China - rural unrest

Ethnic conflict and violent protest are not part of the 'peaceful rise' plan. China's rural residents may be losing patience and are increasingly unwilling to be left out as the country modernises. Local media aren't in the habit of reporting it, but violent protests against local corruption and ethnic clashes with disadvantaged non-Han Chinese may be starting to boil over, more from Reuters AlertNet... Domestic news stories concentrate on more positive stories of social change and growth in China, such as a recent claim that up 80 million Chinese could now be labeled Middle Class without the stigma this attracted in the past, more from The China Daily...