The Wukan Uprising

For the last few days, international attention has focused on the small fishing town of Wukan in southern China, where villagers are in open revolt. Simmering tensions caused by corruption and illegal land sales have escalated into an armed uprising by locals against security forces and local government, both of which have been driven into at least temporary exile.

Starting with the question of what exactly is happening down south, our conversation on Sinica this week eventually turns to a more general discussion of how China’s liberal intelligentsia seems to be grappling with the idea of reform: is it possible and what might it look like if it ever arrives? Joining Kaiser Kuo and Jeremy Goldkorn for this discussion are Charlie Custer of the excellent translation blog China Geeks as well as Ed Wong of The New York Times. We’re also delighted to have the stalwart Gady Epstein back with us, now in his new role as China correspondent for The Economist.

Photo Gallery

05.09.12

Wukan Daily Life

Sim Chi Yin

While village elections are widespread in China, it’s rare for the Party not to exert pressure over the selection of candidates. When the Guangdong province village of Wukan held elections in February and March 2012, however, they were notably free...

Earthbound China

05.11.12

From Protester to Village Head

Annie Jieping Zhang

In September 2011, residents of the village of Wukan in Guangdong province began protesting the illegal seizure and sale of their land by local Party cadres. The protestors demanded fair compensation for the land that had been taken, but officials...