In early April, CLB’s Chinese-language website launched four new interactive maps, which we hope will give our audience a clearer picture of the new and rapidly changing developments in labour relations and workers’ rights in China.

Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD, is probably best know outside China as one of the more lucrative investments of the world’s second richest man Warren Buffett. But what is life like for BYD’s employees; do they really have the opportunity to build their own dreams?

 

The mainstream media in China often portrays young migrant workers as troubled and oppressed and only focuses only on their problems. But last weekend, I had the chance to spend some time with a group of young workers from Shenzhen who displayed a side not often seen in mainstream media – youthful curiosity, imagination, and generosity of spirit.

 

Every year, the delegates to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and National People’s Congress (NPC) can be guaranteed to come up with some thought-provoking and often outlandish proposals and suggestions.

 

Early this year, the former president of the Hunan Goods and Materials Corp, Tan Zhaohua, finally cleared his name after being falsely accused of bribery and embezzlement in 2001. The case prompted extensive discussion in the Chinese media, with New Century magazine asking: If it took ten years for a provincial-level official to overcome injustice, what hope was there for ordinary Chinese people?

A migrant worker singing duo 旭日阳刚 (A New Dawn), who became an internet sensation last year after they uploaded their cover of Wang Feng’s popular anthem春天里 (In Spring), were accorded the ultimate media accolade last week, a performance on the biggest show on television, CCTV’s New Year Gala.