More English media weigh in on the “nail house” situation:
From The Guardian:
Hold-outs, known as “nails” in China because they stick up despite attempts to beat them down, are becoming increasingly common in China.
Mr Yang’s protest has been strengthened by its timing. Earlier this month, the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament, passed the country’s first law to protect private property. Earlier this week, the government reported a surge in illegal land seizures by developers and local governments.
Mr Yang’s case has sparked an online debate, which has been promoted even by the state-run China Daily. And the Nanfeng Metropolitan newspaper declared: “This couple are fighting for their own rights. But they are also fighting for the rights of all property owners in China and for the dignity of the property law that has just been passed.” [Full Text]
Also from CBC.CA:
China’s censors have banned further stories about a Chongqing homeowner who refused to sell out to developers.
China’s State Council Information Service issued an urgent notice to the domestic print press and online media on Saturday banning future coverage of the so-called “nail house.”
The story of 51-year-old restaurateur and martial arts champion Wu Yang and his wife, who refused to sell their house to make way for a shopping development, was on its way to becoming a national media sensation. [Full Text]
