China Land Snatch!

 This story today in the Times is a good reminder of what unchecked capitalism abetted by local and state government (free market / police state) looks like in China. If anyone holds the illusion that the economic boom in China benefits all of its citizens, take a look at what's happening in the Laogucheng neighborhood of Beijing where all of its residents are being forcibly and often violently evicted from their homes before they are razed to make way for development. One woman, Tang Fuzhen, actually resorted to self-immolation as armed thugs broke into her home to expel her and her family. What's more, this is merely one headline catching example out of hundreds of such occurrences all over China. It highlights the gritty, leading edge of the real estate boom in China that seems likely to lead to massive inflation in addition to massive human rights violations. The silver-lining is that protests from average citizens, law professor, and others have finally made some headway with the legislative affairs office of the State Council, with cabinet members calling for local governments to hold developers responsible for "vicious incidents" and to "publicize 'reasonable' standards of compensation." While a start, this most likely won't help the residents of Laogucheng. The developers have already stated that they have been "informing [residents] that the relocation plan won’t change at all . . . Because this project has already begun." This makes issues of eminent domain like the Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn look like child's play. It's really a shame that the U.S. won't publicly hold China accountable for it's host of human rights abuses, which, far from being checked by their adopted economic system, are actually propelled by it. Of course, if China is the monster, then we're Dr. Frankenstein. So the next time someone sings the praises of the free market and deregulation, just remember what this meant for Tang Fuzhen from Laogucheng.

Read the article here: Trampled in a Land Rush, Chinese Resist

 Video of forced eviction: