Chinese Migrant Workers Protest Violence Done to One of Their Own

Migrant workers protested against the mutilation of one of their own in Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, Monday night.

The migrants, mostly from Sichuan, were outraged that a 19-year-old who asked his boss for back wages had the tendons to his four limbs cut.

A government building and police station were surrounded and intense conflicts with the riot police occurred. More than 30 cars were smashed and burned.

Online news sites reported that the victim, Xiong Hanjiang (from Zhongjiang County, Sichuan Province), and his parents had a dispute with the boss of Huayi Ceramics in Guxiang Town, surnamed Su, 36 years old, of Chaozhou City when they asked for their unpaid wages.

Subsequently, two men named Hao and Rong, both 22 years old, cut Xiong’s arms and legs with two broadswords.

When the police arrived, Xiong was unconscious and sent to a local hospital for emergency care. The assailants and the boss were missing.

Xiong survived but the injuries will cause him to be disabled for life.

According to a report by Apple Daily, the boss’ family gave the town government 3,000 yuan (US$463) to “seal” their mouths and the local authorities have been indifferent to the event, which triggered strong dissatisfaction among local people.

As a result, in recent days, people have been gathering on the street and surrounding the government building.

The Oriental Daily reported that protesters besieged and vandalized the police station. As more and more people gathered at night, they surrounded the government buildings and blocked main roads.

Local information said that the crowd peaked at 10,000 people. Some protesters set fire to cars and threw stones at police. More than 30 cars were smashed and burned. China’s official media said only about 200 people had gathered.

Local media claimed that the suspect, Su, under great public pressure, surrendered himself at the police office on the morning of June 4. Hao and Rong were also arrested as well.

A local official named Cai said, when questioned by phone, that the incident—the riot—had occurred the previous evening and was still under investigation.

Chaozhou City is noteworthy for the factories that produce most of the bathroom fixtures such as sinks and toilets used in China.