BEIJING - Officials defended their relocation of nearly 15,000 people as part of the massive construction projects that have transformed the capital into a 31-venue showcase for the Olympic Games.
More than 6,000 households have voluntarily relocated from the venue sites over the past several years, and all have been fairly compensated, Zhang Jiaming, vice chairman of the Beijing Municipal Construction Committee, told reporters yesterday. The policy he outlined has been the focus of petition campaigns and protests, which the Communist Party has tried to suppress.
"The relocation project went very smoothly, so no one was forced out of their homes at any of the venues," Zhang said. Families who could prove ownership were compensated, on average, about $87,500, enough to allow some displaced residents to pass up government-provided affordable housing, purchase apartments, or buy a car, Zhang said.
Zhang's remarks were disputed by some residents and by advocates for the displaced, highlighting yet another controversy confronting authorities in the run-up to this summer's Games.
"The key issue remains the lack of transparency for all this massive relocation," said Nicholas Bequelin, China researcher for Human Rights Watch. "People did get money and were resettled, but what is important is what happened to the people who protested. Many people were taken to police stations or threatened with job dismissal."
Grievances include accusations that much of the compensation was embezzled by corrupt officials, that many relocations were in fact forced, that heavy-handed police tactics were used to evict residents, and that there was no opportunity to object when compensation didn't match the value of people's homes, Bequelin said.
Guo Tiehui, 38, said residents in his neighborhood received a notice in May 2006 from district officials informing them that the area had to be improved for the Olympics, even though it was not one of the venue sites. Guo's 2,150-square-foot courtyard home was torn down on Jan. 20, but he said he received compensation based on only 725 square feet.
"Before, my family lived in several rooms and rented out other rooms," Guo said. "We not only lost our shelter, but we also lost a stable income."
