Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
3rd July 2012, 09:28
Good to see that there are some who are willing to speak out about the environmental damage being done by China's industrial expansion.
Chinese officials have halted the construction of a copper alloy plant in Sichuan province following violent protests by local residents.
Local officials said large crowds of residents gathered on Sunday and Monday in Shifang city to protest against the plant on environmental grounds.
Both police and residents were injured in the clashes as bottles were thrown and cars damaged, they said.
Officials said they would now consult residents on the project.
Local authorities said hundreds of residents and students were involved in the protests, while state-run Global Times, quoting an unnamed police officer, said "several thousand" took part.
A statement on the incident on the city's Sina Weibo account said the government would not restart the project "until the majority of people support it".
"Work teams will be sent to all communities and schools to listen to people's opinions and suggestions," they added.
But one woman in Shifang told the BBC that the streets were still "completely chaotic", with the government sending out "lots of armed police and riot police". People were still gathered in front of the city government office, she added.
"The whole thing started with students. Shifang was to build something harmful for future generations, so the people felt very uncomfortable about it," she said.
(more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18684895)
Chinese officials have halted the construction of a copper alloy plant in Sichuan province following violent protests by local residents.
Local officials said large crowds of residents gathered on Sunday and Monday in Shifang city to protest against the plant on environmental grounds.
Both police and residents were injured in the clashes as bottles were thrown and cars damaged, they said.
Officials said they would now consult residents on the project.
Local authorities said hundreds of residents and students were involved in the protests, while state-run Global Times, quoting an unnamed police officer, said "several thousand" took part.
A statement on the incident on the city's Sina Weibo account said the government would not restart the project "until the majority of people support it".
"Work teams will be sent to all communities and schools to listen to people's opinions and suggestions," they added.
But one woman in Shifang told the BBC that the streets were still "completely chaotic", with the government sending out "lots of armed police and riot police". People were still gathered in front of the city government office, she added.
"The whole thing started with students. Shifang was to build something harmful for future generations, so the people felt very uncomfortable about it," she said.
(more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18684895)