Scenic spot reopens after protest

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-01 15:48

GUIYANG: The entrance to southwest China's Huangguoshu Waterfall was reopened to visitors Wednesday, the day after police cleared a protest that prevented the movement of about 3,000 tourists.

More than 100 villagers blocked the entrance to China's largest waterfall scenic spot in Guizhou Province on Monday and Tuesday to protest a relocation program and employment issues.

Huang Kangsheng, vice governor of Guizhou, on Tuesday arrived at the scene to begin direct talks with representatives of the villagers and local officials on Wednesday.

The protesting villagers and another 4,000 people who gathered to watch had dispersed by 9 p.m. Tuesday, after police intervened to drive some angry protesters away.

Xinhua reporters saw about 30 villagers injured in the clash. The injured were taken to hospital. Most of them appeared to suffer bruises, but it was not clear which hospitals were treating them.

Police in Anshun City, which administers the area, declined to comment on the incident Wednesday.

The villagers all living inside the scenic area of China's largest waterfall disagreed the Huangguoshu Scenic Spot Administrative Commission's plan to relocate them out of the area, said Wu Furong, secretary of the village committee of Huangguoshu.

He said his village in the scenic area had a population of about 3,700.

He said villagers were also angry at catering companies inside the scenic area that hired security guards and service staff from outside the area.

The Huangguoshu Scenic Spot Administrative Commission has declined to comment on the protest or the villagers' complaints.

They blocked the entrance to the office building of the commission Monday.