Topic: Chinese Politics

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Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings

A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
6 famous dissidents in China

The surprising escape of a blind legal activist from house arrest is buoying China's embattled dissident community, even as the government cracks down on those who helped him.
Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
Swimming: 8 facts – trivial and not – from 'Swim'

From author and journalist Lynn Sherr's new book 'Swim,' here are 8 facts about the history of humans in the water
Reforms in Myanmar: 4 reasons the military changed course

For more than half a century, Myanmar’s military governments were synonymous with brutality and corruption, but a year ago the military stepped aside, handing power to a nominally civilian government. Here are four reasons why this change occurred.

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Terrorism & Security
Syria massacre not enough to break UN deadlock over stronger action

Russia's support for a UN Security Council condemnation of this weekend's Syria massacre had raised hopes that Moscow would support stronger action against its ally Assad.
Despite oil prices, falling euro, Dow closes up slightly

Oil prices fell, the euro sank to a 22-month low, and the yield on the U.S. government's 10-year Treasury note fell near a historic low. But the Dow Jones industrial average edged up 125 points to close at 12580 as investors continue to hope for a Chinese growth spurt.
Interview with Turkey's Abdullah Gul: Egypt should embrace secularism

In an interview, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul says that Egypt should embrace secularism based on a 'respect for all faiths;' that Russia's role in ending violence in Syria is key and Moscow needs to be engaged to act constructively; and that economic power in the world is shifting.
Two Tibetans self-immolate in Lhasa: is protest spreading?

Two Tibetans set themselves on fire Sunday in the first such protests against Chinese rule in Lhasa, the tightly controlled Tibetan capital. At least 34 Tibetans have self-immolated since March 2011.
China's evolving relationship with 'barbarians'

China, which used to officially refer to foreigners as 'barbarians,' has a long history of xenophobia. The issue is at the forefront again after two high-profile incidents with foreigners.
Myanmar, 'Arab awakening' top US list of progress on human rights

State Department's annual report on human rights around the world also notes the important role that technology, the Internet, and social media play in advancing individual freedoms.
Filipinos back government on China dispute, but want more diplomacy

While most Filipinos say that their government should not yield to to Chinese pressure in the South China Sea, others say that Manila could improve its diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
Taiwan president says peace deal with China not a top priority

As he started his second term Sunday, Taiwan President Ma said trade liberalization would take priority over any peace accord with China, for which there is little public support.
Focus
The Chen affair: How it highlighted blind spots in Beijing

Chen Guangcheng arrived in the US Saturday, after fleeing mistreatment by local Chinese officials. The case highlights the central government's imperfect oversight of the provinces.
Chen Guangcheng: What's ahead for Chinese dissident now in the US?

Now that Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng has reached the United States, both Beijing and Washington are hoping to put what could have been a tense diplomatic situation behind them.
Chen Guangcheng comes to the US, but what about other dissidents?

Chen Guangcheng’s flight to New York Saturday marks a major step in difficult and delicate negotiations between Beijing and Washington. But it also spotlights the difficulty other activists face under a government regime and a system of local authority many view as repressive.
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng heads to US

Blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng was hurriedly taken from a hospital and put on a plane for the United States on Saturday, closing a nearly month-long diplomatic tussle that had tested U.S.-China relations.
China is a lead cyberattacker of US military computers, Pentagon reports

China is especially interested in gleaning how best to defend its own computer networks from cyberattack, says a Pentagon report on cyberwar threats. But China is also improving its offensive abilities.
Terrorism & Security
Report: North Korea resumes construction on nuclear reactor

Once completed, the North Korean reactor would be able to produce enough plutonium for a new bomb every year, according to the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Why China's economy may be heading for a hard landing

Business confidence has sunk for the third quarter in a row as a growing number of indicators suggest China's economy is slowing.
Terrorism & Security
Philippines feels the economic cost of standing up to China

The South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines is beginning to take its toll on the Philippine economy, which is heavily dependent on Chinese demand for its exports.
Global News Blog
Two propaganda flops in less than two weeks: Is Beijing losing its touch?

The official Chinese media appear to have it in for US Ambassador Gary Locke. But their angry attacks against him are backfiring with Chinese Twitterati.
China's standoff with the Philippines heats up with travel warnings, oil drilling

Analysts say the oil-rich waters around Scarborough Shoal and the Paracels are but one factor in the increasingly prickly relations between China and the Philippines.
Activist Chen Guangcheng: China targets lawyers trying to help

Officials have confiscated the license of a lawyer who volunteered to defend blind activist Chen Guangcheng's nephew. The nephew has been charged with 'homicide with intent.'
Exclusive: Cyberattacks on US natural-gas pipeline companies, evidence points to China

Those analyzing the cyberspies who are trying to infiltrate natural-gas pipeline companies have found similarities with an attack on a cybersecurity firm a year ago. At least one US government official has blamed China for that earlier attack.
China tightens restrictions on Chen Guangcheng's family

As blind activist Chen Guangcheng waits in a Beijing hospital for travel documents to leave for the US with his family, his extended family is coming under pressure over his escape, he said.
China urges the Philippines to ensure citizens' safety

The monthlong standoff between China and the Philippines over a South China Sea shoal is snowballing. Ahead of anti-Chinese protests in Manila, China cancelled flights to the Philippines.
Law of the Sea Treaty as a peace tool for US

Senate approval of the Law of the Sea Treaty would help the US counter China's aggressive moves to claim islands near the Philippines and other Asian neighbors.
China's deal for Chen Guangcheng: latest signal of desire for better US ties

China’s deal to allow blind dissident lawyer Chen Guangcheng to exit the country to study in the US, the Bo Xiliai purge, successful bilateral talks with the US, and other developments indicate that Beijing may be committed to some reforms – and warming relations with Washington.
China: Al Jazeera reporter expelled for 'breaking Chinese laws'

Chinese authorities forced Al Jazeera English to close its China news operations, and suggested that its reporter had broken unspecified laws and behaved unethically.