Newspaper Apologizes After Calling For Graft-Busting Reporter's Release

A Guangzhou-based newspaper has issued an apology after calling for the release of journalist Chen Yongzhou. Chen Yongzhou was arrested earlier this month based on suspicions that he was “fabricating facts” in relation to a series of articles he wrote on “financial problems” at Zoomilon, a heavy equipment manufacturer. According to police, Chen’s reports caused the company to experience substantial losses.

Following Chen’s public confession, which many argue was coerced, the paper wrote that calling for Chen’s release “seriously damaged the credibility of the media.”

China's top court urges judicial independence, end to interference

On Tuesday, the Chinese Supreme People’s Court published a white paper urging the Communist Party to implement reforms allowing for greater judicial independence. China’s highest court released the statement in anticipation of the upcoming third plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, which will be held in November. Central government officials are expected to enact reforms at the November legislative session.

World Youth Alliance Hosts Laogai Research Foundation Photo Exhibit

The Laogai Research Foundation participated in a conference and photo exhibition held by the World Youth Alliance in New York City from October 25-27. The theme of the conference was the commodification of the person. The Laogai Research Foundation contributed pictures depicting the One Child Policy and China’s vast Laogai system of arbitrary detention institutions in which inmates are forced to labor. Keynote speakers at the conference included WYA founder Anna Halpine and Women’s Rights Without Frontiers President Reggie Littlejohn.

Harry Wu and the Laogai Research Foudnation Join Others in Urging Dr. Geoffrey W. Marcy to Press China on Human Rights

Harry Wu and The Laogai Research Foundation joined other Chinese human rights activists and organizations in urging Dr. Geoffrey W. Marcy, a professor of astronomy at the University of California-Berkeley and Nobel Prize nominee, to support Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiaobo and other Chinese political prisoners by encouraging fellow scientists to acknowledge and work to improve the bleak human rights situation in China. The Guardian recently quoted Dr. Marcy criticizing existing barriers to cooperating with Chinese government scientists. Please see below for the open letter to Dr.

Human Rights

Evan Osnos on the Trend of Jailing Chinese Plutocrats with Opinions

Writing in the New Yorker, Evan Osnos comments on the growing phenomenon of Chinese authorities jailing wealthy Chinese entrepreneurs who advocate political reform. Wang Gongquan, a billionaire businessman, became the latest victim of the Communist Party's most recent ongoing campaign to suppress such public expression of dissent.

Wang Gonquan

China says Tibet policy "correct," no turning back

A recently drafted white paper issued by the Chinese government reiterates that China has no intention on altering its "correct" policies on Tibet. China has ruled Tibet with an iron-fist since the Communist Party "liberated" Tibet in 1959, trampling on traditional Tibetan culture, language, religion, and environment.

The white paper comes in the midst of widespread protests within China against Communist Party policies in Tibet. Since 2009, over 120 Tibetans have burned themselves alive in protest of Chinese government repression.