~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~23~RS~)
China waste water pipeline scrapped after protest
The demonstrators stormed government buildings in protest
Authorities in China say a project to build a waste water pipeline in the city of Qidong has been scrapped after a protest over pollution.
Demonstrators took to the streets of the city, north of Shanghai, and ransacked local government offices.
They said the pipeline, proposed as part of a paper-making company, would pollute their coastal waters.
China has seen rising anger about environmental damage after three decades of rapid economic growth.
The thousands of protesters overturned cars as well as storming the local government offices and throwing documents from the windows.
Items which the protesters allege are often received as bribes by officials - such as wine - were also seized from the offices, reports say.
Official 'stripped'One local official was even reported to have been stripped of his shirt by angry protesters.
Users of the Chinese microblogging site Weibo said that having found luxury items in the government offices, demonstrators wanted to know what brand of clothing local Party Secretary Sun Jianhua was wearing.
On discovering it was an expensive Italian brand, they are said to have stripped him to the waist and tried to make him wear shirt which bore an anti-pollution slogan.
Local authorities had tried to appease local anger by suspending construction on the plant, but protesters rejected this.
"If the government really wanted to stop this project, they should have done it right from the beginning. At this point they are too late," 17-year-old protester Xi Feng told Reuters.
Earlier this month plans for a copper plant in Sichuan province were halted after thousands clashed with police.
Demonstrators in such cases are becoming more outspoken, and their protests better organised and more effective.
Analysts say this is a measure of social tensions in China as the Communist Party prepares for a leadership transition later this year.
US and China leaders to hold summit
Giant Oklahoma tornado kills dozens 
Smarter future
Light relief
In pictures
Echoes of revolution
Be kind, rewind 
Comment number 59.
spoton28th July 2012 - 17:14
At first sight it may seem the Chinese are gaining rights and control of what happens in their local environment but ultimately neither the Chinese public or the British public have any actual rights.
If the govt in either country chooses to go a particular way, it will do just that irrespective of any protests or petitions.
Rule of the Crown by proxy implies no rights for the public.
Link to this (Comment number 59)
Comment number 46.
Under-Used28th July 2012 - 16:09
Those are some very brave people trying hard to protect their environment. The planet, and us, needs things to change. The direction Humanity is heading in goes nowhere, fast. If it can be done in China it can be done elsewhere. Maybe there is some hope for us after all?
Link to this (Comment number 46)
Comment number 7.
H28th July 2012 - 13:42
This is the future of our world. No authority or power, no matter how great or repressive, can resist the populous forever. We have Mr Berners-Lee to thank for this new-found social power and it will only become stronger as technology advances further.
Link to this (Comment number 7)