China in the headlines – 4 July 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

CHINA RIGHTS LAWYER IN ONE-MAN CRUSADE FOR FAIRER FUTURE
AFP – In a small courtyard building a stone's throw from Tiananmen Square and the political centre of China, veteran rights lawyer Mo Shaoping dreams of the day his nation will be ruled by law and not by men …

US BUSINESSMAN FREED AFTER 10 YEARS IN CHINA JAIL
Reuters – A U.S. businessman has been paroled after spending more than 10 years in a Chinese prison on charges of tax evasion and fraud, in a case top U.S. officials raised in talks with China on human rights …

PAPER SAYS HK REPORTER DENIED ENTRY TO BEIJING
Reuters – A reporter for Hong Kong's populist Apple Daily newspaper, known for its critical editorial line on China, was denied entry into Beijing this week, the paper's chief editor said …

WIKIPEDIA CHINESE VERSION UNBLOCKED
Danwei Blog – Most of Wikipedia was unblocked in April this year but the Chinese language sections of the website were not accessible …

"INFORMATION OPENNESS" A GROWING TOPIC FOR CHINA'S MEDIA
China Media Project – Since national legislation on government information release took effect in China on May 1 this year, Chinese media have taken to the topic of information openness in a big way …

BUSH TO ATTEND BEIJING OPENING CEREMONY, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
New York Times Blog – The White House today announced that President George W. Bush will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics …

CHINA, THIS IS THE WORLD
The Australian – We should all wish the People's Republic of China success as host of the 2008 Olympics, for which it has made heroic efforts to prepare itself …

CHINA MOVEST TO SACK OFFICIALS BLAMED FOR RIOT
Reuters – China moved to sack two law-and-order officials blamed for mishandling a riot in the country's southwest, saying that broader abuses of power lay behind the mass outrage, state media reported on Friday …