Qidong protest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Qidong protest | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 28 July 2012 | ||
| Location | |||
| Goals | Suspension of a wastewater pipeline | ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
The Qidong protest was an environmental protest against a proposed waste water pipeline in the Chinese city of Qidong province. The protest took place on 28 July 2012. The pipeline, which would have dumped industrial waste water into the sea, was to be part of a paper factory owned jointly by Japan's Oji Paper Company.[1] Thousands of citizens took to the streets demanding the cancellation of the project, citing environmental concerns. An estimated 1,000 protesters stormed government offices, overturning vehicles, and forcing the city's mayor to strip off his shirt and instead wear a T-shirt with protest messages.[2] Protests ended after the government promised to permanently suspend the project.[3][4]
The coastal city of Qidong is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, approximately one hour north of Shanghai.[5] The city's economy is centered largely on the fishing industry, and is a major source of lobster and shrimp exports.[6] In 2007, the Oji Paper Company began construction of a paper mill in the city of Nantong, Jiangsu, located approximately 100 km inland from the coast.[7] A wastewater pipeline was designed to carry approximately 150,000 tons of waste water per day from Nantong to the coast off Qidong. Although representatives of the paper company gave assurances that the water would be purified to meet environmental standards,[7] Qidong residents feared the discharge would pollute water supplies, adversely affecting the fishing industry and drinking water. Some residents further claimed that they were not properly consulted about the project.[6]
Protest
On 28 July, roughly 10,000 Qidong residents took to the streets to demand the suspension of the pipeline project.[1] An estimated 1,000 protesters stormed government buildings, where they were reportedly seen "smashing computers, overturning desks and throwing documents out of the windows to loud cheers from the crowd," according to The Guardian. Information circulated on the popular microblogging site Sina Weibo said that the protesters discovered condoms and expensive liquor in government offices.[2] The city's mayor, Sun Jianhua, was stripped of his shirt and then made to wear an opposition T-shirt.[2] At least five cars were overturned, and protesters clashed violently with police. A reporter with Asahi Shimbun was reportedly beaten by security forces while taking photographs of protesters "under attack by police."[8]
