WUKAN, ChinaResidents of this besieged southern village vowed to carry on protests this week and showed signs of settling in for a protracted standoff with Chinese authorities, even amid indications that the government has stepped up security efforts in the region.
On Sunday, residents from other villages donated bags of rice and other supplies to Wukan, according to locals. The village's main square was quiet Sunday night, but resident left benches and a stage set up for more rallies planned later this week. Leaders of the protest discussed other ideas on Sunday, including the potential for a march outside the village later in the week, though nothing was immediately planned.
Wukana fishing village of about 20,000 in southern China's relatively prosperous Guangdong provincehas become a symbol of an uncertain year for China. Global economic softness and worries about inflation and housing prices have added to general unease, while a thriving Internet culture has given voice to criticism of how local and central governments conduct business.
People in Wukan over the weekend stressed that their concerns were over the conduct of local officials, with some even pleading for Beijing to intervene on their behalf. Many residents of Wukan and in its surrounding areas are calling for an investigation by Beijing into local government dealings, in particular involving the village Communist Party chief, Xue Chang, who has served in the position for about 40 years.
"Our ultimate wish is for the central government to investigate" alleged local corruption in Wukan, said one villager, who like many gave only a surname, Zhuang.
How the standoff plays out could offer an indication of how government leaders will handle unrest if China's economy slows further or if dissent grows louder.
Communist party officials in the face of rising protests, and the villagea collection of squat stone homeshas been essentially governing itself. Villagers have set up their own barricades to keep police out and have set up an impromptu media center where foreign reporters can get electricity. One local dealing with visitors carries the title "foreign minister."
With the local offices of the Communist party and the public security bureauChina's policeunoccupied, the atmosphere over the weekend was almost giddy. Youths wandered the streets, some carrying bottles of beer. Some residents are spending evenings gathered together watching movies on an outdoor screen; some have been setting off fireworks and others singing karaoke. Residents leave open the doors to their courtyard homes, where many sip tea in their living rooms.
Still, guards were settling in Sunday night to watch for any approaching security forces, while some locals in the village carried makeshift weapons.
Villagers on Sunday repeated their calls for the government to return the body of Xue Jinbo, who authorities say died of a heart attack while in custody but who many villagers believe was murdered. Reports of his death more than a week ago intensified already months-long protests over an alleged land grab by local officials. Residents said on Sunday that they will hold further protests in the middle of the week if Mr. Xue's body isn't returned.
Local government officials last week said they had halted the transaction that sparked the protest. At least four other protest leaders remain in police custody, according to residents.
The size and composition of the government security forces in surrounding Lufeng county was impossible to verify Sunday night. Still, locals said the security presence has been stepped up in the past few days.
On China's Twitter-like microblogging services, eyewitnesses said five sympathizers were removed by police in the nearby metropolis of Guangzhou for protesting in support of the Wukan uprising. The microblog posts were later deleted, as has been much of what has been reported about Wukan on the Chinese Internet.
Near the village's main squarewhich has served as the main meeting point for protests in recent days but which was quiet Sunday nighta portrait of Mr. Xue has been hung as a memory.
"First when this happened, I was so scared and I wanted to go to school instead of being trapped at home," said one high-school student. "But what my parents and relatives are doing is really brave."
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