f for faith

There have been reports coming out about villagers and the people being unhappy. More significant - and sad - is that some say they are losing faith in the authorities because of the action of the latter.

In Bobai, of south-western Guangxi, officials reportedly destroyed more than the doors and windows when they ramaged through a farmhouse to punish his family for violating population control laws. The owner told ST that he has lost faith in his local government after its harsh reprisals over the last few months against families with more than one child. He cited as example the wreckage of a brand new door frame and the rooms of his son who did not have any children. He also questioned how to afford the fines of over 20,000 yuan (S$4,000), which was more than 20 times what they earned in a year.

According to media reports, some 10 towns in Bobai and neighbouring Rong county have erupted in a series of riots since the beginning of last month. Analysts have reportedly said that such violent protests are an outpouring of frustration by disenfranchised groups such as peasants and workers. They feel sidelined by China's economic miracle and a political system that they feel does not represent their interests.

Conscious of the widening rich-poor gap, the central government has in recent years rolled out policies catering to the poor and disadvantaged.

However, the geographical remoteness of many provinces from Beijing has allowed local governments to virtually operate like personal fiefdoms, enjoying free rein over the execution of central government policies. The gap between the two poles can be seen in the Guangxi case.
In January, Beijing had ordered stronger enforcement of China's family planning laws, which limit couples to one child or, in some cases, two if the first child is a girl. However, the national directive had stressed offering financial incentives to induce compliance with the law, instead of coercion.

Information from ST, Mon 4 Jun 07 - Clarissa Oon's "Anger in China's villages" http://www.straitstimes.com/Asia/China/Story/STIStory_125676.html