Source:
https://scmp.com/news/china/article/1173314/china-village-shangpu-defies-officials-demand-democracy
China

China village Shangpu defies officials to demand democracy

Overturned cars line a highway in Shangpu, Guangdong province, after a protest over a land deal. Photo: AFP

Villagers in southern China were locked in a standoff with authorities on Sunday and were demanding democratic polls after a violent clash with thugs linked to a local official over a land transfer.

Just over a week ago, residents of Shangpu in Guangdong province fought with scores of attackers whom they claimed were sent by the village Communist Party chief and a business tycoon after they protested against a land deal.