China Reform Monitor: No. 808

January 26:

China launched its third Beidou navigation satellite this month as part of a global navigation service designed to eventually rival the U.S.-based GPS system. Including two other satellites already in orbit, China intends to launch a total of 35 satellites by 2020. Beijing is also in the midst of developing information security regulations for its 380 million internet users that, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will be become law as soon as possible. The ministry’s proposal, "Expediting China's Network Information Security Legislation," which was submitted to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) calls for enacting a Network Information Security Law and enhanced cyber security networks. Zhang Bin, a CPPCC member and director of the Beijing Military Region's Committee of Information Experts, said the crackdown on illicit Internet activity needs to be enhanced with more network firewalls, the official Zhongguo Xinwen She reports.

January 27:

Five democrat lawmakers in Hong Kong’s Legislative Assembly have quit in hopes of triggering an election to serve as a referendum on universal suffrage in the territory. In response, pro-Beijing supporters protested outside the Legislative Council or parliament building condemning the resignations and plan to boycott the polls in an attempt to deprive democrats of their referendum. The introduction of direct elections in Hong Kong is sensitive. Beijing has issued a statement calling the move a blatant challenge to its authority and going against Hong Kong's Basic Law or mini-constitution. Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said the government "deeply regrets" the resignations and will not recognize the elections as a referendum, Channel NewsAsia reports.

February 1:

Wang Zuo'an, the head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, an agency under the State Council, warned in an essay published in the official Qiu Shi magazine that a rise in "mass religion-related incidents" should be seriously noted and the ability to "accurately" deal with them increased. He urged party cadres to "correct infringements" on religious freedom and on the "legitimate rights" of believers in order to prevent protests. Wang also accused "external forces" of using religion to infiltrate China, "twisting religious teachings," spreading extremism and carrying out terrorist attacks, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency reports.

February 3:

China will recruit 5,000 special police officers in Xinjiang "to help prevent unrest," the Washington Post reports. Zhu Changjie, director of the regional public security bureau, said it would be the largest recruitment campaign to date in Xinjiang. The recruits will receive a month of intensive training and then serve alongside special police officers sent from other provinces. "Now the overall social situation of Xinjiang is stable and the situation is now developing toward a good direction," said Meng Jianzhu, the country's top police officer wrote in a letter sent to police in the region. But, he added, "hostile forces at home and abroad are not content with their failure, and are looking for any possible opportunities to launch new sabotage activities against us."

February 8:

Chinese-owned NFC Africa Mining suspended 80 miners at its Chambishi copper mine for suspected sabotage to underground equipment, a workers' union said. More than 17 miners were rushed last week to the hospital for treatment in Kitwe, 330 km north of Lusaka, after they were choked by smoke when an electric cable caught fire underground. Chambishi officials said they suspected sabotage by workers. Workers have previously rioted over poor pay at Chambishi and industry officials say even though the company has improved conditions of service and wages, miners still remain unhappy with their current pay, which averages $400 per month, Reuters reports.