(March 14, 2002) Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says land grabs by officials eager to cash in on China’s booming economy are provoking mass unrest in the countryside and amount to a ‘historic error’ that could threaten national stability.
China land grabs fuelling unrest, says premier
(March 11, 2002) Premier Wen Jiabao has said the continued ‘reckless occupation’ of farmland would ‘create large numbers of landless farmers and present a grave problem for the sustainable development and stability of the countryside and whole economy and society.’
Land seizures threaten social stability, warns China’s leader
(March 3, 2002) A day after the government released statistics showing an average of more than 230 demonstrations every day last year, state media published a grim warning from the prime minister, who is struggling to curb local governments’ land-grabbing instincts.
Top editors dismissed from daring newspaper
(June 11, 2001) The Financial Times of London and South China Morning Postreport that China’s censors have launched a clampdown on press freedoms, revealing insecurities among the country’s ruling elite threatened by rampant corruption and rural strife. The cause of their sensitivity seems to be a combination of an increasingly lively and emboldened state media, and the approaching 80th Communist Party anniversary, on July 1.
Local group nurtures indigenous voices in development of China’s West
(May 22, 2001) Nestled in a small building complex in the heart of Kunming in southwestern China, the Center for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge (CBIK) is easily overlooked. But behind its modest headquarters, this 100-member strong organization is changing the face of development in China’s remote western provinces.
Green regulation punishes misconduct
(May 19, 2001) Environmental watchdogs in China who abuse their authority will be punished under a special regulation that took effect yesterday. The provisional form of the regulation, China’s first on disciplining dereliction of duty, was released yesterday by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the Ministry of Supervision.
SEPA releases new measure on public participation in EIA process
(April 20, 2001) The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), China’s top environmental body, has released a tentative measure on public involvement in the nation’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
Common cause: China’s state-society response to environmental crisis
(October 19, 2000) The Chinese government’s recognition of the need for public input in solving the environmental crisis may offer a test for greater public participation in other areas.
Auditors uncover tide of misconduct
(December 17, 1999) Company funds spent on securities speculation, flood control money squandered on building a new hotel, billions stolen to set up a company and bogus stock listings are among the misdeeds uncovered by government auditors this year.
PRESS RELEASE State council to confiscate water ministry’s luxury hotel complex
(July 6, 1999) As millions of Chinese brace themselves for this year’s flood season, state auditors have discovered that the Ministry of Water Resources, the agency responsible for the country’s flood defense system, has diverted millions of dollars into real estate and the stock market.
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