministry-opens-after-pension

“Too busy, too much pressure”: an ageing China and the erosion of filial piety
Hong Kong Free Press, April 15, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/04/15/busy-much-pressure-ageing-china-erosion-filial-piety/

江苏公安民警依法履职免责标准出炉：不得以舆论炒作等追责 (Jiangsu Province Public Security Department drafts rules granting police impunity during “legitimate law enforcement”. Public opinion, petition, administrative reconsideration and lawsuit shall not hold officers accountable)
Cpd.com.cn, April 12, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2071191