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Reuters
Local residents gather in front of a municipal government building in Shifang county, Sichuan province, in this handout picture taken Monday.
Updated at 10:52 a.m. ET: While Shifang city government officials have announced that construction on the refinery will be halted, some residents have continued to protest in the streets to demand the release of some protesters detained during the protests including an unknown number of college students from a nearby aviation academy.
BEIJING -- Construction of a copper factory in central China has been halted, an official said Tuesday, after days of angry protests over fears of pollution culminated in clashes that saw riot police fire stun grenades and tear gas to break up a crowd of thousands.
Residents of the town of Shifang, Sichuan province, have been slowly gathering around a local city government office since Saturday, the day after a foundation-laying ceremony put on by Sichuan Hongda – a conglomerate specializing in minerals, real estate and finance – to celebrate the first phase of construction on the $1.64 billion proposed molybdenum-copper alloy refinery nearby.
When -- or now if -- completed, the refinery could generate an estimated $8 billion a year.
According to local Sichuan newspaper reports, the protest started with around a dozen people, but by Sunday it had grown as fellow residents and high school students joined them.
By Monday, there was a crowd of thousands, a police officer on duty there told the Chinese newspaper, Global Times. However, the South China Morning Post reported the figure was in the tens of thousands.
By early Monday afternoon, tensions had escalated and protesters attempted to occupy the city government offices, forcing their way past police inside where they reportedly threw bricks through windows and destroyed offices there. Riot police were brought in to restore order, firing tear gas and stun grenades to break up the crowd.
Some 13 injuries were initially reported by official state media, but witnesses on the ground reported far more wounded.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, protesters were reportedly still on the streets of Shifang, effectively locked in a standoff.
Local government officials were facing pressure from provincial-level and central government leaders to stifle social unrest.
'No longer suitable for living'
A protester surnamed Wang told NBC News that their numbers had thinned out as the city boosted its police presence.
“The two sides are just standing, facing each other,” Wang said. “There are a lot of police and the roads are blocked.”
“Yesterday, the protesters were all concentrated in front of the government building,” said another protester who requested anonymity. “But today, the police have blocked all the roads around the government building so people cannot concentrate in one area and are scattered everywhere… I am not sure how many people there are, but fewer than yesterday."
Bathed in smog: Beijing's pollution could cut 5 years off lifespan, expert says
Asked what he would do if construction went ahead on the refinery, the man responded, “As far as I’m concerned, I have settled here, but this place will be no longer suitable for living.”
“If my economic situation and other conditions meet, I will definitely move away," he added.
Concerns over the pollution created by the alloy refineries that dot China’s resource-rich regions have grown in recent years as China’s economy develops and its people become better educated about the effects of industrial waste on human health.
“I think in general smelters are heavily polluting facilities no matter what, they smelt,” said Ma Tianjie, a Greenpeace campaigner in China specializing in heavy metal waste. “We have seen a lot of cases with heavy metal smelters where there is substantial release of all kinds of toxic pollutants.”
Those pollutants are released into the air through smoke and into the nearby area's ground and water supplies through the highly toxic slag waste that is a byproduct of a refinery’s production phase. Arsenic, an element that can cause severe kidney and liver problems in humans, is often found in worrying levels in this slag.
As these health concerns have become increasingly more public, so too has opposition to these refineries in urban areas.
While companies and local governments have up until now been largely able to duck growing NIMBY-ism in urban centers around China, officials here are increasingly finding themselves accountable for the environmental legacy of these lucrative, but highly polluting industries.
A legacy that Ma warns can stay with a population for a long time. “Generally the smelters will leave a quite heavy legacy to the local community” he warned, “even decades after the facilities leave.”
Construction suspended
The mass public protest in Shifang has for now, had its desired effect: Late Tuesday afternoon, Shifang’s local Communist Party chief, Li Chengjin, announced through the government’s Weibo microblog feed that the government was halting construction of the refinery and would no longer allow it to go ahead.
“It’s definitely a piece of good news that construction is being halted, this is absolutely what we wanted,” said Wang upon hearing the news of the government’s decision to halt construction.
However, similar recent cases suggest that such success could just be temporary. Last summer, thousands of residents of the northeastern port city of Dalian took to the streets to protest a chemical factory after a dike broke following a storm, potentially exposing the city to the threat of a toxic spill.
Local officials were successful in keeping the crowd peaceful and eventually broke up the protests when they emphatically pledged to halt production at the factory and have it moved out of the city.
But production resumed soon after, though local officials there have stressed since then that the factory was still slated to be moved.
NBC News’ Horace Lu contributed to this report.
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I find this very interesting. Here in Perú we are having much of the same types of protests where the citizens take to the streets and shut down the highways trying to stop the destruction of their environment by the onslaught of new mining operations. Perú's new president Ollanta has made mining exports the cornerstone of his plans for developing the country, but the indigenous population seems to prefer a healthy environment to lucrative jobs, and they are not afraid to stand up for what they know is right. It's a good thing they don't have Republicans down here.
alsophia - I agreed with everything you said in your post, right up until the "republican" comment. See, I am a republican and I agree with you. Please don't take the quite vocal minority of extremists on the left & what they won't quit screaming as the entire truth. There is a large segment of the population that lives very near the middle of the road, but leans Republican. You can't throw us all into the same group. The Tea Party radicals do not represent the "republican" party, only the extreme right fringe. In the same way, Greenpeace does not represent every democrat.
It doesn't matter what decision is made by a government, there will always be opposition. If the majority in Peru believe the land should remain untouched, let it be. If the majority want to sell the minerals found in the ground on the world market for economic gain, let it be. Let the people decide and get out of their way. If the elected President ran on the platform of economic gain, and the people voted him into office, the majority has ruled. Let it be...
What bothers me is when the government decides the people are not smart enough to govern themselves and step in to make the decisions for them. In order to protect the few, the needs of the many are completely ignored. I remember being taught as a child that I lived in a democracy. What a farse...
What bothers me is people like M Bachmann, J. Inhofe, J. Demint and many other right wing nuts getting elected by people that don't want to be associated with the Republicon brand !!
I think what it boils down to is that people generally want a better life for themselves. While having a high paying job can help you get a better life, it if comes at the cost of sacrificing your health, or that of your family, most people would rather not have that job.
It was not that long ago that the United States polluted so badly that we had rivers that caught fire and cities were issuing smog warnings. Our answer was the EPA and the far right detests it to this day because it hurts corporate profits by telling businesses how much pollution that they put into our living environment.
Concernedone,
Thanks for your honest reply. I think the reasons the indigenous are protesting so much down here is that there has been a history of environmental abuse of great proportions........backed up by the philosophy of many of the original inhabitants here where you will find that they feel nature to be somewhat sacred. There is one mining town here that was long considered the most polluted place on earth until China knocked them out. The local mining company was so kind as to create special schools for all the children suffering lead poisoning as if that would erase their guilt.
I only threw in there the Republican comment because it seems that they are more concerned than the Democrats with short term profits than with the health of our coming generations. Comparing the two parties would you agree with that?
Also, I wish it were so simple as to say "if the majority believe, let it be" because it really is more complicated than that. The "majority" here in Perú (a small country) live in Lima proper, and they sway the vote. The crowded concrete cubical city inhabitants here have no conception of nature whereas those that live in the "provinces" are blessed with some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, yet because those who live outside of Lima haven't the voting majority they very often find their interests at the bottom of the list and have historically had whatever the city wants shoved down their throats. I guess one could say that within their own area they are the majority and are voting the only way they know is effective............by going to the streets.
I live in a small village just outside of Lima which just recently has made available potable water to it's inhabitants. There was great jubilation because this is one of the driest areas on earth, but I am really afraid to have the water checked for chemicals because upstream there are mining operations.
But to make a long story short, you are correct in saying it's not right to dump all Reps or Dems into one bag. We are all in this boat (on this planet) together and should learn to work together for the good of all, not just for the profits of a few.
alsophia - I had to laugh at one of your replies. In our last Presidential election, Obama won almost every major population center in the United States. McCain won all the rural areas (which is certainly more than 90% of the land area). So, the US President is representative of only about 5-9% of the land area, yet he is the man in charge...
I have spent time in Ecuador twice in my past. Sounds much like Peru.
Take care & be safe!
The hundreds of Occupy Wall Street demonstration have shown the paramilitary police without reservation use violent means against unarmed citizens exercising their 1st Amendment rights. The paramilitary police without hesitation sprayed MACE at a dozen protestors who staged a sit-down protest in UC Davis' student quad.
In the event several thousands of anti-pollution protestors wanting to shut-down a smelting factory in America , thousands of SWAT combat trained paramilitary troops armed with heavy machine guns, helicopter guns ships, armor vehicles, and Kevelar, would open fire on the demonstrators. The protestors will be labelled first as lefty-hippies or violent skin-heads. Then as arsonist or revolutionist. And finally, killed as terrorists.
Welcome to America's new and renewal respect for human rights.
No,not thousands millions of SWAT combat trained paramilitary troops,and they would have lasers,it's less messy that way.
This is why China is a lesser threat than people think. China is setting itself up for a HUGE fall
does it make you feel safer or more prosperous or smarter to simply dismiss our owner/creditors like that?
@bigpicture, There is nothing I owe on that says made in China in my house. My house, made in America, My car, Dodge with Fiat and I own it. My TV etc, Japanese. No stinking China. If FrugalDemocrat can't say it I can, I feel more prosperous and smarter I don't buy Chinese, and they don't own ME! I figure it is the LEAST I can do for the People of my country is to boycott the companies products that sold them out all I can. It is easy to find all kinds of items that don't say mede in China. I figure that if everyone in the us stopped buying products from companies that ran to China, and made in Chine we could knock 27% -32% of their sales. This would let our Govt. know also that we are in charge here. I can't get, what is it 2 million or what ever, people to rally so I silently protest my way.
I applaud your action, 6dogs! that s markedly different -- and, of course, better -- than simply saying that China, to whom we collectively (and, unfortunately, therefore you and I, individually) owe more than we, our children, and our grandchildren, can reasonably expect to make in our lifetimes, will hurt themselves, so we therefore don't have to worry about it..
Why would the Chinese care about pollutants? They already put them in food products, pet food products, toys, toothpaste, and a whole range of exports. Seems like the only reason they might be upset is because they can't figure out a way to export the pollution from this particular plant.
UDunnoBro,
Tell me truthfully whether you believe many of our own businesses would not be selling polluted products if the law allowed them to.
what a nonsense. so why would people live in poor area care about gangster because its already exist in the neighborhood, seem like the only reason they upset is they can export to ganster to suburb.
so you think coporation will just play clean if environmental law does not exist!!!
alsophia, I'm sure USA businesses would love to do anything - and I mean anything - to increase profits. Heck, look at the state of things in the early 20th century that brought on most of the regulations we have today.
Show me the public outrage in China against exporting toxic products and I might have some empathy regarding this copper processing facility. As it is though, no.
Undunnobro,
Correct on that one ye be. But public outrage on exports? Doubt you will ever see it. Maybe public outrage if the factory workers start getting sick.
And speaking of "toxic exports", when was the last time some US citizen showed outrage over all the "deadly" exports we make. You know, like missiles, tanks, aircraft. I'm sure our exports have done much much more damage to the world than anything the Chinese have been selling recently. Of course, they sell arms too.
And I find it hard to fathom how someone could not have empathy over young children growing up whose brains have not developed just because their father had to make a living and didn't realize the dangers. At least now they do and they're standing up.
We have many regulations that were for the environment disappear over the years for huge profits. I would have a very long list if I went into Mining, Logging, Farming, or the most recent the shale deposits, being liquidfied by a chemical that will eventually leach into the ground water supply. Anti-Freeze.
The chinese government could care less... they have too many people they must kill them off one way or another... Their thinking is always to protect their own power and too many people and protests are just bad for them and killing their citizens is cheap and they cannot run out of their own people, it's a win-win.
The article didn't even include the best part of the story... What they found INSIDE. They found George Bush, and Donald Rumsfeld in there licking the blood off of eachother's fingers.
Sure would suck to live in China where your life is more less meaningless to gov officials, repressed and oppressed, such a beautiful country ruined by ruling egomaniacs. Nice place to visit, wouldn't want to stay.
I would love to see the people rise up and throw out the gov and bring in a democratic process, but as in most places, the people are just blind sheep led to the slaughter, therefore, I doubt I will live to see that happen unless all that heavy metal gives em big balls!
civil war/revolution in china doesn't bring peace/stability, it only bring chaos, stock market drop like a rock and lose nuke for terroist to grab.
Rockyroaddude,
I'm sure the people of China find someway to have the happiest most enjoyable life possible whether or not their life is meaningful to the govt. If you want to speak about "needed" revolutions, just take a peek out your door. Thomas Jefferson said America would probably need one every 25 years or so to keep the corruption from settling in. The corruption has crystalized by now and the only hope is a revolution. Otherwise just put on your seat belt and ride it out.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch~our folks can't beg, borrow, or steal a job! This is what Kissinger, Bush and the other one worlders want: a despotic work till you drop slave economy~and Now the kicker~even the largely illiterate and ignorant peasantry in China is waking up to the oligarchic agenda! Billions of Chinamen and women on the rampage could put a serious dent in the Bankers dream of Globalization! I hope they go ape and take out some politicians over there! Americans should have done likewise a long time ago, but fear holds us captive. Why do you think a man can ride a horse~cause the horse learns to fear the man and doesn't understand how much stronger he really is!
My, such bigotry,..well,, it takes all kinds, no?..remember the sixties anyone?.. this is how it starts,,,good for them for standing up there and doing the right thing I say,.. it is time for "corperate" to clean up its!! act,,global!,..any less is just plain dumb now days,,we dont mind that they do business, just;do it right! keep it clean! and be responsible!,.. is that so much to ask??.. really??..I for one dont believe we cant smelt and do it cleanly.. it may cost a few more yuan,, but in the long run? it will! be far more cost effective,,, always is!..doing it right is the cheapest! way to go,,,as for "social unrest"??.. the numbers will keep growing,,faster and faster,.. more and more,.. they cant put the entire country in a gulag,, who would do the work?..pay the bills etc??.. wont work I say,.. change!... its not so hard, once we get started,..and fear is the biggest stumbling block to social changes and in almost every case,, is UNFOUNDED!!,.. these old boy, old school, old old types, need to get out of the way,..be mentors! and not stumbling blocks,, these things need advisors on what NOT! to do, just as much as they need advice on what TO! do,..its all a balance,, no??.. good on ya China,, its our world too,,, we all live on this wee blue marble..together!,,,it behooves us all! to look after it,..well done!! I say!!... and more please![please sir we want some more, dickens]
Lawson,
we all live on this wee blue marble..together!,,,it behooves us all! to look after it,..
Well said.
Governments who detest and resist social unrest over social injustice usually end up doing more of both.
China is based on profit or loss of face, which is indefensible in their eyes. Profit at any cost is their unspoken motto, similar to Haliburton and Ralph M Parsons. Occasionally a CEO or Big BOss is executed as in the case of the milk powder scandal, but since their form of corruption begins at the top and works its way down to the smallest rice farmer in Hunan, then it is virtually impossible, short of a pure revolution, to overthrow the demonic powers of money and profit and cars and homes in the country and all the nifestos of greed that accompany such immoral behaviors.
The truth is:"When you have 1.3 billion people and counting,the life of people have no value at all!" The more they die the better.Any way they have about 200milion of unemployed. So who care about pollutions?Only those affected, not the government.
critical times hard to deal with, will be here.
China is a totalitarian gov, they allowed the people to do their protest, they will cut off all internet with outside world ,the Police will quietly round up ,torture, and kill, any dissident's like they did the "Disident" who was blind,forcibaly hospitalized, his relatives, rounded up, to be tortured , killed, and they threatened him with that and he was afraid. Do these people, think the Chinese gov will do any different with them. Also, you know ,how the whole World wants Israel to give its land back to the Palistinians, and when you look at the size of Israel ,I believe it is less than the distance from Houston to Galveston. Look , at China,they forceably took Tibet over ,I believe in the late 40's. Does,anyone try to get China to leave Tibet. The Chinese go in there and torture and kill the people, All the Monks can do is "burn" themselves to make a statement. Why isn't the United Nations boycotting China, and do an "economic blockage" against them. Those people in China who are protesting will suffer the same fate and also their "kin folks too". China absolutely is not worried about their little protest
Of course you don't know anything. You and others have been fed 7/24 with half-truths and untruths all your lives. Of course you don't know that the state of Israel was taken out of the Palestine land in the late 40's. Do you even know that north (and south) America was forceably taken by European settlers just a couple of hundred years ago who go there to slaughter and killl all the natives Americans there who have been there for several thousands of years. The Americans today erroneously call themselves "native Americans". There are two sides of the story in Tibet. One side is that Tibet was conquered by the Yuan dynasty through to the Qing dynasty and become part of China. When the Qing dynasty fell in the early 1912, the Tibetans took advantage of a weak country in disarray without any form of government, the country was divided among several warlords, among them were Tibetan warlords. After WWII, the nationalist Republic of China retook Tibet from the warlords. After the communist victory in China over the natinalist ROC in 1949, the PRC retook Tibet. On the other side of the story, you can argue that Tibet was "independent" for a few years. The reality is that Tibet is part of China for nearly a thousand years, longer than most countries in the world.
Nah no republicans,you've got the Chinese instead.
It's quite strange to see people expecially western ones who seem to have forgotten their own history of environmental damage and devastation they have done to their own country as well as to the rest of the world. They have all forgotten that the European Industrial Revolution from the 18th century right up to the 20th century. They have forgoten about acid rain just a few decades back in thier own turf. Now new emerging countries are having their turn at industrialization. All of a sudden western countries are up in arms against environmental concerns in developing economies. They want to condemn and charge on other countries for carbon tax and so on. They have made countless species extinct, now they want to protect endangered species. They are the worst human rights violators on record in the history of the world, now they want to be world champions of human rights. I truly salute them -- sarc.
HOW is it that Communist China can have this protest in America they would Military Grade Tear Gas the protester, Use their stun guns on them, kick and punch then arrest and charge them with multiple crimes and force them to pay money which is the true goal of all government procedures.
How can a communist country have more rights than America? Thank your congress, president and all Justices and politicians they all sold your life for their benefits.
This is what world Plutocracy looks like wrapped in a big package of pollution for greed and profit, this is the new world order at it's best, buy the governments of the world out just to let Corporate greed and self worth flourish among the haves of world society, let the populations eat cake!
The EPA was started by Richard Nixon, a REPUBLICAN. Pollution affects people of all political parties. It is not a political subject. No one of either party wants dirty air and water.
Have to safely assume that heavy metals and other industrial pollutants are absorbed into the food in China that makes its way on to American dinner plates. But hey, who cares when we get cheap food and cheap products to satisfy our voracious appetites for crap, right?
Chinese is not human right.Only American army can help Chinese People.
Alsophia and others, I am gratified to hear so many rational, educated comments from citizens around the world. We will get by, and the world will slowly become a better place. Yet it is a slow process. We have extremists on each end of the spectrum, but the rational moderates are growing in number and percentage. It sometimes takes the extremists to bring attention to the issues, and the overall political climate slowly moves to correct it. China has its issues but is a far different country than it was just a few years ago. And we remain concerned about pollution but no longer have rivers on fire. There will always be those who will do anything for a profit, just as we will always have bank robbers. Communications such as these allow people around the world to share views.