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.

Thursday, January 27, 2005

January 27, 2005

Top News of the Day

June 4th – prisoners - Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
China to Hold Funeral for Zhao on Saturday
Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 27, 2005
Beijing has made an official announcement on holding funeral for former communist leader Zhao Ziyang on this Saturday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=731&e=8&u=/nm/20050127/wl_nm/china_zhao_dc

Labour – protest
China Labour Watch: labour petitioners detained and may face severe charges
中国劳工观察：烟台工人上访被关押，面临判刑厄运
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
Lay-off workers of Yantai (煙台), Shandong have been detained by police when they made a petition at the district office. Li Xintao (李信濤), leader of the petition, has yet to be released and may face severe charges.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/2005_1_26_19_5_41_802.html

Tibet
China Commutes Tibetan Monk's Death Sentence
Voice of America, January 26, 2005
The Chinese authorities have commuted the death sentenced given to Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, a Tibetan spiritual leader who was convicted of involvement in fatal bombings and inciting separatist activities, to a life imprisonment.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-26-voa12.cfm


News

Corruption
Battle against official graft nets 459 in Shanghai last year
SCMP, January 27, 2005
According to an annual report of the Shanghai prosecutor’s office, it stated that 402 corruption cases involving 459 people had been filed for corruption last year in Shanghai.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZMQPAHJ3E.html

Detention - cases

US to push China to release Uighur minority leader Rebiya Kadeer
Agence France Presse, 27 January 2005
The United States said it would push Beijing to release a prominent advocate of women's and minority rights ailing in a Chinese prison.
www.afp.org

Death penalty
China questions death penalty
People’s Daily, January 27, 2005
In a conference on the topic of death penalty, a group of legal experts voiced their favorable support to a probably abolishment of death penalty in China, citing with powerful ground of China’s commitment in observing human rights in accordance with international standards.
http://english1.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/27/eng20050127_172
139.html

Gender – abuse (domestic violence)
Legislator urges the drafting of law to prevent domestic violence
人大代表呼吁立法防止家庭暴力 问责司法不作为
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
NPC representative of Guangdong province urges the government to draft law to redress the rising domestic violence cases in the province.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-27_533877.shtml

Government – elections
Civil Affairs bureau regulates corruption practice in elections as village elections in 18 provinces underway
中国18省份村委会换届选举 民政部界定贿选行为
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 27, 2005
Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a notice in regulating corruption practice of village elections, aiming to deter intentional and unintentional corruption acts during upcoming village election in 18 provinces this year.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Main
land/zxs_2005-01-27_533769.shtml

Government – governance and accountability
Auditors inspect int'l aid projects
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
International aid projects are to be subject for stringent supervision and auditing, highlighting the latest battleground of the China’s “auditing storm”.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_251309
6.htm

Audit results publicized helps supervision of government
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
State Auditing Administration will make auditing reports of government organs public to show the government’s persistent efforts in curbing economic crimes and corruption of government officials.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/27/content_251325
6.htm

Hukou
Beijing sets to reform hukou system, rural migrant workers may turn to be city industrial workers
国务院拟改革户籍制度 将民工转为城市产业工人
EastDay.com, January 27, 2005
According to a study conducted by the Development Research Centre of the State Council, it suggests to change the registration status of rural migrant labour to city industrial workers, a key area for reforming the hukou system.
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/
node37979/node48257/userobject1ai830330.html

Capital acts to scrap law on migrant restrictions
SCMP, January 27, 2005
Beijing’s municipal government considers abandoning restrictions on migrant residents, which have long been considered discriminatory in nature and unable to meet the development needs of the city.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZFKZCHJ3E.html

Human Rights-reforms

China rejects US prod on democracy and human rights
Agence France Presse, 27 January 2005
China on Thursday rejected the United States' call for it to speed up democratic reforms and improve human rights, insisting great improvements have already been made at its own pace. www.afp.org

. . . But Don't Forget Democracy
The Asian Wall Street Journal, 27 January 2005 (Hu Ping)
U.S. President George W. Bush declared war on tyranny last week, and Condoleezza Rice branded six countries as "outposts of tyranny." But missing from this list was China. www.wsj.com

June 4th - EU arms embargo
Arming China, and Not
The Wall Street Journal, 27 January 2005
We thought the West had decided that the best way to deal with China is to increase commerce to encourage economic and political liberalization, while discouraging nationalist forces that would threaten such a peaceful evolution. www.wsj.com

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽) / Media – press freedom
Zhao’s death and its implications on Beijing’s control on the media
从赵紫阳去世看政府对媒体控制
Voice of America, January 27, 2005
Beijing’s shut down on news coverage on Zhao’s death well reflected the lack of independency of Chinese media.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=115000
26-CFC6-423A-AE69CB9EF70D39F2&title=%B4%D3%D5%D4%D 7%CF%D1%F4%C8%A5%CA%C0%BF%B4%D5%FE%B8%AE%B6%
D4%C3%BD%CC%E5%BF%D8%D6%C6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C22
6%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027A
CC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

Labour – industrial accidents
Firework blast in Guangxi leads to 18 death and injuries
广西一爆竹厂爆炸，死伤18人
Radio Free Asia, January 26, 2005
4 died and 14 injured in an illegal firework factory in Guangxi, with most of the victims women workers in the factory.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/26/baozha/

Law- legal rights
Some good news out of China
South China Morning Post, 27 January 2005
The Communist Party has traditionally intruded deep into people's personal lives. But now, we are told, there is draft legislation, entitled, Law for personal information protection of the People's Republic of China. www.scmp.com

Migrant workers- law
XIN ZHIMING
China Daily, 27 January 2005
It was astonishing to hear a Beijing policy adviser proposing an "access system" for the inflow of labourers from other parts of the country into the capital. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/home/index.html

Public health / Environment
Waste trade a far bigger threat than ants, say villagers
SCMP, January 27, 2005
Villagers in Wuchuan, Guangdong blamed the booming waste trade in the province lead to outbreak of red-ants infestation in villages and that caused substantial harms to the villagers.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZUJQ6HJ3E.html

Public health
Regulations on nutrition to be drafted the first time in China
居民营养令人忧 我国拟制定首部营养条例
Xinhuanet.com, January 27, 2005
China attempts to make the first set of regulations on nutrition in response to growing attentions on poor nutrition conditions in the society.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/food/2005-01/27/content_2512873.htm

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

January 26, 2005

Top news of the day
June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
Beijing pressures Zhao’s family to accept arrangement for Zhao’s funeral
中国政府向赵紫阳亲属施压，要求接受官方条件
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2005
It is reported that Beijing has put substantial pressures on the Zhao family in acceptin the conditions and arrangement for Zhao’s funeral, although the Zhao family remains disapprove official commentary on Zhao’s contribution to China.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/25/zhaoziyang/

Related news:
Beijing tightens control over mourning activities
北京加緊控制悼念趙紫陽活動
BBCChinese.com, January 25, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/trad/hi/newsid_4200000/newsid_4205700/4205773.stm

News
Corruption
China monitors officials' kin to curb corruption
Xinhuanet.com, January 26, 2005
Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection vows at a recent party meeting in keep running the initiatives that checking possible corruption of government officials and SOE senior management’s kin for curbing corruption.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/26/content_250925
7.htm

Death Penalty
China Spares the Life of Tibetan Monk
AP, 26 January 2005
A Chinese court on Wednesday spared the life of a Tibetan monk, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, 54, convicted in a series of fatal bombings, commuting his death sentence to life in prison. He was convicted in December 2002 and given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve, which expired Wednesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&u=/ap/20050126/ap_on_re_as/china_tibetan_monk&printer=1

Environment
Hazardous trade is still thriving
SCMP, January 26, 2005
Environmentalists warn that the continue increase of waste trade in China has worsened environmental and health problems.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ93WCHJ3E.html

Gender Issues - Abuse
DNA testing in China: eroding wedlock?
Xinhua News Agency, 26 January 2005
In the world of DNA testing, a casual remark about "a handsome child of a homely father" may come as a bad omen in a happy marriage. Noticeable differences between children and their parents, particularly their fathers, sometimes cause suspicion that can escalate into arguments, violence or divorce.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2475408.htm

Government – governance and accountability
Tightened legislature supervision shapes transparent govt
Xinhuanet.com, January 26, 2005
The government is set to strengthen NPC supervision over provincial government budget to increase accountability and transparency of provincial government.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/26/content_250932
7.htm

June 4th – EU arms ban
Beijing Presses Europe to Lift Arms Ban
AP via YahooNews.com, January 26, 2005
Beijing stresses again the arms embargo a “political discrimination” to China, putting pressures on EU to lift its 15-year-old arms band in the midst of US strong opposition.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=7
31&e=10&u=/ap/20050125/ap_on_re_as/china_arms_embargo

Keep the arms embargo against China
The Independent, 26 January 2005
Tony Blair’s claims to a moral arms policy are being drowned out by sad, cynical laughter. Whatever happened to the Labour government’s lofty words on arms policy? Tony Blair declared unequivocally a few years ago: "We don’t sell arms that could be used in human rights abuses.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/

June 4th
China's students changed by Tiananmen
BBC News, 26 January 2005
"Give me democracy or give me death!" read a banner waved by the students who occupied Tiananmen Square, China's political heart, 15 years ago.
Now the campuses are calm and some are empty - their students gone home for Chinese New Year holidays, conveniently out of the way when one of the heroes of the pro-democracy movement, Zhao Ziyang, died in a Beijing hospital on Monday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4191129.stm

Law – legal profession
Zhuhai abandons life-time employment of judges to encourage competition and efficiency
率先在全国打破法官终身制 珠海法官要竞争上岗
People’s Daily, January 26, 2005
Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court is set to open over half of judge position for competition to strive for better quality and efficiency of judges, indicating the abandon of life-time employment of judges for the first time in China.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3144248.html

Law- reform
Fifty electronic games banned in China
Xinhua, 26 January 2005
China has banned 50 illegal electronic games in a recent government probe into the electronic publication and software market as part of the effort to protect intellectual property rights and create a good environment for Chinese youth.
http://search.xinhuanet.com/search/xhse.jsp

Migrants - law
Migrants' Rights: Opening Up the System; Fearing unrest among the work force, Beijing is moving to loosen some of the most despise...
Newsweek International, 31 January 2005
Thanks to economic reforms that began in Zhao Ziyang's time, an estimated 140 million rural-born migrants now live and work in Chinese cities, lending energy and cheap labor to China's economic boom. But their right to live in the city is still bedeviled by the rigid Maoist-era registration, or hukou, system that categorizes them as rural residents.
http://www.newsweek.com/

Political Dissidents - detention cases
Tibetan monk 'broken' by China
BBC, 26 January 2005
A Tibetan monk imprisoned by China for nearly three years can no longer walk or speak clearly, according to US-based Human Rights Watch. Tashi Phuntsog, who was released earlier this month, worked with a prominent lama, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, whom China has branded a "terrorist".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4207989.stm

Politics – political reform
Slow, cautious approach to political reform favoured
SCMP, January 26, 2005
A political expert that the leadership would tend to take a gradual and cautious approach to reforming China’s political system, rather than making a drastic change in the governing system.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZOIMAHJ3E.html

Population – one-child policy
Legislators and experts suggest amending Criminal Law to redress illegal sex identification
人大代表、法学家建议改刑法打击非法性别鉴定
People’s Daily, January 26, 2005
In a meeting, NPC representatives and law experts show their support in outlawing illegal sex identification to redress growing sex ratio imbalances in China.
http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42731/3145029.html

Public health
More disabled kids after compulsory pre-marital check-up cancelled
强制婚检取消 广东缺陷儿激增
BeijingNews.com, January 26, 2005
Guangdong health officials propose free pre-marital check-up to reduce the birth rate of disabled kids. This is a response to the rising number of disabled kids at birth after compulsory pre-martial check-up was abandoned in the province.
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-26/20051261480
7.html

Hong Kong – politics
HK free but not so fair, poll finds
SCMP, January 26, 2005
A study conducted by the University of Hong Kong revealed that Hong Kong people seem content about overall enjoyment of freedom, public order, honesty and judicial impartially since the handover, but are unhappy about the growing "unfairness" in the society.
http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZ0Y39HJ3E.html

Tibet
Tibetans forced to back Beijing’s choice of new Panchen (班禪), report says
据报中国要藏民支持北京挑选班禅
Voice of America, January 25, 2005
Chinese officials demands Tibetan officials to follow Beijing’s policy in choosing Tibetan’s next Panchen lama.
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=44048
DA1-2C5B-4D77-886FEE74D15DCCF2

North Korea
China demands Beijing Japanese school handover 8 North Koreans
中国要求北京日本学校交出8名朝鲜人
Radio Free Asia, January 25, 2005
Beijing has officially demanded the Beijing Japanese school, where 8 North Koreans takes refuge for seeking asylum from the Japanese government on Monday, to handover the intruders.
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/25/chaoxian/
    Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Tuesday, January 25, 2005

    January 25, 2005

    Top news of the day

    Detention – Yang Tianshui (楊天水)
    Freelance writer Yang Tianshui releases on bail with the help of lawyer
    郭国汀援手 杨天水取保候审获释
    Dajiyuan.com, January 25, 2005
    Yang Tinshui, a freelance writer and PEN member, has been released on bail after he had been taken away by the police on December 24, 2004 for subversion allegation.
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/25/n791985.htm

    Resettlement – protest
    China hands stiff sentences to 27 Farmers over land seizure protest
    Voice of America, January 25, 2005
    27 farmers from Sanchawan village in Shaanxi were given stiff jailed terms for protesting against the confiscation of their land with meager compensation.
    http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-24-voa22.cfm
    (Chinese version of the article also available at:
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?ObjectID=72AA96D
    5-86CD-4BF1-BDA0C914415C3C10     )


    News
    Death penalty
    Two Chinese overseas studies students sentenced to death and life imprisonment for murder in Japan
    留学日本杀人 一死刑一无期
    BeijingNews.com, January 25, 2005
    Yang Ning (楊寧) and Wang Liang (王亮), Chinese students who had studied in Japan, were convicted of murdering a Japanese family. Yang was given a death penalty and Wang was sentenced for life imprisonment.
    http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-25/20051251201
    1.html

    Education-compulsory
    China bans beauty contests in schools
    AFP, 25 January 2005
    China has ordered education authorities and schools across the country to ban beauty contests in schools, state media reported Tuesday.
    http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1214200,00050004.htm

    Gender
    Cities set up coordinating institutions for protecting women’s rights
    大部分地市建立妇女维权协调机构
    Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
    Institutions for coordinating initiatives for the protection of women’s rights have been setup in 29 provinces, with 2,603 such institution in place at county level.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182116.htm

    June 4th – EU arms ban
    Britain's Straw, Rice Differ on China Arms
    AP via YahooNews.com, January 24, 2005
    British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw affirmed EU’s intentions to life arms ban on China to the US, despite US’s discontent over the move.
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=73
    1&e=10&u=/ap/20050124/ap_on_re_as/us_china_europe

    China urges EU to end arms ban amid U.S. opposition
    Associated Press, 25 January 2005
    China criticized Tuesday a 15-year-old European arms embargo as a handicap to normal diplomatic relations, a day after British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Europe plans to lift the ban despite U.S. opposition.
    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/25/international0723EST0490.DTL

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
    Zhao's funeral still delayed by wrangle
    SCMP, January 25, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ7CK6HJ3E.html

    Media curbs reflect fear of dissent
    SCMP, January 25, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chifeatures/ZZZW8LCHJ3E.html

    Police detain or arrest dissidents to stop them from paying respect to Zhao
    警方用拘捕和软禁制止异议人士前往悼念赵紫阳
    Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2005
    http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2005/01/24/yiyi/

    Zhao's Family Resists Beijing Over Funeral
    Washington Post Foreign Service, January 25, 2005
    The family of Zhao Ziyang is resisting government demands that it surrender control of his funeral and insisting on changes in an official obituary drafted by the party, family friends said Monday.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32960-2005Jan24?language=printer

    Law – legal reform
    Information legislation: a response to the quest of harmonious society values
    信息立法：回应和谐社会的价值诉求
    Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
    Legislations on the privacy of personal information and public information disclosure would facilitate a better environment for the protection to individual rights and strengthen government accountability to the citizens.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182137.htm

    Labor – work safety and conditions
    Revision of law to upgrade coal mines
    Xinhuanet.com, January 25, 2005
    Beijing is prepared to revise a 9-year-old coal mining law, aiming to incorporating more safety standards and efficiency requirements of coal mining in the new legislations.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/25/content_2503475.htm

    China to revise coal mining law to improve safety
    AFP, 25 January 2005
    China is to revise its nine-year-old coal mining law to try to improve safety in its notoriously dangerous pits, state media reported Tuesday.
    http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2005/January/theworld_January608.xml&section=theworld&col=

    Police – abuse / Law
    7 police put on trial for torturing innocent suspect for evidence and setup murder charge
    涉嫌刑讯逼供制造冤案 唐山7民警受审
    Legal Daily, January 25, 2005
    7 police from Tangshan in Hebei province have been put on trial for a wrongful murder charge on an innocent suspect, who was later given a death penalty.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/25/content_182086.htm

    Politics – CPC
    CPC to strengthen multi-party cooperation
    Xinhuanet.com, January 25, 2005
    The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee discusses policy and initiatives in strengthening multi-party-cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of CPC.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/25/content_250325
    7.htm

    Protests and petition / Labour – protests
    System No Help to China's Laid-Off Workers
    WashingtonPost.com, January 24, 2005
    An unemployed worker found no ways to air his plight and discontent over government policy but pleaded with the Chinese President. However, the petitioning system does not seem making public grievances to be heard at the top.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31138-2005
    Jan23.html

    Public health
    190,000 died of taking wrong medicine
    誤用藥喪命 每年19萬
    MingPao, January 25, 2005
    A survey reveals that 12-25% of patients were found inappropriate use of medicine and over 190,000 were died after taking wrong medicine.
    http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050125/t_ccd1.htm

    Public health – HIV aids
    Doctors refused to treat a suspected aids patient
    內地醫院趕走愛滋病人
    MingPao, January 25, 2005
    Doctors at a Heilongjiang hospital refused to conduct operation of a patient as they suspected the patient carried HIV aids.
    http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050125/t_cca1.htm

    Social security
    Deputies call on gov't to step up social security
    China Daily, January 25, 2005
    Beijing Legislators called for a rise of social security payment, demonstrating government’s commitments in improving conditions for poverty-stricken retired workers, farmers and farmer-turned workers.
    http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/25/content_
    411847.htm

    Tibet
    Tibetan Monk's Followers Hope for his Release
    Radio Free Asia, January 24, 2005
    Supporters of a jailed Tibetan monk, Tenzin Delek Rimpoche, urge the Chinese government to rescind his death penalty, after one of the monk’s disciples has been freed recently.
    http://www.rfa.org/english/news/social/2005/01/24/tibetan_monk/

    Xinjiang
    Xinjiang bus blast blamed on disgruntled coal miner
    SCMP, January 25, 2005
    Police has confirmed that the bus blast that killed 11 last Thursday had nothing to do with Muslims separatist attacks, but was set off by a man dissatisfied with compensation for a work-related injury.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZVYIAHJ3E.html
    Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Monday, January 24, 2005

    January 22-24, 2005

    Top news of the day

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    Organizers of march to mourn Zhao detained
    多维追击：组织前往赵紫阳故居游行发起人遭羁押
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 23, 2005
    The wife of former student leader Zhao Xin (趙昕) said her husband had been taken away by police for Zhao’s application for organizing a march in Beijing mourning Zhao Ziyang’s death.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/2005_1_23_3_24_38_795.html

    Police – abuse / human rights
    55 government officials investigated for human rights violations in Guangxi
    广西查处侵犯人权犯罪案55件55人
    People’s Daily, January 24, 2005
    55 government officials, including police officers, are under investigation by the Guangxi procuratorate bureau for human rights violations such as arbitrary detention of farmers who fail to pay fines for violating one-child policy, and forced confession to suspects.
    http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3139885.html



    News

    Corruption
    Two BOC staff flee after 1b yuan goes missing
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    At least two officials of the Bank of China are believed to have fled the country after being involved in the embezzlement of up to 1 billion yuan.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ0TG6HJ3E.html

    Cadres' relatives in graft firing line
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    Party members will be required to report the overseas travel and employment of their family members, revealing the government’s latest anti-corruption efforts.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZMWMCHJ3E.html

    Death penalty
    Death sentences for nine Henan gangsters
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    Nine members of one of the mainland’s biggest gangs were sentenced to death by a Hunan court for crimes ranging from murders to running triad organizations.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZQWMCHJ3E.html

    Fuzhou tycoon Chen Kai sentenced to death
    福州首富陈凯组织卖淫获死刑
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 23, 2005
    Chen Kai (陈凯), the wealthiest man in Fuzhou, and his triad gang were convicted of a range of organized criminal offences including fraud, abduction, drug trade, and etc. Chen was given a death penalty.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/2005_1_23_7_31_2_700.html

    Disaster
    Disaster forecasting system to be upgraded
    Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
    China’s early warning system for weather disaster is to be upgraded this year, with efforts focusing on six major areas such as calamity monitoring, public broadcasting, disaster assessment and emergency response.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249456
    1.htm

    Human rights – bilateral ties
    With might comes rights: Canada PM
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    Canada Prime Minister Paul Martin urges China to respect human rights as it is one of the new obligations for China’s rise in economic and political power in the international arena.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZPVMCHJ3E.html

    US says China's human rights record remains an issue to be dealt with
    AFX via YahooNews.com, January 23, 2005
    US urged China to improve its human rights record as human rights issue remains a stumbling block of Sino-US relations.
    http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050123/323/favid.html

    June 4th – EU arms ban
    Straw ties arms exports to rights
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    British emphasizes code of conduct on arms exports, in particular to human rights, stability and security in the region, and the security of friendly and allied countries remain the key consideration for lifting EU arms ban on China.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZUKDAHJ3E.html

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    Funeral plans for Zhao still in dispute
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZAKW8HJ3E.html

    Hundreds brave snow to pay tribute
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6KW8HJ3E.html

    Ceremony gives leaders perfect chance to show new colours
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ4DFAHJ3E.html

    Mainlanders join mass memorial for Zhao
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZEBU8HJ3E.html

    Group of party elders urge leaders to grant proper funeral honours
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ6LDAHJ3E.html

    Thousands in Hong Kong Mourn China's Zhao
    香港万余市民烛光集会悼念赵紫阳
    Voice of America, January 22, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=EE5EE6D7
    -9AD3-43B5-9079B801CF100468&title=%CF%E3%B8%DB%CD%F2
    %D3%E0%CA%D0%C3%F1%D6%F2%B9%E2%BC%AF%BB%E1%B5%
    BF%C4%EE%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C222%
    C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&c
    ategoryname=National%20News

    Labour – industrial accidents
    19 died in three coal mine blasts
    中国三起矿难死亡19人
    Radio Free Asia, January 22, 2005
    19 reported died in coal mine blasts in Liaoning, Gansu and Yunnan on January 20 and 21.
    http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/22/kuangnan/

    Media - reform
    More efforts urged to crack down on illegal publications in 2005
    Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
    The crack down on pornography and illegal publications in 2005 is seen as the government’s prime task in advancing reform in the media.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249588
    9.htm

    Natural resources and energies
    Power shortage causes blackouts nationwide
    Xinhuanet.com, January 22, 2005
    21 Chinese provincial power grids oblige to impose blackouts since this January due to the surging demand for power caused by cold weather and rapid economic growth.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/22/content_249451
    5.htm

    Politics / Society
    Excerpted article from Chinese News Week: public opinions slowly gaining influence in government policy-making?
    中国新闻周刊：民意诉求开始悄悄影响政府决策？
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 24, 2005
    Given the growing importance of public consultation meeting across China, it appears to show the increasing influence of public opinions in a modern style of policy-making in China.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/zxs_2005-01-24_532242.shtml

    Religion – Falungong
    Reformed Falun Gong followers renounce faith in jail
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    Liu Yunfang, a devoted Falungong follower who had set himself on fire in the name of Falungong and now serving a life sentence, denounced the religious group and confessed the wrongdoing against the government, reported in an interview arranged by the authority.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZYCFAHJ3E.html

    Rural issues / Government – fiscal
    Rural districts get big slice of budget
    SCMP, January 24, 2005
    Beijing will allocate half of the city government’s budget, or an increase of 67.4% from last year, on developing rural areas this year as a way to solve resource shortages in the poor rural areas.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZR0PCHJ3E.html

    Rural issues / land policy
    40-50 million rural farmers now landless
    中国失地农民约四千万至五千万人
    Chinesenewnet.com, January 23, 2005
    It is estimated that 40 to 50 million rural farmers are now landless, with the group believed to be increased 2 to 3 million annually.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/cna_2005_01_23_00_38_02_763.html

    Xinjiang
    Xinjiang bus blast that killed 11 was man-made, officials say
    SCMP, January 22, 2005
    Police confirmed the bus blast that killed 11 people in Xinjiang last Thursday a man-made incident.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ28E6HJ3E.html

    Friday, January 21, 2005

    January 21, 2005


    Top news of the day

    Corruption
    Corruption claims lead to sacking
    SCMP, January 21, 2005
    Liu Tao (劉濤), vice chairman of the Shenzhen People’s Political Consultative Conference, is sacked over corruption charge.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZVP9AHJ3E.html

    Xinjiang
    Two blasts kill 13, injure 18 in Xinjiang
    SCMP, January 21, 2005
    13 people were killed and 18 injured in two separate explosions in Xinjiang yesterday. Police speculates that the tragedies may be related to separatist attack.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZN5JCHJ3E.html


    News
    Bilaterals-Canada/China
    Martin gently chides China on rights
    The Globe and Mail, 21 January 2005
    China is making considerable strides in reducing abuses of human rights, Paul Martin said yesterday.
    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

    Gender – discrimination / Education
    Education bureau may relax control over marriage and the giving birth of university students
    教育部拟规定高校不干涉大学生婚育
    China Youth Online, January 21, 2005
    Education bureau considers lifting a ban that outlaws marriage and giving birth of female high school and university students. The move is believed to free women from making a choice between marriage and education.
    http://news.cyol.com/gb/news/2005-01/21/content_1020991.htm

    Gender – sexuality
    Yes, gay men are at risk in China
    International Herald Tribune, January 21, 2005
    Although the government has taken note of the high risk of its 20 million gay population for contracting and transmitting HIV aids, measures in preventing the disease for this socially marginalized group are far from enough.
    http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/20/opinion/edsettle.html

    June 4th – EU arms ban
    Tokyo fights push to lift arms ban
    SCMP, January 21, 2005
    Japan aired discontent over EU’s likely move to the lifting of arms embargo against China for fears of increasing tensions in the region.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ6UA6HJ3E.html


    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
    Home becomes a site of pilgrimage
    SCMP, January 21, 2005
    A steady stream people came to pay their respects to Zhao at his home in Wangfujing after the government had given green light to public mourning to the former leader.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZIUA6HJ3E.html


    Law
    Contemporary criminal law and the protection to human rights
    当代刑法与人权保障
    Legal Daily, January 20, 2005
    Legal experts emphasized that human rights protection is an inherent feature in contemporary criminal law and a foundation to the constitution.
    http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2005-01/20/content_180283.htm

    Protests and Petitions
    A Chinese Court Sentences Farmers Who Protested a Land Seizure
    The New York Times, 21 January 2005
    The Sanqin Metro Daily, a state-controlled newspaper in the provincial capital of Xian, reported this week that 6 of 27 arrested protesters were given long sentences, including 15 years for a protest leader, Gao Lading.
    www.nytimes.com

    Protesters scuffle with police as Shanghai ends government meeting
    AP, 21 January 2005
    The protest took place across the street from the Shanghai Exhibition Center on Nanjing West Road, where legislators were meeting in preparation for the annual meeting of China's parliament in March.
    www.ap.org

    Political dissidents – imprisonment – Yang Jiangli (楊建利)
    Wife of Boston-Based Dissident Jailed
    AP via YahooNews.com, January 21, 2005
    The wife of jailed dissident Yang Jiangli (楊建利) plans to seek medical parole of his husband who has been convicted of spying and illegal entry in 2003.
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=731
    &e=10&u=/ap/20050120/ap_on_re_as/china_jailed_dissident

    Political Dissidents-Detention Cases
    South Korean missionary to sue China in US court over imprisonment: report
    Agence France Presse, 21 January 2005
    Kim Hee-Tae, a South Korean missionary who was detained for two years in a Chinese prison on charges of aiding North Korean defectors, plans to sue the Chinese government in a United States court, Yonhap news agency reported Friday.
    www.afp.com

    Poverty
    Getting attention the key to get access to poverty funds
    “扶贫托儿”
    Nanfang Weekend, January 20, 2005
    A rural villager earns the reputation to get 1 million poverty funds for the
    village after he succeeded to get attention from the authority for persistence in “crying” out the plights of the village.
    http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050120/xw/szxw2/2005
    01200014.asp

    Protests and petitions
    Will the new regulations on petitions invite more petitioning activities in the future?
    新信访条例会否带来新一轮信访洪峰
    Nanfang Weekend, January 20, 2005
    Experts say the new regulations on petitions give explicit reference to the right to protect petitioners and that may encourage a new wave of petitioning activities in the future.
    http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/zm/20050120/xw/szxw1/20050
    1200007.asp

    Thursday, January 20, 2005

    January 20, 2005

    Top news of the day

    June 4th – Prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    China to hold funeral for deposed leader Zhao Ziyang
    AFP via YahooNews.com, January 20, 2005
    Beijing is to hold a funeral for the purged leader Zhao for opposing the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989, but it is yet to announce whether top officials would be allowed to attend.
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/20050120/
    wl_asia_afp/chinatiananmenpolitics





    News
    Bilaterals-China/Canada
    Canada and China agree to expand annual dialogues on human rights issues
    By ALEXA OLESEN, AP, 20 January 2005
    BEIJING (AP) - Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao agreed to expand their annual dialogues on human rights issues during talks Thursday which also included overseeing the signing of a broad energy cooperation pact.
    China launches crackdown on power plant polluters.
    www.ap.org

    Children – abuse (trafficking)
    The crackdown of child trafficking gangs in Yunnan
    云南:艰难反击贩童黑帮
    Nanfang Daily, January 20, 2005
    Child trafficking gangs in Yunnan take all forms of tactics to kidnap children, which effectively undermines efforts in hunting down the gangs.
    http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/southnews/jwxy/200501200024
    .asp

    Corruption
    Officials stand trial over 5.9m yuan corruption case
    SCMP, January 20, 2005
    Gong Jiquan, former deputy secretary-general of Chengdu, Sichuan, has been put on trial for corruption yesterday.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZW076HJ3E.html

    Death penalty
    Murderer of nine students in Henan executed
    汝州砍杀九学生案主犯伏法
    BeijingNews.com, January 20, 2005
    Yan Yanming, 21-year-old, has been executed in Henan for murderer charges of 9 high-school students in last November.
    http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/2005-1-20/200512054419.
    html

    Detention – Li Baiguang (李栢光)
    Featured article: the setup of the detention of rights defender Li Baiguang
    俞梅荪：维权博士李柏光被捕案的台前幕后
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 20, 2005
    Rights defender Li Baiquang is detained for his persistence efforts in helping farmers defending their rights over government land deals.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_
    19_15_22_44_19.html

    Education
    35% of student unable to pay school fee, but poverty not the main reason
    35％的学生欠交学费　贫困并非主要原因
    People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
    An investigation reveals that many high school students are unable to pay school fee due to many reasons, with poverty playing a small role.
    http://society.people.com.cn/GB/1063/3132273.html

    Environment
    Watchdog faced huge pressure to allow dams
    SCMP, January 20, 2005
    Environment bureau has called for a halt to 30 large industrial projects despite strong oppositions.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9FN8HJ3E.html


    Government – governance and accountability
    China to institute a responsibility system for major decision-making errors
    People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
    Beijing has stepped up effort in advancing efficiency of SOEs by institutionalizing a responsibility system for management’s wrongful decisions.
    http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/19/eng20050119_1711
    74.html

    June 4th – arms ban
    EU policy on China set to create tensions with US
    Financial Times, January 20, 2005
    EU’s plans to life the arms embargo on China would create tensions with the US.
    http://news.ft.com/cms/s/fef3cde4-698e-11d9-81e7-00000e2511
    c8.html

    Don't Let China Off The Hook
    The Washington Post, 20 January 2005
    The European Union should pause in its determined march to lift the arms embargo that it imposed against China for the Tiananmen Square killings of 1989. Europe is set to prove the wrong guys right about the world's willingness to put aside outrage over human rights atrocities when business beckons.
    www.washingtonpost.com

    Japan urges Britain not to lift EU arms embargo on China
    AP, 20 January 2005
    TOKYO (AP) - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw faced opposition from Tokyo Thursday to lifting the European Union's arms embargo on China as he headed for a visit to discuss the matter with officials in Beijing.
    www.ap.org


    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang
    HK media monitored lest it set off unrest
    SCMP, January 20, 2005
    http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZPEN8HJ3E.html

    With heavy heart, hundreds in HK remember Zhao Ziyang
    SCMP, January 20, 2005
    http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZLOFCHJ3E.html

    Featured article: mourning of the death of Zhao a violation of the Basic Law?
    汤家骅：悼念赵紫阳违《基本法》？
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 20, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_
    19_16_5_59_727.html

    Featured article: Zhao and the ruling of the Chinese Constitutions
    趙紫陽問題和依憲治國
    Asia Times Online, January 19, 2005
    http://www.atchinese.com/2005/01/0119rep.htm

    June 4th dissidents closely monitored
    北京严密监控六四异议人士
    Voice of America, January 19, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=43AE7E4
    A-2D85-4535-87E109FBF5173543&title=%B1%B1%BE%A9%D1%C
    F%C3%DC%BC%E0%BF%D8%C1%F9%CB%C4%D2%EC%D2%E9%
    C8%CB%CA%BF%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C219%C8%D5%29&catOID
    =C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=Nat
    ional%20News

    Dissident among few allowed to pay respects
    SCMP, January 20, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ8076HJ3E.html

    Labour – industrial accidents / Government – governance and accountability
    High-ranking provincial official penalized for grim coal mine blast
    People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
    Shi Jichun, deputy governor of Henan Province, was given an administrative warning for his mishandling in a cola mine blast last October, which caused 148 death.
    http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/20/eng20050120_17
    1219.html

    Law-Legal Reform
    China disciplines 719 lawyers, vows stricter rules on law firms
    Xinhua's China Economic Information Service, 20 January 2005
    BEIJING, January 20 (CEIS) -- China disciplined 719 lawyers in 2004 and vowed to enforce stricter rules on law firms to head off malpractice in 2005, according to the Ministry of Justice.
    www.factiva.com

    Political dissidents – imprisonment - Yang Jiangli (楊建利)
    US senators urge Beijing to release Yang Jiangli
    美议员吁北京放杨建利
    Voice of America, January 19, 2005
    US Senators calls for the release of Yang Jiangli on his 1000th day of arrest.
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=910D65A0
    -B2C3-49D4-9117BBC712A5BEC5&title=%C3%C0%D2%E9%D4%B1
    %D3%F5%B1%B1%BE%A9%B7%C5%D1%EE%BD%A8%C0%FB%280
    5%C4%EA1%D4%C219%C8%D5%29

    Wife of Boston-based dissident jailed in China allowed to see him for first time since arrest
    AP, 20 January 2005
    Associated Press Newswires
    BEIJING (AP) - The wife of a Boston-based democracy activist (Yang Jianli)
    jailed in China said on Thursday she plans to seek medical parole for her husband after seeing him for the first time since he was detained in 2002.
    www.ap.org

    Public health – HIV aids
    School fee exemption for young aids patients in Guangdong
    青少年艾滋病感染者可免学费
    People’s Daily, January 20, 2005
    Guangdong government announced that young aids patients and children of HIV patients are entitled to school fee exemption and dismissals of aids student from schools are illegal.
    http://society.people.com.cn/GB/1062/3132432.html

    Rural issues
    Villager beat to death after suggesting public accounting in village meeting
    村民一建议竟遭村官雇凶当街打死
    Dajiyuan.com, January 20, 2005
    A villager in Shunyang is beaten to death by a group of people employed by the village officials after he had suggested the disclosure of village accounts in a village meeting.
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/20/n786629.htm

    Wednesday, January 19, 2005

    January 19, 2005

    Top news of the day

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    Mourning of Zhao’s death blocked in Shanghai and Beijing
    哀悼赵紫阳 北京拦截 上海抓捕
    Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
    Human Rights in China (HRIC) revealed that public was blocked paying respect to Zhao in Beijing and Shanghai.
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785648.htm

    Beijing Speaks Ill of Fallen Chief, but Private Mourning Is Allowed
    New York Times, 19 January 2005 (JOSEPH KAHN)
    Private services were held at Zhao Ziyang’s residence. Plainclothes police officers surrounded the site and occupied intersections of nearby thoroughfares, but a steady stream of well-wishers were allowed to visit.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/19/international/asia/19zhao.html

    (For more news, refer the updated Special News Brief on Zhao Ziyang’s death)


    News

    Border Issues-North Korea
    N. Korean Abduction Squad Roams Freely Through China
    Chosun Ilbo, 19 January 2005
    North Korea's State Safety and Security Agency operates an abduction squad in China to kidnap North Korean defectors and South Koreans helping them there. The abduction squad can commit such atrocities on Chinese soil because China looks the other way.
    http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200501/20050119
    0043.html

    Corruption
    Former vice-governor arrested for corruption
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    Li Dachang, former governor of Sichuan, has been arrested for embezzling public funds amounted to 100 million yuan.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9S2AHJ3E.html

    Huge haul of bogus invoices
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    Heifang government has uncovered fake invoices totaling 700 million yuan in a large scale investigation over local government finances.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZSLK8HJ3E.html

    Death penalty
    Shaanxi Chief Procurator Chen Peng (陳平) sentenced to death for corruption
    咸阳秦都区检察院原检察长涉嫌受贿被判死刑
    EastDay.com, January 19, 2005
    Chief Procurator Chen Peng of Xianyang Country, Shaanxi is sentenced to death for corruption and intended murder.
    http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
    37979/node47309/userobject1ai809810.html

    Killer of nine students in central China executed
    Xinhua News Agency, 20 January 2005
    Yan Yanming, a 21-year-old man who killed nine senior high school students and injured four others, was executed Tuesday in Pingdingshan City in central China's Henan province.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/20/content_2483786.htm

    June 4th-Arms Sales
    EU will have to 'manage' tensions with US over China arms sales: Straw
    AFP, 19 January 2005
    LONDON (AFP) - Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the European Union would have to work to ease tensions with the United States over the likely lifting of an embargo on arms sales to China, a move opposed by Washington.
    http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1538&u=/afp/20050119/wl_uk_afp/euchinabritain
    arms&printer=1

    Law – legal profession
    Beijing takes tough measures to law firms on bribery practices and ambiguous fee charges
    司法部严惩律师行贿法官行为和乱收费现象
    People’s Daily, January 19, 2005
    Ministry of Justice vows to be tough on law firms over bribery and misappropriate fee charges after revealing that 719 lawyers and 213 law firms had been punished on disciplinary charges in 2004.
    http://legal.people.com.cn/GB/42735/3128537.html

    Media – internet
    Internet survey reveals 94 million internet users in China with average usage of 13.2 hours per week
    CNNIC:中国网民总数达9400万 每周上网13.2小时
    EastDay.com, January 19, 2005
    According to a report published by the China National Network Information Center, there are over 94 million internet users in China, or 8% increase as compared with last year.
    http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
    37979/node47309/userobject1ai809669.html

    Media – press freedom
    China condemned over Canadian PM visa row
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    Reporters Without Borders condemns China for barring two Toronto-based Chinese journalist to enter China for a press assignment.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZEW46HJ3E.html

    Politics – CPC
    Party launches education campaign to consolidate ruling status
    Xinhuanet.com, January 19, 2005
    China Communist Party launched a meeting to educate members for advancing party ruling status in the country.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/19/content_2481108.htm

    Religion
    China recognizes relgion as a right
    Reuters, December 20, 2004
    Officially atheist China, has announced new rules enshrining religious belief as a basic human right. The set of comprehensive administrative rules "specify that the legitimate rights of religious groups, religious sites and the religious people are protected," it said.
    http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2004/12/19/
    news/china-4661925.html

    Tuesday, January 18, 2005

    January 18, 2005


    Top news of the day

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    State media ignores reformist's death
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    Beijing released a brief statement on Zhao’s death, but silenced discussion of the topic on internet.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZMF06HJ3E.html

    China defends 1989 crackdown, dismissal of sympathetic party leader
    AP, 18 January 2005 (JOE McDONALD)
    China on Tuesday defended its 1989 decision to depose former Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang, indicating there were no plans to honor him in death.
    http://www.ap.org


    (Please also see Special News Brief on Zhao’s death)


    Protests and petitions
    Petitioners can lead to criminal charge for outrages behavior
    过激信访构成犯罪将究刑责
    People’s Daily, January 18, 2005
    The new petition regulations reserve the right to put petitioners on criminal charge for outranges acts.
    http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3126582.html


    News

    Death penalty
    Complete abolishment of death penalty still hard in today's China
    People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
    China may gradually reduce application of death penalty, but a complete abolishment remains difficult in China.
    http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/17/eng20050117_17087
    9.html

    Education
    Education in rural areas should meet their practical needs
    乡村需要适应实际生活的“活教育”
    China Youth Daily, January 18, 2005
    Experts said the realization of 9-year compulsory education is important, but the realization should not be bound by the time, but the flexible and practical content.
    http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-01/18/content_1017647.htm

    Environment
    Water diverted into Pearl River system to ease salinity problem
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    Guangdong authorities began to diverting 900 million cubic meters water into the Pearl River Delta System attempting to ease a water salinity problem in neighboring cities.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZFYY9HJ3E.html

    Food security
    China to tighten control on grain production
    Xinhuanet.com, January 18, 2005
    Although grain production increased in 2004, government would continue to tighten control on grain production through macro-economic policy.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2474404.htm

    Government – governance and accountability (law)
    Draft regulations on disclosing public information to submit to State Council
    政府信息公开条例完成草案起草 并上报到国务院
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
    Draft regulations on public information disclosure will be submitted to the State Council for study.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
    zxs_2005-01-18_529567.shtml

    Human rights – education
    People's Daily launches special column to boost human rights education
    People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
    People’s Daily, a state newspaper, starts to run a column focusing on human rights education since mid January to increase public awareness on human rights issues in China.
    http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/17/eng20050117_170886.html

    Labour – work safety and conditions
    Watchdog vows to cut workplace fatalities
    Xinhuanet.com, January 18, 2005
    Work Safety bureau targets dangerous occupations and sectors such as mining and road traffic to improve work safety conditions and reduce fatal accidents.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2474376.htm

    Political Dissidents

    Dissidents under surveillance after death of ousted Chinese leader Zhao
    AFP, 18 January 2005
    Dissidents and civil rights campaigners said Tuesday the government is watching them more closely after the death of deposed Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang, preventing them from holding commemorative activities.
    www.afp.com

    Help China's prisoners of conscience
    SCMP, 18 January 2005
    Tomorrow, Chinese pro-democracy activist and US permanent resident Yang Jianli will be spending his 1,000th day in detention in a Beijing prison.
    www.scmp.com

    Uighur writer in China arrested for a short story advocating independence
    AFP, 18 January 2005
    Nurmehemmet Yasin was detained by state security agents in November after he published in the review "Literature in Kashgar", a short story entitled "The Blue Pigeon" advocating independence for Uighurs.
    www.afp.com

    Public health
    Beijing attempts to draft nutrition law as anxiety grows on Chinese’s nutrition conditions
    我国居民营养问题日益突出 政府酝酿营养立法
    EastDay.com, January 18, 2005
    The government considers promulgating regulation on nutrition to ease the worsening nutrition conditions of the general public
    http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
    37979/node47160/userobject1ai804356.html

    Resettlement – protests
    Police detain housing protesters
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    Shanghai police detailed dozens of protesting over housing compensation outside the city’s legislative building yesterday.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ8LH8HJ3E.html


    Special News Brief on Zhao Ziyang's Death

    Mourning of Zhao’s death blocked in Shanghai and Beijing
    哀悼赵紫阳 北京拦截 上海抓捕
    Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785648.htm

    News agency says Liu Xiaobo forced to stay home
    合众社：刘晓波已被禁止离开家门
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 19, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
    2005_1_18_23_12_1_936.html

    Interview with Wang Dan speaking about Zhao, June 4th and the Communist Party
    【专访】王丹谈赵紫阳、六四与中共
    Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785015.htm

    Aide barred from paying respects
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZJL36HJ3E.html

    Why Premier Wan did not visit former boss?
    为甚么温家宝不去探望赵紫阳
    Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
    http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785618.htm

    Outspoken professor raps official response to Zhao death
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZD9CCHJ3E.html

    We were right to banish Zhao in 1989, says Beijing
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZXXCCHJ3E.html

    Media curbs reflect fear of dissent
    SCMP, January 19, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTS2AHJ3E.html

    Public mourning of Zhao’s death banned on internet
    多维追击：官方禁公开悼念「网上灵堂」祭亡魂
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 19, 2005 http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/
    2005_1_18_20_53_16_376.html

    Beijing Speaks Ill of Fallen Chief, but Private Mourning Is Allowed
    New York Times, January 19, 2005
    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/19/international/asia/19zhao.
    html?oref=login

    State media ignores reformist's death
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZMF06HJ3E.html

    The reformist premier who ended his life as a prisoner
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZVYY9HJ3E.html

    A need to address a raw political wound
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZFXY9HJ3E.html

    In death, Zhao Ziyang is 'finally free'
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZKTG8HJ3E.html

    His legacy of reform will live on, say analysts
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNYY9HJ3E.html

    History will favour man who opposed crackdown
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZRL8CHJ3E.html

    In his words
    SCMP, January 18, 2005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ7M8CHJ3E.html

    Wang Dan: it is unfair to ignoring Zhao’s contribution to economic and political reforms
    王丹：忽略赵紫阳经改贡献并不公平
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland
    /2005_1_17_14_2_8_942.html

    Tiananmen Mothers: we are saddened with the death of Zhao Ziyang
    丁子霖等天安门母亲：痛悼赵紫阳先生
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_17
    _11_48_50_958.html

    Hong Kong politicians and public opinion in favour of a review of June 4th
    多维追击：香港政坛及民间促平反六四
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Hongkong/
    2005_1_17_18_1_49_28.html

    Security tight in Beijing after death of purged Chinese leader Zhao
    AFP via YahooNews, January 18, 2005
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&
    amp;ncid=731&e=4&u=/afp/20050118/wl_asia_afp/chinatiananmen
    politics

    Zhao's Death Presents Dilemma for China
    AP via YahooNews, January 18, 2005
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&am
    p;ncid=731&e=10&u=/ap/20050117/ap_on_re_as/china_political_ti
    ghtrope

    Family of China's Zhao Forgoes State Funeral: Source
    Reuters via YahooNews, January 18, 2005
    http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050118/
    wl_nm/china_zhao_funeral_dc_1

    Vice president visits Zhao at hospital to calm public opinion
    領導人探趙 緩民情爭民心
    MingPao, January 18, 2005
    http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050118/gaa2r.htm

    Chinese warily mourn purged leader Zhao
    Guardian, January 18, 2005
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1392809,00.html?g
    usrc=rss

    Aide to Late Chinese Party Boss Lashes Out at Regime
    Radio Free Asia, January 17, 2005
    http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/01/17/china_baotong/

    Liu Qing: Zhao was like given a life imprisonment
    刘青：政府等于判赵紫阳无期徒刑
    Voice of America, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=8EAE22F
    2-B1F7-482D-AF890B4AE43740A3&title=%C1%F5%C7%E0%A3%
    BA%D5%FE%B8%AE%B5%C8%D3%DA%C5%D0%D5%D4%D7%CF
    %D1%F4%CE%DE%C6%DA%CD%BD%D0%CC%2805%C4%EA1%D4
    %C217%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027
    ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News#

    Zhao Ziyang and China’s political and economic reforms
    赵紫阳与中国政经改革
    Voice of America, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=9F42707A-
    6F51-4D7A-BFE7831BD4BD9004&title=%D5%D4%D7%
    CF%D1%F4%D3%EB%D6%D0%B9%FA%D5%FE%BE%AD%B8%C4%B8
    %EF%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4A
    B3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News

    香港民主界学界对赵紫阳逝世反应
    Voice of America, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=F4060C02-
    41C1-46EF-AEAFAB5B4FB56845&Title=%CF%E3%B8%DB%C3%F1%
    D6%F7%BD%E7%D1%A7%BD%E7%B6%D4%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4
    %CA%C5%CA%C0%B7%B4%D3%A6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%
    D5%29&db=current&CatOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8
    EC2009027ACC5C2&Categoryname=National%20News

    Analysis: the legacy of Zhao to China’s politics
    分析：赵紫阳留宝贵政治遗产
    Voice of America, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=F9474D6
    2-6CC9-4638-8C825F981AA4D53C&Title=%B7%D6%CE%F6%A3%
    BA%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%C1%F4%B1%A6%B9%F3%D5%FE%
    D6%CE%D2%C5%B2%FA%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%D5%29&db=current&CatOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC
    2009027ACC5C2&Categoryname=National%20News

    Taiwan’s reaction to Zhao’s death
    台湾对赵紫阳逝世反应
    Voice of America, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=3C7EFD0
    0-03F1-4720-B6C60877B4915D44&title=%CC%A8%
    CD%E5%B6%D4%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%CA%C5%CA%C0%B7%
    B4%D3%A6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%D5%29&catOID=C2
    83D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=Na
    tional%20News

    Beijing’s comment on Zhao a test to the political wisdom of leadership
    趙紫陽評價: 考驗胡溫政治智慧
    Asia Times Online, January 17, 2005
    http://www.atchinese.com/2005/01/0117rep2.htm

    Public opinion on internet over Zhao’s death in low profile
    趙紫陽逝世 大陸網民低調
    Asia Times Online, January 17, 2005
    http://www.atchinese.com/2005/01/0117rep5.htm

    Zhao Ziyang passes away at 85
    Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/17/content_2469618.htm

    China Gives Zhao's Death Scant Notice
    New York Times, January 18, 2005
    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/international/asia/18zhao.html?ex=1263704400&en=5af638704a244a34&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

    Beijing warns on Zhao reaction
    CNN, January 18, 2005
    http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/17/china.zhao.willy
    lam/index.html

    Zhao: Symbol of shattered hopes
    CNN, January 18, 2005
    http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/17/zhao.obit.ap/in
    dex.html

    The Prisoner of Conscience: Zhao Ziyang, 1919-2005
    Times Magazine, January 18, 2005
    http://www.time.com/time/asia/news/article/0,9754,1018129,00.ht
    ml?cnn=yes

    Ex-Chinese Communist Leader Zhao Dies
    AP via YahooNews.com, January 17, 2005
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&am
    p;ncid=731&e=2&u=/ap/20050117/ap_on_re_as/obit_zhao_ziyang

    Beijing on high alert after the death of Zhao
    赵紫阳逝世 北京料将高度戒备
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 17, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
    and/cna_2005_01_16_22_38_02_084.html

    China Confirms Death of Zhao Ziyang
    Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 17, 2005
    http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050117/wl_n
    m/china_zhao_dc_6

    Rights group persists in the appeal for getting Zhao Ziyang Nobel Peace Prize
    人权组织继续为赵紫阳争取诺贝尔和平奖
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 14, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Forums/BackStage
    /2005_1_13_19_41_49_318.html

    No coverage on ex-communist chief Zhao’s health conditions in Chinese media
    中国媒体没有报道前中共总书记赵紫阳的近况
    Radio Free Asia, January 13, 2005
    http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/12/zhaoziyang/

    Silence on Zhao broken - to deny he has died
    SCMP, January 12, 1005
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZGQI9HJ3E.html

    Deposed Chinese Leader Alive but Ill
    AP via YahooNews, January 12, 2005
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&am
    p;ncid=731&e=10&u=/ap/20050111/ap_on_re_as/china_deposed_leader

    Activist: Deposed China Leader in Hospital
    AP, January 11, 2005
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=731&e=4&u
    =/ap/20050111/ap_on_re_as/china_ousted_leader

    China Times: Zhao died? Rumors over cover-ups of Zhao’s death
    中国时报：赵紫阳病逝?传死讯遭封锁
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 11, 2005
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland
    /2005_1_10_20_17_53_348.html


    Monday, January 17, 2005

    January 15-17, 2005

    Top news of the day

    Detention – Huang Jinquo (黃金高)
    Former party chief sacked for anti-corruption efforts
    福建反腐书记黄金高被免职
    Chinesenewsnet.com, January 17, 2005
    Huang Jinquo, former party chief in Fujian province who was also known for his anti-corruption efforts, was formally sacked by the CPC for corruption allegation.
    http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_16_
    12_17_31_601.html

    June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)
    Ex-Chinese Communist Leader Zhao Dies
    AP via YahooNews.com, January 17, 2005
    Former Chinese Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang died early Monday morning at a Beijing hospital after being put under house arrest for over 15 years.
    http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=731&e=
    2&u=/ap/20050117/ap_on_re_as/obit_zhao_ziyang





    News

    Corruption
    CPC Central Committee issues outline for anti-corruption work
    Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
    Party committee issued an outline for the establishment of an anti-corruption work mechanism that serves to punish and prevent corrupt activities by cadres.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/16/content_2468661.htm

    Excerpted article: Anti-corruption strategy in 2005
    《瞭望东方周刊》:2005,中国反腐战略转折
    EastDay.com, January 17, 2005
    Anti-corruption efforts in 2004 provided useful insights to the government in advancing anti-corruption strategies and measures in the government and party structure.
    http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
    37979/node47079/userobject1ai802871.html

    Death penalty
    Death sentence prisoners allowed seeing family before execution
    北京准许死刑犯临刑会见家属
    Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
    Beijing courts allow prisoners on death penalty seeing their family before execution in order to humanizing the image of the court.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2005-01/17/content_2468818.htm

    Disaster
    Officials urged to modernise disaster warning system
    SCMP, January 17, 2005
    Civil affairs officials urge the government to modernize existing disaster warning system and step up efforts in information sharing with neighboring countries after the disastrous tsunami struck the region.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZ9AV7HJ3E.html

    Education / Human rights - right to education
    Many rural pupils cheated of their right to schooling
    SCMP, January 15, 2005
    A survey revealed that a large number of students in rural areas had failed to achieve 9-year compulsory education, leaving overall dropout rate to have reached as high as 10 % in some areas.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZSM1CHJ3E.html

    Human rights / corruption
    Reforms foiled by corruption, says rights watchdog
    SCMP, January 15, 2005
    Human rights report said the progress of legal and political reform last year were undermined by official corruption, medial censorship and enduring restrictions on freedom of speech on the Mainland.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZY33CHJ3E.html

    Labour – industrial accidents
    Coal mine accidents claim 6,027 lives last year
    Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
    Official statistics recorded a death toll of 6,027 people in coal mine accidents in 2004, or 6 % lower than the fatalities recorded in 2003.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/17/content_2470139.htm

    Politics – CPC
    68m cadres kept on the straight and narrow
    SCMP, January 17, 2005
    CPC unveiled the launch of a three phase-ideological program for the 68 million members to improve cadres’ “progressiveness”.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZHOKBHJ3E.html

    Poverty
    "Go-west" speeds up in next five years
    Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
    The government commits to invest more in the western region in the next five years, focusing on building up domestic infrastructure and improving ecological environment.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/17/content_2469451.htm

    Public health
    Chinese pay more for medical services
    Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
    Latest statistics from the Ministry of Health revealed that the rising cost of medicine and medical treatment led to people’s increasing medical expenditure over the past few years.
    http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/17/content_2469272.htm

    Public health – HIV aids
    Father of private Aids orphanages dies in Beijing
    SCMP, January 15, 2005
    Zhu Jinzhong, one of the pioneers of private Aids orphanages on the mainland, died of pneumonia last Thursday.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZGDB8HJ3E.html

    Resettlement – protests
    Shannxi rural villager protesters jailed for defending the right to land
    陕西农民因抵制征地被判重刑
    Radio Free Asia, January 16, 2005
    27 villagers in Shannxi were given 3 to 15 years of jail terms for protesting against land deal with government.
    http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/16/dizhizhengdi/

    Rural issues – taxation
    Agricultural tax exempted in 22 provinces
    中国22省份宣布免征农业税 全面取消将提前实现
    People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
    Agricultural tax is now exempted in 22 provinces, well ahead schedule stated in Premier Wen’s 5-year plan.
    http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3124700.html

    SOEs / Corruption
    Firms rapped for inept accounting
    SCMP, January 17, 2005
    Beijing gets serious in correcting a culture of inept auditing at state-owned companies, starting with a probe into the most recent audits of the mainland’s biggest 181 SOEs.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZZPKBHJ3E.html

    Society / poverty
    Low income group under pressure as price level increases
    物价上涨使低收入人群感到压力
    China Youth Daily, January 17, 2005
    A survey revealed low income groups found more difficult to take up increasing price level as compared to last year.

    Trafficking
    Police in Yunnan detain 30 would-be illegal immigrants
    SCMP, January 17, 2004
    Border police in Yunnan nabbed a group of Chinese to be smuggled to Japan or Britain via Myanmar.
    http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZTWB9HJ3E.html

    Other - Hong Kong – human rights
    Concern over 'erosion of rights' in HK
    SCMP, January 15, 2005
    Human Rights Watch raised concerns over HK’s human rights condition after universal suffrage for HK had been ruled out by the NPC.
    http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ17T9HJ3E.html


    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)