Politics
The trials of Zhao Changqing and Hou Xin are seen as being aimed at the New Citizens Movement, a civil society group that wants to call the Chinese government to account on corruption and transparency issues. Zhao's trial Thursday came to a quick halt when he fired both of his attorneys. A third case, against the Movement's financial backer Wang Gongquan, was dismissed when Wang confessed to inciting a mob to disturb public order.
Background:
Anti-graft activist fires lawyer [Times of India]
Accused dissident calls for China to democratize [L.A. Times]
The China Manifesto [The Telegraph]
U.S. calls on China to free scholar fighting graft [Businessweek]
