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2008 in China

{{short description|none}}

{{Year in China|2008}}

Events in the year 2008 in China.

Incumbents

= Governors =

Events

=January=

File:Chinasnowstorm2008 bijie.jpg: Residents battle China's worst snow storm in 50 years.]]

  • January 25 – 2008 Chinese winter storms: China's worst snowstorm since 1954, delays traffic, and causes massive power outages in central and southern parts of the country. According to Chinese news agency Xinhua report, 133 killed by 2008 China blizzard with snowstorm during January and February.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYjkVz76Icsk&refer=home |title=Bloomberg.com: Worldwide |website=Bloomberg News |access-date=2017-03-04 |archive-date=2009-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626152725/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYjkVz76Icsk&refer=home |url-status=live }}
  • 2008 Republic of China legislative election

=February=

  • Edison Chen photo scandal
  • The price of food continues its sharp rise, jumping by as much as 23% from January.[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5652453.html UN: Asia faces sharp food price inflation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521230527/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5652453.html |date=May 21, 2011 }}

=March=

=April=

=May=

File:2008 Sichuan earthquake map no labels.svg in Sichuan, China killed nearly 88,000 people]]

=June=

  • June 4–8 – 2008 Jiangsu Snooker Classic
  • June 10 – The 270 ton sport fishing vessel Lien Ho of Taiwan suffered a collision with a Japanese patrol vessel, Koshiki, and subsequently sank, while in the disputed territorial waters around the Diaoyutai Islands that have been claimed by Japan and Taiwan (ROC). The Taiwanese crew who were aboard the vessel claims that the larger Japanese frigate deliberately crashed into them; their assertions are backed up by recently released video footage.[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/06/18/2003415043 Officials drop plan to visit Diaoyutais] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008013648/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/06/18/2003415043 |date=2008-10-08 }}, Taipei Times June 18, 2008; for the video footage released by the boat crew, see, for example, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc46FlyKuLA here]
  • June 13 – Gas leak kills six and injures 28 at Chinese fertiliser factory (Wikinews)
  • June 14–22 – 2008 Shanghai International Film Festival
  • June 20 – Colonel Wang Hui-hsien, a former Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) analyst, is arrested in Taiwan on charges of selling state secrets to Mainland China.[http://www.c4isrjournal.com/story.php?F=3592374 Taiwan arrests analyst on espionage charges] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709015335/http://www.c4isrjournal.com/story.php?F=3592374 |date=July 9, 2008 }}
  • June 22 – Controversial journalist Lu Keng passes away at age 89.
  • June 28 – The 2008 Guizhou riot takes place following the alleged cover-up by authorities over the death of a teenage girl.
  • Meetings between the PRC and ROC take place, improving Cross-strait relations.
  • Summer 2008 South China floods
  • The Chinese government buys Mount Toromocho Copper Mine in Peru for US$3 billion, with potentially two billion tonnes of copper ore. The deal was brokered by Chinalco, a PRC-government owned company.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7460364.stm | work=BBC News | title=Peru's 'copper mountain' in Chinese hands | date=June 17, 2008 | first=John | last=Simpson | access-date=13 July 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924010832/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7460364.stm | archive-date=24 September 2008 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}
  • The Republic of China (Taiwan) reasserts claim to the Diaoyutai Islands.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign%20affairs/2008/06/15/161056/Rational%2Dfirm.htm |title=Rational, firm stand urged on Diaoyutai - The China Post |access-date=2008-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617221038/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign%20affairs/2008/06/15/161056/Rational%2Dfirm.htm |archive-date=2008-06-17 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign%20affairs/2008/06/15/161051/Taiwan-recalls.htm |title=Taiwan recalls its Japan envoy over Diaoyutai Islands clash - The China Post |access-date=2008-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618152225/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign%20affairs/2008/06/15/161051/Taiwan-recalls.htm |archive-date=2008-06-18 |url-status=live }}
  • China's national soccer team is victorious over the Australian Socceroos team during the FIFA World Cup qualifier at Sydney Olympic Stadium for the first time in history. The resulting 1–0 defeat for the Socceroos was their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 27 years.{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/22/2282151.htm |title=Socceroos fall to China in dead rubber - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=22 June 2008 |access-date=2008-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714220452/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/22/2282151.htm |archive-date=2008-07-14 |url-status=dead }}

=July=

  • July 1 – A jobless Beijing resident Yang Jia killed six police officers in a Shanghai police station.
  • Resumption of Weekend Cross-strait charters between Taiwan and Mainland China after 59 years.
  • July 4 – Chinese Wikipedia unblocked by government (Wikinews)
  • July 10 – Migrant workers riot in Zhejiang province in Eastern China for three days, which originated from quarrels between workers and police.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-07/14/content_6845653.htm |title=Migrant workers attack police office in E.China |access-date=2008-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804120638/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-07/14/content_6845653.htm |archive-date=2008-08-04 |url-status=live }}[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ifaEDXmXcN8Kr6IvLs830cI_1BWwD91TP3S02 The Associated Press: Hundreds of migrant workers riot in eastern China]{{dead link|date=November 2012|bot=Legobot}}[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2303618.htm?tab=latest Migrant workers riot in east China] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813082912/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2303618.htm?tab=latest |date=August 13, 2008 }}
  • July 16 – 2008 Chinese milk scandal: Gansu Province reports to the Ministry of Health that sixteen infants in Gansu Province who had been fed on milk powder produced by Shijiazhuang-based Sanlu Group were diagnosed with kidney stones.
  • July 17 – The Chinese National People's Congress holds a press conference and releases mid-year financial statistics on the nation's GDP.{{Cite web |url=http://finance.ifeng.com/news/hgjj/200807/0717_2201_658743.shtml |title=今年上半年我国GDP为130619亿元 同比增长10.4%_财经_凤凰网 |access-date=2008-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723061642/http://finance.ifeng.com/news/hgjj/200807/0717_2201_658743.shtml |archive-date=2008-07-23 |url-status=live }}
  • July 17–21 – 2008 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup held in Hangzhou.
  • July 21 – Bomb blasts in Southern China, targeting commuter buses.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/2310641/Olympic-terror-fears-as-China-bus-bomb-kills-two.html Telegraph UK]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
  • July 28 – Typhoon Fung-wong strikes Fujian, China.
  • Six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program continue in Beijing.
  • Typhoon Kalmaegi strikes areas in China.
  • Chinese officials claim to have foiled a terrorist plot against the Shanghai Stadium.{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121688072169580547?mod=todays_asia_economy_and_politics | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=James T. | last=Areddy | title=China Says Terror Plot Foiled | date=July 25, 2008 | access-date=3 November 2008 | archive-date=14 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314160905/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121688072169580547?mod=todays_asia_economy_and_politics | url-status=live }}

=August=

File:2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony 2.jpg opening ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium]]

=September=

  • September 2 – Further flooding occurs in coastal China.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/03/content_6992742.htm |title=China's coastal areas face further flooding - China Daily |access-date=2008-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123075903/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/03/content_6992742.htm |archive-date=2016-01-23 |url-status=live }}
  • September 5 – Investigation and trial of former ROC President Chen Shui-Bian over corruption charges.{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/05/content_9803013.htm |title=Prosecutors summon ex-Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian over money laundering - XINHUA |access-date=2008-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913023711/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/05/content_9803013.htm |archive-date=2008-09-13 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://news.ifeng.com/taiwan/special/csbjxxj/ |title=陈水扁将竞选献金剩余款汇海外帐户被曝光_凤凰网 |access-date=2008-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907214722/http://news.ifeng.com/taiwan/special/csbjxxj/ |archive-date=2008-09-07 |url-status=live }}
  • September 7 – 2008 Hong Kong legislative election
  • September 8 – 2008 Shanxi mudslide
  • The 2008 Chinese milk scandal, a food safety incident involving milk and infant formula which had been adulterated with melamine, broke on 9 September.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSPEK25999920080910 | work=Reuters | title=Baby milk powder suspected in new China health scare | date=September 10, 2008 | access-date=11 October 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023131736/https://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSPEK25999920080910 | archive-date=23 October 2020 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}
  • September 10 – Chinese video sharing website Tudou receives its SARFT license.{{cite web|last=van der Chijs|first=Marc|author-link=Marc van der Chijs|url=http://www.marc.cn/2008/09/tudou-gets-sarft-license.html |title=Marc van der Chijs' Shanghaied Weblog: Tudou gets SARFT license |publisher=Marc.cn |date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=November 29, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081221150735/http://www.marc.cn/2008/09/tudou-gets-sarft-license.html| archive-date= 21 December 2008 | url-status= live}}
  • September 15–21 – 2008 Guangzhou International Women's Open
  • September 18 – An open beta of the high-definition channel of the Chinese video sharing website Tudou, also known as Heidou, is released for public use.
  • September 20 – Fuhua Mining Co. Ltd., coal mine accident (3:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. GMT Friday) in Hegang city, Heilongjiang province, where initially 5 miners were killed, and 27 trapped. On September 27, a total of 31 miners died.[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jr_zVrNr-wBw0MkM5HtrHGQELsqA afp.google.com, Five killed in China mine accident, more trapped: report] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520171700/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jr_zVrNr-wBw0MkM5HtrHGQELsqA |date=May 20, 2011}}
  • September 21 – 2008 Shenzhen club fire
  • September 25 – The third human spaceflight mission of the Chinese space program, Shenzhou 7, is launched.
  • September 26 – First public release of Anti-Japan War Online, a locally developed patriotic MMORPG game, released in China.
  • September 27 – Shenzhou 7 Zhai Zhigang first Chinese person to spacewalk
  • September 28 – 13th Computer Olympiad held in Beijing. (to 5 October)
  • September 29 – Shanghai Masters 2008 (to 5 October)
  • September 30 – Rendition of Zhou Yongjun by Hong Kong to the PRC

=October=

  • October 6 – 2008 Damxung earthquake
  • October 20 – Windows Genuine Advantage introduced onto Chinese language computers, causing issues for the large majority of users in China running an unauthorized copy of Microsoft Windows
  • October 20 – Japanese and Chinese students clash at the Shanghai International Studies University,[http://www.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/funinfo/1/1292732.shtml “Shanghai International Studies University: Japanese students and Chinese students fought violently” - Tianya] (no longer accessible) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707051908/http://www.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/funinfo/1/1292732.shtml |date=July 7, 2011 }} sparking mass violence within the campus and controversy regarding Anti-Japanese sentiment among Chinese youths. Ten police vehicles were dispatched to quell the violence.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinasmack.com/stories/japanese-chinese-students-fight-in-shanghai/ |title=Japanese & Chinese Students Fight In Shanghai - ChinaSMACK |date=23 October 2008 |access-date=2009-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322011719/http://www.chinasmack.com/stories/japanese-chinese-students-fight-in-shanghai/ |archive-date=2009-03-22 |url-status=live }}
  • October 21 – Zhang Mingqing (張銘清), Beijing official for the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, was attacked by Taiwan Independence activists.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27290422 |title=Msnbc.com Assault by pro-independence demonstrators comes amid warming relations |website=NBC News |date=21 October 2008 |access-date=2008-10-24 |archive-date=2016-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123075903/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27290422/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/10/200810219132202830.html |title=China envoy attacked on Taiwan tour - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English |access-date=2008-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104013011/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/10/200810219132202830.html |archive-date=2008-11-04 |url-status=live }}{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/21/taiwan.china.ap/ |title=China envoy attacked on Taiwan tour |work=CNN| access-date= 1 November 2008 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7681711.stm | work=BBC News | title=Taiwanese attack Chinese envoy | date=October 21, 2008 | access-date=April 22, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512151153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7681711.stm | archive-date=May 12, 2011 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}
  • October 23 – Chinese dissident Hu Jia wins European Union human rights prize
  • October 30 – [https://web.archive.org/web/20090221163430/http://www.evermoresw.com/ Evermore Office suite 2009] downloaded 5.3 million times since Microsoft began its anti-copying measures with Windows Genuine Advantage.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/10/30/7871-evermore-office-downloaded-53-million-times-after-microsofts-action-begin/ |title=Chinatechnews.com Evermore office |date=29 October 2008 |access-date=2008-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503084514/http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/10/30/7871-evermore-office-downloaded-53-million-times-after-microsofts-action-begin/ |archive-date=2009-05-03 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.itnews.com.au/News/87921,chinas-evermore-office-suite-takes-off.aspx |title=China's Evermore Office suite takes off |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102124210/http://www.itnews.com.au/News/87921%2Cchinas-evermore-office-suite-takes-off.aspx |archive-date=2008-11-02 |url-status=dead }}

=November=

  • November 3 – Second Chen-Chiang summit
  • November 4 – 2008 Taiwan-China Cross Straits Economic Pact
  • November 7 – 2008 Shenzhen anti-police riot
  • November 9 – 2008 Chinese economic stimulus plan
  • November 14 – The Chinese fishing vessel FV Tianyu No. 8 was seized by Somali pirates while fishing off the coast of Kenya.{{cite news | title=Private guards ward off Somali pirate attack | author=David Osler | date = November 14, 2008 | access-date=November 17, 2008 | publisher = Lloyd's List | url=http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/private-guards-ward-off-somali-pirate-attack/20017590589.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081201104114/http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/private-guards-ward-off-somali-pirate-attack/20017590589.htm |archive-date = December 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite news | title=Chinese fishing boat reported hijacked off Kenya | agency=Associated Press | date=November 14, 2008 | access-date=November 17, 2008 | publisher=The International Herald Tribune | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/14/news/Piracy.php | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213163148/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/14/news/Piracy.php | archive-date=February 13, 2009 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}
  • November 17 – 2008 Longnan riot
  • November 18–23 – 2008 China Open Super Series
  • November 24–30 – 2008 Hong Kong Super Series
  • November 25 – Dongguan toy factory riot{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/543500 | location=Toronto | work=The Star | first=William | last=Foreman | title=Workers riot at Chinese toy factory | date=November 26, 2008 | access-date=1 December 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012091252/http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/543500 | archive-date=12 October 2012 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}
  • November 28 – Wo Weihan executed on spying for Taiwan charges
  • Miss International 2008
  • Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield 2008–09
  • Lien Chen meets Hu Jintao at APEC Peru 2008, highest level cross-strait exchange since 1949

=December=

  • December 3 – Internet cafes in Nanchang, are required to install the Chinese Linux distribution Red Flag Linux as a replacement for unlicensed versions of the popular Microsoft Windows operating system, or switch to legitimate copies of Microsoft Windows.
  • December 10 – Charter 08
  • December 13 – The leaders of China, Japan and South Korea meet in Fukuoka, Japan for a trilateral meeting promoting political ties.{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/13/content_10499574.htm |title=Chinese, Japanese PMs meet for boosting bilateral ties |access-date=2008-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023081412/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/13/content_10499574.htm |archive-date=2012-10-23 |url-status=dead }}
  • December 17 – The MV Zhenhua 4, a Chinese fishing boat owned by China Communications Construction, was hijacked by Somali pirates on the way back to Shanghai, but deterred as crews radioed for help. The 30 crew members fought for four hours after nine pirates armed with rocket launchers and heavy machine guns boarded the ship. A Malaysian warship, Sri Indera Sakti and Malaysian military helicopter arrived and fired on the pirates, who fled the scene. No crew members were injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=abw5Nrj6SIvU&refer=africa|title=Somali Pirates Seize Four Ships on Day UN Passes Plan|publisher=Bloomberg|author=Omar, Hamsa|date=December 16, 2008|access-date=December 17, 2008|archive-date=March 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310204308/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics?pid=20601116&refer=africa&sid=abw5Nrj6SIvU|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://news.scotsman.com/world/EU-troops-to-help-combat.4811005.jp|title=EU troops to help combat piracy |publisher=Scotsman|author=Anita Chang|date=December 20, 2008|access-date=December 20, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081223152931/http://news.scotsman.com/world/EU-troops-to-help-combat.4811005.jp| archive-date= 23 December 2008 | url-status= live}} The crew used water cannons, molotov cocktails and beer bottles to defend against the pirates, whom were fully armed.{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article5368675.ece | location=London | work=The Times | first=Anne | last=Barrowclough | title=Chinese crew used beer bottles to fight off pirates | date=December 20, 2008 | access-date=5 January 2009 | archive-date=10 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310204135/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ | url-status=dead }}
  • December 18 – Chinese warships depart for the Gulf of Aden in response to the growing threat of Somali pirates.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/17/AR2008121703345.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Maureen | last=Fan | title=China to Aid in Fighting Somali Pirates | date=December 18, 2008 | access-date=16 January 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401141836/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/17/AR2008121703345.html | archive-date=1 April 2012 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/26/china-warships-targeting-_n_153619.html |title=China Warships Targeting Somali Pirates In Groundbreaking Mission - The Huffington Post |website=HuffPost |access-date=2009-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208010439/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/26/china-warships-targeting-_n_153619.html |archive-date=2009-02-08 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/18/content_10525310.htm |title=China to send Navy to fight Somali pirates - XINHUA |access-date=2009-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222100238/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/18/content_10525310.htm |archive-date=2008-12-22 |url-status=dead }} This is the first time China has sent ships on a mission that could involve fighting so far beyond its territorial waters.

Sports

Births

Deaths

File:Hua Guofeng-1.jpg]]

  • January 16 – Chen Xilu, 80, Roman Catholic Bishop of Hengshui, organ failure.{{cite web |url=http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=10198 |title=INDIAN CATHOLIC - Comatose elderly bishop of Hengshui dies - |website=www.theindiancatholic.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311074506/http://www.theindiancatholic.com/report.asp?nid=10198 |archive-date=11 March 2008 |url-status=usurped}}
  • January 26 – Zhang Hanzhi, 72, diplomat and linguist, English tutor for Mao, Nixon interpreter for 1972 visit, lung-related illness.{{Cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080129/ap_on_re_as/obit_mao_s_tutor |title=Yahoo! Search - Web Search |access-date=2017-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201122636/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080129/ap_on_re_as/obit_mao_s_tutor |archive-date=2008-02-01 |url-status=live }}
  • February 21 – Tian Bao, 92, government official, one of the first ethnic Tibetans to join Mao Zedong's army and embrace Communism.[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/26/asia/AS-GEN-China-Obit-Tibet-Communist.php Search - Global Edition - The New York Times]
  • February 25 – Charles Chan, 93, father of actor Jackie Chan, prostate cancer.[http://www.batgwa.com/story.php?id=655 batgwa.com: The Best Search Links on the Net] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707083957/http://www.batgwa.com/story.php?id=655 |date=July 7, 2009 }}
  • April 4 – Wu Xueqian, 87, politician, foreign minister (1982–1988).{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/04/content_6592857.htm |title=Former Chinese vice-premier Wu Xueqian dies at 87 |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825203104/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/04/content_6592857.htm |archive-date=2011-08-25 |url-status=live }}
  • April 5 – Wang Donglei, 23, footballer, car accident.http://www.lifanfc.com/bbs/dispbbs.asp?boardID=12&ID=4414&page=1 {{dead link|date=September 2011}} (Chinese)
  • June 24 – Shao Hua, 69, photographer, PLA major general, daughter-in-law of Mao Zedong.{{Cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/25/asia/AS-GEN-China-Obit-Shao-Hua.php |title=Search - Global Edition - The New York Times |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303222027/http://iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/25/asia/AS-GEN-China-Obit-Shao-Hua.php |archive-date=2009-03-03 |url-status=live }}
  • August 20 – Hua Guofeng, 87, premier (1976–1980), chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (1976–1981).{{Cite news |date=20 August 2008 |title=Mao's successor Hua Guofeng dies |website=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7572298.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408181038/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7572298.stm |archive-date=2012-04-08}}
  • August 24 – Wei Wei, 88, poet and writer, liver cancer.{{Cite web |url=http://www.china.org.cn/culture/2008-08/26/content_16333266.htm |title='Who Is the Most Lovable' author Wei Wei dies - china.org.cn |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604154300/http://www.china.org.cn/culture/2008-08/26/content_16333266.htm |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=live }}
  • September 14 – Mu Tiezhu, 59, basketball player, heart attack.{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/14/content_9995065.htm |title=Former Chinese basketball star Mu Tiezhu dies at 59_English_Xinhua |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024231628/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/14/content_9995065.htm |archive-date=2008-10-24 |url-status=dead }}
  • October 5 – Kim Chan, 93/94?, Chinese-born American actor.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/arts/television/10chan.html?ref=obituaries |title=Kim Chan, Who Had Roles in TV and 'King of Comedy,' Is Dead - NYTimes.com |newspaper=The New York Times |date=9 October 2008 |access-date=2017-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205115747/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/arts/television/10chan.html?ref=obituaries |archive-date=2017-02-05 |url-status=live |last1=Grimes |first1=William }}
  • October 18 – Xie Jin, 84, film director.{{Cite web |url=http://english.sina.com/entertainment/2008/1017/192508.html |title=Renowned Chinese film director Xie Jin dies - Entertainment News - SINA English |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527033037/http://english.sina.com/entertainment/2008/1017/192508.html |archive-date=2011-05-27 |url-status=live }}
  • October 24 – Xiao Ke, 101, general in the People's Liberation Army, illness.{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/25/content_10248146.htm |title=Veteran army leader dies at 102_English_Xinhua |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110141926/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/25/content_10248146.htm |archive-date=2009-01-10 |url-status=dead }}
  • October 28 – Kung Te-cheng, 88, Chinese-born Taiwanese 77th generation descendant of Confucius, heart and respiratory failure.{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/28/content_10269542.htm |title=Confucius' 77th main-line descendant dies in Taiwan_English_Xinhua |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112071648/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/28/content_10269542.htm |archive-date=2009-01-12 |url-status=dead }}
  • November 1 – Tan Jiazhen, 100, geneticist{{Cite web |title=Geneticist TAN Jiazhen, 100, passes away----Chinese Academy of Sciences |url=https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/archive/china_archive/cn2008/200909/t20090923_43079.shtml |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=english.cas.cn |archive-date=2024-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310210631/https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/archive/china_archive/cn2008/200909/t20090923_43079.shtml |url-status=live }}
  • November 10 – Li Ximing, 82, Beijing Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary.{{Cite news |date=12 November 2008 |title=Li Ximing, Supporter of Tiananmen Crackdown, Dies at 82 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/world/asia/12li.html?_r=1&ref=asia |url-status=live |access-date=2017-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205115029/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/world/asia/12li.html?_r=1&ref=asia |archive-date=2017-02-05}}
  • November 26 – Yang Jia, 28, mass murderer, executed.[https://archive.today/20130103114249/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iL-PTQOchWqJB4O3dibDO0Mzvxbw]
  • November 28 – Wo Weihan, 59, biochemist, executed.[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=a6s9And6TNmo&refer=asia U.S. Condemns China’s Reported Execution of Scientist Wo Weihan - Bloomberg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023105636/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=a6s9And6TNmo&refer=asia |date=October 23, 2012 }}

See also

=Tropical Typhoons of 2008=

References

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{{Years in China}}

{{Asia topic|2008 in}}

Category:Years of the 21st century in China