Ningbo petrochemical factory protesters win pledge to halt project

Thousands of protesters who marched yesterday against the expansion of a petrochemical factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, won a pledge from the local government that the project would be halted.

The protest, which comes at a sensitive time in the mainland's political calendar, had swelled over the weekend and led to clashes between citizens and police. The Ningbo city government said last night that it and the project's investor had "resolutely" agreed not to go ahead with the expansion.

Outside the government offices where crowds of protesters remained, an official tried to read the statement on a loudspeaker but was drowned out by shouts demanding the mayor step down. On the third attempt, the crowd briefly cheered but then turned back to demanding that authorities release protesters being held inside.

Liu Li, 24, a Ningbo resident, said the crowd did not believe the government's statement.

"There is very little public confidence in the government," she said. "Who knows if they are saying this just to make us leave and then keep on doing the project."

The Ningbo government is likely to have been under great pressure to defuse the protest, with Beijing wanting calm for a party congress next month at which new leaders will be named.

It was unclear whether local authorities will ultimately cancel the project or continue it when the pressure is lower.