Luo Baogen and his wife insist on living in the
half-demolished building in the city of Wenling, in Zhejiang province, China
because they believe that the relocation compensation offered by the government
is not enough.demolished
building in the city of Wenling, in Zhejiang province, China because they
believe that the relocation compensation offered by the government is not
enough.
Now the only building left standing,
the five storey block is a strange sight as cars drive around it while the
couple remain living inside.
To ensure the couple’s safety,
adjacent rooms in the building have been left intact but all their neighbours
have moved out, according to local media.
adjacent rooms in the building have been left intact but all their neighbours
have moved out, according to local media.
The road paved through the
Xiazhangyang village leads to the Wenling railway station and is yet to be officially
opened.
Xiazhangyang village leads to the Wenling railway station and is yet to be officially
opened.
Mr Baogen and his wife believe that
the compensation on offer would not be enough to cover their rebuilding costs.
the compensation on offer would not be enough to cover their rebuilding costs.
In the People’s Republic of China,
during most of the Communist era, private ownership of property was abolished,
making it easy for residents to be moved on – but now the laws have been
tightened up and it is illegal to demolish property by force without an
agreement.
during most of the Communist era, private ownership of property was abolished,
making it easy for residents to be moved on – but now the laws have been
tightened up and it is illegal to demolish property by force without an
agreement.
Property owners in China that refuse
to move to make way for development are known as ‘Nail Householders’ referring
to a stubborn nail that is not easy to remove from a piece of old wood and
cannot be pulled out with a hammer.
to move to make way for development are known as ‘Nail Householders’ referring
to a stubborn nail that is not easy to remove from a piece of old wood and
cannot be pulled out with a hammer.
Earlier this year, Hong Chunqin, 75,
and her husband Kung, who live in the two dilapidated buildings with their two
sons, had initially agreed to sell the property in Taizhou, in Zhejiang
province and accepted £8,000 in compensation.
and her husband Kung, who live in the two dilapidated buildings with their two
sons, had initially agreed to sell the property in Taizhou, in Zhejiang
province and accepted £8,000 in compensation.
But then she changed her mind and
refunded the money once work on the road had started.
refunded the money once work on the road had started.
