Chinese legal experts condemn police for sending blogger to psychiatric hospital

Chinese legal experts condemn police for sending blogger to psychiatric hospital

Chinese legal experts have condemned police in the eastern province of Jiangxi, saying they abused their power by once again sending a blogger – who previously accused an auxiliary officer of sexual assault – to hospital for psychiatric treatment. Police in Jiangxi’s provincial capital Nanchang said on Sunday they had sent Li Yixue – a … Read more

China’s ex-justice minister Tang Yijun faces corruption charges and is expelled from party

China’s ex-justice minister Tang Yijun faces corruption charges and is expelled from party

China’s top anti-corruption agency said on Monday that former justice minister Tang Yijun would be indicted on charges of corruption and misconduct after being investigated for taking bribes and abuse of power. Tang is accused of helping family members secure financial deals and accepting lavish gifts and travel expenses, in violation of the Communist Party’s … Read more

Birth rate woes hit China where schools are closing for lack of children

Birth rate woes hit China where schools are closing for lack of children

In neighbouring Hubei province, recruitment of schoolteachers has dropped one-fifth over the same period. The main reason for the fall appears to be the declining numbers of schoolchildren, as China experiences a period of “ultra-low” fertility, with fewer than 1.4 live births per woman over a lifetime. The China Population and Development Research Centre estimates … Read more

China needs ‘urgent’ response to low population growth challenge: economic adviser

China needs ‘urgent’ response to low population growth challenge: economic adviser

He stressed that the pool of China’s workers had shrunk by 60 million over the past 12 years, which had had “a huge impact” on the economy, adding that many cities were struggling to recruit and battling unemployment and rising labour costs. Ma suggested further changes to family planning laws – which were modified in … Read more

Southern China still lashed by heavy rains, triggering second flood alert in as many days

Southern China still lashed by heavy rains, triggering second flood alert in as many days

According to the Ministry of Water Resources, China’s major rivers and lakes can flag “numbered floods” when their water levels reach the warning level or register a flood of “once in two to five years” magnitude. By 9am on Sunday, the water level at the local measuring station in Guangdong’s Yingde county, which lies along … Read more

Taiwan earthquake disrupts trains in mainland China at start of Ching Ming travel rush

Taiwan earthquake disrupts trains in mainland China at start of Ching Ming travel rush

The 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast of Taiwan at 7.58am local time, causing buildings to collapse and killing at least nine. There are 934 people reported to be injured, while efforts are continuing to rescue 56 trapped in the wreckage. While Taiwan’s eastern Hualien county suffered the brunt of the quake, its effects … Read more

China’s former justice minister Tang Yijun facing corruption probe, top anti-graft agency says

China’s former justice minister Tang Yijun facing corruption probe, top anti-graft agency says

China’s former justice minister Tang Yijun is facing a corruption probe, the county’s top anti-graft agency has said. In a brief statement released on its website on Tuesday, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China’s top anti-corruption and political disciplinary agency, said Tang, 63, chairman of the Jiangxi provincial political advisory body, was “undergoing disciplinary … Read more