Chen Guangcheng has always been a firm believer in improving China’s system, not overthrowing it. So the soft-spoken Chen seems an unlikely focus of a diplomatic battle between China and the United States.

But not to those who know Chen, a blind country boy who taught himself law and has refused to end a crusade against forced abortions and sterilizations despite years of jail, home imprisonment and beatings. “You couldn’t but be impressed,” said New York University law professor Jerome Cohen, who met Chen in 2003. “He was calm, highly intelligent, with an underlying determination and steeliness. He seemed a potential Gandhi figure for Chinese society.”

China has removed another major technical barrier that had hampered investors’ efforts to more freely express their views on the country’s currency, just two days after the country announced it would double the yuan’s daily trading range against the U.S. dollar. The move demonstrates an increasing level of confidence in managing a more-volatile exchange rate.

China’s foreign-exchange regulator said late Monday it has allowed participants in the onshore foreign-exchange market to hold net long positions in the yuan against foreign currencies, lifting a 6.5-year-old ban that had helped authorities rein in excessive speculation over yuan appreciation.

The Australian government risks damaging relations with its largest trading partner because of revelations it will not let the company building its high speed broadband network buy equipment from Chinese firm Huawei.

Senior officials from the Attorney-General’s department said last December that Huawei would not win any supply contracts with NBN Co because of national security concerns, according to the chairman of Huawei’s local board, John Lord.

China will raise retail gasoline and diesel prices by between 6 and 7 percent from Tuesday, marking the biggest increase in 33 months, a move that will help refiners reduce heavy losses but is unlikely to hit demand in a big way.

Retail ceiling prices will rise 600 yuan ($95) per tonne, oil company officials who received official notice of the change said. After the increase, benchmark diesel will be about $1.22 per litre and 90-octane gasoline $1.17.

Guangzhou reported nine flu outbreaks in schools since February and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region announced the resumption of morning checks in kindergartens and schools after many students suffered swine flu. More >

China accused Western countries of stirring civil war in Syria and two Iranian warships docked at a Syrian naval base, underscoring rising international tensions over the near year-long crisis. More >

Travelers using Expedia’s online travel services will be able to book flights on China Southern Airlines, marking a partnership between the world’s largest online travel site and Asia’s largest airline.

Expedia said it is the first time that the Guangzhou-based airline has struck a partnership with a foreign online travel site. China Southern’s fares and inventory will be a available on all full-service Expedia websites in North America, Europe and Asia.