China in the headlines – 20 June 2008

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

FACEBOOK LAUNCHES IN CHINESE
China Herald – The popular social network Facebook has launched on Thursday its long-awaited Chinese edition, reports the research group Pacific Epoch …

HUFFINGTON POST BLOCKED IN MAINLAND CHINA
Huffington Post blog – As the Chinese government begins its pre-Olympics media crackdown, the Huffington Post appears to be the latest victim in a recent wave of Internet censorship …

FEAR AND LOATHING IN A DEVOUT LAND
SMH – TASHI, 10, is bent over a low wooden table, writing out homework in the flowing, Sanskrit-based Tibetan script now legally taught throughout Tibetan areas of China …

LEADING CHINESE RIGHTS LAWYER TO DEFEND DISSIDENT
Macau Daily Times – Leading Chinese human rights lawyer Mo Shaoping is to defend dissident Huang Qi, accused of "illegal possession of state secrets" after being taken into police custody last week …

OLYMPICS-BEIJING SAYS ANTI-TERRORIST FORCE ALREADY ON ALERT
Reuters – Beijing announced on Thursday that a special force nearly 100,000 strong was already on alert for terrorists, reinforcing the impression security will dominate the last 50 days of preparations for the Olympics …

OLYMPICS ADD TO SECURITY MISERY IN CHINA’S FAR WEST
Reuters – There is little doubt that in large swathes of the world's most populous country, the Beijing Olympics are being keenly anticipated as a chance to show off China's new global standing …

CHINA RIGHTS QUESTIONED WEEKS BEFORE OLYMPICS
Washington Post – China promised to make improvements to human rights ahead of the Olympic Games but its record may have actually deteriorated in the run-up to the events in August, a human rights activist and writer says …

CHINA MULLS DEATH PENALTY REFORM
Online Asia Times – When China's newly appointed top judge suggested recently that death penalties meted out in the country should adhere to popular will, many were outraged …

THE JOYS OF LIVING IN CHINA
Silk Road International Blog – Yup. Woke up this morning to the SZ police force outside the gates of our apartment complex, Zhonghai Huating. They brought 6 riot vans and two busses full of police to make sure that the housewives, maids and others at home wouldn’t disrupt their appropriation of land for the SZ metro company …