Posted by redpines on December 20, 2011
A fierce rebellion is taking place in Southern China’s Guangdong province. The village of Wukan has evicted the officials from the corrupt Chinese Communist Party. Some reports claim the village is completely free of party control. Even so, the village seems to be receiving solidarity in the form of food and supplies from nearby towns.
For months, villagers in Wukan have been protesting against the government’s seizure of land for commercial purposes and against corruption in general. The people of Wukan are demanding the government return the body of Xue Jinbo, who died after being abducted. Jinbo was negotiating land agreements between the village and the party.
Since the late 1970s, the Chinese people have suffered as the gains made under the country’s socialist period (1949-1976), have been destroyed by capitalist policies. Hundreds of millions have been displaced and thrown into insecurity, while inequality has skyrocketed. Many in the cities have become fabulously wealthy, while millions endure sweatshop conditions and rural areas have been left behind. The revolt in Wukan suggests farmers and workers may not stand for this situation for much longer.
“It is right to rebel” — Mao Tse-Tung
