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, March 28, 2018

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

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un met China’s Xi Jinping on first foreign trip
Agence France-Presse, March 28, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/28/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-met-chinas-xi-jinping-first-foreign-trip/

Exclusive: Satellite images reveal show of force by Chinese navy in South China Sea
Reuters, March 27, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-defence/exclusive-satellite-images-reveal-show-of-force-by-chinese-navy-in-south-china-sea-idUSKBN1H3135

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong court urged to dismiss voter’s judicial review bid on pan-democrat’s election candidacy
South China Morning Post, March 28, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2139270/hong-kong-court-urged-dismiss-voters-judicial-review-bid-pan

Activist jailed again for desecrating flags
The Standard, March 28, 2018
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=194224&sid=4&sid=4

Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang lodges appeal against order to pay HK$4.6 million court costs
South China Morning Post, March 28, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2139189/former-hong-kong-chief-executive-donald-tsang-lodges-appeal

Is Hong Kong “ceding” land to mainland China? Fears grow after revelation joint checkpoint at rail terminus will not operate under lease
South China Morning Post, March 28, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2139179/hong-kong-ceding-land-mainland-china-fears-grow-after

Related:
Video: Drama at Express Rail Link meeting as democrats protest bid to move controversial bill forward
Hong Kong Free Press, March 27, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/27/video-drama-express-rail-link-meeting-democrats-protest-bid-move-controversial-bill-forward/

保安上訴脫襲警罪 官斥警方過度武力不合理 (High Court acquits bar security over assaulting police charge, slams police for using excessive force)
Mingpao, March 27, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180327/s00001/1522134506328

Commentary (评论)

Is Xi flying too close to the sun?
The Diplomat, March 27, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/is-xi-flying-too-close-to-the-sun/

Li Ao, writer and political firebrand in Taiwan, dies at 82
李敖:捍卫自由的反叛“狂人”
The New York Times, March 26, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/26/obituaries/li-ao-taiwanese-dissident-who-fought-martial-law-dies-at-82.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/obits/20180327/li-ao-taiwanese-dissident-who-fought-martial-law-dies-at-82/

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

余律师案情况通报: 许艳起诉澎湃新闻 (Xu Yan, wife of rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, sues The Paper for reporting fake news)
Weiquanwang, March 26, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.hk/2018/03/blog-post_748.html

为获释访民接风洗尘 江苏10人以“寻衅滋事”被抓捕 (10 arrested in Jiangsu for welcoming out-of-prison petitioner)
Radio Free Asia, March 26, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gf1-03262018112756.html

司法部召开部长办公会议 傅政华要求把习近平总书记的要求和人民的期待作为检验全系统工作的最高标准(Minister of Justice Fu Zhenghua: “Newly structured MOJ is first and foremost a political institution,” studying the important instructions of Xi Jinping should be top priority)
Legal Daily, March 26, 2018
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/index_article/content/2018-03/26/content_7506202.htm

Access to Information (信息公开)

“Call me by your name” joins an illustrious list of great films censored in China
Quartzy, March 27, 2018
https://quartzy.qz.com/1237821/call-me-by-your-name-joins-the-list-of-movies-banned-in-china/

China deletes posts about article calling on academics to resist thought control
北大元培学院副院长请辞 校方封锁消息
Radio Free Asia, March 26, 2018
EN: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/deletes-03262018122047.html
CH: https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/kejiaowen/ql1-03262018111054.html

Related:
北大元培學院院長亮相闢謠 (Dean of Peking University talks to party mouthpiece and denies resignation)
Sing Tao Daily, March 26, 2018
http://hd.stheadline.com/news/realtime/chi/1175241/

Shining a cleansing light on China’s dark secrets
学者沈志华:盼共产党将隐秘历史公诸于世
The New York Times, March 23, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/world/asia/shen-zhihua-china-history-north-korea.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180326/shen-zhihua-china-history-north-korea/

Related:
专访文革研究专家宋永毅:唯有甄别史料真伪,才能认识文革性质 (Song Yongyi: Cultural Revolution can only be understood when real history is separated from the fake)
The Initium, March 26, 2018
https://theinitium.com/article/20180327-opinion-songyongyi-cultural-revolution/

微博社区公告:关于处置发布违禁节目影片账号的公告和短视频发布重要提示 (Sina Weibo shuts down 436 and suspends 66 accounts for 30 days for posting “illegal” videos or links, SAPPRFT bans re-editing of classics)
Sina Weibo, March 23, 2018
https://www.weibo.com/1934183965/G8KNlenLe?type=comment#_rnd1522134603616

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China accuses U.S. of arrogance for Xi criticism at rights forum
Reuters, March 26, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-rights-un-usa/china-accuses-u-s-of-arrogance-for-xi-criticism-at-rights-forum-idUSKBN1H20ZA

Related:
At the U.N., China and Russia score win in war on human rights
Foreign Policy, March 26, 2018
http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/03/26/at-the-u-n-china-and-russia-score-win-in-war-on-human-rights/

Shanghai U-turn after outcry over revoking residency rights
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2138916/shanghai-u-turn-after-outcry-over-revoking-residency-rights

观海解局:最高法一审判长与律师勾结,敛财数百万 (Supreme People’s Court judge found guilty of colluding with defense lawyer, accepting bribes of RMB 3 million)
Kanfanews, March 26, 2018
http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2043798

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Jaywalkers under surveillance in Shenzhen soon to be punished via text messages
South China Morning Post, March 27, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2138960/jaywalkers-under-surveillance-shenzhen-soon-be-punished-text

扎克伯格刚刚登报道歉,李彦宏说中国人对隐私没那么敏感 (Robin Li, chief of Baidu, claims Chinese are not as sensitive in terms of privacy and love to trade it with convenience)
The Beijing News, March 27, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/invest/2018/03/27/480762.html

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

China flies long-range bombers, fighter jets through Miyako Strait
The Diplomat, March 26, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/china-flies-long-range-bombers-fighter-jets-through-miyako-strait/

Related:
Taiwan scrambles jets as China's air force holds drill near island
The Independent, March 26, 2018
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/taiwan-china-jets-air-force-drill-island-bashi-channel-a8274571.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Carrie Lam sorry HK$30k Democratic Party donation caused “inconvenience” and “anxiety”
Hong Kong Free Press, March 27, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/27/carrie-lam-sorry-hk30k-democratic-party-donation-caused-inconvenience-anxiety/

王志民讚林鄭立場堅定 稱習近平為香港注入正能量 (Wang Zhimin, head of Liaison Office, praises Carrie Lam for being firm, claims Xi Jinping “injects Hong Kong with positive energy”)
Mingpao, March 26, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180326/s00001/1522048081536

Related:
Ex-US consul-general says Beijing’s treatment of Hong Kong serves as a warning to Taiwan
Hong Kong Free Press, March 26, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/26/ex-us-consul-general-says-beijings-treatment-hong-kong-serves-warning-taiwan/

Civil claim slapped against former Hong Kong care home warden accused of molesting mentally disabled resident
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2138990/civil-claim-slapped-against-former-hong-kong-care-home

Hong Kong families lose appeal against immigration rule denying stay of loved ones in city
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2138983/hong-kong-families-lose-appeal-against-immigration-rule

Commentary (评论)

RFA独家:热热闹闹但是毫无法律含义——续评2018人大修宪 (Bao Tong on constitution amendments: Bustling with noise and excitement, but without any legal meaning)
Radio Free Asia, March 26, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/pinglun/baotong/bt-03262018093846.html

How onscreen “losers” mirror the lives of young professionals
Sixth Tone, March 26, 2018
http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1001989/how-onscreen-losers-mirror-the-lives-of-young-professionals%E2%80%8B

Monday, March 26, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

中华人民共和国监察法(全文) (Supervision Law of PRC (full text))
Xinhua News Agency, March 26, 2018
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2018-03-26/doc-ifysrfff9510840.shtml

Related:
中华人民共和国国家监察委员会举行揭牌和宪法宣誓仪式 赵乐际出席并在机关干部大会上讲话 (Secretary of CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection at inauguration of National Supervisory Commission: It should consciously safeguard Xi Jinping’s core status and obey CPC Central Committee)
Xinhua News Agency, March 23, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-03/23/c_1122582879.htm

Pakistanis distressed as Uyghur wives vanish into China’s shadowy network of “reeducation centers”
Agence France-Presse, March 26, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/26/pakistanis-distressed-uighur-wives-vanish-chinas-shadowy-network-reeducation-centres/

China allows wife of Taiwan activist to visit him in prison
Associated Press, March 26, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-allows-wife-of-taiwan-activist-to-visit-him-in-prison/2018/03/25/3b29c5e0-30a8-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html

为孙子网购火柴枪 厦门男子一审获刑两年 (Man sentenced to 2 years for buying "match gun" online for grandson)
The Beijing News, March 26, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2018/03/26/480563.html

基督徒曹三强被判刑七年 (China jails underground Church priest and believer to up to 7 years)
Radio Free Asia, March 25, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/ql-03252018105940.html

Shanghai Public Security Bureau: No canceling of hukou for Chinese living abroad
What’s On Weibo, March 25, 2018
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/shanghai-public-security-bureau-no-canceling-of-hukou-for-chinese-living-abroad-at-this-point/

山东记者齐崇怀坐牢逾10年获释 构陷官员已升职 (Journalist spends over 10 years in Shandong prison as official that framed him gets promoted)
Radio Free Asia, March 23, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/reporter-03242018112931.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

Tatt’s your lot: Chinese Football Association bans players from showing their ink during matches
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2138864/tatts-your-lot-chinese-football-association-bans-players-showing-their

Shining a cleansing light on China’s dark secrets
The New York Times, March 23, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/world/asia/shen-zhihua-china-history-north-korea.html

China bans mashups, spoofs and re-dubs of “classic literary works” in online media
中国发文禁重编经典文艺作品 网民集体炮轰
Radio Free Asia, March 23, 2018
EN: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-bans-mashups-spoofs-and-re-dubs-of-classic-literary-works-03232018120018.html
CH: https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/yf1-03232018100249.html

China cracks down on video parodies
British Broadcasting Corporation, March 23, 2018
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-43517206

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

傳北大元培學院三正副院長辭職抗議修憲 籲師生「拒做犬儒」文章幾全遭刪除 (Peking University deans reportedly resign in protest of constitution amendments, urging staff and students to “refuse cynicism”)
Mingpao, March 24, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180324/s00004/1521905456732

Related:
李沉簡:挺直脊樑,拒做犬儒 (Li Chenjian: Stand tall and refuse cynicism)
Inmediahk, March 25, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1055980

关于印发《2018年民政部业务主管的社会组织党建工作要点》的通知 (Ministry of Civil Affairs: Social organizations under MCA supervision to strengthen Party building)
Ministry of Civil Affair Social Organization Administration Bureau, March 23, 2018
http://www.chinanpo.gov.cn/2351/110345/index.html

What Chinese high school students learn in America
China File, March 23, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/reporting-opinion/culture/what-chinese-high-school-students-learn-america

Government Accountability (政府问责)

China issues three-day smog alert and orders factories to cut output by 50%
The Independent, March 25, 2018
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/beijing-china-smog-alert-air-pollution-environment-factories-industry-a8272791.html

Grinding poverty in China – is Xi Jinping’s alleviation campaign making any difference?
South China Morning Post, March 25, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2138807/grinding-poverty-china-xi-jinpings-alleviation-campaign-making

China brings warm words to U.N., and rights activists feel a chill
中国在国际人权领域话语权渐增
The New York Times, March 23, 2018
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/world/asia/china-human-rights-united-nations.html
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/china/20180326/china-human-rights-united-nations/

China: UN experts concerned about health of jailed rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong
中国: 联合国专家对被监禁人权律师江天勇的健康状况表示关切
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, March 23, 2018
EN: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22890&LangID=E
CH: http://www.ohchr.org/ch/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22890&LangID=C

Related:
U.N. rights experts urge China to provide care for rights lawyer
Reuters, March 23, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-rights-un/u-n-rights-experts-urge-china-to-provide-care-for-rights-lawyer-idUSKBN1GZ179

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

声纹认证技术助力我国网络身份认证建设 (China develops voiceprint recognition technologies for identity authentication online)
Xinhua News Agency, March 19, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-03/19/c_1122560380.htm

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

Why borrowers on China’s Belt and Road will go from Euphoria to depression
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2138499/why-borrowers-chinas-belt-and-road-will-go-euphoria-depression

Related:
“The biggest game changer in 100 years”: Chinese money gushes into Sri Lanka
The Guardian, March 26, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/26/the-biggest-game-changer-in-100-years-chinese-money-gushes-into-sri-lanka

Dutton's department denies delaying Chinese student visas for political reasons
The Guardian, March 23, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/23/duttons-department-denies-delaying-chinese-student-visas-for-political-reasons

Hong Kong (香港)

7 protesters to plead guilty to criminal contempt over Mong Kok Umbrella Movement camp clearance
Hong Kong Free Press, March 26, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/26/7-protesters-plead-guilty-criminal-contempt-mong-kok-umbrella-movement-camp-clearance/

”How can she now say she represents us?”: Hong Kong’s poorly housed reject city leader Carrie Lam using their plight to back controversial land plans
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2138845/how-can-she-now-say-she-represents-us-hong-kongs

Philippines recalls Hong Kong labor attaché, known for his strong anti-human trafficking views, sparking outrage
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2138853/philippines-recalls-labour-attache-hong-kong-sparking

Hong Kong pro-democracy party defends acceptance of donation from city leader Carrie Lam
South China Morning Post, March 26, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2138833/hong-kong-pro-democracy-party-defends-acceptance-donation

Worker News: Hongkongers run website reporting from the grassroots side of labor disputes
Hong Kong Free Press, March 25, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/25/worker-news-hongkongers-run-website-reporting-grassroots-side-labour-disputes/

Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities: we are not a burden, but an opportunity our government is ignoring
Hong Kong Free Press, March 25, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/25/hong-kongs-ethnic-minorities-not-burden-opportunity-government-ignoring/

“Foreword to Hong Kong’s national anthem law will promote patriotic spirit”
South China Morning Post, March 23, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2138704/foreword-hong-kongs-national-anthem-law-will-promote

Commentary (评论)

陳紹銘:口說關心劏房兒童 心中更愛高球權貴 (Carrie Lam claims to care about children living in sub-divided apartments, but she loves the golf-playing elites much more)
Inmediahk, March 26, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1055984

Are loving China and the Communist Party the same thing? Hong Kong and Beijing each grapple with question
South China Morning Post, March 25, 2018
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2138802/are-loving-china-and-communist-party-same-thing-hong-kong

大學怪談﹕向大學派錢,錢往哪裏去了?(Tale of university: With all the resources allocating to Hong Kong universities, where does the money go?)
Mingpao, March 25, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20180325/s00005/1521912848774

憲法是根本大法,還是一紙空文?(Is Constitution the cornerstone of state, or merely a piece of paper?)
Mingpao, March 25, 2018
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/dailynews/web_tc/article/20180325/s00005/1521912849866

Curating revolution
China File, March 23, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/library/books/curating-revolution

Guerrilla ideology
厉害了,中国之声
Deutsche Welle, March 22, 2018
EN: http://chinamediaproject.org/2018/03/26/guerrilla-ideology/
CH: https://goo.gl/fjtFEm

Friday, March 23, 2018

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Detained Chinese lawyer “at risk of torture” in China's Jiangsu: rights group
律师要求见余文生再遭拒绝 家属在徐州遭全程监控
Radio Free Asia, March 22, 2018
EN: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/yuwensheng-torture-03222018150114.html
CH: https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gf1-03222018101242.html

Xinjiang authorities targeting Uyghurs under 40 for re-education camps
Radio Free Asia, March 22, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/1980-03222018155500.html

台湾李净瑜获签证将赴大陆探监 (Wife of Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che granted mainland entry to visit husband after many attempts)
Radio Free Asia, March 22, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/hcm-03222018114423.html

遭羁押的徐秦罪名又加“煽动颠覆国家政权罪” 不准会见 (Human rights activist Xu Qin charged with subversion and denied access to legal counsel)
Weiquanwang, March 22, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.hk/2018/03/blog-post_78.html

任全牛律师:甄江华被捕近7个月 律师要求会见 被告知仍处于指定监居 (Human rights activist Zhen Jianghua remains under residential surveillance at designated location for 7 months)
Weiquanwang, March 22, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.hk/2018/03/7.html

中国社科院发布司法透明度指数: 呈两极化,文书公开待完善 (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Report on 2017 Rule of Law in China shows 60-point gap in judicial transparency extremes, Tibet High Court and Xinjiang Urumqi Intermediate Court at bottom)
The Paper, March 22, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2037308

Access to Information (信息公开)

国家新闻出版广电部门:网站不得擅自重新剪辑经典文艺作品 (SAPPRFT bans re-editing, re-dubbing, re-subtitling of classic and original audio and video programs)
Xinhua News Agency, March 22, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/2018-03/22/c_1122577762.htm

Related:
China tightens scrutiny over online videos, bans illegal downloads and remakes
China Film Insider, March 22, 2018
http://chinafilminsider.com/china-tightens-scrutiny-online-videos-bans-illegal-downloads-remakes/

西藏网信办研究部署网络正能量传播工作 (Tibet Internet Information Office deploys online propaganda on “positive energy,” upholds principle of “Party controlling the media”)
Cyberspace Administration of China, March 20, 2018
http://www.cac.gov.cn/2018-03/20/c_1122563720.htm