MAY 18, 2015
BEIJING, CHINA
While we fight against every new possible infrastructure development,
the Chinese demand that type of infrastructure and are fighting for it. I guess they are tired of biking.
More than 30 police officers and 38 civilians were injured
in southwestern China during a weekend protest by residents who feared that a
planned railway would bypass their community, authorities said Monday.
The protest was the latest in which Chinese citizens have
taken to the streets in an attempt to influence government decision-making
after feeling excluded from the process.
The county government of Linshui said in a statement that
more than 100 protesters charged police and burned vehicles on Saturday, and
that 40 people were detained. It said 20 more were detained Sunday when crowds
gathered again. It wasn't immediately clear if the 60 remained detained or were
held briefly and released.
Local police and government officials did not answer calls
or declined to talk to The Associated Press on Monday.
The demonstrators demanded that the proposed railway linking
Chongqing and Dazhou go through their city, saying the nearly 1 million
residents of Linshui urgently need their first rail link. They marched over the
weekend after hearing reports that it could take another route through the
bigger city of Guang'an, which already has railway service.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed
demonstrators filling the streets and holding banners saying the rail link
would help the local economy.
The provincial railway construction office said Monday the
route is yet to be finalized and that it would take into account the residents'
wishes.
The state-run Global Times newspaper said in an editorial
Monday that local governments should use an open and fair process in selecting
the route.
"Police force can be of some use but it cannot win
people's hearts and minds," it said. "The solution should lie in how
local governments make decisions."
The editorial warned against making unprincipled concessions
under public pressure, and said a well thought-out decision would be the
government's best defense.
Source: AP.com