The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Corruption

China’s Former Rail Minister Is Charged With Corruption
The New York Times, April 10, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/world/asia/liu-zhijun-former-chinese-rail-minister-charged-with-corruption.html

China's 'Living Dead' Officials Escape Debt
Radio Free Asia, April 09, 2013
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/debt-04092013110833.html

Environment

China Soil Survey Reveals Century-Old Heavy Metals and Banned Pesticides
South China Morning Post, April 10, 2013
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1211526/china-soil-survey-reveals-century-old-heavy-metals-and-banned-pesticides

Health

全国已确诊33例人感染H7N9禽流感病例 9人死亡(33 Sick from Bird Flu, Death Toll Climbs to Nine)
Eastday(东方网), April 10, 2013
http://news.eastday.com/c/20130410/u1a7315519.html

Pigeon Group Plans to Vaccinate 90,000 Birds to Protect Against Bird Flu
The Age, April 10, 2013
http://www.theage.com.au/world/pigeon-group-plans-to-vaccinate-90000-birds-to-protect-against-bird-flu-20130409-2hjs2.html

Human Rights Defenders

陈光诚首现国会听证 要求公开中美外交协议 (Chen Guangcheng at Congress: Calls for Transparency in US–China Diplomatic Agreements)
Voice of America, April 10, 2013
http://www.voachinese.com/content/congress-hearing-chenguangcheng-on-china-human-rights/1638330.html

陈光诚家人在中国受到威胁 (Family of Chen Guangcheng is Threatened in China)
British Broadcasting Corporation, April 10, 2013
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2013/04/130410_chen_family.shtml

Related:
Chinese Dissident Calls on China to Stop Persecuting His Family
Voice of America, April 09, 2013
http://www.voanews.com/content/china-dissident-chen-guangcheng/1638244.html

For more information on Chen Guangcheng, see:
“鸟儿已经出笼”——协助陈光诚获得自由
“The bird is out of the cage”: Helping Chen Guangcheng Reach Freedom
China Rights Forum, 2012, no. 2
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/cn/crf/article/6464
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/crf/article/6463

Poet’s Nightmare in Chinese Prison
The New York Times, April 09, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/books/liao-yiwus-new-book-is-for-a-song-and-a-hundred-songs.html

For more information on Liao Yiwu, see:
中国作家廖亦武、余杰分别在德国和美国获奖
International Prizes for Authors Liao Yiwu and Yu Jie
Human Rights in China, March 1, 2013
CH: http://www.hrichina.org/cn/content/6338
EN: http://www.hrichina.org/content/6334

Information Control

中国10余人因散布禽流感谣言被拘 (Over Ten Detained for “Spreading Bird Flu Rumors”)
British Broadcasting Corporation, April 10, 2013
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2013/04/130410_china_birdflu_rumour.shtml

Related:
China Detains 10 for Bird Flu rumors, Death Toll at 9
Reuters, April 10, 2013
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-birdflu-china-idUSBRE93901V20130410

新疆小伙起诉环保局要求公开环评报告被驳回 (Xinjiang Court Dismisses Suit for Information Disclosure, Affirms Citizens’ Right to Know)
Sina, April 10, 2013
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2013-04-10/124126784923.shtml

International Relations (Human Rights, Security, Trade and Investment)

中国政府一反常态:主动找德国谈人权 (China Invites Germany to Discuss Human Rights in Beijing)
Deutsche Welle, April 10, 2013
http://bit.ly/10Rtxus

China Targets South Korea with Soft Power
Asia Times Online, April 10, 2013
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/KOR-01-100413.html

China Pledges $548 Million in Aid to Ally Cambodia
Reuters, April 10, 2013
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-cambodia-china-idUSBRE93909D20130410

Political and Economic Reform

专家谈国务院机构改革:不少地方权力需要收归中央 (Experts Discuss State Council Reform, Urge Centralizing Local Powers)
People's Daily, April 10, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn//n/2013/0410/c1001-21087437.html

Poverty

15 M Poor Disabled People in Rural China
China Daily, April 10, 2013
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-04/10/content_16391313.htm

Protests and Petitions

河南尉氏律师抗议被称为孬种:上访不能归咎律师 (Henan Lawyers, Blamed for Inciting Petitioning, Protest “Bad Seeds” Label by Party Official)
Sina, April 10, 2013
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2013-04-10/105526784223.shtml

4公民被抓9天 西单再现“公开财产”横幅 (“Disclose Officials' Assets” Banner Reappears, Protesters on Ninth Day of Detention)
Voice of America, April 10, 2013
http://www.voachinese.com/content/citizen-beijing-20130409/1637922.html

Society

2013年农村绿皮书:农村居民收入增速再超城镇居民 (2013 Green Paper: Rural Areas Outpace Cities in Per Cap Income)
People's Daily, April 10, 2013
http://politics.people.com.cn//n/2013/0410/c1001-21084109.html

Torture

温州一官员双规期间猝死 满身伤痕疑遭刑讯殴打 (Corpse of Wenzhou Official under “Shuanggui” is Covered in Wounds, Family Suspects Torture)
China News Service, April 10, 2013
http://news.dayoo.com/china/201304/10/53868_29977257.htm

XUAR

Uyghur Boy Hacked to Death in Xinjiang
Radio Free Asia, April 10, 2013
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/boy-04092013190730.html