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Monthly Event Reports

April 2023 | Prominent human rights lawyers handed lengthy jail terms

Two of China's most prominent human rights lawyers, Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi, were sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively, on 10 April, convicted of subversion of state power following closed-door trials. The move follows as Xu and Ding had taken part in a peaceful meeting of activists in Xiamen in December 2019, pushing for democratic rights. Prior to their sentencing, Xu and Ding were arbitrarily detained and subject to torture. The two activists were prominent members of the New Citizens' Movement, a loose network of civil rights activists promoting government transparency and exposing corruption. Rights experts note that the sentences highlight the increasingly repressive situation for human rights defenders in China under President Xi Jinping's administration.

March 2023 | Xi Jinping begins historic third term as head of state

The National People’s Congress (NPC) confirmed Chairman Xi Jinping’s third term as head of state on 10 March. Analysts note that Xi’s re-appointment completes the expansion of his powers over the Chinese political system. The widely expected “ceremonial” move comes after he was handed an unprecedented third term as the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in October 2022. Xi’s allies were also appointed to key government roles throughout the two-day annual session, including the party’s second-in-command, Li Qiang taking over as premier. The “Two Sessions” also unveiled sweeping reforms that extends the CCP’s grip over finance, technology and other sectors. 

February 2023 | Hong Kong passes landmark gender recognition ruling

Hong Kong’s top court on 6 February ruled that a policy preventing transgender people from changing their gender on ID cards unless undergoing full sex reassignment surgery is a violation of their rights and is considered unconstitutional. The ruling is considered a historic milestone for expanding LGBTQIA+ rights in Hong Kong, with activists hoping that the ruling influences and opens doors for neighbouring Asian countries to follow suit.

December 2022 | Hong Kong media tycoon sentenced

Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to nearly six years in prison on fraud charges on 10 December 2022 for the alleged violation of a lease contract by his company, Apple Daily. Lai has been serving a 20-month sentence since April 2021 after being convicted in three cases of "unauthorized assembly" for participating in peaceful protests, and faces life in prison under separate charges under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. Domestic and international rights watchdogs decried the charges as baseless and politically motivated.

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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
1 412 360 000
System of government
Communist Party-Led State
Head of government
Premier Li Keqiang (since 2013)
Head of government party
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
No direct elections
Women in lower or single chamber
24.9%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2018 (Indirect)
Head of state
President Xi Jinping
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
06/11/2018
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
82.08%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Signatory
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
No Action
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
No Action
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
No Action
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
No Action
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Categories of Democratic Performance

Representation neutral Representation
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Annual value

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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