China's+Freedom+Report

Potical Rights Score: 7 China is not an electoral democracy, and the China Communist party has a monopoly over the government. They gave a tight hold on the judiciary as well. Opposition groups are suppressed and legislation was passed in February making "subversion," succession," and "association with foreign political organizations that harm state security" as crimes against the state. Freedom of assembly and association are severely restricted. Corruption is constant and there is still no anti-corruption agency. In addition, lower level officers take measures to silence shortcomings in their own performances, creating more corruption. The Chinese government engaged in a renewed campaign against democracy activists. It showed hostility against citizens who tried to assert their rights to free expression and association. There is popular unrest over corruption and abuse of power. The CCP committed more resources to attacking corruption in the governments, but the effort stopped before it reached the legal and institutional reforms. The CCP occasionally holds public hearings, but never relinquishes decision making control. Non governmental organizations are required to register and be approved by the CCP.

Civil Liberties Score: 6 China's communist regime has continued to show no tolerance for the political activism and demands for human rights protection. The CCP extended use of surveillance equipment and sent out task forces to coordinate suppression against grassroots dissenters. A growing nonprofit sector is providing much needed care to in the form of social services and is increasing citizens' rights awareness, despite the repression. Also bloggers, journalist, religious followers, etc. have been pushing the limits of allowed liberties and are sometimes effectively asserting their rights to free expression and association as well as exposing corruption. Unfortunately the Chinese media environment remains extremely restrictive. In recent years there have been restrictions and censorships on the internet. Academic freedom remains restricted without the respect to politically sensitive issues, and the CCP controls the appointment of university officials and many scholars practice self censorship to preserve their positions. The government allows only one child per couple in urban areas and two for rural areas. There is growing property rights legislation, though it is still restricted because the legislation is weak in practice. Minorities are subject to societal discrimination.

Countries with the same freedom score of 6.5 (NOT FREE) include Saudi Arabia and Syria.