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Guizhou rioting forces new probe
　

RECONSIDER: Rioting on Saturday brought 30,000 people to the streets after the relative of a local official was alleged to be involved in a girl’s death

AP, WENG’AN, CHINA
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008, Page 1

Chinese police will reopen an investigation into the death of a teenage girl after accusations of a cover-up led to rioting in a southwest town, a state news agency reported yesterday.

The widespread protests in Weng’an, a town in Guizhou Province, stemmed from the official report on the death of a high school student and allegations that one suspect was related to a local official, residents said.

Residents believe Li Shufen (李樹芬) — whose body was pulled from a river on June 22 — was raped and murdered. An initial police report found that the girl had drowned, causing 30,000 people to swarm the streets in anger on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Xinhua had quoted vice county chief Xiao Song as saying that a preliminary investigation found no links between children of local officials and the girl.

But Xinhua reported yesterday that the investigation would be reopened.

“The provincial government has sent 10 criminal investigators and forensic experts to reinvestigate the death,” it said.

The Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said that in the original investigation, officials had questioned three young men, but let them go.

In the unrest, the local police building was set on fire and its windows were broken. By yesterday, burned out cars had been removed from the front of the building and parts of town were returning to normal, with residents shopping and walking around.

Security remained tight, with paramilitary police lining the streets.

Provincial Communist Party Secretary Shi Zongyuan (石宗源) visited the area to stress “the importance of social stability,” Xinhua said.

“We must put maintaining social harmony and stability on the top of our agenda,” Shi was quoted as saying.

The provincial public security bureau said yesterday that its chief was at a meeting and did not comment. The Weng’an Public Security Bureau lines rang busy.

Authorities have rounded up 300 people accused of taking part in Saturday’s riot, the Hong Kong rights group said.

The unrest is especially sensitive for China ahead of the Beijing Olympics next month and officials have repeatedly stressed the need to keep order.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) and top security officials have issued important instructions for the case, the Guizhou Daily said.

Riots and protests by local citizens over official corruption, land confiscation and a growing gap between the rich and poor have been an increasing problem for China’s leaders in recent years.

　

　

PRC dissident threatens to sue for refugee status
　

By Jenny W. Hsu
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008, Page 3

A Chinese dissident threatened to sue the government yesterday if it continues to ignore his demand for citizenship or political asylum.

“Based on the Republic of China [ROC] Constitution, I am part of the ROC population and therefore I have the right to be treated like one of its citizens,” said Cai Lujun (蔡陸軍), a former fisherman who was smuggled into Taiwan last summer. Cai was incarcerated for six months before he was granted a temporary entry permit.

“I don’t ask for much, I just want to be treated like a human being,” he said, adding that he would consider suing the government for neglecting the welfare of one of its citizens.

Legal experts, however, said that Cai would be wasting his time, as even though the Constitution says the nation’s territory includes China, the government only has jurisdiction over Taiwan and its offshore islets.

Cai and fellow Chinese dissident Wu Yalin (吳亞林), who absconded last December from his tour group, said they would continue a hunger strike until either their demands had been met or they were “taken away to a hospital.”

Both men said they came to Taiwan seeking freedom and democracy because of the political oppression in China.

The nation has no refugee law and therefore does not grant political asylum. The government can, however, grant a temporary visa and a small monthly stipend.

Without citizenship or permanent residency, however, the two men cannot seek employment or apply for a local cellphone number and are not eligible for national health insurance.

“I can’t even go to school. I have zero options,” Cai said after he was taken to a police station for protesting in front of the Presidential Office yesterday.

Cai and Wu were detained for three hours then released.

The Mainland Affairs Council did not immediately respond to Cai and Wu’s demand, but said the government had been assisting them.

　

　

Bureau conducts record-breaking group foot massage
　

DESTINATION: In addition to the free massage fest, the Tourism Bureau is also offering incentives such as gifts, special hotel deals and prizes to lure tourists

Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008, Page 4

“It is a great opportunity for us to gather here in the Taipei Arena today to bring together culture and tourism to showcase the high quality of reflexology services in Taiwan ... the Tourism Bureau would like to use creativity and sincerity to touch the hearts of foreign tourists.”— Janice Lai, director-general of the Tourism Bureau

The Tourism Bureau yesterday organized a record-setting reflexology therapy session in which nearly 1,000 foreign tourists received foot massages in an attempt to promote medical and “stay fit” tourism in Taiwan.

A total of 2,000 people, including 1,000 reflexologists and some 830 tourists from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia and other countries along with foreign expatriates, easily set the new world record after 40 minutes of foot massage at the Taipei Arena.

The previous record featured 400 people getting reflexology for five minutes.

“It is a great opportunity for us to gather here in the Taipei Arena today to bring together culture and tourism to showcase the high quality of reflexology services in Taiwan,” said Janice Lai (賴瑟珍), director-general of the Tourism Bureau.

“With 2008-2009 being the year of Tour Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau would like to use creativity and sincerity to touch the hearts of foreign tourists and give them an unforgettable memory they will remember for the rest of their lives,” she said.

Before the foot massage, a drumming performance by the famous U Theater helped the participants get in the mood.

Following the drumming performance, the Meimen Qigong and Culture Center gave the 2,000 participants a basic qigong course, which is a system of meditational breathing exercises.

Lai said Taiwan provides a diverse range of medical and health maintenance tourism products such as hot springs, spas, massages and healthy dining, which have long been welcomed by international tourists.

The Tourism Bureau will continue to hold events promoting these types of products to attract more tourists to experience the excellent quality of Taiwan’s tourism services, she said.

Taiwan is hoping to increase the number of tourists and other visitors to 4 million this year — a 7 percent increase year-on-year.

Part of its strategy is to encourage travelers to come here for healing therapy, from massage to more complicated medical procedures such as plastic surgery, taking advantage of the nation’s advanced — but relatively affordable health care system. The country is hoping to become a medical tourism destination like Thailand and Singapore.

In addition to the free massage fest, the Tourism Bureau is also offering incentives such as gifts, special hotel deals and prizes to lure tourists to the nation this year.

　

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