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, January 24, 2018

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese media told to tone down coverage of giant firms’ debt, finance woes
South China Morning Post, January 24, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/2130318/chinese-media-told-tone-down-coverage-giant-firms-debt-finance

China’s propagandists wanted a hero. “Frost Boy” fit the bill.
“冰花男孩”:从赤贫儿童到宣传明星、爱国英雄
The New York Times, January 23, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/world/asia/china-frost-boy.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180124/china-frost-boy/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Leiyang workers return to Shenzhen to demand long overdue compensation
China Labor Bulletin, January 23, 2018
http://www.clb.org.hk/content/leiyang-workers-return-shenzhen-demand-long-overdue-compensation

“Me Too,” Chinese women say. Not so fast, say the censors.
The New York Times, January 23, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/world/asia/china-women-me-too-censorship.html

China faces protests after investment scheme collapses
Associated Press, January 23, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-faces-protests-after-investment-scheme-collapses/2018/01/23/c0aa3e5a-002b-11e8-86b9-8908743c79dd_story.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Beijing's struggle against pollution will be tough, take time - mayor
Reuters, January 24, 2018
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/beijing-s-struggle-against-pollution-will-be-tough--take-time---mayor-9890974

Beijing gets serious about cleaning up inappropriate videos targeting children
China Film insider, January 23, 2018
http://chinafilminsider.com/beijing-gets-serious-about-cleaning-up-inappropriate-videos-targeting-children/

习近平:思想再解放改革再深入工作再抓实 推动全面深化改革在新起点上实现新突破 (In meeting of Leading Group for reforms, Xi Jinping stresses priorities including advancing public interest through OGI, producing scientific research “to raise capacity for innovation in strategic frontiers,” reforming Confucius Institutes to serve “diplomacy with Chinese characteristics”)
Xinhua News Agency, January 23, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-01/23/c_1122303539.htm

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

The ideology behind China’s fast-changing military
The Diplomat, January 24, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/the-ideology-behind-chinas-fast-changing-military/

Hong Kong (香港)

被質疑大話連篇 鄭若驊:不接受我無誠信 (Questioned for telling lies, Justice chief Teresa Cheng says she doesn’t accept being accused of someone without integrity)
Mingpao, January 24, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180124/s00001/1516774453459

Related:
Neighbors “dragged into” illegal structures scandal of Hong Kong justice chief Teresa Cheng
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2130239/neighbours-dragged-illegal-structures-scandal-hong-kong

Baptist University student who protested Mandarin tests cuts mainland internship short following threats
Hong Kong Free Press, January 24, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/24/baptist-university-student-protested-mandarin-tests-cuts-mainland-internship-short-following-threats/

Related:
Explain pro-Beijing university president’s new five-year term, Hong Kong students warn, or face “consequences”
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2130229/explain-pro- beijing-university-presidents-new-five-year

UK’s commitment to Hong Kong’s freedom not interference by the west, says UK minister at Parliament debate
Hong Kong Free Press, January 24, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/24/uks-commitment-hong-kongs-freedom-not-interference-west-says-uk-minister-parliament-debate/

Court approves bail for jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong, but bail denied for Raphael Wong
Hong Kong Free Press January 23, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/23/court-approves-bail-jailed-hong-kong-democracy-activist-joshua-wong-bail-denied-raphael-wong/

Related:
港大民研:對港府信任度急跌逾一成 18至29歲近七成不信北京 (HKU survey finds almost 70% people aged from 18 to 29 in Hong Kong don’t trust Beijing)
Mingpao, January 23, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180123/s00001/1516694722475

Veteran Hong Kong officials among new faces to be named to China’s top political advisory body
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2130243/veteran-hong-kong-officials-among-new-faces-be-named-chinas

Commentary (评论)

China’s flagship Communist Party paper awash with declarations for Xi Jinping
Hong Kong Free Press, January 24, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/24/chinas-flagship-communist-party-paper-awash-declarations-xi-jinping/

China’s grim Christmas ritual: Imprisoning dissidents
The Diplomat, January 24, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/chinas-grim-christmas-ritual-imprisoning-dissidents/

Today’s UK parliamentary debate on Hong Kong democracy is timely and long overdue
Hong Kong Free Press, January 23, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/23/todays-uk-parliamentary-debate-hong-kong-democracy-timely-long-overdue/

Hong Kong leader’s role as university chancellor must end to protect academic freedom
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2130183/hong-kong-leaders-role-university-chancellor-must-end

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Xi stresses Party's "absolute leadership" over political, legal work
Xinhua News Agency, January 23, 2018
http://english.sina.com/china/p/2018-01-23/detail-ifyqwiqi5767568.shtml

Chinese police seize publisher from train in front of diplomats
瑞典籍香港书商桂民海在火车上被中国警方带走
The New York Times, January 22, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/22/world/asia/china-police-bookseller-train-gui-minhai.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180123/china-police-bookseller-train-gui-minhai/

Around 120,000 Uyghurs detained for political re-education in Xinjiang’s Kashgar prefecture
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2018
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/detentions-01222018171657.html

教会长老胡石根病重被拒保外就医 (Imprisoned priest Hu Shigen, suffering from heart disease, denied medical parole)
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2018
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/gf2-01222018111228.html

律师会见余文生被拒 数十人联署要求公布真相 (Lawyer banned from meeting with detained rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, as dozens launch signature campaign demanding the truth)
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2018
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-01222018111134.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

China takes aim at hip-hop, saying “low-taste content” must stop
Reuters, January 22, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-censorship-hiphop/china-takes-aim-at-hip-hop-saying-low-taste-content-must-stop-idUSKBN1FB139

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

两千多钱宝“合伙投资人”在南京游行 (Over 2,000 investors of collapsed pyramid scheme march and protest in Nanjing)
Weiquanwang, January 22, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.hk/2018/01/blog-post_92.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

误将亚硝酸盐做食盐致多名幼儿食物中毒 河北一幼儿园被查封 (Hebei kindergarten closed for putting Nitrite in meals and poisoning many children)
The Beijing News, January 23, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2018/01/23/473667.html

Chinese staff paid in bricks to top up unpaid wages
农民工春节前遭拖欠工资 老板发砖抵薪水
British Broadcasting Corporation, January 22, 2018
EN: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-42779898#
CH: http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-42784780

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

China's Xinjiang to build “Great Wall” to protect border: governor
Reuters, January 23, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-xinjiang/chinas-xinjiang-to-build-great-wall-to-protect-border-governor-idUSKBN1FC022

Chinese hacking against Taiwan: A blessing for the United States?
The Diplomat, January 23, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/chinese-hacking-against-taiwan-a-blessing-for-the-united-states/

China orders Tibetan pilgrims in India and Nepal to return home
Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2018
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/india-pilgrims-01222018144658.html

Hong Kong (香港)

New Justice Sec. Teresa Cheng saved HK$6.7m in stamp duty buying additional flat as first-time homeowner
Hong Kong Free Press, January 23, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/23/new-justice-sec-teresa-cheng-saved-hk6-7m-stamp-duty-buying-hk62m-flat-first-time-homeowner/

Related:
Hong Kong pro-government camp losing patience with Teresa Cheng over illegal structures furor, says Paul Tse
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2130131/hong-kong-pro-government-camp-losing-patience-teresa-cheng

Baptist University holds open meeting over controversial Mandarin test following 8-hour student standoff
Hong Kong Free Press, January 23, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/23/baptist-university-holds-open-meeting-controversial-mandarin-test-following-8-hour-student-standoff/

Growing push to limit academic freedom in Hong Kong after Occupy protests, says new UK watchdog report
Hong Kong Free Press, January 22, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/22/growing-push-limit-academic-freedom-hong-kong-occupy-protests-says-new-uk-watchdog-report/

Related:
In-depth report says academic freedom in Hong Kong under threat
Hong Kong Watch, January 22, 2018
https://www.hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2018/1/22/in-depth-report-says-academic-freedom-in-hong-kong-under-threat

Hong Kong security minister to follow up and “keep an open mind” on review of police work guidelines
South China Morning Post, January 22, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2130076/hong-kong-security-minister-follow-and-keep-open-mind

Commentary (评论)

专访曾钰成:我们要研究,香港凭什么让中国政府保留一国两制 (Jasper Tsang: We have to figure out on what basis can Hong Kong make the Chinese government keep “One Country, Two Systems”)
The Initium, January 23, 2018
https://theinitium.com/article/20180123-hongkong-jasper-tsang/

Teresa Cheng mired in a crisis of her own making
South China Morning Post, January 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2130094/teresa-cheng-mired-crisis-her-own-making

Britain will continue to speak up on Hong Kong and any pressures “One, Country, Two Systems” comes under, consul general vows
South China Morning Post, January 22, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2129887/britain-will-continue-speak-hong-kong-and-any-pressures-one

How China forces American companies to do its political bidding
The Washington Post, January 21, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/how-china-forces-american-companies-to-do-its-political-bidding/2018/01/21/52a1d5a0-fd63-11e7-8f66-2df0b94bb98a_story.html

Monday, January 22, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Detention of Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng “absurd,” says attorney
Agence France-Presse, January 21, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/21/detention-chinese-human-rights-lawyer-yu-wensheng-absurd-says-attorney/

China's progress on intellectual property rights (yes, really)
The Diplomat, January 20, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/chinas-progress-on-intellectual-property-rights-yes-really/

“We don't know what conditions will be like at the next prison”
江天勇会被转送河南监狱 暂停探视
Radio Free Asia, January 18, 2018
EN: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/conditions-01192018164818.html
CH: http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yl-01182018105020.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese music fans fear rap latest to fall foul of government censors
Agence France-Presse, January 22, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2130011/chinese-music-fans-fear-rap-latest-fall-foul-censors

China’s VPN crackdown is about money as much as censorship
Financial Times, January 22, 2018
https://www.ft.com/content/35eafc9a-fcf8-11e7-9b32-d7d59aace167

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

港台團體聯署聲明:還人民言論自由 聲援中國11.15讀書會案左派青年 (Groups in Hong Kong and Taiwan launch signature campaign in support of mainland left-wing youngsters who got detained for joining read club)
Inmediahk, January 21, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1054655

李氏兄弟姊妹: 呼吁国家重视“低端人口”随迁子女的义务教育 (Citizens in Henan hold banners and demand compulsory education for children of so-called “low-end” migrant workers)
Weiquanwang, January 18, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.hk/2018/01/blog-post_20.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

In China, big data is watching you … and that could be a huge “challenge to the West”
South China Morning Post, January 21, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2129897/china-big-data-watching-you-and-could-be-huge-challenge

Related:
Ecuador is fighting crime using Chinese surveillance technology
South China Morning Post, January 22, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2129912/ecuador-fighting-crime-using-chinese-surveillance

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

Ma Zhaoxu: China’s next man at the United Nations ... and on the front line of Xi’s global ambitions
South China Morning Post, January 21, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2129869/ma-zhaoxu-chinas-next-man-united-nations-and-front-line

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong smog hits top of the health risk scale, thanks to haze and low winds
South China Morning Post, January 22, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2130010/hong-kong-smog-hit-top-health-risk-scale-thanks

Localist activist Edward Leung admits assaulting police during Mong Kok unrest, denies rioting charges
Hong Kong Free Press, January 22, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/22/localist-activist-edward-leung-admits-assaulting-police-mong-kok-unrest-denies-rioting-charges/

Ex-lawmaker Frederick Fung says he will not step in if gov’t bars pro-democracy election nominee from running
Hong Kong Free Press, January 22, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/22/ex-lawmaker-frederick-fung-says-will-not-step-govt-bars-pro-democracy-election-nominee-running/

Shockingly low response rate to Hong Kong government public consultations revealed
South China Morning Post, January 22, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2129903/shockingly-low-response-rate-hong-kong-government-public

Embattled Justice Sec. Teresa Cheng reveals she has a second property with illegal structures
Hong Kong Free Press, January 22, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/01/22/embattled-justice-sec-teresa-cheng-reveals-second-property-illegal-structures/

抗議期間爆粗涉辱師 浸大學生會長願致歉 (Baptist University Student Union chief says he is willing to apologize for using vulgar language against teacher during protest, claiming it was a “verbal misstep”)
Mingpao, January 21, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20180121/s00002/1516470328517

Commentary (评论)

團結民主派,抗衡當局打壓 (Unite democratic parties and fight against suppression of the regime)
Inmediahk, January 22, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1054682

Hong Kong democracy battle now waged in courts
Voice of America, January 22, 2018
https://www.voanews.com/a/hong-kong-courts-battle-activism/4218168.html

法政匯思:《中英聯合聲明》是條約嗎?以條約法的角度解讀(一) (Interpret Sino-British Joint Declaration from a treaty law perspective)
Pentoy, January 20, 2018
https://goo.gl/43KZaM

Why go easy on Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng in illegal structures saga?
South China Morning Post, January 20, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2129832/why-go-easy-chief-justice-teresa-cheng-illegal-structures