Bringing China into the fold

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_schools_corruption_scandal
Excerpt:
Sichuan schools corruption scandal was a series of allegations of corruption against officials involved in the construction of schools in regions affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. It gained momentum in May and June 2008, and the allegations culminated in protests from grieving parents of children who died in the earthquake as a result of the collapse of various schools in the quake zone.
The scandal eventually became a focal point of reporting on the earthquake rescue efforts, with Chinese civil engineers, bloggers, activists, and foreign media zooming in on the allegations. There emerged a general ambiance amongst discussions and reports that local government officials and construction companies were negligent in the construction of schools, with allegations that they ignored civil engineering standards, saved materials and took short-cuts while pocketing the difference.
Despite initial openness to independent reporting and foreign media, the Chinese government attempted to downplay the issue and suppress criticism.^[1] Additionally, local government attempted to entice grieving parents into monetary compensation in exchange for their silence. While Chinese authorities were initially praised by international media for its rapid and effective response to the earthquake, the school construction scandal severely undermined the initial positive reactions, particularly amongst Western media. Postings about the scandal flooded Chinese online portals and discussion boards, and gave rise to the famous catchphrase tofu-dreg schoolhouses (Chinese: 豆腐渣校舍). The internet activism resulted in a pledge by Beijing to conduct investigations into the allegations, but it was ostensibly not followed up with any substantial action.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2011/04/20114565222165221.html
Excerpt:
Asia-Pacific 

Concern for missing Chinese artist Ai Weiwei 

Acclaimed artist's apparent detention draws international condemnation while his whereabouts remains a mystery.
Last Modified: 05 Apr 2011 08:46
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US, France, Germany and Britain have joined Amnesty International in calling for Ai Weiwei's release [AFP]
The wife of a missing Chinese artist says Chinese police are questioning Ai Weiwei's friends and collaborators amid international concern over his apparent detention by authorities.
Ai, an outspoken government critic, has not been seen since apparently being taken into custody after he was barred from boarding a Hong Kong-bound flight at a Beijing airport on Sunday morning.
His disappearance comes as Chinese security services carry out a massive crackdown on lawyers, writers and activists following online calls for protests in China similar to those in the Middle East and North Africa.
Dozens have recently been taken into custody with little word from authorities about where they are being held, who is holding them or the crimes that they are suspected of having committed.
'No information'
Police searched Ai's home and studio shortly after his detention and removed computers and other items.

http://www.peacefuluprising.org/