Wed, Sep 10, 2003 - Page 16 News List

Moving stories at the heart of China's development

As China modernizes many citizens are forced to deal with the fallout from the breakneck pace of the country's rebuilding program

AFP , BEIJING

The family has been offered compensation of 200,000 yuan (US$24,000), which only accounts for the two rooms they occupy, not what they lost during the Cultural Revolution.

They said the amount is a pittance and not nearly enough for them to find suitable accommodation. Beijing's property prices mean they would have to move at least a couple of hours bus-ride away to the countryside to afford to buy a home with that money.

"There's no law to protect the rights of those being forced to move," said one of Guan's neighbors, who is also refusing to leave.

"It doesn't matter what project they're building, before they begin knocking down homes, they should work out a price that residents can accept."

His elderly mother standing nearby said, "They're worse than the Japanese," referring to the Japanese occupation during World War II.

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