Top News 头条
Last Tuesday, where the Mid-Autumn Festival is usually a time of reunions in China, Chinese dissidents found themselves cut off and isolated from their families instead. Chinese authorities often use family separation as a way to punish those critical of the Party, such as Chang Weiping and Ding Jiaxi. Luo Shengchun, wife of Ding Jiaxi, continues to keep her husband in mind on special occasions. But, she says, things are difficult for the families of political prisoners: "In China now, the way the authorities do things is not to tell you anything, not to respond to anything, and not to pass on any information — they just cut you off."
In other news, China’s biggest intervention to boost the economy since the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the central bank cutting interest rates to revive flagging economic growth and prevent scores of debt-laden property owners from going bust.
Also: HRIC remembers Scott Greathead, our board member, friend, and a staunch advocate for human rights.
Law & Policy 法律与政策
Keeping an Eye on the Watchdog: proposed revisions to the Supervision Law: The proposed amendments expand the range of possible measures for restricting individuals’ freedom during the investigative period, prior to charging them with a crime. This article breaks down the proposed revisions step-by-step.
Measures for Labeling of AI-Generated Synthetic Content (draft for solicitation of comments): The proposed draft would cover “explicit” labeling that is visible to users, as well as “implicit” labels in the metadata of a file. The deadline for public comment is October 14.
Cyber Security & Digital Rights 网络安全与数字权利
Chinese Universities Install Software to Identify and Punish Students Who Circumvent the Great Firewall: Chinese universities are reportedly using software such as the “ABT Online Behavior Management System” to detect, identify, and prevent students from using circumvention methods such as VPNs to access blocked websites.
China-connected spamouflage impersonated Dutch cartoonist: A fake X/Twitter account that is part of China’s so-called “spamouflage” propaganda network impersonated a Dutch political cartoonist for months without his knowledge to boost pro-China messages.
Could AI Lead to the Escalation of Conflict? PRC Scholars Think So: China’s strategic use of military crises as a method of gaining an advantage on its opponents may become a risk as the use of AI for decision-making becomes more prevalent, according to some Chinese experts.
US FBI disrupts second Chinese hacking group, director says: FBI Director Christopher Wray announced a successful operation against a new hacking group dubbed “Flax Typhoon” and run by a Chinese company called Integrity Technology Group. The hackers reportedly compromised over 250,000 devices as of June 2024.
Diaspora Community & Transnational Repression 海外社群和跨国镇压
HRIC Executive Director Receives Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse: Director Fengsuo Zhou was recognized for his unwavering courage and lifelong commitment to advancing democracy and human rights in China and around the world.
Hong Kong diaspora media in Britain reports 'government-backed attacks': The Chaser, a media outlet run by Hong Kongers in diaspora, has reported government-backed attacks on its company email account.
Human Rights Defenders & Civil Society 人权捍卫者与公民社会
Chinese police ‘stalling’ after school attack on dissident’s son: The 15-year-old son of dissident poet Wang Zang, Wang Nianci, was left with injuries including a fractured skull following an attack at school. However, police refused to open a case file and appeared reluctant to investigate the case.
1 year, 2 months jail for first person convicted under Hong Kong’s new security law for ‘seditious’ T-shirt: Chu Kai-pong has been sentenced to 14 months under Article 23 for wearing a shirt with a protest slogan.
Hong Kong man jailed for 10 months under new security law over ‘seditious’ graffiti left on back of bus seats: The second person sentenced under Article 23, Chung Man-kit, has been given 10 months for writing phrases about Hong Kong independence on bus seats.
Hong Kong man jailed 14 months under new security law for ‘seditious’ online statements: 58-year-old Au Kin-wai becomes the third person charged under Article 23, given 14 months for making anti-CCP social media comments and posts, some of which referred to Xi Jinping and John Lee as dictators.
Hong Kong’s first transgender singer-songwriter seeks voice through music: Xavian Wu discusses his experience navigating gender identity.
Veteran Hong Kong activist Koo Sze-yiu vows to continue protesting after recent release from jail: A recent nine-month prison sentence for a planned protest was not enough to put him off protesting, says Koo Sze-yiu.
China’s Reach & Internal Control 中国: 内控与外扩
China targets high-ranking officials who read banned books: Previously, China turned a blind eye to higher ranking officials who read banned publications. Now, Xi is cracking down on any differences in thought within the party.
International Responses 国际反应
10 years on, EU and rights groups call for Ilham Tohti’s release: September 23 was the 10 year anniversary of the sentencing of political prisoner Ilham Tohti, who was sentenced to life in prison for allegedly promoting Uyghur independence.
Families of Americans detained in China share their pain and urge US to get them home: Following the release of American pastor David Lin last week, the families of four imprisoned Americans spoke at a congressional hearing regarding the suffering of their loved ones.
Volkswagen's audit of Xinjiang plant failed to meet international standard, FT reports: The audit, which found no evidence of forced labor at VW’s plants, contained multiple significant methodological errors, such as only asking managers about forced labor.
Related: International lawmakers call on VW to withdraw from Xinjiang, FT reports.
US to propose ban on Chinese software, hardware in connected vehicles: The Biden administration is considering banning the import of certain Chinese vehicles over national security concerns and data collection.
Current Events 热点新闻
A 10-year-old Japanese boy stabbed near his school in China has died: The boy’s tragic death is the second fatal attack on a Japanese citizen in China this year.