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Chinese Families File Tainted Milk Lawsuit in U.S.

As Chinese courts refuse to accept suits seeking damages over the contamination of dairy supplies with the industrial chemical melamine, a group of victims under the name of Federation of Victims of Shengyuan Infant Milk Formula have hired a U.S. lawyer to claim compensation. This is the first time that a foreign lawyer involves in the toxic milk scandal.

Shengyuan group, one of the major Chinese diary manufacturers, owns a Delaware-registered venture capital company headquartered in Maryland. The linkage allows U.S. courts to have a jurisdiction over Shengyuan. The first trial is scheduled at a federal court in Maryland.

Mr. Liu, a representative of the group, said to RFA that “it is Shengyuan that violates the law, not we.”

On courts rejection of toxic milk lawsuits, Dr. Zhang Boshu at Chinese Academy of Social Science felt regretful. “We could have handled the issue through normal legal channels, which should be encouraged instead of suppressed by the government.”

Source:
RFA, October 20, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/lawyer-10202008102514.html

Intellectuals Demand Amnesty for Police Killer

After a Shanghai court’s rejection of the appeal from Yang Jia, who killed six policemen in revenge for a wrongful arrest, 44 intellectuals publicly signed on an open letter, asking for the authority’s amnesty.

“Whereas death penalty is a punishment of cruelty in violation of human dignity. … More than two thirds of 193 UN member states have abolished death penalty in law or in essence.” The letter said.

“Mr. Yang has taken extremist actions and caused human tragedy, after failed attempts to seek justice through legal channels over a long period of time. This is why he was overwhelmingly sympathized by the public.”

“Shanghai authorities have refused to publicize the entire facts of the accident. Yang Jia’s mother, a key witness, was kidnapped. Seven Shanghai policemen, also key witnesses, refused to testify on court. The initial death sentence was out of a close-door trial against legal procedure.”

Among the signers are lawyers, writers, professors, and journalists, including a famous economist Mao Yushi and artists Ai Weiwei, who designed Bird Nest or Beijing National Stadium. The execution of 28-year-old Yang Jia is awaiting the approval from the Supreme People’s Court, according to his lawyer Zhai Jian.

Source:
Epoch Times, October 21, 2008
http://epochtimes.com/gb/8/10/21/n2304365.htm

China Continues Its Ban of Residential Satellite Dishes

China State Administration of Radio, Film & Television and State Administration for Industry & Commerce carried out a campaign in the first half of this year, attacking “illegal sale” of satellite receiving apparatuses. In the past half year, more than 50,000 satellite receiving apparatuses were seized in the name of “illegal sale,” more than 110,000 satellite dishes were dismantled in the name of “illegal installation.” The above organizations held a special conference issuing award for the activity on 17, 2008 in Guangxi. Chinese government only allows hotels accommodating foreign guests to apply installation of satellite receiving apparatus, receiving government sanctioned oversea programs. Residential satellite dish is prohibited.

Source: Radio Free Asia, October 17,2008 http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/weixing-10172008155805.html?searchterm=None

Xinhua: China Will Not Let Pakistan Go Bankrupt

Xinhua publishes an article highly touting Pakistan President Zardari visit to China from October 14 to 17. The article says that as a “friend at all times,” China didn’t disappoint the Pakistanis. During the four day visit, China and Pakistan signed 12 agreements and one joint statement. President Zardari received promise from China to help resolve Pakistan’s economic crisis. It is said that the “initial aid is US$500 million and more promised for the future.”  The article says that the “economy and trade tour” as defined by Zardari of his first visit to China is extremely fruitful.

Source: Xinhua, October 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-10/21/content_10226888.htm

Hong Kong Magazine Calls for Investigation on Altered Contents

Over 50 errors appeared in Hong Kong “Open Magazine” October issue unexpectedly.  The articles were intentionally altered and unreadable.   The magazine posted a notice to its readers on its home page apologizing for the errors.  Cai Yongmei, the Chief Editor of the magazine said that the incident, the first time in 20 years, was serious. Cai is calling the Hong Kong special region government to investigate the incident and protect magazine’s rights to freedom of speech.

“Open Magazine” is a monthly magazine published in Hong Kong and known for disclosing inside secrets of the mainland Chinese government.

Source: Open Magazine, October 2008
http://www.open.com.hk/0810news.html

CRI: France’s Attitude Towards China Made 180 Degrees Change

“France’s attitude towards China has made 180 degrees change”, cited China Radio International (CRI) referring to a special program aired by French Television Station France 2 on October 9. The program was about Dalai Lama on his “autocracy ruling of Tibet” and the “little known secrets” including his connection with the CIA. There was another negative program aired earlier about Dalai by France television 24.

The article by CRI said that the move by France 2 is a continuation of series actions taken by Sarkozy in order to repair the damage done during the Olympic torch in Paris which include the “distinguished guest” treatment to the Chinese paralympian Jin Jing and the resignation of Robert Ménard as the founder of “reporter without border”.

The anti-China force has significantly damaged the France- China relationship, cited the article. While France was leading the effort, it found itself being the minority on the world stage.  The sensible gesture taken by the US and UK in foreign affairs has taught Sarkozy a good lesson… Facing the current financial crisis, it is once again put China in a very important position. As the gravity of the crisis remains unknown, the reliance on China could be long term”, the article said.

Source: China Radio International, October 17, 2008
http://gb.cri.cn/12764/2008/10/17/3365s2286451.htm

State Administration of Taxation: September Tax Income Took Deep Dive

The State Administration of Taxation disclosed that the state tax income growth rate was 2.5 percent in September, a significant drop compared with 33.5 percent reported in the first half of this year and over 20 percent for the past ten years. The drop was mainly driven by the slow economy which has caused decrease in business profits and taxes including value added taxes, sales tax and stamp duty, according to the Administration of Taxation. It is predicted that the fourth quarter will continue to see the decreasing trend or even the negative growth.

Source: Sina, October 18, 2008
http://finance.sina.com.cn/g/20081018/01595403932.shtml

Users of Beijing Internet Cafes Face Tighter Control

Whoever uses Beijing Internet cafes for the first time will be photographed and their Identification Cards scanned. The data is transmitted to the database of the monitoring platform maintained by the “culture policing forces.”  By mid December, the installation and implementation of the system will be completed in all Internet cafes in Beijing.   At the monitoring platform, the authorities can monitor remotely any computer in any Internet café, real time.  Owners of the Internet cafes have no access to the data.

Source: Chinanews.com, October 16, 2008
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2008/10-16/1414600.shtml