Reparation -- Japanese War Reparation

Chinese companies and citizens have donated 2.56m yuan to a fund supporting lawsuits against the Japanese Government and companies for atrocities committed during World War II. "It is very difficult to be awarded economic compensation against a Japanese company in Japan, so war victims are suing from inside China," a leading activist commented.

See previous post.

Terrorism

The Chinese Government has submitted the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism to the national legislature for ratification. A senior government official pointed out that the Convention is consistent with the Chinese domestic law and that the third amendment of the PRC Criminal Law provides for suppressing the financing of terrorism.

The Chinese legislature ratified the Convention subject to certain declarations.

International Trade

China denounced the European Union for imposing anti-dumping duties on its leather shoe exports. A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman said the EU action "smacks of protectionism and is completely out of line with the overall trend of free trade represented by the Doha Round,"

Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
International Trade

A top US trade official indicated that the US plans to bring more complaints against China to the WTO in 2006 than in recent years. The US held off bringing cases against China while China was still in the process of implementing the commitments it made to join the WTO in 2001. "If there was a honeymoon period, then the honeymoon is past," the official said.

Diplomatic Protection

In light of several attacks on Chinese students in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the Chinese embassy expressed concerns to the German authorities. The embassy asked that the attackers be arrested and punished and the personal safety of Chinese students be safeguarded.

Consular Protection

A Foreign Ministry official called on Chinese nationals involved in accidents abroad to contact the local authorities immediately and seek consular protection and services from Chinese embassies.

International Protection of the Environment -- Climate Change

China signed an agreement with the European Union to develop technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal burning. EU hoped the move could encourage Beijing to play a more active role under the Kyoto Protocol.

Conflict of Jurisdiction

A Global Online Freedom Act bill was introduced in the US Congress that would make it illegal for Chinese internet firms listed in the US to comply with Chinese government demands on censorship and disclosure of personal information. The bill imposes criminal penalty on a company that hands over user information to the Chinese authorities and also allows foreign internet users to seek punitive damages in US courts if the victim of such actions.

See previous post.

Law of the Sea

The PRC State Oceanic Administration published a 2005 report on China's exercise of law enforcement powers in the maritime areas. The report mentioned that Chinese authorities took a series of actions, including surveillance and expulsion, against Japanese and other foreign ships around the Chinese exclusive economic zone and controversial marine areas.

Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges

Japan's Foreign Minister alleged China violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations when Chinese intelligence agents blackmailed a Japanese consular officer, who had an affair with a "sexy" woman, to give away classified information which eventually led to his suicide. "Most diplomats aren't so good looking and they should be trained to be cautious when they're approached by women," Taro Aso claimed. China denied the accusation.

Later, Aso reportedly retracted the allegaton.

Reparation -- Japanese War Reparation

A Chinese farmer is seeking assistance from NGOs to bring a lawsuit in China in respect of the forced labour he was subjected to in Japanese coal mines during the Second World War. This is believed to be the first war reparation claim against Japan to be brought in China.

Conflict of Jurisdiction

In a congressional hearing in the US, four American companies were criticised to be collaborators with the Chinese government in suppressing dissent in return for access to the internet market in China. A senior officer of one of the companies (Yahoo) said the company was "very distressed" at having to comply with Chinese law.

Treatment of Aliens

After three Chinese engineers were killed in southern Pakistan, China's leaders expressed "deep concern" and demanded Pakistan to catch the killers. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan promised to make maximum efforts to ensure the safety of the Chinese personnel.

Human Rights -- Freedom of Speech

China's top internet regulator claimed that China's internet regulation is in line with the international norm. He also denied anyone in China was arrested or prosecuted for speech on the internet.

International Rivers

In regard to a media report that China ignored Kazakhstan's interest in the use of transboundary rivers, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that China would, in consultation with other countries concerned, follow a policy that is responsible and does not harm the interest of neighbouring countries.

Law of Treaties -- Hong Kong

The United Nations Convention against Corruption became effective for China on 12 February 2006. Pursuant to art. 153 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Central People's Government decided that the Convention would apply in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Diplomatic Protection

During the deportation process in New York, a pregnant Chinese woman suffered a miscarriage. Chinese consulate expressed serious concerns and hoped that the US officials would carry out law enforcement in a humane way and ensure that no such incidents would occur in the future. A US official denied any wrongdoings.

Antarctica

China's installation of a high-frequency radar in Antarctica gave rise to controversies, with a US media report claming that the radar could be used to develop anti-satellite laser systems. Chinese state media retorted that China has no capacity for anti-satellite warfare.

Consular Protection

The Chinese embassy became involved in the custody tug-of-war for Ann Mae He after her biological parents, both Chinese nationals, appealed to the highest court in Tennessee. The embassy wrote to the court, requesting a fair trial and restoration of the rights of the biological parents.

Diplomatic Protection

After three Chinese nationals were murdered in a span of two days in South Africa, Chinese embassy and the Foreign Ministry spokesman requested "the South African side to try their best to investigate the cases and severely punish the criminals, and at the same time to take earnest measures to safeguard the life and property security of the Chinese citizens in South Africa." Later, the deputy director of the consulate department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned the South Africa's minister plenipotentiary to China, to make further representations.

Meanwhile, police liaison officers in the Chinese embassy have participated in the investigation.

Criminal Jurisdiction

Following charges brought by a US grand jury against two Bank of China officials for money laundering, racketeering and fraud, the BOC spokesman said that it supports the action by the US government and will cooperate with the US side on the investigation. He said, "The clampdown on money laundering and corruption is the common responsibility of all the countries in the world,"

The crimes allegedly took place in south China in 2001. The suspects fled to the US through Hong Kong and Canada.

Treatment of Aliens -- Administration of Justice

After 14 Hong Kong tourists were killed in a traffic accident in Egypt, a Chinese diplomat opined on 5 February 2006 that the careless driver should be jailed for life. He said:

"The driver told the police that he was very regretful about the tragedy. But a few years of imprisonment would be too light a punishment for him, ... Had this taken place in China, he would have been given the death penalty. So I think he deserved to be sentenced to life in jail."

Under Egyptian law, the driver, if convicted, faces up to five years in jail only.