China Information

This article will examine the dissident human rights document circulated in China under the title ‘Charter 08’ by comparison with the 4 June 1989 democracy movement as exercises of popular remonstrance. The document entitled ‘Charter 08’ juxtaposes continued deprivation of human rights in China with continued reliance on ineffective and corrupt institutions of the rule of law and concludes that China has many laws but lacks the rule of law. Charter 08 offers a series of principles and policy proposals for wide-ranging legal and political reform, from constitutional reforms to a proposal for a truth and reconciliation process that will confront the tragedies of China’s political history and build a foundation for future unity. The 4 June democracy movement in Beijing and other cities in China centred on similar concerns around political and legal reform — particularly the need to curb corruption and build institutional restraints against abuse of power by officials. This article will examine similarities and differences between Charter 08 and 4 June as a way to further understanding of the potential legacy of Charter 08 in the discourse of political and legal reform in China.

The construction of large dams continues apace in many developing countries. This is no more evident than in China, where half of the world’s large dams are now located. A decade ago the World Commission on Dams released its review of large dams around the world. The report provided a framework for the decision-making of governments, donors, policymakers, planners, and dam builders across seven strategic priorities: to gain acceptance; assess options; address existing dams; sustain rivers and livelihoods; recognize entitlements and secure benefits; ensure compliance; and share rivers across boundaries. Using the strategic priorities as a frame for analysis, this article reviews the progress made by the Chinese government over the last 10 years with respect to addressing the human casualties of large dam construction. It identifies specific frailties and strengths in Chinese policy and practice. It suggests that a stakeholder satisfaction model that places the affected population at the centre of the accountability structure would ensure that those who are tasked with the administration of resettlement policies are answerable to the affected people. In this way, resettlement from large dams can become truly people-centred.

Viewed within the context of China’s history, development, and present conditions on the one hand and the geopolitical and economic situation on the other hand, this article argues that China’s increased presence in Africa is the result of China seizing opportunities which arose in the wake of ostracism by major developed countries in their response to Chinese acquisitions in the energy field, rather than a carefully planned policy programme on the part of the Chinese. The consequence of China turning its attention to Africa to gain access to natural resources has been an increase in overall Chinese investments, as the central government has come to realize the full potential of Africa as a business partner.

Research into traditional Chinese society engages Chinese villages as a legitimate field for investigation. By looking into the life-world of Da Shu, a village in the New Territories of Hong Kong SAR, this article challenges a research approach that views the Chinese village as a temporal other to the contemporary world. This article demonstrates how the life-world of a Chinese village interplays with the changing historical context. The study examines the economic life that revolves around land and the overall community practices at different times. The study suggests that the life-world of this Chinese village is a historical congeries that involves varying interplays of people with varying dominant rules of time. The subjectivity of people on the ground is always imbued with remarkable historical voices and practices.