Two organizations based in the United States released the results of an online survey they jointly did of Internet users inside China. Edoors.com, a Chinese language portal site, and Qingxin, a Chinese language online message board, jointly conducted the survey from June 27 to July 28, 2007, on Internet censorship and circumvention among Internet users inside China. 94% of those surveyed know that the authorities routinely censor information generally available to people in China. 94% believe that China is implementing Internet filtering and censorship out of fear of losing control once its citizens have access to the truth.
Briefings - 1226. page
Fifty-Five Common Foods in China Are Toxic
A report has surfaced and been widely reprinted on Chinese official websites and Blogs naming 55 kinds of toxic food in China, ranging from daily rice, flour, vegetables, meat, eggs, and fruits to famous seasonings and gradients, formulations, etc. [1, 2] Vegetables laced with very toxic residual pesticides have been labeled as "harmless" and widely sold.
Eight KG of Uranium Missing; Four Men Put on Trial
Official Xinhua News reported on August 23, 2007, that eight kilograms (17.6 pounds) of uranium are missing, while four Chinese men are on trial for trying to sell uranium that can be used to make nuclear weapons. The Hong Kong based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy reported Friday August 24, that as many as 20 people may have become ill as a result of contact with the uranium.
Beijing’s Municipal Government Requires Widespread Classes in National Defense Education
Effective September 15, 2007, the Beijing municipal government will implement a new regulation that boosts national defense education among its residents. Government entities, the media, schools and residents’ groups are also required to provide national defense education. Scores of national defense education courses must be included in the student curriculum in high schools and colleges.
Hu Jingtao: The Sole Work of PLA is to Fight Taiwan
Recently Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party promoted a referendum on membership in the UN, to take place in the spring. The CCP’s Central Committee regard this as stepping over the line regarding the CCP’s "Anti-Secession Law." The CCP General Secretary and Chair of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Hu Jingtao, emphasized in an internal meeting of the CCP that the sole work of the PLA is to fight Taiwan. This is the first time Hu clearly raised such a proposal in a CCP internal meeting. [1]
Chinese Government Think Tank on Iraq: American Style Democracy Will Lead to Chaos and Instability
According to a Xinhua report, a government think tank concluded that what has happened in Iraq demonstrates that western democracy will not result in prosperity but in chaos and instability.
Tibetan Living Buddhas Cannot Reincarnate without Government Approval
China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs has issued a decree, "Reincarnation Regulations of Tibetan Living Buddhas," providing that, after September 1, 2007, it will be "illegal or invalid" for a Tibetan living Buddhas to reincarnate without government approval. If a Buddha reincarnates, it must serve the interests of national unity and the solidarity of all ethnic groups. No group or individual from outside the country can influence any reincarnation. The Reincarnation Regulations also require that temples that apply for permission for a living Buddha to reincarnate must bere "legally-registered venues for Tibetan Buddhist activities."
Criminal Investigation against Legal Daily Reporter Aborted
During a midnight interview with Xinhua on January 8, 2008, Gao Weiyi, the Deputy Governor of Xifeng County, stated that Fengxi had officially aborted the criminal investigation against Zhu Wenna, the Legal Times reporter who published a “negative” report on January 1, 2008, implicating the County Party Secretary. Local authorities also rescinded the warrant previously issued for her arrest. The Public Security Bureau Chief was quoted as saying that the investigation and warrant were “not appropriate.”
The investigation and the ensuing warrant issued on January 4 prompted an uproar from news media, who cried foul and alleged that the Xifeng County government and the Party had abused their power in this incident.
Source: Xinhua, January 9, 2008 http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2008-01/09/content_7389210.htm