Riots provide bleak picture of society's ills
Beijing (AsiaNews/SCMP) - Recent outbreak of unrest across the mainland has revealed the volatility of a society in which minor disputes can easily escalate into large, violent clashes.
Those caught up in the disputes - mostly farmers, workers and members of ethnic minorities - represent a wide spectrum of disadvantaged groups who are unable to voice their discontent and often resort to drastic action when their rights are violated.
"These incidents show that China is at a crossroads, where problems like those of farmers, laid-off workers and ethnic tension all blend together," said Hu Xingdou, an expert in social justice issues. "Either China will plunge into chaos, or there will be more reforms."
He said the fact that a simple incident such as a car crash could trigger mass riots showed grievances were widespread and the disadvantaged could be easily provoked.
Two weeks ago, a fruit dealer's wife in Wanzhou, Chongqing, slapped the face of a delivery man when she was hit by a pole he was carrying. The argument eventually developed into a mass riot with local residents accusing police of abusing their authority, before looting government buildings and setting fire to a police car.
Last week, a Hui Muslim taxi driver fatally struck a six-year-old Han girl in Zhongmou county, Henan, sparking a riot that left at least seven dead.
A number of other riots, protests and petitions have been reported over the past few weeks.
Professor Hu said the lack of a mechanism for disadvantaged groups to pursue justice was a factor in the mounting unrest.
"The Petition Office has become another post office and it cannot solve every problem," he said.
"There is no mechanism for the disadvantaged to solve their problems."
Also last month, thousands of retired workers from a large state-owned textile factory in Bengbu city, Anhui, blocked the streets demanding better pensions.
Labour protests involving thousands of people were also held in Shenzhen and Dongguan.
Non-governmental organisations in the Pearl River Delta have often complained they are discouraged by local officials from helping workers to fight for their rights, making drastic action more likely.
The illegal seizure of farmland has been identified by rural experts as a main source of conflict.
But farmers are now better educated and have learned about their rights through the mass media. Many also learn about the protection of rights when they leave their rural homes to work in cities.
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