Guangzhou protest planned over Huadu district incinerator plan

People living in the Huadu district of Guangzhou are planning a protest this weekend against the local government's recent decision to build a refuse incinerator in the area.

A call urging district residents to gather at the Lotus supermarket by Huadu Plaza at 10am on Saturday was circulated via social media yesterday. "Please pass this around and act upon protecting a green home for us," the message said.

It was unclear who was organising the gathering, but the effort comes just two weeks after the Guangzhou government announced a proposed site in the Qianjin area of Shiling township, a national centre for leather-goods manufacturing.

A Qianjin resident, who refused to be named, told the South China Morning Post they are against the incinerator project for fear of unforeseen damage.

"The government never consulted us and told the media the project is backed by many villagers instead," the resident said. "I am not afraid of being cracked down on. If we can't even fight for our interests, what is the point of living?"

Located in northwestern Huadu district, the planned incinerator would be three kilometres from the Fenshui landfill. But it would also be 2.5 kilometres from the Qingyuan city limits and three kilometres from the Hongbenggang reservoir.

Last summer, hundreds of Guangzhou and Qingyuan residents took to the streets to protest against the project before a site was even announced. It was one of the largest protests Guangzhou had seen against one of its five incinerators.

The Nanfang Daily reported on its official microblog yesterday that the proposal to build the Huadu incinerator was expected to be finalised by August 30th. An environmental assessment would be ready in February, with construction to begin in June.