Jiangmen uranium plant is scrapped after thousands take part in protests
Authorities back down over HK$46b project following marches by thousands of residents and pressure from Hong Kong and Macau
Jiangmen authorities have scrapped plans for a controversial uranium processing plant after protests by local residents and opposition from Hong Kong and Macau.
The abrupt withdrawal of plans for the 37 billion yuan (HK$46.4 billion) plant, which could have provided enough fuel to meet half the country's nuclear power needs, came just a day after more than 2,000 people gathered to protest against its construction.
It is the latest in a series of industrial projects to be cancelled amid increasing public concern about the mainland's mounting pollution problems.
Opponents planned another rally yesterday and called on protesters to dress in red for "an innocent stroll" in the city's Donghu Square.
They had planned to go ahead with the rally, even though authorities had earlier promised to double the original 10-day public consultation period.
Hundreds had already gathered at 9am when Deputy Mayor Wu Guojie personally announced the decision to scrap the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) project, a move that appeared timed to pre-empt the protest.