In the Chinese zodiac, each year in every 12-year cycle is represented by a zodiac animal, and 2013 is the year of the snake. Over the past century, every year of the snake has been marked by at least one event that has significantly affected the course of history.

Renowned Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was conferred the “Ten Best Human Rights Defense Lawyers Award” by the Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Association (CHRLA) on July 24.