Rising Clashes as China's Urban Dreams Collide with Rural Reality

Exclusive: Growing protests over land are erupting in rural China. They are driven by people who failed to build a life in big cities and have returned home. There, they often find local governments deep in debt and keen to control valuable land. In one recent incident, villagers stood inside a temple holding buckets of rice. Outside, police lined up with riot shields and batons. The sound of shouting and drums filled the air. The tension soon exploded. A scuffle broke out. Some villagers threw handfuls of rice at the officers—a traditional act meant to dispel evil. Others carried religious artefacts past groups of police and officials. Analysts link the increase in clashes to a struggling economy. As job prospects in major cities fade, many people are returning to their hometowns. They often find local authorities burdened by massive debt and attempting to seize land for revenue. This combination is fueling a new wave of rural unrest.