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.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

February 16, 2005

Top news of the day

Media – press freedom / industrial accident (Fuxin blast)
Reporters discouraged from reporting Fuxin coal mine tragedy
辽宁煤矿灾变灾情惨 记者称当局封锁新闻
Dajiyuan.com, February 16, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/15/n813162.htm


News

Children - adoption
Chinese parents challenge 'biased' US custody ruling
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZSD29585E.html

Corruption
415 corrupt party officials published in 2004, 15 in high-ranking positions
去年15名省(部)级415名厅级干部受党纪政纪处分
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/cna_2005_02_16_00_38_02_848.html

More than 150,000 corrupt Communist Party members disciplined in 2004
ASSOCIATED PRESS, February 16, 2005
China’s Communist Party disciplined more than 150,000 corrupt party members in 2004 and uncovered more than US$300 million (HK$2.34 billion) in misused public funds, the government said on Wednesday.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6839585E.html

Detention – Zhang Lin (張林)
RSF urges China to release freelance writer Zhang Lin (張林)
记者无国界呼吁中国立即释放张林
Radio Free Asia, February 15, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/02/15/zhanglin/

Disaster / Xinjiang
Xinjiang hit by quake but gets off lightly
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZKD29585E.html

Education
Education Bureau sacks 30,000 unqualified staff last year
全国各级教育部门去年调离辞退近3万不合格人员
EastDay.com, February 16, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node50198/userobject1ai866153.html

Hong Kong - rights
Hong Kong labours over minimum wage debate: High unemployment has prompted the city's legislators to review legal protections for low-paid workers
Financial Times, 15 February 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e575fb4a-7ef5-11d9-9c86-00000e2511c8.html

June 4th – EU arms ban
France pushes case to lift China arms embargo despite US fears: minister
AFP via YahooNew.com, February 16, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050216/wl_
afp/euchinaarmsembargofranceus_050216064317

US lobbying may limit future EU arms sales
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ24RJ985E.html

Land policy
Researcher says privatization of land the key to resolve existing rural issues
中国国情研究中心主任蒯辙：中国土地私有化解决三农问题
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SocDigest/Econo
my/2005_2_15_20_21_36_975.html

Labour – industrial accidents
China accounts for 80pc of coal-mine deaths
SCMP, February 16, 2005
State Administration of Work Safety figures show China accounts for some 80 per cent of the world’s coal mining deaths — despite producing just 35 per cent of the world's coal.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZX439585E.html

China Mine Blast Kills 209; Six Missing
AP via YahooNew.com, February 16, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=73
1&e=10&u=/ap/20050216/ap_on_re_as/china_mine_explosion


Smouldering fire hinders investigation in Shaanxi
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZI5RJ985E.html

Law – legal profession
7 major imbalances of the lawyer industry
律师职业存在七大不平衡
Legal Daily, February 16, 2005
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-02/16/content_1869
80.htm

Law – legal reform
A key issue of legal reform 2005: jurors and judges – balance of power in court
陪审员与法官同权 中国司法改革2005年亮点频现
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-02-16_540009.shtml

Media - regulations
China announces new regulations on press cards
Xinhua News Agency, 16 February 2005
by Quan Xiaoshu BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's new media regulations, concerning the press cards, will go into effect on March 1, the General Administration of Press and Publication, the country's press watchdog, said here Wednesday. ...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/16/content_2585201.htm

Police – administrative detention (Alex Ho 何偉途)
Case against Alex Ho 'clear enough'
SCMP, February 16, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZKPII985E.html

Politics – NPC
NPC meetings not more than 10 days despite many controversial issues to discuss
「兩會」會期不超過10天
WenWeiPo, February 16, 2005
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH05021600
20&cat=002CH

Public health – HIV aids
Shanxi Aids patients form self-help community
山西建艾滋病人生产自救区
BeijingNews.com, February 16, 2005
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-2-16/9@0838.html

China releases infectious disease data
Big News Network, 16th February, 2005 (UPI)
China's Ministry of Health said Wednesday that 382 people had died nationwide of infectious diseases during January 2005.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/40bc78bea5159d10/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/
Rural issues - poverty
SCHOLARS IN FIGHT TO HELP THE POOR GET RICHER
China Daily, 16 February 2005
Tax dodgers beware the government could be on to you soon. Chinese researchers are urging officials to crack down on those who collect the spoils of the economic boom but give nothing back to society in return.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/16/content_416654.htm

Tibet
The controversy over China’s increasing investment in Tibet (part I)
中国扩大对西藏投资惹争议(1)
Voice of America, February 15, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-15-voa70.cfm

Hong Kong – election
Referendum in HK feasible but should proceed with caution, says Hong Kong scholar
香港学者：举行全民投票可行但宜小心运作
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 16, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/cna_2005_02_16_00_38_02_848.html

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

February, 15, 2005

Top news of the day

Labour - Industrial accidents
China Mine Accident Kills More Than 200
Reuters via YahooNew.com, February 15, 2005
The death toll of a worse ever gas explosion in a coal mine in China’s northeastern province of Liaoning has risen to 203 since the tragedy occurred on Monday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=
731&e=3&u=/nm/20050215/wl_nm/china_mine_dc

News

Education / poverty
Serious gap in higher education opportunities
ChinaDaily.com, February 14, 2005
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/14/content
_416474.htm

Government – governance and accountability
New auditing law expects to make public this year
新審計法有望年內出台
WenWeiPo.com, February 15, 2005
http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id=CH0502150016
&cat=002CH

Law – legal profession
Featured article: Supreme Court to launch investigations against judges involved in 7 types of power abuse activities
特稿：中国最高法院将严查七类法官
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 15, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_2_14_18_58_53_576.html

Law – judicial system
Excerpted article: loopholes of the administration mechanism of Judicial Committee
北京青年报：审判委员会行政化弊端重重
People's Daily, February 14, 2005
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3178457.html

Media - internet
China steps up efforts in closing internet cafes
中国加紧关闭网吧
Dajiyuan.com, February 15, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/15/n812407.htm

Natural resources – Water
Guangdong only has enough water for half its needs
SCMP, February 15, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZIL8AHJ3E.html

Rural issues – rural development
Commentary to China’s latest agricultural policy
评析中国新农业政策
Voice of America, February 15, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2005-02-14-voa79.cfm

Hong Kong
Youngsters plan to set up their own NGO
SCMP, February 15, 2005
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZYX2EHJ3E.html

Monday, February 14, 2005

February 12-14, 2005

Top news of the day

Detention – Zhang Lin (張林) / June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
Dissident held 'for mourning Zhao'
SCMP, February 14, 2005
According to a pro-democracy campaigner, Zhang Lin (張林) has been detained and sent to jail for overfor threatening national security after he attempted to pay respect to the family of Zhao Ziyang. Zhang was taken away by the police in Anhui on January 29.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZBJZDHJ3E.html

Tibet
Five Tibetan Monks Jailed in Western China
Radio Free Asia, February 13, 2005
Five Tibetan monks were sentenced to jail for two to three years each for publishing politically sensitive poems in Qinghai province.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/politics/2005/02/13/tibet
an_jail/

Five Tibetan monks jailed in China for writing 'sensitive' poems
Agence France Presse, 13 February 2005
BEIJING, Feb 14 (AFP) - Five Tibetan monks have been sentenced to up to three years in prison in western China for publishing poems the authorities consider politically sensitive, a US-based broadcaster reported Monday.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7242_1241441,00180008.htm


News
Bilaterals - US/China
Sino-US political ties strengthen ahead of strains on economic front
South China Morning Post, 14 February 2005
Political ties between Beijing and Washington look set to become more stable, with President George W. Bush in his second term and President Hu Jintao cementing his grip on power, but the economic relationship faces more hurdles in the next few years.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZN75AHJ3E.html

Children – abuse (trafficking)
Why rural parents participate in baby trafficking?
中国农村父母参与贩婴 原因何在？
Dajiyuan.com, February 13, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/13/n810939.htm




June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Interview with Hu Ping (胡平): the implications of mourning Zhao Ziyang
专访胡平：悼念紫阳告别中共的重大意义
Dajiyuan.com, February 14, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/14/n811199.htm

China extends detention for dissident who wanted to honour deposed leader
Agence France Presse, 13 February 2005
http://asia.news.designerz.com/china-extends-detention-for-dissid
ent-who-wanted-to-honour-deposed-leader.html?d20050213

Law
People’s juror on the job on May 1 highlights China’s judiciary reform in 2005
05年法院司法改革 人民陪审员“五一”正式上岗
EastDay.com, February 14, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node50043/userobject1ai864035.html

Labour
Over 70% employees dare not to ask for overtime payment to keep the jobs
为保证饭碗 近七成加班族不敢对加班费过分认真
EastDay.com, February 12, 2005
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node49940/userobject1ai862828.html

Beijing's number one worry?
South China Morning Post, 12 February 2005
The last annual figure for labour protests that Beijing was willing to announce publicly was 100,000 for the year 1999.
www.scmp.com

Migrant workers flood Guangdong; ; Thousands take advantage of the lifting of a long-standing ban on recruiting
South China Morning Post, 14 February 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ0PMBHJ3E.html

Media - censorship
Friend or foe: what is the real face of China? The workshop of the world is now seen as a potential superpower - but what is going on behind...
The Daily Telegraph, 12 February 2005
It is difficult to find a lifestyle journalist who is not enraptured by the rise of China. Shanghai is firmly on the New York-Paris-London axis. Vogue launches in China in the autumn.
www.telegraph.co.uk

Media – internet
Chinese government says it shut down 12,575 Internet cafes in 2004
AP via YahooNews.com, February 14, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1856&
amp;ncid= 731&e=4&u=/cpress/20050214/ca_pr_on_wo/china_
internet _crackdown

Migrant workers – migrant children
Survey calls for more care to children of farmers working in cities
Xinhuanet.com, February 14, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/14/content_257
6526.htm

Poverty – urban poverty
17 bln yuan spent to help urban poor
Xinhuanet.com, February 9, 2005
The government has raised basic monthly living allowance to low-income urban residents from 65 yuan in 2003 to 72 yuan in 2004, or up by 11%.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/09/content_2566
255.htm

Poverty- rising gap
Fearful mainland elite disguise and obscure their fortunes; Conspicuous wealth is on the decline in China as kidnappings and crime against...
South China Morning Post, 12 February 2005
Deng Xiaoping said that to be rich was glorious - but, in communist China, it can also be fatal. In the past two years, a dozen millionaires have been murdered or committed suicide.
www.scmp.com

Protests and petitions
1200 petitioners sue People’s Supreme Court for not responding to their cases
1200名公民起诉最高法院不了了之
Dajiyuan.com, February 13, 2005
1200 petitioners in Beijing set to sue the People’s Supreme Court for ignoring their cases and maltreatment such as beating up petitioners.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/13/n810621.htm

Reforms- relocation
China vows to help urban dwellers expelled from their homes for new projects
Agence France Presse, 12 February 2005
China wants to do more to protect the rights of city dwellers who get expelled from their homes to make way for new construction projects, addressing a top cause of urban unrest, state media said Saturday.
www.afp.com

Social security / poverty
28,000 aid centers set up in 2004
Xinhuanet.com, February 9, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/09/content_2566
505.htm

Society
"Scientific concept of development" important to building harmonious society
Xinhuanet.com, February 11, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/11/content_257
1481.htm

Inner Mongolia / Environment
Inner Mongolian Environment Threatened, Nomads Forced To Move
Radio Free Asia, February 7, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/02/07/nomads/

Tibet
Tibetans urge for reopening offices in Nepeal
藏人争取尼泊尔重开两办公室
Voice of America, February 10, 2005
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/2005-02-10-voa36.cfm

Friday, February 11, 2005

February 11, 2005

News

Hong Kong- human rights
Hong Kong's duty to speak up
South China Morning Post, 11 February 2005
In the past few weeks, I have met visitors from Europe and the US who are concerned about human rights in China. Besides monitoring the situation in the mainland, they are interested in developments in Hong Kong.
http://www.scmp.com/

Law
The legal system's quiet revolution
International Herald Tribune, 11 February 2005 GENEVA This week's Chinese New Year celebrations honored the Year of the Rooster, an auspicious time signifying achievement and new hopes. But while one of China's achievements, its economic success, is well known, another transformation ...
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/10/opinion/edtse.html

My brush with Shanghai's thin blue line
International Herald Tribune, 11 February 2005
SHANGHAI Being gripped by the arm and hauled off to a police squad car, red and blue lights revolving, is unnerving anywhere. When it happened to me here recently in Shanghai, I feared the worst.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/10/opinion/edfull.html

Chinese Court Rejects U.S. Man's Appeal
AP, Feb 10, 2005
China's supreme court has rejected an appeal by a U.S. businessman serving a 16-year sentence on tax evasion charges in a case that prompted calls by Washington for his release and criticism of the Chinese legal system, according to his supporters.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050
211/ap_on_re_as/china_us_jailed_businessman

Rural issues-poverty
Abduction warning to China's rich
BBC News, 2/11/2005
The Ministry for Public Security said nearly 4,000 people had been kidnapped in the country in the past year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4257245.stm

Rural issues-migrants
Round-up: more migrant workers celebrating Spring Festival in city, rather than going back home
Xinhua News Agency, 11 February 2005
Just like Shanghai citizens, migrant workers Hua Yun and husband went to the Jing'an Temple in downtown Shanghai on the first day of China's Rooster Year.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/11/content_2571616.htm

Thursday, February 10, 2005

February 9-10, 2005

Top news of the day

Bilaterals- US/China
Rumsfeld Wants to Visit China to Revive Military Ties
New York Times, 10 February 2005
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has agreed in principle to pay an official visit to China, a significant step toward revitalizing a military-to-military dialogue.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/09/politics/09rumsfeld.html

Related news:
  • International roundup: Europe: US nod for arms sales to China
    The Guardian, 10 February 2005 The United States has reluctantly accepted that the European Union will lift its arms embargo on China within months, Condoleezza Rice, the American secretary of state, indicated yesterday.
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1409526,0
    0.html

Children-Trafficking
China's unspoken shame -- parents are chief culprits in baby trafficking
Agence France Presse, 9 February 2005 YULIN, China, Feb 10 (AFP) - Tiny newborn infants bundled in layers of blankets sleep next to their mothers while fathers and grandmothers sit quietly by the bedside, but this is no ordinary maternity ward.
www.afp.com

Death Penalty
China executes two hundred people in last 2 weeks
China National News, February 9, 2005
China rushed through 200 executions in the past two weeks in advance of the lunar new year. In December and January the number of executions reported in local media topped 650, although that number could be much higher as China does not release details of all executions.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/be6b7d85e8199
c57/cid/4a8b544d0e80ba53/

Labor-Disasters
Steelworks explosion kills six in N. China
Xinhua News Agency, 10 February 2005
TAIYUAN, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A steelworks explosion in north China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday killed six people and injured nine others, local police said Thursday.
www.xinhuanet.com

Political dissidents- detention cases
Canada "deeply concerned" over fate of Chinese dissident Wang Bingzhang
AFP, February 10, 2005
Canada joined the United Nations in calling on China to release dissident Wang Bingzhang, jailed for life two years ago for "espionage" and leading a "terrorist organization.”
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/6be35998bdd754
8c/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

U.S. is guarded on China offer on prisoners
New York Times, 10 February 2005
The United States has responded guardedly to a move by China to volunteer details about 56 political prisoners and people convicted of spying whose prison sentences have been or may be reduced.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/09/international/asia/09chi
na.html

Rural issues-poverty
China Faces Year of Rooster Amid Growing Social Tension
VOA, February 8, 2005 China's leaders have welcomed the lunar new year with glitzy festivities among the Beijing elite. But millions of ordinary Chinese face the Year of the Rooster with deep anxiety over the basics of existence, according to Chinese officials, experts and ordinary people. Many face unemployment, non-payment of pensions and wages, and homelessness. Now the government has even auctioned off the land our home stands on.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/02/08/china_newyear/

Women
Childhood hardships inspire Chinese activist
Reuters, February 10, 2005
At 14, Zhang Ye furtively learned her ABCs while herding sheep in frigid Inner Mongolia during China's Cultural Revolution, a humble start on her path to a masters degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School.
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/d8299fe835c50
de1/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

February 8, 2005

Top news of the day

Political dissidents
China disclose political prisoners details to US
中国向美国提交一份政治犯名单
Voice of America, February 8, 2005
The Chinese government disclosed a list of 51 political prisoners who have been granted sentence reductions or are being considered for early release to the US government. The move is seen as a gesture that comes as the Bush administration is considering whether to sponsor a resolution on China’s poor human rights records.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=D7983F
D0-C9A2-4168-9AF2B0EEB63FC889&title=%D6%
D0%B9%FA%C F%F2%C3%C0%B9%FA%CC%E1%BD%BB%D2%B
B%B7%DD%D5%FE%D6%CE%B7%B8%C3%FB%B5%A5%2805%C
4%EA2%D4%C27%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8
EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

Religion
Freed church leader speaks about tortured experience in labour-camp
获释教会领袖首次述说酷刑经历 联合国就张义南被拘禁作出裁定
Dajiyuan.com, February 8, 2005
Community church leader Liu Xianzhi (劉先枝) revealed her experience in the labour-camp and religion prosecution in China for the first time after her release from the camp last February. Liu spent 6 year in a labour camp for her involving in church activities. According to a religious rights group, UN is due to rule on China’s arbitrary detention of church leader Zhang Yinan (張義南).
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/2/7/n806937.htm

Falun Gong Death Toll Rises Sharply
The Epoch Times, Feb 07, 2005
http://story.chinanationalnews.com/p.x/ct/9/id/7deb3495b1100
927/cid/9366300fc9319e9b/

News

Corruption
Public takes mickey out of agency gift ban
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZL7IBHJ3E.html

Related News:


Gender - marriage
Divorce rate doubles in Guangzhou
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6YUDHJ3E.html

Gender / population – one-child policy
China to punish abortion of females
Asia Times Online, February 7, 2005
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GB08Ad02.html

Human rights – bilateral ties
Canadian government considers to sponsor a resolution in condemning China’s human rights records in the upcoming Geneva meeting
加政府考虑是否提谴责中国人权案
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 8, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/NorthAmerica/
2005_2_7_13_43_33_997.html

Labour
Unpaid workers have a score to settle
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ3XUDHJ3E.html

Natural resources/energies (nuclear)
China set to pioneer meltdown-proof reactor and take lead in nuclear race
Financial Times, February 8, 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3a6108ae-7977-11d9-89c5-00000e
2511c8.html

Police – prison
Japan wants China to take prisoners home
SCMP, February 8, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZP6IBHJ3E.html

Protests and petitions
Featured article: New regulations on petitions are just a game playing with words
王丹：中国信访条例不过文字游戏而已？
Chinesenewsnet.com, February 8, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005
_2_7_18_32_52_809.html


Public health
China develops bird flu vaccine
The Star Online, February 8, 2005
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/8/asia/1011
2085&sec=asia

Rural issues
Farmers' per capita income stands at 2,936 yuan
Xinhuanet.com, February 8, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/08/content_2560
949.htm

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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