Syndicate content
Duncan HEWITT

Hollande the salesman visits new Chinese president
25/04/2013 - CHINA

Hollande the salesman visits new Chinese president

French President Francois Hollande has become the first foreign head of state to be received by new Chinese leader Xi Jinping. While his predecessor irked China over issues such as Tibet, Hollande is seeking to forget the past and start relations afresh - not least to boost the French economy. His hopes of launching new trade ties are helped by the fact that Shanghai is home to the largest community of French expatriates in China... and that the Chinese love all things French.
Forced labour camps to be forced off the agenda?
13/12/2012 - CHINA

Forced labour camps to be forced off the agenda?

It's one of the most criticised elements of China's justice system. The Re-education Through Labour (RTL) camps were introduced in 1958 under the regime of Mao Zedong and continue to be used this day. 2,000 people are currently known to be held inside them. They're controversial because prisoners can be sent there for up to 3 years without trial. In recent months, the Chinese government has been forced to promise it will look into reforming the system.
'Black jails': illegal detention becoming more common in China
14/05/2012 - CHINA

'Black jails': illegal detention becoming more common in China

The recent case of Chen Guangcheng has brought to the fore China's practise of detaining dissidents under illegal house arrest. Chen, who is blind, managed to escape from under the noses of his guards. But few others are able to do the same. Often, these prisoners are held in apartments, hotel rooms, or out in the country - and some are never heard of again.
Tibetan monks protest China's rule
09/04/2012 - CHINA

Tibetan monks protest China's rule

In recent months, 33 Tibetans have set themselves alight in protest against Beijing's rule. A series of demonstrations in Tibetan monasteries have followed the self-immolations. Many of China's provinces populated by Tibetans remain out of bounds for foreign journalists. Our reporters Baptiste Fallevoz, Delphine Sureau and Duncan Hewitt discovered the level of the constraints as they tried to report on the story.
Has the Chinese bubble burst?
23/11/2011 - CHINA

Has the Chinese bubble burst?

With Chinese economic growth dropping to a still enviable 9% this year, some nonetheless wonder if a slowdown is on the horizon. The most telling signs are coming from the housing market, where it is becoming more and more difficult to buy property.
Close