Inside China Today

Inside China Today – Thursday 14th January

Police called in to handle protests over land seizures in Guangdong Province.

- Guangdong villagers afraid to speak out on land robbery
- Authorities give in to Guangdong land protests
- New train ticketing policy slammed

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Guangdong villagers afraid to speak out on land robbery

On January 9th, villagers from Wuchuan Village in GuangDong Province, told SOH, 0.93 square kilometers of land in their village was forcibly taken by developers. The villagers, threatened by corrupt officials, received only a third of the compensation.

Wuchuan Village used to own one square kilometer of land, but developers took 0.93 square kilometers in September. As for the rest, a villager told reporters (recording):
“0.07 square kilometers remained, but were used for roads. Essentially nothing is left. All the land is gone.”

The developers only gave villagers 65,000 renminbi per 0.0007 square kilometers, instead of the market price of 180,000. A villager told reporters (recording):
“Some farmers opened up factories, but [the officials] called in the tax department to audit the factories. [All the villagers] kept quiet, and let them take the land away.”

The villagers used to lease the land for 20,000 renminbi per 0.0007 square kilometers annually. The loss of the land put over 4,000 villagers without a source of income. A villager told reporters (recording):
“Now, each person has 7500 renminbi. Our land had been hired out at 20,000 renminbi for every Chinese acre. I would earn that much in a few months of work, but they robbed us for 65,000.”

A neighbouring village in Titian is suffering the same problem. Nearly 700 villagers have filed a joint lawsuit against the Governor of Guangdong Province, Huang Huahua. Huang Huahua is the highest ranking official to have been indicted, since the introduction of administrative law. The case was heard publicly on December 9th 2009, by the People’s Intermediate Court of Guang Zhou.

Farmland being forcibly taken is a common issue in today’s China. Officials work with merchants to intimidate ordinary citizens, often inciting strong protests from farmers.

Chris Thomas and Tian Xi SOH Radio Network.

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Authorities give in to Guangdong land protests

Farmers from Shantou, Guangdong Province have protested for two months against village officials. The officials illegally sold the property of farmers. The protesters went to a local government office to appeal. The local government eventually gave in, partially resolving the issue. This was on the condition no more protests were to take place, or villagers risked being arrested.

Over 14,000 farmers live in Nanwan Village. In June 2009, the local government began leasing farmland back to villagers. However only 944 of a total 5477 square kilometers of land was leased.

Consequently, from June until September 10th 2009, thousands of farmers have marched around the village beating drums and gongs. They’re holding banners demanding justice, and their land returned.
One villager said in an interview (recording):
“We marched for two months, from 6:30 pm every night to 10:30 pm, beating our drums and gongs from our village to the neighboring village. Currently only a small part of the problem is resolved and we are still not satisfied.”

On July 13, 2009, thousands of farmers marched for hours from their village to appeal to the local government office in Cheng Hai.

Another villager spoke to reporters (recording):
“We have about 5,000 people. Our feet swelled, blistered and some even fainted from the heat. It’s really horrible and pitiful; they are highly dissatisfied with the government. Many people stood on the bridge holding colorful banners, lining up like a long dragon.”

In the end, the authorities conceded. The amount of land sold to development companies was reduced from 674 square kilometers to 270 square kilometers, and then finally to 54 square kilometers. The villagers have now been given 6.5 square metres of land each, to be used for 30 years. However, this was under the condition there would not be further protests.

A villager said to reporters (recording):
“Last time they said this, they lied. Later on they arrested us, threatening us while hoping fewer people would dare go back onto the land”.

Craig Richter; Gu Qinger and Yu Liang of the SOH Radio Network.

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New train ticketing policy slammed

China’s railway departments have placed travel restrictions on Chinese New Year revelers. Train tickets can only be purchased under a person’s real name. Further they’re now limited to three a person. Chinese lawyer Xie Yanyi believes these policies are not based on Chinese law and infringe peoples’ rights.

Xie Yanyi said (recording):
“At present, the public authority has adopted this policy. It infringes private rights, and has no legal foundation. Once these illegal policies are adopted, it’s just the same as giving illegal powers to public authorities. They control private rights, control public areas, and control the public’s right to access the Internet for information.”
Purchasing tickets under real names looks to have little effect on ticket scalpers. Because it’s believed many scalpers have connections with railway staff.

Xie Yanyi said (recording):
“This new ticketing policy will in fact benefit the railway department heads, but seems to be developing corruption. I believe the naming policy they’re trying to adopt will not solve the problem. Many ticket scalpers, a considerable number, go internally. For example, some scalpers have internal connections, and don’t need proof of identity when buying tickets.”

Xie Yanyi reminds the public to remain alert and not trust propaganda. Citizens must be aware of their own rights when being asked for identification.

He said (recording):
“Everyone must remain alert as it’s hard to tell the truth from propaganda. The crucial point is there must be legal authority and legitimate procedures. You must ask the relevant party and get their consent for the investigation. This can help prevent abuse of public authority.”

Craig Richter; Fu Ming; and Yu Lain of the SOH Radio Network.

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