Greenpeace is suing Wal-Mart for selling genetically modified rice.

- Spoiled rice: Greenpeace vs. Wal-Mart

- New law firm to fight injustice

- CCP Secretary selling off village properties

- ‘Global Quit the CCP’ day draws response from mainland Chinese

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Spoiled rice: Greenpeace vs. Wal-Mart

Greenpeace is suing global retail giant Wal-Mart for illegally selling transgenic rice in China. An attorney for the organization filed the complaint on the 28th of June, at the Luohu People’s Court in Shenzhen, home of China’s Wal-Mart headquarters. The claim was accepted, but additional materials need to be provided to support the case for trial.

Wang Weikang, the Director of Food and Agriculture Project for Greenpeace said, ‘We randomly surveyed several supermarket’s rice sales and found that a Wal-Mart store in Changsha, Hunan Province was selling transgenic rice.’ Greenpeace contacted Wal-Mart but received no reply.

Wang Weikang said (recording):
“No transgenic rice is permitted for legal production and sale inside China. Selling transgenic rice at Wal-Mart is illegal. We found that Wal-Mart in Great Britain and other countries promised consumers to stay away from transgenic products. So, this merchant is actually following a different standard than other countries. This is not respectful to the request of the Chinese consumer.”

Wang went on to say (recording):
“There is no conclusion of the long term effects of transgenic food. Many research reports have revealed transgenic foods might impact the immune system, including liver and kidney functions. People are genuinely worried about this. Until it is certain this food is safe, we should adopt preventive measures and stop its commercialization before it gets onto peoples dinner tables. Rice is the daily stable food of Chinese people. We need to be cautious.”

In April of this year Greenpeace published a thorough investigative report which found transgenic rice seeds were being sold and circulated in Hubei and Hunan provinces, with plantations in Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, and Jiangxi provinces. Rice and rice flour are being sold before approval. Use of transgenic rice is only approved to Central China Agricultural University.

Wang also said that, (recording):
“As early as 2004 or 2005, a research team lead by Zhang Qifa of Central China Agricultural University found the transgenic rice seed in circulation, naming it BT63. The transgenic rice and rice products sold also have the transgenic gene of BT63. Zhang Qifa introduced this kind of seed illegally to a seed company for profit. When we reported on this, Zhang Qifa was not punished.”

At the end of last year,the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture issued certificates of bio safety to two transgenic rice types that are against rice insects: Huahui No 1 and Bt Shanyou 63. This is the first time China has issued certificates of safety to main stock transgenic foods. The policy on transgenic food on major stock food items stirred up major controversy in China. After Greenpeace revealed their findings, the Ministry repeatedly stated, “Issuing a certificate of safety does not stop the use of commercial production.”

Wang Qian and Xiao Tong of the SOH Radio Network

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Hu Zhigen a member of the newly formed Human Rights Legal Association.

New law firm to fight injustice

A group of kind-hearted Beijing lawyers have banded together to help China’s many appellants and disadvantaged groups who face unfair legal treatment in China’s current legal system. The group, called the Human Rights Legal Association was formed on July 1st and and will provide legal services and free consultations.

A member from the newly formed group, Yang Huiwen, said the issues appellants face is typically complicated. And finding legal help is often difficult.

He said (recording):
“I feel what I can do, with regards to the harm they suffered outside of the legal framework, is to hopefully help them to defend their lawful rights within the legal framework, so that they won’t give up hope on the legal system.”

Hu Zhigen, another member, said the association hoped to gain more upright and noble-minded lawyers looking to speak up for the disadvantaged. University law graduates are also welcome to join their ranks.

He said (recording):
“At present, there is a huge demand for legal professionals to do this work in all domains of society. But the current overall social environment is not suitable for honest, legal professionals to be engaged in normal professional work, which is a sad thing.”

The Association published an announcement on their website on the 30th of June. It read:
“In order to protect appellants’ rights and freedom, to pursue love and public interest in China, and to advance China’s legal system, we hereby form the Human Rights Lawyer Association. We look forward to support and active participation from colleagues and friends in the trade.”

Li Yifei and Yu Liang of the SOH Radio Network.

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CCP Secretary selling off village properties

The Chinese Communist Party Secretary for the village of Dragon Bay in China’s southern Guangdong Province has been embezzling funds and selling off properties and farmlands, a local resident tells SOH.

In an online appeal published on the internet, local man Xu Pou alleges CCP Secretary Lai Fongchuan sold the ‘Automatic Irrigation Facility’, annexed properties and farmland, and embezzled agricultural funds; he then used the money to purchase an expensive car and a luxury mansion.

Xu Pou told SOH reporters that out of the $27,500 funding granted by the Department of Treasury for agriculture in the region, $20,000 was allegedly embezzled. The CCP secretary then distributed the difference of $7,500 to village farmers at a rate of $136.20 per acre, with a total of 1,100 acres for the village of Xu Da Zai. A third of what the farmers should have received.

Xu Pou and a delegation of villagers discovered these figures through their local Department of Treasury.

Xu Pou said (recording):
“In order to embezzle more money, the Secretary of the CCP lied about the number of acres when asking for agricultural funding with local Department of Treasury. The actual area of farmland is much smaller. What we have received is only one third of what we deserve. There are about 1,400 people in the village of Xu Da Zai. There are also many more villages that didn’t get a dime.”

Xu Pou says the most horrible effect on the villagers is that 400 acres of farmland is drying out because of the illegal sale of the irrigation facility. The Automatic Irrigation Facility previously supplied water to 20,000 acres of farmland. The irrigation facility had the dual function of halting floods and storing water for irrigation.

Mr. Pou said (recording):
“We have no water for farming already, but what if there is a flood? Would the thousands of acres of farmland be safe? Would our lives be safe? Would our properties be safe? How could the thousands of villagers make a living? How can farmland produce crops without water? This is a devastating issue. Closed-door talks were attempted, but we were refused. [Secretary of the CCP] Mr. Lai said. ”You can sue me all you want. The deal is done. I can’t help it. You might get paid if you won the case. What are you going to do if you lost the case?””

The Automatic Irrigation Facility was built by a former secretary of the CCP in 1974. It has been in operation for more than 40 years.

The irrigation facility, property and farmland sales were made to the privately-owned company Machinery Equipment and Piping Company in 2009. Local residents say they are furious. Xu Pou said they will pursue the matter to court, and would not back off until the government showed support to change the situation.

Chen Yilian of the SOH Radio Network

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52,000 people joined Hong Kong's annual July 1st Parade, the 'Quit the CCP' movement maintains a strong showing every year.

‘Global Quit the CCP’ day draws response from mainland Chinese

The ‘Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party’ brings to light the history and rise of China’s Communist Party. It’s played a major role in the ‘Quit the CCP’ movement, as of today the Global Service Centre for Quitting the CCP has registered over 76 million resignations. July 1st marks the ‘Global Quit the CCP’ day. In this report we hear from many former Party members in China who resigned from the CCP in response to many social and environmental problems which have struck China today.

In China’s southern provinces severe rainstorms have battered the region. The Changkai Dike, a major dam on the Fu River, was breached on June 21st due to floods. Over ten thousand people were affected by the disaster. A resident of Fuzhou in Jiangxi Province, who resigned from the CCP as part of the ‘Quit CCP’ movement, said the situation is serious. Many homes have been swept away by the floods. The government has responded by covering up the injuries and death toll.

The resident told SOH reporters (recording):
“Some of the biggest breaches were five hundred metres wide. The government said not one person was injured, but dead bodies have been found in Nanchang. I use to teach history, I didn’t dare tell the truth in classrooms. Modern and contemporary historical studies can’t explain China. The things I have seen, the things I feel like saying, I want to share it, but sensitive information can’t be passed around domestically.”

Under the communist regime China’s social problems are becoming more prominent. Because of this, the ‘Quit the CCP’ movement continues to gain momentum. The Fuzhou resident continued (recording):
“There are many supporters of it, but not everyone dares express it publicly. Ten years ago when I studied, I began to realise: older people in lower class society; farmers who’ve lost their land; workers who’ve lost their jobs; mothers who’ve lost their children…if you have eyes you can see. I can see quite clearly…”

A resident in Henan resigned from the CCP in response to corruption amongst officials and illegal land seizures. The resident told reporters (recording):
“The CCP is corrupt and rotten, my family is a victim. My family had an 82 acre plot of land; the authorities demanded we restore agricultural land to forest. 220 Yuan for every 0.16 acre. We don’t income and, and we must find work elsewhere. This project to restore farmland back to forest…they are corrupt.

In Sichuan Province, over 30 people recently resigned from the CCP. Some of these included members in a government department and families. One public servant spoke to our SOH reporters (recording):
“My unit has quit, and my family has quit. We’re from the Sichuan Government, you can provide us the latest news daily, there are local Falun Gong organization urging us to quit as well.”

Tian Ling and Meng Mei of the SOH Radio Network.

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Major IT company suppliers are creating excessive amounts of metal waste in some of China's major rivers.

- IT factories cause severe pollution

- “A father vows to pursue justice no matter how long it takes”

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IT factories cause severe pollution

China’s IT industry is severely polluting the environment, according to a recent report. The ‘2010 IT Suppliers Metal Pollutions’ report was released by 34 environmental groups on April 26th. Many global information technology brands manufacture many of their products in China. The production of these components however causes much pollution. Lack of government oversight is said to be a major cause.

With the publication of the ‘2010 IT Suppliers Metal Pollutions’, 34 non-governmental organisations including the ‘Public Environment Research Center’ and ‘Friends of Nature’ wrote joint letters to the CEOs of 29 major IT companies. They were asked to look into the pollution practices of their suppliers. So far, 20 companies have responded to their call. Companies such as Nokia, Alcatel-Lucent, Siemens, and Apple Computer have yet to respond.

Many industries process metals. Mining, metallurgy, chemical, prints, dye, leather, pesticide, and feed industries. Environmental NGOs have found numerous factories on the banks along the Pearl and Yangtze River deltas. Many of them produce circuit boards and the resulting waste leaks into rivers, soil, and the shore. Printed circuit boards are a key electronic component in almost every IT product. Producing these products releases metal waste such as copper, nickel, and chromium.

Li Li, an environmental expert at the Huanyou Science and Technology Research Center told reporters all major global IT brands outsource the production of their electronic components to Chinese suppliers. These IT companies obtain bulk loads of low-cost products while leaving the pollution issue for locals to deal with. Local governments have given little thought to the wellbeing of the environment in pursuit of GDP growth.

Li Li told SOH (recording):
“IT companies share many common products. Their production process creates much pollution. Since major companies need them, many small enterprises have setup to satisfy the demand. It’s the company’s social responsibility to take care of pollution. If the big companies tell the small ones that, ‘If you pollute, I won’t take your products even if they are good.’ If they do that, how could small companies continue polluting?”

Mr Zhang is from Greenpeace of China, he said many of the major polluters were actually contracted to global companies. Some companies have ignored their reports. Zhang said (recording):
“Multinationals publicize the environmental impact they have in their own country. In China, the law says if your emissions surpass the limits, the company must report the emission after three months. But according to our reports, some companies don’t follow this rule. The regulation was in place on May 1st 2008, many people don’t treat it seriously.”

Even though local environmental agencies have jurisdiction over polluting businesses, and can issue fines. Enforcement however has been lacking and regulations need reform.

Zhang said (recording):
“The local environmental agencies aren’t really doing their job in monitoring and regulating businesses and ensuring information gets published. The regulation itself is not clearly written, because there isn’t even a clear definition of what a ‘heavily polluting enterprise’ is. There are clear rules about surpassing the limit, but the ‘major pollution’ level isn’t quantified. We published the report to suggest to the government the regulations be more detailed.”

Zhang Boju from ‘Friends of Nature’ said the media exposed many cases of metal pollution last year. He believes for environmental protection more public involvement is needed. Non-government groups today can point out which brands create pollution, and raise social awareness.

Zhang Boju told SOH reporters (recording):
“Non-government groups and the public, citizens, and villagers, can monitor producers, and this may have a good effect on stopping metal pollution. The pollution involves many stakeholders. If we keep ignoring the environmental cost of the pollution, we will have to pay an even higher price. Let’s all work together on this, on the one side the businesses need to discipline themselves, on the other hand we need more vigorous law enforcement.”

Zhou Xiong, father of a victim of Sanlu's tainted milk product, has come to Hong Kong in the hopes of getting justice.

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“A father vows to pursue justice no matter how long it takes”

It has been two years since the contaminated milk powder incident in China. One father of an affected child has told the media of the ordeals his family has faced seeking treatment for the ongoing suffering of his son.

Mr. Zhou Xiong’s son, Yizhe, is just two years old. He had been drinking the tainted milk formula for 9 months after he was born. Mr. Zhou tells SOH of the near fatal illnesses his newborn son developed because of the formula.

Mr. Zhou told SOH:
“My son nearly died. He went under the knife twice for acute renal failure, and hemodialysis was done to save his life. I think he is relatively lucky because there are also children who died of Sanlu’s milk powder.”

The melamine-tainted milk was produced by Sanlu Group, and was first exposed by the Fonterra Group. According to official statements, about 300,000 children in China became sick from drinking the tainted milk and six of them died. Nonofficial findings have reported much higher numbers of deaths. One lawyer, Mr. Peng Jian, says his group alone is handling the cases of seven infants who allegedly died from drinking the milk.

Mr. Zhou’s family had already taken on tens of thousands of Yuan worth of debt in order to cure their son. At present, Mr. Zhou’s son suffers from renal failure and a kidney stone. Hospitals in the mainland have refused to make good on the promise of free treatment for victims of the tainted milk.

Mr. Zhou said (recording):
“(Free treatment until) the age of 18 was written into the compensation agreement, which is not executed. No one would own up to my child’s medical expenses. We have no money to seek treatment. With no way out, we had to seek help.”

They claimed damages in mainland courts but their case was refused. Condemning the CCP’s disregard for human lives, Mr. Zhou stressed he would ensure that justice would be served for the 300,000 victims.

The New Zealand-based Fonterra Group was the second largest stockholder in Sanlu. Because of their insolvency, Sanlu is not responsible to pay compensation to the victims. So Mr. Zhou and three more parents have filed suits against Fonterra in Hong Kong, where the company is registered.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Zhou Xiong emphasised he would ensure the Chinese Communist Party and others responsible would be held accountable no matter how long it takes.

Mr. Zhou said (recording):
“Reveal the truth. What harm does melamine pose exactly, what consequences? You have to state it clearly and then organize specialists to research the treatment. You need to support the parents economically, mentally and financially. You need to provide free treatment rather than washing your hands of it. It has been two years, and the illness is still not cured. If it is still not cured in three years or five years’ time, I will still pursue, unless you lock me in jail. You have made a mistake; you erred, so you must be held accountable. CCP, you cannot get away. Heng Tianran in New Zealand, you can not escape either.”

Liang Zhen for Inside China Today on SOH Radio Network.

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Liaoning authorities search for organizers of ‘Petitioners New Year’

Over 60 homeless petitioners held the Inaugural Petitioners’ Chinese New Year Gala on February 5th. The gala was held at a simple location in Beijing and was broadcast over the internet. During the 90 minute performance, petitioners from different provinces poured their grievances and heart-felt feelings through singing. The gala was uploaded online soon after. Chinese Communist authorities have begun a massive search for the organizers and participants.

Liu Chunbao was an organiser of the Chinese New Year Gala. On February 14th, Liaoning police came to arrest him at his Shoubao Village home in Beijing at around 11am. Fortunately, Liu was not home.

Petitioner Jiang Jiawen was kidnapped by the police. Another organiser named Luan Qinyang, a 22-year-old petitioner from Liaoning province, continues to elude police.
Reporters from Sound of Hope were able to phone Luan Qinyang on February 14th. He confirmed Jiang Jiawen was kidnapped by Liaoning police.

He said (recording):
“I do not dare go home. They’re trying to arrest me. I’ve done nothing wrong. People from our Municipal government and from the provincial levels have come looking for me, on New Year’s Eve, and on New Year’s Day. They monitored the place we used to live for a whole night yesterday. They started searching our apartment at around 11am in the morning today. I wasn’t home. So they arrested Jiang Jiawen instead.”
Song Yujie, a petitioner from Liaoning, had earlier been searching for Luan Qinyang since he went into hiding on New Years Eve. He later found Mr. Luan under a bridge. He was very ill when he found him.

Mr. Song told reporters (recording):
“They sent out police to search for him and planned to charge him with ‘threatening the government.’ They’ve been looking for him everywhere since Chinese New Year’s Eve. I have been looking for him. Through someone’s help, I finally found him. When I met him, he had a high fever and was very ill. He doesn’t dare to go to a public hospital; instead, he goes to a private clinic for injections. Tell me, what is this? This lad can’t even celebrate the New Year. That is the situation we petitioners face. We planned to hold an informal concert (to celebrate the New Year). We simply wanted to get together and alleviate the pain we petitioners suffer. What is wrong with us getting together and singing a few songs?”

He went on to state the Chinese authorities weren’t trying to resolve social issues. On the contrary, the authorities make the problems worse.

He said (recording):
“I simply don’t understand it. (They claim and advocate) harmony. Can this be called harmony? Petitioners don’t carry weapons. Do we pose any threat to the government? Why do you send out the police to deal with us? Why do you fear petitioners to such an extent? If you haven’t done anything that makes you feel guilty, what is it you’re afraid of, to the extent where you would send out police to arrest unarmed petitioners?”

Liu Qingzhen, a petitioner from Zhengzhou, Henan Province, said Liaoning authorities dispatched several police cars and over ten policemen to the concert.

Huang Guangyu, a petitioner from Hunan province who hid under a bridge with Mr. Luan said (recording):
“Where are the human rights in our country? There isn’t even a mention of basic humanity. They won’t even let him go and keep searching for him! We aren’t just disappointed at the state government, we’re in total despair.”

Fu Ming and Mi Lan of the SOH Radio Network.

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Regime blocking the rights of lawyers

In 2009 the Chinese Communist Regime began targeting human rights lawyers in China in an effort to silence their efforts. A range of tactics are used including threats, kidnappings and the denial of licenses to practice law. Lawyer Tong Chaoping from the Anhui Law Firm in Beijing claims his firm has also faced persecution from authorities, especially for taking up politically sensitive cases involving human rights or religious freedom.

Tong Chaoping spoke to SOH (recording):
“The government usually interferes when we fight for the rights of farmers. Do you have the courage to uphold China’s laws and human rights? Our difficulty isn’t related to our work but is because we can’t get a license to practice. Our lawyers are met with various restrictions. At the end of last year, we submitted an application to renew our license with judicial departments. For no reason, they withheld the license. If you accuse them of violating the law, they will turn a deaf ear. This is a major issue for us.”

He continued (recording):
“Disadvantaged people desperately need legal representation. Take farmers as an example. After a farmer is deprived of his land illegally and ruthlessly, it is very difficult for him to maintain his livelihood. For example, ten thousand farmers from Yanjia Street in Taoshou District, Chongqing, need to fight for their rights. When you take care of them, one farmer pays you 100 Yuan and ten thousand can pay you a million.”

And finally he said (recording):
“All we ask for is they follow the law and give us the license. If they allowed us to follow China’s laws, we wouldn’t face any financial difficulties when representing the under-privileged. We have more cases than we can handle – countless victims need to see us about forced relocations and land rights.”

The targeting of human rights lawyers by the regime has been widespread. Renowned lawyer Gao Zhisheng was taken by police on February 4th 2009, his whereabouts has largely been unknown. Recent reports suggest he may now be residing in Urumqi of Xinjiang Province. Wang Yonghang from Dalian, Liaoning was taken by Public Security officers on July 4th 2009; he was interrogated secretly and sentenced to seven years prison. Many lawyers face kidnappings, beatings, and even torture by officials, when they take on human rights cases. Experts believe these lawyers should be praised for upholding the rights of citizens under Chinese law. Ironically, the rights of these lawyers are often compromised.

Li Yifei and Yu Liang of the SOH Radio Network.

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Chinese Communist Party sues victims of toxic milk

Authorities are charging a man for allegedly ‘interfering with social order’ in China for his continued investigation into 2008’s melamine toxic milk powder scandal. Zhao Lianhai is the founder of the Chinese non-profit group, “Home for Kidney Stone Babies.” Parents of babies who suffered as a result of the toxic milk powder say it is part of a suppression and persecution of the victims parents, whom Zhao represents.

Zhao met with his attorney, Peng Jian, on February 10. According to Jian, Zhao maintains his innocence. Peng said,
“Zhao believes he is innocent, and he wants to be defended as such, and that is exactly what I intend to do.”

Zhao was arrested for allegedly organising parents of the baby milk powder victims to go to Shijiazhuang and Beijing to protest in front of the court house. He was also alleged to have told media outlets about Li Ruirui, a young woman from Anhui province allegedly raped by police while in prison. Also for subsequently organising a protest outside of Beijing’s Public Security Bureau in an effort to rescue Li Ruirui.

Liu Dejun was present with Zhao outside the Public Security Bureau. Liu says everything he did was within the law and his arrest was groundless.

Liu said, “It’s very normal to protest for the parents of the baby [milk] powder victims in front of the court house for their babies were the ones being hurt. Zhao was not even present. Li Ruirui’s rape case is also very well known; the whole world knows. Li was raped while in prison and many [people] reported the case to the police. Appellants then thought they might not be able to do it, because if they went to the police station to report the rape, they could be arrested and sent back home. Therefore they asked reporters to alert the public. They did so out of fear of the justice system. There was nothing like “interference with social order”. Back then [during the protest], we were on the sidewalk, to the east of the Public Security building. Not in front of the entrance, so there was no “interference with social order”.

Liu believes the suit against Zhao is a suppression of civil rights, for the parents of babies poisoned by the toxic milk powder in 2008.

Liu said,
“I think he is being charged because of his investigation into the poisonous baby milk powder. There are rumours of strong backing behind the milk powder manufacturer, Sanlu. I think it is because he kept going on with his investigation and never stopped, and this was against the interests of the supporters.”

Zhou Jin, whose baby was poisoned by the Sanlu milk powder shares Liu’s opinion. Zhou said, “They tried everything, used all means to stop us from seeking justice for the children.” Zhou Jin emphasized that the charges against Zhao Lianhai were also like charges against all the victimised children and their parents. Zhou Jin said if Zhao Lianhai is found guilty many parents will go to Beijing to turn themselves in with their children.

Zhou said,
“Everything he did was rational, and he never went beyond the boundary of the law. I can’t imagine this *** government would treat him like this. Bringing charges against him, bringing charges against the parents of the baby milk powder victims. Whatever Zhao did is something those parents are doing as well. If he is guilty, then we are all guilty, even the children are guilty.”

Zhao’s case will be heard in the second half of February. The Ministry of Public Health has recently published a notice that three kinds of poisonous baby powder are now on sale in Canton. Senior analyst of the dairy industry, Wang Dingmian, estimated that there is about 100,000 tonnes of poisonous baby milk powder that has not been destroyed. The Ministry of Public Health of Liaoning province also revealed that poisonous ice cream bars with excessive amounts of melamine has been found in Liaoyang, a city in the province.

Caden Pearson, Fu Ming and Yu Xin of SOH Radio Network.

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Shen Ting, the chairperson of the Coalition of Chinese People Facing Injustice, has spoken out against possible forced relocations, after the approval of Shanghai Disneyland.

- Land seizure concerns over Shanghai’s Disneyland project

- Toxic milk scandal hearing cancelled, plaintiff detained

- Longing for the collapse of China’s Berlin Wall

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Land seizure concerns over Shanghai’s Disneyland project
(0:35)

The decision to construct a Disney-based theme park in Shanghai has been the cause for much concern for many Chinese residents. Whilst economists are worried about the impact on Hong Kong’s own Disneyland, other NGOs fear that the project would initiate a large-scale land confiscation, and have urged Disney and local authorities not to forcibly evict local residents.

The news broke on the 4th of November and triggered a frenzy of media coverage and discussion amongst the Hong Kong press. Experts were apprehensive that Shanghai Disney would cannibalize Hong Kong Disney’s business.

Assistant Professor Chen Yunzhong of the Department of Social Sciences at the Hong Kong University told SOH reporters during an interview(recording) “The original plan for Hong Kong Disney was for mainland customers to make up two third of the clientele. In reality they make up only one third. In the near future when Shanghai builds Disneyland number two, mainland customers visiting Hong Kong Disneyland would amount to less than one tenth of its current customer base!”

In Shanghai, the main topic for concern was the large-scale land confiscation that the Disney project may trigger, resulting in large numbers homeless victims. The chairperson of the NGO, “Coalition of Chinese People Facing Injustice”, Shen Ting, called for Disney not to collaborate with the Communist government to abuse human rights or engage in forced removal.

Shen said (recording) “First we need to remind Disney’s headquarters in the US not to violate local residents’ human rights and their right to habitat during the construction. They need to be vigilant. This time we will inform Disney headquarters in advance, asking them to keep an eye on the Shanghai administration to see whether there is any human rights violation during the resettlement process.”

According to reports, Shanghai Disney will be built at the Chuansha Township in the Pudong District, where 409 hectare of land has been earmarked. With total investment of 24.4 billion Yuan, Disney has targeted an opening in 2014. China holds majority stake of 57% in the project and Disney 43%. An editorial in Hong Kong’s Apple Daily pointed out that this was a political present from the Beijing authorities as U.S president Obama leaves for his China trip.

Perry Luo and Liang Zhen of the SOH Radio Network.

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Toxic milk scandal hearing cancelled, plaintiff detained
(3:50)

On November 5th, Wang Gang, a plaintiff in the lawsuit over the melamine contaminated milk scandal, was detained for two hours at the Yangfangdian Police Station in Beijing’s Haidian District. Five days before his scheduled hearing on November 10th, Wang’s home was searched, and the hearing was canceled without reason. According to Zhao Lianhai (423), a representative for parents of toxic milk victims, the police actions were carried out to ease government fear of other parents coming out to support the hearing.

Wang Gang, whose child was a victim of melamine poison milk, brought his child to hospital on November 5th, hoping to get written confirmation of poisoning. On their way home, they were stopped and searched by police, before being taken and detained at the Yangfangdian Police Station for two hours.

Wang told SOH (recording)
“They show no documentation for the search, and said nothing before they grabbed my hands and pressed me against the car. The officer was very rough, and cuffed my hands. I said ‘On what grounds are you handcuffing me? I’m not a criminal suspect. I cooperated with your search, and I carry nothing dangerous’, the cuffs were extremely tight, my hands became numb, and I can still see the imprints. I was cuffed behind the back, and while driving they braked deliberately so that I would bump into the front seat. I was held at the police station for over two hours.”

Representative Zhao Lianhai said many people intended to travel and support the hearing on Tuesday, some parents had already booked train tickets.

Zhao said (recording)
“As for the hearing being cancelled, no reason was given; they only made a phone call to say it was canceled. If they were truly just, without fear for more attention on the issue, they shouldn’t have cancelled. Meanwhile many parents feel they’ve been deceived, particularly by the court. After all it’s under government administration, and they’ve gone back on their word. The scheduled date was so easily canceled.”

Zhao Lianhai also told us that Wang Gang’s unreasonable detention, and the cancelled hearing, was an act of suppression from the authorities, fearing voices of support.

Zhao told SOH (recording)
“Speaking of his detention, the officers also searched for his identification. Yet even with his cooperation they were so rough, weren’t they using a form of suppression? We really feel there’s no way out. We’re hoping the government would have more humanity. Many parents want to show their concern, as well as others in society. We would have been in the public gallery, and if it wasn’t available, we planned to stay outside the courthouse. This has caused much fear to the authorities. ”

SOH called the Yangfangdian Police Station, but the officer who answered denied Wang was handcuffed.

The officer told us (recording)
“Usually, people brought in for questioning are not handcuffed. Aside from those involved in major criminal cases, we do not use handcuffs.”

It was revealed to the public last year that baby powder produced by the Sanlu Corporation had high amounts of melamine, which is supposed to be used in small amounts. As compensation offers from authorities were deemed inadequate, parents of poison milk victims brought civil action which was rejected by most courts. Since July this year, five parents in Beijing, filed the lawsuit to Daxing, Shunyi, Xuanwu, Xiyu as well as the Fengtai District Courts, but to date only two cases have been accepted.

Caden Pearson; Lin Li; and Si Ming of the SOH Radio Network.

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Longing for the collapse of China’s Berlin Wall
(7:54)

November 9th marked the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Walls collapse. On this special day, people in mainland China expressed their wishes to spread awareness of the Communist Regimes corruption, so that others will awaken and fearlessly break through China’s Wall of suppression.

Ms Miao from mainland China said that, many democracy fighters in China have attempted again and again to bring democracy back to China. Their efforts have lit the darkness created by China’s iron curtain, and have made many people aware. The Chinese Communist Party is struggling for it’s survival, and their power is so weak now that they need to use military force on civilians to maintain power, just like that of the corrupt Qing dynasty.

Ms Miao (recording): “Bringing down the Berlin Wall of China depends on ourselves, as we need to bring down the wall in our heart, by overcoming fear of the Communist Regime. Fighters such as Liu Xiaobo, Guo Quan, and Chen Guangcheng have upheld the torches for us, and illuminated the darkness on this side of the wall. We have all seen this clearly, and a tiny spark can ignite a fire on the prairie. We are hopeful the entire nation will awaken, and with these leaders charging forward, the masses will also follow.”

Another person from Hebei (requesting to remain anonymous) said that since Communist rule in China, too many dissidents have been incriminated for their speech. In fact, it is the corrupt officials themselves that will overthrow the Regime, they say.

Anonymous mainlander (recording): “I see people after people being arrested, and this makes me very angry. I have lost hope with this regime. Can we subvert the regime? No. It’s those corrupted officials who will topple the regime. The so called crime of subverting state power is nothing but an excuse to incriminate people based on their speech. More and more people despise and depart from the Communist regime. But if people are complacent with status quo and remain indifferent, the collapse of the Chinese Berlin Wall will be difficult.”

Anonymous mainlander (recording): “There are indeed many people who have been awakened, and many are pursuing freedom of speech, the press, and freedom of thought. There are some who were sentenced to death for what they have said. Professor Guo Quan is such an example of being incriminated for his speech. It’s great Chinese netizens are seeking press freedom and freedom of speech. But I don’t think the wall is falling presently, and if we don’t do anything about it, its collapse will be even more difficult. Therefore, we need to speak up further.”

A netizen from Sichuan said that, the invention of anti-blocking internet software made the regimes blockade fruitless. Many netizens use such software to see the world outside, and have learned many truths.

Netizen of Sichuan (recording): The Communist regime has spent so much money on the Golden Shield project, which is meaningless. The Ministry of Public Security is said to have spent billions of Chinese dollars on this, but this money all belongs to the people. Many Chinese people are still very poor, many can’t afford to go to school or even feed themselves. The money should have been spent on people, and their livelihood. The corrupt are the Communist leaders. They’ve wasted so much of the public’s money, and built a Chinese Berlin Wall. They block overseas websites, but thanks to the anti-blocking software, we are now able to obtain information from overseas. It’s wide open now, and the wall is full of holes.”

Chris Thomas, Wang Qian, and Si Ming of the SOH Radio Network.

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