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China protest forces factory move China to re-site 'toxic' factory
(about 11 hours later)
Ordinary Chinese people appear to have won a victory by forcing the government to move a planned chemical factory. There is continuing controversy in China over where to site a chemical factory, which opponents say could cause grave damage to people's health.
The plant was supposed to be built in the picturesque coastal city of Xiamen, but will now be moved inland. The government has announced that the plant will now be built in Zhangzhou, rather than the coastal city of Xiamen.
Government officials seem to have changed their minds after thousands of Xiamen residents staged protests against the factory. High-profile protests in Xiamen last year on environmental grounds led to a rare change of heart by officials.
The case shows how people are becoming increasingly aware of their rights - and can force a government rethink. Zhangzhou residents are said to be angry at the move because they have not been consulted over their concerns.
Residents' fears They fear the factory, which will make the chemical paraxylene, could emit toxic fumes that may cause cancer.
The chemical plant, funded by Taiwan's Xianglu Group, was to be built next to a new residential area in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
Many of these new homes are in expensive compounds with tennis courts, swimming pools and manicured lawns.
In June 2007 local residents staged a series of protests in Xiamen city centre against the proposed plant on environmental grounds.
They feared the factory, which will make the chemical paraxylene, would emit toxic fumes that could cause cancer.
Paraxylene is used to make plastics, polyester and cleaning products, and can damage vital organs after long-term exposure.Paraxylene is used to make plastics, polyester and cleaning products, and can damage vital organs after long-term exposure.
The BBC's China editor, Shirong Chen, says there are also suspicions that China is pushing through infrastructure projects at all costs, to try to help boost a flagging economy.
Residents' fears
The chemical plant, funded by Taiwan's Xianglu Group, was originally to be built next to a new residential area in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
Many of the new homes are in expensive compounds with tennis courts, swimming pools and manicured lawns.
In June 2007, local residents staged a series of protests in Xiamen city centre against the proposed plant on environmental grounds.
Work had already started on the plant at its original location on the Haicang peninsular on the outskirts of Xiamen.Work had already started on the plant at its original location on the Haicang peninsular on the outskirts of Xiamen.
But after the protests, which received nationwide publicity, the local government put the project on hold.But after the protests, which received nationwide publicity, the local government put the project on hold.
It also ordered an environmental report into the scheme, costing 13.8bn yuan ($2.1bn, £1.4bn).It also ordered an environmental report into the scheme, costing 13.8bn yuan ($2.1bn, £1.4bn).
The findings were published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which suggests the company agreed to limit the factory's pollution.Local residents had campaigned long and hard against the plant The findings were published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing says they suggested the company had agreed to limit the factory's pollution.
The ministry also revealed that the plant, which has received preliminary approval, will now be moved from Xiamen to the nearby city of Zhangzhou.The ministry also revealed that the plant, which has received preliminary approval, will now be moved from Xiamen to the nearby city of Zhangzhou.
One Zhangzhou resident, quoted in the state-run China Daily, seemed unconcerned with the new plan.
He said: "The plant will be far from densely populated areas. I think we are fine with the current arrangement."
But it is unlikely that all Zhangzhou residents are happy with the change in plan.
At least one newspaper article asked why, if the plant will not emit toxic fumes, it cannot be built in Xiamen as originally planned.At least one newspaper article asked why, if the plant will not emit toxic fumes, it cannot be built in Xiamen as originally planned.