China’s Internet is open enough, but also needs to be regulated by law in order to prevent the spread of harmful information and for national security.
Qin Gang • A Chinese Foreign Ministry official, on the Internet, which he says they’re not scared of. Despite this, China blocked video-sharing site YouTube Monday night. Because Chinese people need to be protected from a capella singing of Animal Collective songs. • source
And they’re being “treated well.” In case you watch news channel Current TV, you may be familiar with reporter Laura Ling. Ling, along with news editor Euna Lee, is currently being held by North Korea on charges of espionage after accidentally crossing into the country from China on March 17. The U.S. is trying to help them, but in a low-key fashion, because, well, it’s North Korea. And North Korea is trying to do things like launch a satellite into orbit. source
But our pressing on those issues can’t interfere on the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis and the security crisis.
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton • talking about China and their human rights record, and how they fit in with U.S. economic interests. As you might guess, activists aren’t happy about this policy stance, especially when it comes to Tibet. • source
An unspeakable murder A Chinese graduate student was decapitated by a fellow classmate in a cafe on campus. Yesterday, 22-year-old female student Xin Yang was killed with a butcher knife by 25-year-old male student Haiyang Zhu. Yang had only recently started at the Blacksburg, Va. school a few weeks ago. Haiyang knew the student, but no motive has yet been determined for his actions. source
An unspeakable murder A Chinese graduate student was decapitated by a fellow classmate in a cafe on campus. Yesterday, 22-year-old female student Xin Yang was killed with a butcher knife by 25-year-old male student Haiyang Zhu. Yang had only recently started at the Blacksburg, Va. school a few weeks ago. Haiyang knew the student, but no motive has yet been determined for his actions.
Echoes of a major tragedy The tragedy shook the campus of a university that, just a year and a half ago, suffered one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history, when a gunman shot 32, then himself. University president President Charles Steger was cognizant of the emotions on campus. “An act of violence like this brings back memories of April 16,” he said. “I have no doubt that many of us feel especially distraught.” source