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, October 25, 2017

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China’s Communist Party is all in on the power of technology
Quartz, October 25, 2017
https://qz.com/1102948/chinas-communist-party-is-all-in-on-the-power-of-technology-and-thats-tricky-for-its-tech-giants/

China creates “database of voices” to boost surveillance
Time, October 23, 2017
http://time.com/4992849/china-voice-database-surveillance/

Hong Kong (香港)

China is said to free Hong Kong bookseller, but family says he’s missing
香港书商“获释”后仍然下落不明
The New York Times, October 25, 2017
EN: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171025/gui-minhai-hong-kong-bookseller/en-us/
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171025/gui-minhai-hong-kong-bookseller/

Bailed activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law share experiences of prison life
Hong Kong Free Press, October 25, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/25/bailed-activists-joshua-wong-nathan-law-share-experiences-prison-life/

Related:
羅冠聰和黃之鋒稱繼續堅持爭取民主信念 (Nathan Law and Joshua Wong say that they will continue to fight for democracy and their belief)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 24, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1361041-20171024.htm

林鄭對習近平發言感鼓舞 直言最關心香港部分 (Carrie Lam says Hong Kong is inspired by Xi Jinping’s speech and she cares most about part of Hong Kong)
Mingpao, October 25, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171025/s00001/1508900192428

陳帆指高鐵對香港貢獻巨大 應盡快通過一地兩檢議案 (Frank Chan, Secretary for Transport and Housing, says high-speed rail makes great contribution to Hong Kong and motion of co-location arrangement should be passed as soon as possible)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 25, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1361190-20171025.htm

Related:
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong to re-enter the fray at rally against high-speed rail checkpoint plan
South China Morning Post, October 25, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2116839/hong-kong-activist-joshua-wong-re-enter-fray-rally-against

Commentary (评论)

中共十九大七常委档案:细看中国最有权势的七个人 (A closer look at profiles of seven most powerful men in China)
British Broadcasting Corporation, October 25, 2017
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-41745184

The banner of “Xi Jinping thought” marches out into the world
Hong Kong Free Press, October 25, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/25/xi-jinpings-banner-marches-world/

Xi Jinping: has China’s strongman forgotten the perils of power?
The Guardian, October 25, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/25/xi-jinping-has-china-strongman-forgotten-the-perils-of-power

How Mao molded communism to create a new China
毛泽东的共产主义和“新中国”
The New York Times, October 24, 2017
EN: https://cn.nytimes.com/opinion/20171024/how-mao-molded-communism-to-create-a-new-china/en-us/
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/opinion/20171024/how-mao-molded-communism-to-create-a-new-china/

The Guardian view on Chinese politics: an age of ambition
The Guardian, October 24, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/24/the-guardian-view-on-chinese-politics-an-age-of-ambition

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

習近平思想入中共黨章表決通過 (19th party congress votes and approves inclusion of “Xi Jinping thought” in CPC constitution)
Mingpao, October 24, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171024/s00004/1508817517181

Related:
President Xi Jinping tightens his grip on China as name added to Communist constitution
Agence France-Presse, October 24, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/24/just-president-xi-jinping-joins-mao-chinese-communist-party-constitution/

十九大提出的“立法清单”,全国人大将如何落实? (How will NPC implement legislation list proposed by 19th party congress?)
23 Xi Jiao Min Xiang, October 23, 2017
http://news.ifeng.com/a/20171023/52760788_0.shtml

Access to Information (信息公开)

China's 19th party congress sends a message to Chinese media
The Diplomat, October 18, 2017
https://thediplomat.com/2017/10/chinas-19th-party-congress-sends-a-message-to-chinese-media/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Chinese Communist Party vows to “sinicize religions” in China
The Diplomat, October 24, 2017
https://thediplomat.com/2017/10/chinese-communist-party-vows-to-sinicize-religions-in-china/

Chinese military veterans skeptical over president's promise to “protect their rights”
Radio Free Asia, October 23, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/veterans-10232017114254.html

China's complicated approach to transgender rights
The Diplomat, October 23, 2017
https://thediplomat.com/2017/10/chinas-complicated-approach-to-transgender-rights/

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

政法+人工智能 如何满足人民新期待 (How can political and legal work, as well as artificial intelligence, meet people’s new expectations)
Legal Daily, October 23, 2017
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2017-10/23/ content_7365190.htm

Hong Kong (香港)

習近平稱要讓港澳同胞共擔民族復興責任 (Xi Jinping says people in Hong Kong and Macau will share responsibility for national rejuvenation)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 24, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1360942-20171024.htm

回應教育部長國教言論 林鄭籲勿以有色眼鏡看中央關懷 (Carrie Lam responds to comments of Chinese education chief on national education: don’t look at Central Government’s care through colored lenses)
Mingpao, October 24, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171024/s00001/1508812842680

Related:
Carrie Lam: Do not interpret mainland official’s comments on national education through colored lenses
Hong Kong Free Press, October 24, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/24/carrie-lam-not-interpret-mainland-officials-comments-national-education-coloured-lenses/

終審法院批准黃之鋒羅冠聰保釋等候上訴 (Court of Final Appeal approves bail of Joshua Wong and Nathan Law until their appeal applications are heard)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 24, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1360907-20171024.htm

Related:
Jailed Hong Kong democracy activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law freed on bail by Court of Final Appeal
Hong Kong Free Press, October 24, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/24/breaking-jailed-hong-kong-activists-joshua-wong-nathan-law-freed-bail-court-final-appeal/

Pro-democracy lawmaker questions need for new police division tackling protests and terrorism
Hong Kong Free Press, October 23, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/23/pro-democracy-lawmaker-questions-need-new-police-division-tackling-protests-terrorism/

Commentary (评论)

What it could mean if China’s leader won’t name an heir
习近平料将推迟确立接班人,这意味着什么?
The New York Times, October 24, 2017
EN: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171024/china-xi-jinping-successor/en-us/
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171024/china-xi-jinping-successor/

中共十九大:港台的希望与恐惧 (19th party congress: hopes and fears of Hong Kong and Taiwan)
Deutsche Welle, October 23, 2017
http://bit.ly/2y29EHt

Monday, October 23, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

China wrongly detained 3 human rights activists, U.N. experts say
联合国人权小组呼吁中国释放三名活动人士
The New York Times, October 23, 2017
EN: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171023/china-activists-arrested-united-nations/en-us/
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20171023/china-activists-arrested-united-nations/

For some Chinese dissidents, party congress means a paid “vacation”
Reuters, October 22, 2017
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-congress-rights-insight/for-some-chinese-dissidents-party-congress-means-a-paid-vacation-idUSKBN1CR01T

党是全面依法治国坚强领导核心 (Party is strong and leading core for comprehensively ruling the country by law)
Legal Daily, October 20, 2017
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2017-10/20/content_7362645.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

“Into the brains” of China’s children: Xi Jinping’s “thought” to become compulsory school topic
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2116504/brains-chinas-children-xi-jinpings-thought-become

党的十九大举行第二场记者招待会 介绍加强思想道德和文化建设情况 (Second press conference of 19th party congress introduces work on ideology, ethics and culture)
Xinhua News Agency, October 20, 2017
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2017-10/20/c_1121833475.htm

Government Accountability (政府问责)

He’s the anti-graft tsar about to leave China’s top leadership. So what will happen to Wang Qishan?
South China Morning Post, October 22, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2116284/hes-anti-graft-tsar-about-leave-chinas-top-leadership

广东省检察院出台八小时外监管规定:因私外出当日不回需报备 (Guangdong Province Procuratorate issues regulation to supervise officials outside 8-hour working time)
Yangcheng Evening News, October 20, 2017
http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1832057

Hong Kong (香港)

葉建源指陳寶生對香港教育事務發表指向性言論不恰當 (Lawmaker says Chinese education chief’s directive comment over Hong Kong education affairs is inappropriate)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 23, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1360744-20171023.htm

Related:
教育部長:特區政府有責任推行國民教育 教育部可協助 (Chinese education chief: SAR gov’t is responsible for promoting national education and Chinese education dept. can help)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 23, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1360737-20171023.htm

Hong Kong teachers must love China to do their job properly, education chief says
South China Morning Post, October 23, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2116503/fortify-teachers-patriotic-mission-chinas-education

O記D隊新出爐 監控大型公眾活動嚴重刑事罪行 (Police launches new team to monitor large-scale public activities and investigate related serious crimes)
HK01, October 22, 2017
https://www.hk01.com/sns/article/124442

Related:
New police division for Hong Kong mass protests sparks fears community relations will worsen
South China Morning Post, October 22, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2116499/new-police-division-hong-kong-mass-protests-sparks-fears

二百人香港夜祭刘晓波逝世百日 (200 in HK mourn for Liu Xiaobo on 100th day after his death)
Radio Free Asia, October 22, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/cp-10222017113037.html

北京批英方对人权人士被拒入境香港问题的表态 (Beijing criticizes Britain for “wrong comments and actions” over entry ban of Benedict Rogers)
Voice of America, October 21, 2017
https://www.voachinese.com/a/hk-mofa-20171020/4079868.html

Commentary (评论)

習大帝專權對香港的影響 (Emperor Xi’s dictatorship and how it affects Hong Kong)
Apple Daily, October 20, 2017
http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20171020/20188621

不再幻想,堅決抗爭——中共治港二十年政策回顧 (Stop dreaming, determined to fight—a review of how CPC ruled Hong Kong during past 20 years)
CitizenNews, October 19, 2017
http://bit.ly/2h1Noro

Friday, October 20, 2017

Access to Justice (司法公正)

UN tells China to release human rights activists and pay them compensation
The Guardian, October 20, 2017
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/20/un-china-report-release-human-rights-activists-pay-compensation

Chinese police detain, “disappear” dozens of rights activists, petitioners
Radio Free Asia, October 19, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/congress-disappeared-10192017133618.html

党的十九大新闻中心举行首场集体采访 关注推进全面依法治国 (19th party congress press center hosts first group interview focusing on promoting “Comprehensively Ruling the Country by Law”)
Xinhua News Agency, October 19, 2017
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/19cpcnc/2017-10/19/c_1121827924.htm

读懂十九大报告中全面推进依法治国的新内涵 (To understand new connotation of “Comprehensively Ruling the Country by Law” in 19th party congress report)
Legal Daily, October 19, 2017
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/commentary/content/2017-10/19/content_7362278.htm?node=34251

Access to Information (信息公开)

中宣部副部長孫志軍:高度重視宣傳思想文化工作 (Propaganda deputy Sun Zhijun: Party attaches great importance to propaganda, thinking, and culture work)
Radio Television Hong Kong, October 20, 2017
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1360287-20171020.htm

Government Accountability (政府问责)

A kinder, gentler new anti-corruption system for China?
South China Morning Post, October 20, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2116151/kinder-gentler-new-anti-graft-system-china

China says hopes U.S. can abandon bias, view China objectively
Reuters, October 19, 2017
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-india-tillerson-china/china-says-hopes-u-s-can-abandon-bias-view-china-objectively-idUSKBN1CO0VS

中国官员将林肯废奴与中共废西藏农奴制相比较 (Chinese official compares Lincoln emancipating slaves with CPC eradicating serfdom in Tibet)
Radio Free Asia, October 19, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/nu-10192017112155.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

“刷脸”作证:广州现全国首例证人通过微信小程序远程作证案 (First case of witness giving testimony remotely using WeChat facial recognition function takes place in Guangzhou)
The Paper, October 19, 2017
http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1830867

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong soccer fans’ booing of China's national anthem soon to be illegal
Radio Free Asia, October 20, 2017
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/hongkong-anthem-10192017150227.html

If you think protest is finished in Hong Kong, think again
The Economist, October 19, 2017
https://www.economist.com/news/china/21730411-next-stand-could-be-uglier-if-you-think-protest-finished-hong-kong-think-again

Pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho urges HKU Council to suspend Occupy protest leader Benny Tai
Hong Kong Free Press, October 19, 2017
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/10/19/pro-beijing-lawmaker-junius-ho-urges-hku-council-suspend-occupy-protest-leader-benny-tai/

李飛指追溯期由人大常委會決定 法律學者斥毀一國兩制 (Li Fei says NPC decides whether National Anthem Law will be retroactive; law scholar criticizes it as ruining “One Country, Two Systems”)
HK01, October 18, 2017
https://www.hk01.com/港聞/126854/-國歌法-李飛指追溯期由人大常委會決定-法律學者斥毀一國兩制

Commentary (评论)

香港被全面管治新時代 (A new era of Hong Kong under comprehensive control)
Mingpao, October 20, 2017
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20171020/s00022/1508420929951

Jailing of Hong Kong democracy activists a failure to uphold international law
South China Morning Post, October 20, 2017
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2116227/jailing-hong-kong-democracy-activists-failure-uphold