Half of the cities in China have severely polluted groundwater; 300 million people in the rural areas are drinking water with safety problems. In some areas, "all the rivers have dried and all the water has been polluted." A member of the Chinese NPC Standing Committee stated that "The pollution is a result of profit pursuing. However, the cost to treat the water pollution will be more than a dozen times the profit we have gained."
Social Stability - 187. page
China Officials: the Pope Wants to Appoint Anti-Communist Bishops
Since 1958 when China and the Vatican stopped having diplomatic relations, the CCPA (Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association) has appointed all bishops in China. The current Pope, Benedict XVI, has been trying hard to bring Catholics in China back to the Roman Catholic Church. However recently, according to a high official in the CCPA, the Vatican has been attempting to appoint anti-communist bishops in China. [1]
Website Ordered to Delete the Henan AIDS Report
Domain name provider www.net.cn has been ordered to delete a report on the Henan AIDS disaster from its website, according to the Beijing Aizhixing Institute.
Child’s Eye View of Iraq War
People’s Education Press has posted a sixth grade e-textbook article entitled, "Woeful Plight in the Shadow of War." Intended for its course on Morality and Society, the text shows how Iraqi families have been affected by the war.
Soccer Teams Receive Military Training
In early October, China’s National Male Soccer Team and National Olympic Male Soccer Team gathered at a military base in Laishui County, Hebei Province to receive five days of military training.
College Tuition in China Has Skyrocketed over the Past Ten Years
In 1997, the state government issued a new policy to put and end to the former system of "education at public expense." That year marked the beginning of an uncurbed increase in college tuition. [1]
Residence and Restaurant Torn Down for Olympic Construction; Victim Arrested
In 2003, the Beijing authorities demolished Ye Gouzhu and his brohter Ye Guoqiang’s restaurant and their homes and gave them no compensation. For applying for permission to hold a public demonstration about it, they sentenced Ye Guozhu to a four-year prison term.
Police Continue to Crackdown on Petitioners
Hong Kong Ming Pao reports that, in anticipation of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Beijing has been strengthening control in order to prevent any unexpected incidents. The police are monitoring public transportation and detaining human rights activists.