Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years
AFP - 50 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years
BEIJING (AFP) - – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has met citizens in Beijing petitioning for redress over unpaid wages, home demolitions and land grabs, state media said Wednesday -- the first such meeting in six decades.
Wen's visit to the State Bureau for Letters and Calls -- where petitioners go to file complaints with authorities -- highlighted the mounting anger felt by many Chinese living in a one-party state that enforces its will by diktat.
It was the first such trip by a premier since communist China was founded in 1949, the reports said, and it received widespread coverage in print and broadcast media.
But amid rising levels of public protest across China, Wen's conversations with unhappy citizens were slammed by Human Rights Watch as a political show.
Under a system dating from imperial times, Chinese people can petition government authorities in Beijing or provincial capitals over injustices or unresolved disputes such as illegal land grabs or police misconduct.
However, many of the millions of petitioners each year complain of official indifference to their concerns and occasionally lash out in frustration, while others report being detained by authorities in so-called "black jails".
The premier -- sometimes called "Grandpa Wen" for his down-to-earth style -- said during Monday's visit that as long as petitioners' complaints were "reasonable", they would be resolved.
"We should use the power in our hands to serve the interests of the people, helping them to tackle difficulties in a responsible way," Wen said, shaking hands with those filling in forms and queuing to submit their papers.
He spoke to citizens from several provinces, and emphasised for those involved in land disputes that new government rules aimed at ending illegal forced demolitions should help protect the rights of property owners. Related article: Family threatens suicide in Beijing property row
"Land is the lifeline of farmers," Wen said.
The government is gearing up for its annual session of parliament, which will begin in early March, and Wen's visit to the petition office signals a government conscious of public anger.
Land disputes have become China's most volatile social problem as officials and developers seek to cash in on the nation's property boom, sometimes forcing people out of their homes without proper compensation.
One family are locked in a standoff with police at their Beijing clothing shop, threatening to set themselves on fire after they were told the shop would be demolished to make way for a new subway line.
Some have used the Internet to rally support for their causes as the web, used by more than 450 million people in China, offers an outlet to expose abuses in a country where traditional media are heavily censored.
President Hu Jintao came under pressure last week during a state visit to the United States to do better on human rights, with President Barack Obama saying the "universal rights of every human being" had to be upheld.
Hu admitted "a lot" needed to be done in China in terms of human rights but emphasised that "different national circumstances" had to be considered.
Human Rights Watch criticised Wen's visit as a carefully orchestrated move that "will be widely propagated to Chinese citizens through state media with the explicit message that the Chinese Communist Party leadership cares".
"The fact is that the system is broken and that petitioners are far too often subject to abuses even greater than those which prompted them to petition in the first place," the New York-based group said in a statement.
HRW said the fact that millions of people file petitions each year was "proof positive of the lack of true rule of law in China".
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Tiananmen activist accuses HK of bowing to China AFP - 21 minutes ago
Toyota to recall 1.7 million vehicles worldwide AFP - 28 minutes ago
Mystery deepens in Macau tycoon's family brawl AFP - 34 minutes ago
Philippines links Muslim militants to bus carnage AFP - 38 minutes ago
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years AFP - 54 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
T. rex still king, says dino study
BBC World Service axes five language services
Traffic noise boosts risk of stroke: study
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
France signs contested Russia warship deal
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Bank of America posts heavy losses
'Inconclusive' Iran nuclear talks enter final day
US expert panel gives nod to Alzheimer's scan
Migraines don't damage brain: study
More than 40 injured in Algeria clashes
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 26 January 2011 Abbas welcomed home as hero
France signs contested Russia warship deal
Online paid news service launched by leading newspapers
Egyptian police fire tear gas at demonstrators
British economy suffers shock slump
Russia blames lax security for airport horror
Eric Schmidt expects another 10 years at Google
In fields and city streets, Cuba embraces change
|
Egyptians hit the streets to demand Mubarak ouster
'The King's Speech' wins most Oscar nominations
Hezbollah-backed Mikati appointed Lebanon PM
Suicide attack kills seven in Lahore: police
Somali pirates seize German ship off Seychelles
|
Egyptians rage against Mubarak's rule, three killed
Primates shun Anglican talks over U.S. gay bishops
|
Israel's new top spy: Iran bomb possible in 2 years
|
Egypt protesters break through police barriers
Violence erupts during Lebanon 'day of rage'
Google hires, but Yahoo fires
|
Twitter site blocked in Egypt: Harvard's Herdict
|
Murdoch iPad newspaper to launch in next two weeks
|
Jackson doctor denies killing singer, as trial set
Syria nets $7.6 bn from 40% tourism spike in 2010
'King's Speech' crowned head of Oscar nominees
Judi Dench, Plan B among South Bank Award winners
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death
IMF sees faster growth but recovery 'still at risk'
"The King's Speech," "True Grit" lead Oscar field
India, Indonesia clinch $15bn in business deals
Cat couple's tale of woe enchants Sundance
Music industry takes to the digital cloud
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death
|
Jersey Shore to shoot Season 4 in Italy
|
Oprah's half-sister revelation rocks show's ratings
|
Jay Leno to get Harvard Hasty pudding award
|
Judi Dench, Plan B among South Bank Award winners
|
Startup Ongo enters online news arena
Enraged Russian bloggers accuse leaders after blast
Google plans rival to Groupon bargain service
US-TECH Summary
Murdoch iPad newspaper to launch in next two weeks
Eric Schmidt expects another 10 years at Google
Karzai set to open Afghan parliament despite row
Kosovo says 'ready to face' organs report
Obama pushes expanding high-speed wireless service
T. rex still king, says dino study
Calm in Cairo after day of protests
Putin vows revenge for suicide bombing
|
BBC World Service axes five language services
Yahoo warns of weak Q1, more cost cuts planned
Egypt opposition calls for second day of protests
Traffic noise boosts risk of stroke: study
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
Calm in Cairo after day of protests
|
Twitter confirms it is blocked in Egypt
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
US doctors turn X-Box game into PTSD therapy
U.S. warns on ties with Hezbollah-backed Lebanon gov't
Obama backs Seoul, demands North Korea give up nukes
|
Afghan parliament prepares to convene
net profit jumps, revenue slips
Afghan parliament opens, paves way for bigger battle
|
will.i.am teams up with Intel
Three dead in Egyptian protests
Japan PM Kan: no plans to call snap election
|
Twitter blocked in Egypt amid unrest
Hezbollah-backed Mikati named Lebanon prime minister
African states at odds on Ivory Coast crisis
|
Iran not working on bomb: Israel intelligence head
Haiti government candidate to quit elections race
|
Online news service launched for big papers
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years
U.S. pays off much of U.N. arrears, now owes $736 million
|
S. Korea seeks military talks with N. Korea
Arthouse drama "Winter's Bone" makes Oscar splash
US wants Internet, cell records held longer
Obama backs Seoul, demands North Korea give up nuclear
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
"Jersey Shore" to shoot Season 4 in Italy
Family threatens suicide in Beijing property row
Heroes praised as Australia floods menace more homes
Toyota to recall 1.7 million vehicles worldwide
Global Weather-Celsius
Activists track down Japan whaling ship
Russia's lower house ratifies US nuclear pact
Oscar snubs: "Inception" director, Duvall, Kunis
Beijing holds first car number plate lottery
FACTBOX-Reactions from leading Oscar nominees
Tiananmen activist accuses HK of bowing to China
Yahoo warns of weak Q1, more cost cuts planned
|
Oscar extends warm welcome to newcomer nominees
Clijsters, Zvonareva set up Open clash
Arthouse drama "Winter's Bone" makes Oscar splash
A year later, Microsoft picture looks very different
|
Obama pushes expanding high-speed wireless service
|
Few US kids do well in science class: study
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
|
Sundance film examines 'eco-terrorists'
Twitter confirms it is blocked in Egypt
|
Worst could be over for LG Elec after record Q4 loss
|
Playful Poulter fails to tease tweets out of Tiger
|
Moscow attack casts shadow over World Economic Forum
Seoul shares gain 1.1 pct lifted by autos, techs
Vietnam bank chief linked to Australia notes scandal
Parent of Taiwan's Foxconn enters solar power
LG Electronics falls into red in fourth quarter
China plans nationwide resource tax: report
Pakistan
King's Speech'gets royal treatment at Oscars
|
Starbucks bets on India's cafe revolution
Oscar extends warm welcome to newcomer nominees
|
NZ credit card billings fall in December
Oscar snubs: Inception director, Duvall, Kunis
|
Seoul shares gain 1.1 pct lifted by autos, techs
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death
|
Jesse The Body Ventura objects to airport body scans
|
Arthouse drama Winter's Bone makes Oscar splash
|
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
Four Palestinians suspected of killing U.S. tourist
Tunisia seeks arrest of ousted president
|
Algeria steps up grain imports, eyes Tunisia virus
|
Egypt authorities ban further protests
Colombia coal mine blast kills 20: officials
|
Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers
Davos opens with power shift to South, East in focus
Afghan president inaugurates new parliament
U.N. chief says Cyprus leaders to intensify talks
|
Ahmadinejad slams rivals in Iran power struggle
|
Gates and Gulf prince pay for Afghan and Pakistan jabs
|
Jams, red tape and graft obstruct business in Egypt
|
Tablet boom boosts PC market in Q4: Canalys
Sikh shrine in Baghdad lives on in memories
Afghan president convenes new parliament
Afghan parliament prepares to convene
Insurgent strikes cast doubt on progress in Thai south
Macau casino tycoon says family brawl over
Hong Kong 10-year-olds pass UK high school exams
Sony handheld to take on Nintendo DS, smartphones
|
Chinese travel agency offers new North Korea Tours to study Juche
Merkel pays tribute to 'Downfall' producer
Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers
|
Mysterious crop circle in Indonesia 'harmless'
Penelope Cruz has first child: report
Google widens access to Israel's Holocaust archives
|
Philippine police suspect five in journalist murder
Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft
Russian parliament approves arms pact with U.S.
Manila bus bomb similar to devices used in south
N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime
Mobile app industry to surge in 2011: Gartner
|
Tablet boom boosts PC market in Q4: Canalys
|
Zsa Zsa Gabor sells house 'because we're not rich'
Jesse "The Body" Ventura objects to airport body scans
Davos highlights economic power shift to East, South
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee firms
China to fine Carrefour, Wal-Mart for deceptive prices
Palm oil giant Sime Darby ventures into Africa
Taiwan UMC's profits surge six-fold in 2010
Fitch cuts Taiwan's local currency rating, citing fiscal outlook
Penelope Cruz has first child: report
|
Shippers need to scrap vessels or delay orders to boost earnings
Pakistan to announce results of T-bills on Wednesday
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights