EU Raised Foreign NGO Law at EU-China Human Rights Dialogue

on July 16, 2018

China and the EU held their 36th Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing on July 9 and 10. The EU press release about the dialogue makes clear that issues such as detained lawyers and the situation in Xinjiang were a key focus of the sessions, but the EU also raised the Foreign NGO Law: “Other issues raised include the death penalty, systemic problems in the criminal justice system, including cases of arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of expression and association, and as well as the implementation of China’s Foreign NGO Activity Management Law.” In contrast, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press release does not refer to the Foreign NGO Law, or to NGOs at all.

‘Liu Knew His Responsibility in History’

A Eulogy for Liu Xiaobo

By Ian Johnson on July 13, 2018

He was risking not the immediate arrival of soldiers, but the inevitable and life-threatening imprisonment that befalls all people who challenge state power in China today. This was not an active decision to die, but a willingness to do so. The tragedy was that his punishments grew with his moderation. Liu began life as a typical product of the Mao era: prone to extreme, romantic positions—a “gangster”—enamored with grand gestures and outrageously rude statements. In a way, the early Liu was like Tan Sitong, hoping to shock China awake.

Chinese Professor Accused of Sexual Harassment Is Barred From Teaching

By Chris Buckley on July 12, 2018

A major university in southern China has barred a professor from teaching after female students went public with sexual harassment allegations against him, unhappy that the university had not taken swifter, firmer action.

Education, Law, Media, Politics
Sexual Assault, Sexual Politics, Sexual Harassment, College/University

Can China Replace the U.S. in Europe?

A ChinaFile Conversation

By Jan Weidenfeld, Isabel Hilton & more on July 12, 2018

The G7 debacle reminded Europeans the problems with relying on a fraying transatlantic partnership. Meanwhile, China has been playing a larger role on the continent, increasing its investment and its political influence. On July 6-7, Bulgaria held the 16+1 summit, a meeting between China and 16 Central and Eastern European nations. And on July 16-17, Beijing will host the annual EU-China summit. Should China play a bigger role for Europe? And how does that help or hurt European countries’ national interests, and the interest of Europe as a whole?

Video Policy Brief: Including Civil Society in EU-China Relations

By Andreas Fulda on July 12, 2018

Asia Dialogue recently posted a series of “video policy briefs” looking at implementation of the Foreign NGO Law in China. Each video looks at a different country or aspect of the Law’s implementation. The following offers the author’s suggestions for improved EU-China interaction related to civil society in light of the Foreign NGO Law.