China’s urbanisation drive leaves some rural residents ‘heartbroken’ as local governments accused of unfair evictions
- Local governments, desperate for new revenue sources, are forcing rural families out of their homes without adequate compensation, according to critics
- Experts say aim of China’s urbanisation campaign to boost development is sound, but implementation at the local level has been suspect
Nine years ago, after decades of living in a mud house, Xiao Yang’s family scraped together enough money to build a modern two-storey home in a rural village in Shandong province.
The house, which was painstakingly decorated and finally paid off by the mother-of-three last year, was the family’s chance at “a better life”.
But earlier this month, the home she had worked so hard for was razed to the ground and she was forcefully relocated by local authorities in a controversial “village consolidation” campaign.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Yang said. “We had no way to save our home – all we can do is cry.”
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Why China's elderly farmers can't afford to retire
Land grabbing by local governments through coercion, unfair deals or even violence is not new in China, as authorities rely on revenues from land sales to finance pet projects or to cover operating expenses.