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.

Monday, August 08, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Chinese lawyer Wang Yu given ABA International Human Rights Award in absentia
ABA Journal, August 6, 2016
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/chinese_lawyer_wang_yu_given_inaugural_aba_international_human_rights_award/

Related:
To American Bar Association with regard to ABA Human Rights Award to Wang Yu
China Change, August 6, 2016
https://chinachange.org/2016/08/06/to-american-bar-association-with-regard-to-aba-human-rights-award-to-wang-yu/

U.S. criticizes China's “political” trials as fourth activist punished for subversion
The Guardian, August 5, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/05/us-criticises-chinas-political-trials-as-fourth-activist-punished-for-subversion

Related:
China rejects Western criticism of crackdown on rights defenders
South China Morning Post, August 6, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2000072/china-rejects-western-criticism-crackdown-rights

Week of TV trials in China signals new phase in attack on rights
审判维权律师彰显中国打压人权进入新阶段
The New York Times, August 6, 2016
EN: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/06/world/asia/china-trial-activists-lawyers.html
CH: http://cn.nytimes.com/china/20160808/china-trial-activists-lawyers/

Related:
HRIC Urges Independent Observers at Upcoming Trials of Lawyers and Activists in China
Human Rights in China, August 5, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/en/press-work/statement/hric-urges-independent-observers-upcoming-trials-lawyers-and-activists-china

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Risqué business: first Mr Gay China shows new, more public face of LGBT
The Guardian, August 6, 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/06/risque-business-first-mr-gay-china-shows-new-more-public-face-of-lgbt

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Two more of China’s former top commanders taken away for corruption investigation: military sources
South China Morning Post, August 5, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1999535/two-more-chinas-former-top-commanders-taken-away

China to revamp party's youth league
The Hindu, August 5, 2016
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/in-battle-for-heartsandminds-china-orders-revamp-of-communist-youth-league/article8948390.ece

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

China’s tech firms flip “copycat” image
China Digital Times, August 5, 2016
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2016/08/chinas-tech-trailblazers-innovators/

China launches first mobile telecoms satellite from Beijing
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 7, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37001773

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

Xinjiang regional government passes new counterterrorism law
Radio Free Asia, August 5, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/xinjiang-regional-government-passes-new-counterterrorism-law-08052016160441.html

What to make of China's latest meeting with the Taliban
The Diplomat, August 5, 2016
http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/what-to-make-of-chinas-latest-meeting-with-the-taliban/

Hong Kong (香港)

Thousands attend “first pro-independence rally” amid calls to infiltrate gov’t and police force
Hong Kong Free Press, August 6, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/08/06/thousands-attend-first-pro-independence-rally-amid-calls-infiltrate-govt-police-force/

Hong Kong election officials disqualify six legislative candidates for not being “loyal” enough to China
Global Voices, August 5, 2016
https://globalvoices.org/2016/08/05/hong-kong-election-officials-disqualify-six-legislative-candidates-for-not-being-loyal-enough-to-china/

Related:
【撤銷參選權】環時:港府着眼長遠所作決定 否認港獨因北京高壓 ([Disqualifying candidacies] Global Times: Hong Kong government makes the decisions basing on long-term consideration, Hong Kong independence mood did not rise out of Beijing’s high pressure)
Ming Pao, August 6, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20160806/s00001/1470441087269

“I was to be their eyes and ears”: Hong Kong bookseller claims mainland agent told him to report on customers
South China Morning Post, August 6, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2000041/i-was-be-their-eyes-and-ears-hong-kong-bookseller-claims

【政治審查】「可怕」的香港Tee是我設計的(文:余若薇) ([Political censorship] Civic Party Audrey Eu: The horrifying Hong Kong Tee-shirt is my design)
Ming Pao, August 7, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20160807/s00022/1470534843949

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

China show trials: Victory for politics of fear in Tianjin?
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 5, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36983521

How to understand China’s confession videos
Washington Post, August 5, 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/how-to-understand-chinas-confession-videos/2016/08/05/1bc7a1a0-5a75-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html

香港本土和大中華根本非水火不容 (Hong Kong “localism” and “greater China-ism” are actually not mutually exclusive)
InMedia HK, August 6, 2016
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1043879

Friday, August 05, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Chinese Christian activist in rights crackdown gets suspended jail term for subverting state power
维权人士勾洪国颠覆国家政权罪成 被判囚3年缓刑3年
South China Morning Post, August 5, 2016
EN: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1999498/chinese-christian-activist-rights-crackdown-gets
CH: http://www.nanzao.com/sc/national/1565983047d9ec7/wei-quan-ren-shi-gou-hong-guo-dian-fu-guo-jia-zui-cheng-bei-pan-qiu-3-huan-xing-3-

Related:
Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology
Human Rights in China, August 4, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-defenders-and-international-reactions-brief-chronology

China’s crackdown raises familiar specter of foreign forces
The Washington Post, August 5, 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/chinas-crackdown-raises-familiar-specter-of-foreign-forces/2016/08/05/8c89ba42-5ac8-11e6-8b48-0cb344221131_story.html

Related:
China smears foreign diplomats in another 4-minute video, as trials of rights lawyers and activists continue in Tianjin
China Change, August 4, 2016
https://chinachange.org/2016/08/04/china-smears-foreign-diplomats-in-another-4-minute-video-as-trials-of-rights-lawyers-and-activists-continue-in-tianjin/

Tibetan monk given three-year term in secret trial
Radio Free Asia, August 4, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/secret-08042016124241.html

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Guangdong provincial trade union federation gets its hands dirty
China Labor Bulletin, August 4, 2016
http://www.clb.org.hk/content/guangdong-provincial-trade-union-federation-gets-its-hands-dirty

Government Accountability (政府问责)

And the policemen danced. In Tibetan areas the government mixes control with tolerance
The Economist, August 4, 2016
http://www.economist.com/news/china/21703366-tibetan-areas-government-mixes-control-tolerance-and-policemen-danced

Chinese military vows to protect its maritime rights
The Hindu, August 1, 2016
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinese-military-vows-to-protect-its-maritime-rights/article8927576.ece

女权无疆界向联合国正式投诉中国二胎政策 (Women’s Rights Without Frontiers files complaint with the U.N. about China’s two-child policy)
Voice of America, August 5, 2016
http://www.voachinese.com/a/wrwf-china-child-policy-20160804/3451052.html

China battles conflicts in health sector as WHO raises concerns
世卫组织:当心“一带一路”传播疾病
Voice of America, August 5, 2016
EN: http://www.voanews.com/content/china-battles-conflicts-health-sector-world-health-organization-raises-concerns/3451059.html
CH: http://www.voachinese.com/a/china-health-20160804/3450600.html

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

China joins Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan in security alliance
Reuters, August 4, 2016
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-security-idUSKCN10F1A6

China's Uyghurs face added scrutiny ahead of G20 summit in Hangzhou
Radio Free Asia, August 3, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/scrutiny-08032016170815.html

Hong Kong (香港)

Hong Kong localist leader could have been elected if allowed to run, survey shows
港大调查:本土派梁天琦若获准参选 有望赢得议席
South China Morning Post, August 4, 2016
EN: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1999297/hong-kong-localist-leader-could-have-been-elected-if-allowed
CH: http://www.nanzao.com/sc/hk-macau-tw/15658a47f6da2e6/gang-da-diao-cha-ben-tu-pai-liang-tian-qi-ruo-huo-zhun-can-xuan-you-wang-ying-de-yi-xi

專訪:石永泰談法治——國際特赦組織香港分會《人權》雜誌夏季號2016 (Amnesty International Hong Kong Human Rights magazine issue summer 2016: Interview with former Hong Kong Bar Association president Paul Shieh Wing-tai on rule of law)
InMedia HK, August 5, 2016
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1043858

Public rating for freedom in Hong Kong at new low since 1997—HKU study
Hong Kong Free Press, August 3, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/08/03/public-rating-freedom-hong-kong-new-low-since-1997-hku-study/

What Hong Kong's loyalty pledge says about its future
Voice of America, August 4, 2016
http://www.voanews.com/content/hong-kong-loyalty-pledge/3448823.html

Thursday, August 04, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Zhou Shifeng: Chinese law firm founder jailed for subversion
中国维权律师抓捕:锋锐律师周世锋判囚七年
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 4, 2016
EN: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36972206
CH: http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2016/08/160804_china_activist_lawyers

Related:
Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology
Human Rights in China, August 3, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-defenders-and-international-reactions-brief-chronology

Man held in China “does not know he has baby”
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 3, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36961908

Most prominent cases in China by lawyers now in custody
South China Morning Post, August 3, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1998703/most-prominent-cases-china-lawyers-now-custody

China claims rights lawyers and dissidents are part of vast American conspiracy in 4-minute video
China Change, August 3, 2016
https://chinachange.org/2016/08/03/china-claims-rights-lawyers-and-dissidents-are-part-of-vast-american-conspiracy-in-4-minute-video/

Access to Information (信息公开)

Chinese authorities block reporting from Larung Gar as demolition proceeds
Radio Free Asia, August 3, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/proceeds-08032016134518.html

Purged Chinese political magazine to fight back “all the way”
Radio Free Asia, August 3, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-magazine-08032016133115.html

Scrutinizing China’s official statistics: The puzzling case of unemployment data
The Diplomat, August 4, 2016
http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/scrutinizing-chinas-official-statistics-the-puzzling-case-of-unemployment-data/

Citizen Participation (公民参与)

Worker unrest spreads to the luxury goods and services sector
China Labor Bulletin, August 3, 2016
http://www.clb.org.hk/content/worker-unrest-spreads-luxury-goods-and-services-sector

Government Accountability (政府问责)

Four staff punished over cover-up at Guangdong nuclear plant after guideline breach
South China Morning Post, August 4, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1999064/four-staff-punished-breaching-guidelines-nuclear

Former Nanjing Party chief stands trial for bribery
Xinhua News, August 3, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/03/c_135560857.htm

ICTs and Human Rights (信息技术与人权)

Internet use in China on the rise
Deutsche Welle, August 3, 2016
http://www.dw.com/en/internet-use-in-china-on-the-rise/a-19445291

Hong Kong (香港)

Undue caution? Joshua Wong blasts Hong Kong officials over hold-ups in Demosisto party registration and mailings
South China Morning Post, August 3, 2016
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1999067/undue-caution-joshua-wong-blasts-hong-kong-officials-over

Video: China propaganda video bashing him “laughable,” says Occupy leader Joshua Wong
Hong Kong Free Press, August 3, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/08/03/video-china-propaganda-video-bashing-laughable-says-occupy-leader-joshua-wong/

Hong Kong restricts election candidates, renewing fears of lost rights
The New York Times, August 4, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/world/asia/hong-kong-independence-elections.html

【短片:選舉論壇】人大釋法?超區候選人逐個表態 ([Video: Forum on LegCo election] Should there be an NPC interpretation of the Basic Law? District Council functional constituency candidates express their opinions)
Ming Pao, August 4, 2016
http://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20160804/s00001/1470274615165

港法律界選委發聲明 反對立會選舉政治審查 (Hong Kong’s Election Committee Legal Subsector issues statement disapproving political censorship in LegCo election procedure)
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 3, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/china/2016/08/160803_hongkong_election_lawyers

陳文敏:我看不到香港法律有賦予選舉主任這權力去決定候選人簽署的聲明是否真確 (Johannes Chan: I cannot see that Hong Kong’s laws endow the power to Electoral Affairs Commission Returning Officer to determine whether candidate’s declaration is truthful)
InMedia HK, August 3, 2016
http://www.inmediahk.net/node/1043810

香港立法会选举7人资格遭取消 被指反加深青年港独情绪 (7 disqualified from Hong Kong’s LegCo election, some think that may intensify young people’s sentiments for Hong Kong independence)
Radio Free Asia, August 3, 2016
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/yf2-08032016110626.html

Author demands payment from Lee Po after Causeway Bay Books "trashed" 20,000 works
与铜锣湾书店合作作家指李波丢弃其书 要求赔偿
South China Morning Post, August 4, 2016
EN: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1998846/causeway-bay-books-accused-mass-purge-wake
CH: http://www.nanzao.com/sc/hk-macau-tw/156539d9c1c71e4/tong-luo-wan-shu-dian-huo-ban-zuo-jia-zhi-li-bo-diu-qi-qi-shu-yao-qiu-pei-chang

Opinion and Editorial (观点和社论)

Is China cracking down on dissent?
Al Jazeera, August 4, 2016
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2016/08/china-cracking-dissent-160804050715119.html

Why the Hong Kong independence debate is vital for the city’s democracy
Hong Kong Free Press, August 3, 2016
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2016/08/03/hong-kong-independence-debate-vital-citys-democracy/

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Access to Justice (司法公正)

Rights groups denounce court ruling against Chinese activist
Voice of America, August 2, 2016
http://www.voanews.com/content/rights-groups-denounce-court-ruling-against-chinese-activist/3445329.html

Chinese activist Hu Shigen jailed for subversion
中国维权律师抓捕:家庭教会长老胡石根颠覆罪囚七年半
British Broadcasting Corporation, August 3, 2016
EN: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36961431
CH: http://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/china/2016/08/160803_china_activist_lawyers_trial

Related:
Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology
Human Rights in China, July 29, 2016
http://www.hrichina.org/en/mass-crackdown-chinese-lawyers-defenders-and-international-reactions-brief-chronology

709大案首人被判 网友三不王宇“认罪” (First person sentenced from 709 Crackdown, netizens organize “three negations” campaign in response to Wang Yu’s “confession”)
Voice of America, August 2, 2016
http://www.voachinese.com/a/news-first-person-of-709-case-went-trial-and-sentenced-20160802/3445343.html

Related:
时事大家谈: 赵威王宇“认错”,当局镇压下的维权律师 (Current Affairs Discussion: Zhao Wei and Wang Yu’s “confessions”—rights defenders under the authorities repression)
Voice of America, August 2, 2016
http://www.voachinese.com/a/io-20160802-china-rights-lawyers-submissions/3445458.html