Commentary (评论)

美国继续关闭更多孔子学院：软实力变锐实力背后 (U.S. to close more Confucius Institutes: What’s behind soft power turned sharp)
BBC News, August 20, 2018
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/world-45237598

The court of Xinhua: Do not dare claim the truth for yourself; it is the Party’s through and through
Hong Kong Free Press, August 20, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/20/court-xinhua-not-dare-claim-truth-partys/

Press for freedom? So much for Hong Kong media’s united response against China’s tyranny
Hong Kong Free Press, August 20, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/20/press-freedom-much-hong-kong-medias-united-response-chinas-tyranny/

“Ruling through ritual”: An interview with Guo Yuhua
ChinaFile, August 18, 2018
http://www.chinafile.com/library/nyrb-china-archive/ruling-through-ritual-interview-guo-yuhua

The dark side of the China Dream: Erasing ethnic identity
The Diplomat, August 17, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/the-dark-side-of-the-china-dream-erasing-ethnic-identity/

Access to Justice (司法公正)

內地評論員陳杰人辯護律師稱新華社報道是未審先判 (Chen Jieren’s lawyer criticizes Xinhua article as verdict before trial, invasion of privacy)
Radio Television Hong Kong, August 17, 2018
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1412936-20180817.htm

Related:
陈杰人案辩护律师关于新华社长篇通讯的声明 (Statement by Chen Jieren’s defense lawyer on Xinhua article)
China Human Rights Defenders, August 17, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2018/08/blog-post_25.html

Chinese landlord rents to Uyghurs, is arrested on “terror” charge
Boxun, August 17, 2018
http://en.boxun.com/2018/08/17/chinese-landlord-rents-to-uyghurs-is-arrested-on-terror-charge/

18岁马鞍山男子在绵阳警方账号发表不良言论被刑拘 (18-year-old detained for Weibo comments about the police)
Beijing News, August 17, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2018/08/17/499977.html

China moves ahead with subversion trial of rights lawyer in Jiangsu
Radio Free Asia, August 16, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/trial-08162018112812.html

关注自焚获罪 青海藏人刑满出狱 (Teacher convicted for sharing videos of self-immolation finishes 6-year prison sentence)
Radio Free Asia, August 16, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/dz-08162018092835.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

同样的中国历史 不同的两岸教科书 (Same Chinese history, told differently in textbooks in China, Taiwan)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 17, 2018
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/world-45195207

全国“扫黄打非”办：打击网络淫秽色情信息工作持续推进 (Office for “Eradicating pornography and illegal publications” continues large-scale crackdown on indecent contents on Internet, 1834 individuals arrested)
The Paper, August 17, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2355377

China’s state media publish “confessions” of detained journalist Chen Jieren
Boxun, August 17, 2018
http://en.boxun.com/2018/08/17/chinas-state-media-publish-confessions-of-detained-journalist-chen-jieren/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

深圳佳士工人维权发酵：左翼青年与政治诉求 (Shenzhen Jasic protests continue to brew with rising participation of leftist youths and political demands)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 16, 2018
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-45204596

China police detain man for asking why can't Taiwan be called a country
Reuters, August 17, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-taiwan-internet/china-police-detain-man-for-asking-why-cant-taiwan-be-called-a-country-idUSKBN1L210O?

批评“公款养党” 学者杨绍政被贵州大学开除 (Scholar dismissed from Guizhou University for saying “the party is supported with public funds”)
Radio Free Asia, August 17, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gf2-08172018093618.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

No children? Pay up: Chinese academics float “maternity fund” tax for childless people
The Telegraph, August 17, 2018
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/17/no-children-pay-chinese-academics-float-childless-maternity/

Related:
Uproar over “wacky” plan to start baby boom in China by taxing adults under 40
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2160247/uproar-over-wacky-plan-start-baby-boom-china-taxing-adults-under

China says U.S. politicizing Confucius Institute shows “lack of self-confidence”
Reuters, August 17, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-education/china-says-u-s-politicizing-confucius-institute-shows-lack-of-self-confidence-idUSKBN1L211U?

Taiwan demands InterContinental hotel chain “rectify” China listing on website
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2160220/taiwan-demands-intercontinental-hotel-chain-rectify

河南省人大常委会党组副书记、副主任王铁涉嫌严重违纪违法接受中央纪委国家监委纪律审查和监察调查 (Deputy CPC secretary of Henan People’s Congress Standing Committee is investigated for serious disciplinary, legal violations)
People's Daily, August 17, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0817/c1001-30235959.html

湖北省对武汉生物公司效价不合格百白破疫苗问题相关领导干部问责 (Leading cadres at Wuhan biological products company held accountable for substandard vaccines)
People's Daily, August 17, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0817/c1001-30235925.html

湖南省5名厅级领导干部严重违纪违法被开除党籍或公职 (Five provincial-level leading cadres in Hunan are expelled from party, public office for serious disciplinary, legal violations)
People's Daily, August 17, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0817/c1001-30234759.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

谷歌员工抗议为中国开发审查版搜索引擎
Google employees protest secret work on censored search engine for China
New York Times, August 16, 2018
CH: https://cn.nytimes.com/technology/20180817/google-employees-protest-search-censored-china/
EN: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/technology/google-employees-protest-search-censored-china.html

Related:
Google staff tell bosses China censorship is “moral and ethical” crisis
The Intercept , August 17, 2018
https://theintercept.com/2018/08/16/google-china-crisis-staff-dragonfly/

”Weaponized ad technology”: Facebook’s moneymaker gets a critical eye
New York Times, August 16, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/technology/facebook-microtargeting-advertising.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Separatist leader Andy Chan cannot be charged under current Hong Kong law, city lawyers say
South China Morning Post, August 17, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2160084/separatist-leader-andy-chan-cannot-be-charged-under-current

New residence permits will grant Hongkongers access to public services in China
Hong Kong Free Press, August 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/17/new-residence-permits-will-grant-hongkongers-access-public-services-china/

“Exceptionally bad”: Hong Kong gov’t evaded UN questions on racial discrimination, NGO delegation says
Hong Kong Free Press, August 17, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/17/exceptionally-bad-hong-kong-govt-evaded-un-questions-racial-discrimination-ngo-delegation-says/

保安局擬收緊酷刑聲請程序 團體抗議剝奪難民人權 (Hong Kong NGOs protest Security Bureau for restricting refugee screening process depriving refugees' human rights)
inmediahk.net, August 17, 2018
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/1058989

Commentary (评论)

On China's Muslim crackdown
Al Jazeera, August 17, 2018
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/china-muslim-crackdown-180817124426381.html

Xinjiang and the stability paradox
The Diplomat, August 16, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/xinjiang-and-the-stability-paradox/

观点：深圳佳士工人维权的两大意义 (Opinion: Two significances of Shenzhen Jasic workers' rights defending movement)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 17, 2018
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/45217517

When China rules the web
Foreign Affairs, August 13, 2018
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2018-08-13/when-china-rules-web?cid=nlc-fa_twofa-20180816

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Labor activists allege sexual humiliation and sleep deprivation in police custody
Sup China, August 15, 2018
https://supchina.com/2018/08/15/labor-activists-allege-sexual-humiliation-and-sleep-deprivation-in-police-custody/

律师会见保外就医被拒老太：重新递交申请，监狱称会认真对待 (Lawyers of imprisoned elderly petitioner with lumbar spine fracture re-apply for medical parole)
The Paper, August 15, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2350443

江苏访民遭软禁 律师探访受拦截 (Jiangsu petitioner under house arrest, lawyers denied visits)
Radio Free Asia, August 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yf2-08152018093433.html

未审先判 陈杰人遭官媒炮轰 (Instead of trial, online media figure charged with extortion gets attacked in official media)
Radio Free Asia, August 16, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/yf1-08162018092227.html

Access to Information (信息公开)

抖音、美团、高德地图等567家网站公布“举报受理”方式 (567 websites including Douyin, Meituan, Gaode Maps step up public supervision with “report acceptance”)
The Paper, August 16, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2352526

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

“Go and wear your miniskirts!” – Shenzhen police fight sexual harassment on public transport, protect freedom of dress
What’s On Weibo, August 16, 2018
https://www.whatsonweibo.com/go-and-wear-your-miniskirts-shenzhen-police-stands-up-for-freedom-of-dress-and-tackles-sexual-harassment-on-public-transport/

疫苗受害群体继续在北京上访维权 (Victims of vaccines continue to petition in Beijing)
Voice of America, August 16, 2018
https://www.voachinese.com/a/4531025.html

Government Accountability (政府问责)

外媒：美国防授权法对美大学申请汉语项目设限 (New policy bars universities from using Pentagon funding for Confucius Institutes-related programs)
Sina News, August 16, 2018
http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2018-08-16/doc-ihhvciiv7986290.shtml

Related:
Pentagon barred from funding Confucius Institutes on American campuses
Washington Post, August 15, 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2018/08/14/pentagon-barred-from-funding-confucius-institutes-on-american-campuses/

Local experiments with reform are becoming rarer under Xi Jinping
The Economist, August 18, 2018
https://www.economist.com/china/2018/08/18/local-experiments-with-reform-are-becoming-rarer-under-xi-jinping

China suggests its camps for Uighurs are just vocational schools
The Economist, August 18, 2018
https://www.economist.com/china/2018/08/18/china-suggests-its-camps-for-uighurs-are-just-vocational-schools

China dismisses vice governor, others over defective vaccines
The Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2018
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-dismisses-vice-governor-others-over-defective-vaccines-1534432104

Related:
政治局常委会听取长春长生问题疫苗案件汇报 多名省部级官员被处理 (Politburo Standing Committee reports on Changsheng vaccine case, several provincial and ministerial officials dismissed or ordered to resign)
Beijing News, August 16, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2018/08/16/499832.html

湖南省委原常委、宣传部原部长张文雄受贿、巨额财产来源不明案一审宣判 (Former party committee member and propaganda department head in Hunan sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribery involving vast sums)
People’s Daily, August 16, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0816/c1001-30233562.html

原国家食品药品监督管理总局党组成员、副局长吴浈涉嫌严重违纪违法接受中央纪委国家监委纪律审查和监察调查 (Former deputy director of China Food and Drug Administration and party committee member investigated for serious disciplinary, legal violations)
People's Daily, August 16, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0816/c1001-30233593.html

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

法治课 | 短信、支付宝、微信等电子证据如何取证、举证？ (Analysis of how electronic evidence is gathered, adduced from text messages, Alipay, WeChat)
The Paper, August 16, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2351914

How much do Chinese netizens care about data privacy?
Technode, August 15, 2018
https://technode.com/2018/08/15/china-netizens-data-privacy/

Tencent profit decline reflects China’s firmer state control
Financial Times, August 16, 2018
https://www.ft.com/content/9e9c49ae-a10f-11e8-85da-eeb7a9ce36e4

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

String of Chinese satellites to keep real-time watch on South China Sea to “reinforce national sovereignty”
South China Morning Post, August 16, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2159891/string-chinese-satellites-keep-real-time-watch-south

China is going to outrageous lengths to surveil its own citizens
The Atlantic, August 16, 2018
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/08/china-surveillance-technology-muslims/567443

港澳台“居住证”将上路 台警告监控风险 (China will implement a “residence permit” policy for people from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan; Taiwan warns of the risk of monitoring)
Deutsche Welle, August 16, 2018
https://www.dw.com/zh/港澳台居住证将上路-台警告监控风险/a-45101807?maca=chi-rss-chi-ca-1044-rdf&zhongwen=simp

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong lawmaker Junius Ho pushes to have Occupy founder Benny Tai charged with sedition over independence remarks in Taiwan
South China Morning Post, August 16, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2159924/hong-kong-lawmaker-junius-ho-pushes-have-occupy-founder

“Definitely illegal” for press club to host speech by Hong Kong independence activist, says top Beijing official
Hong Kong Free Press, August 16, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/16/definitely-illegal-press-club-host-speech-hong-kong-independence-activist-says-top-beijing-official/

Related:
林鄭月娥稱23條立法無特定時間表　須創造好條件 (Chief Executive Carrie Lam says government needs to create favorable conditions for Art. 23)
Radio Television Hong Kong, August 16, 2018
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1412761-20180816.htm

梁振英律師信要求《立場》刪博客文章、賠償道歉　指《信報》曾道歉、練乙錚失專欄 (Ex-chief executive C.Y. Leung issues legal letter demanding removal of Stand News article criticizing Leung’s attacks on FCC)
The Stand News, August 15, 2018
https://thestandnews.com/politics/梁振英律師信要求-立場-刪博客文章-賠償道歉-指-信報-曾道歉-練乙錚失專欄/

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai asked to give police statement over alleged intimidation of reporter
Hong Kong Free Press August 16, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/16/media-tycoon-jimmy-lai-asked-give-police-statement-alleged-intimidation-reporter/

Court denies activist Raphael Wong permission to challenge Occupy protest conviction
Hong Kong Free Press, August 16, 2018
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/08/16/court-denies-activist-raphael-wong-permission-challenge-occupy-protest-conviction/

Hong Kong lawmaker willing to join opposition in call for special probe into MTR’s HK$97.1 billion link scandal if judge-led inquiry not expanded
South China Morning Post, August 16, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/2160083/hong-kong-lawmaker-willing-join-opposition-call

Commentary (评论)

How democracies can fight authoritarian sharp power
Foreign Affairs, August 16, 2018
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2018-08-16/how-democracies-can-fight-authoritarian-sharp-power

新华日报:建议工资按比例缴生育基金 不生二胎退休取 (Recommendation: To increase the fertility rate, pay wages in proportion to the maternity fund)
Xinhua, August 16, 2018
http://finance.sina.com.cn/china/dfjj/2018-08-16/doc-ihhtfwqs0825855.shtml

How China’s new aircraft carriers will shape regional order
The Diplomat, August 15, 2018
https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/how-chinas-new-aircraft-carriers-will-shape-regional-order/

#MeToo has arrived and China’s environment sector must respond
China Dialogue, August 16, 2018
https://www.chinadialogue.net/blog/10777--MeToo-has-arrived-and-China-s-environment-sector-must-respond/en

Access to Justice (司法公正)

內地維權律師余文生被審查起訴　妻子稱感無助及悲傷 (Mainland rights lawyer Yu Wensheng is indicted, wife feels helpless and sad)
Radio Television Hong Kong, August 15, 2018
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1412683-20180815.htm

法制课丨八旬老太申请保外就医被拒，高龄罪犯有哪些从宽制度 (Analyzing the rules of leniency for elderly prisoners)
The Paper, August 15, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2346968

程海被注销执业证 中国维权律师继续受压 (Cheng Hai pursues administrative reconsideration of disbarment as human rights lawyers face shrinking space)
Radio Free Asia, August 14, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/hj-08142018104703.html

Fears grow for detained Chinese activist “cut off from supply of medicine”
Radio Free Asia, August 14, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/activist-08142018110625.html

Tibetan freed after serving six years on “separatism” charge
Radio Free Asia, August 14, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/charge-08142018154619.html

河南两农民因盗抢服刑十余年后获无罪：事实不清，证据不足 (Henan farmer’s conviction overturned for insufficient evidence, served over 10 years of sentence)
The Paper, August 14, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2345605

Access to Information (信息公开)

中共打压奏效 除南早外主要媒体统统冷处理陈浩天演说 (CPC crackdown effective, as all major media outlets except South China Morning Post cold-shouldered Hong Kong independence speech)
Radio France Internationale, August 15, 2018
http://cn.rfi.fr/中国/20180815-中共打压奏效除南早外主要媒体统统冷处理陈浩天演说

Retired professor, wife, home from detention in China's Shandong
Radio Free Asia, August 14, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/home-08142018131139.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

China's student activists cast rare light on brewing labor unrest
Reuters, August 15, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-labour-protests-insight/chinas-student-activists-cast-rare-light-on-brewing-labor-unrest-idUSKBN1L0060?

Senior Chinese monk resigns amid sexual misconduct claims
The Guardian, August 15, 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/15/senior-chinese-monk-shi-xuecheng-resigns-sexual-misconduct-claims

Related:
#Metoo在中国：佛界一号人物释学诚辞职 (#Metoo in China: Prominent Buddhist monk resigns)
BBC, August 15, 2018
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-45194172

Chinese activists set up party that wants independence — for Shanghai
Radio Free Asia, August 15, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/chinese-activists-set-up-party-that-wants-independence-for-shanghai-08152018111643.html

Chinese begin to vent discontent with President Xi and his policies
Wall Street Journal, August 15, 2018
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-begin-to-vent-discontent-with-president-xi-and-his-policies-1534350856

中国“慰安妇”老人背后的守护者： 为让日本道歉 他们拼命努力 (The guardians behind “comfort women” fight for an official apology)
Global Times, August 15, 2018
http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2018-08/12719727.html

上海民主维权人士季孝龙因“厕所革命”7月27日被刑事拘留 (“Toilet revolution” activist detained for writing in toilet stalls)
China Human Rights Defenders, August 14, 2018
http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2018/08/727.html

Chinese Hui mosque protest ends after authorities promise to consult community
South China Morning Post, August 14, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2159722/chinese-hui-mosque-protest-ends-after-authorities

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Central Asia struggles with fallout from China’s internment of minorities
Foreign Policy, August 15, 2018
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/15/central-asia-struggles-with-fallout-from-chinas-internment-of-minorities/

Taiwan company bows to China after boycott threat
Channel NewsAsia, August 15, 2018
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/taiwan-company-bows-to-china-after-boycott-threat--10619808

Related:
China accused of pressuring Taiwanese bakery as it bows to mainland backlash over gift bag for Taiwanese president
South China Morning Post, August 15, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2159911/china-accused-pressuring-taiwanese-bakery-it-bows

China’s vaccine scandal: Firm made 500,000 substandard doses, twice as many as first thought, state media says
South China Morning Post, August 15, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2159892/chinas-vaccine-scandal-firm-made-500000-substandard

Related:
国务院调查组要求继续做好长春长生公司不合格百白破疫苗处置工作 (State Council team continues investigation of Changsheng vaccine)
Xinhua, August 15, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-08/15/c_1123275281.htm

Confucius Institute closed at U.S. university amid concerns about Chinese influence on campuses
Reuters, August 15, 2018
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2159888/confucius-institute-closed-us-university-amid

China: What it means for Australia and the rest of the world
The Age, August 15, 2018
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/china-what-it-means-for-australia-and-the-rest-of-the-world-20180815-p4zxn4.html

浙江省财政厅原厅长钱巨炎出庭受审，被控受贿1395万 (Zhejiang provincial finance bureau chief tried for corruption involving RMB 13 million)
The Paper, August 14, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2346355

纪委副书记被“双开” 纪检监察机关不是“保险箱” (Prosecution of Anhui province CDI deputy secretary shows CDI is not “safety box” for breaches)
People's Daily, August 15, 2018
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0815/c1001-30229864.html

贵州省粮食局党组书记、局长黄秋斌接受纪律审查和监察调查 (Party secretary and director of Guizhou provincial food bureau investigated for serious disciplinary, legal violations)
Beijing News, August 15, 2018
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2018/08/15/499667.html