Chinese city puts plans for waste-burning plant on hold as protesters take to the streets
Xiantao mayor calls for calm amid ongoing demonstrations over project
The mayor of a city in central China made a rare public address calling for calm after thousands of people protested against a waste incineration project over fears it would damage the environment and residents’ health.
The city of Xiantao, in Hubei province, said on Sunday it would suspend the project but protests continued on Monday. Photos posted on social media, which could not be verified by Reuters, showed dozens of riot police on the march.
“We urge the people of the city to be peaceful and rational, and not to believe rumours, not to organise, join in, or be bystanders at illegal gatherings,” mayor Zhou Wenxia said in the video, which was carried by state media.
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About 10,000 people protested in Xiantao on Sunday, state-backed Global Times reported, citing a resident, even after the local government said on Sunday morning it planned to suspend the project.
Another resident told Reuters by phone on Monday that the protests continued, and several protesters were injured in clashes with riot police.
“There are hundreds of police here because of the demonstrations,” the resident said.
