Angry Chinese Quit CCP over Pollution Deaths

Villagers in China's Hebei province have been dying from water pollution caused by a nearby factory. Now they're directing their anger at the Chinese Communist Party.
A Chinese company called Jinming Plate and Strip Company has caused water pollution that's lead to as many as 50 deaths, according to a report by the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP.

It's in a village called Erliban in Dachang, Hebei Province, about 50 miles outside Beijing.

According to the report, testing of the local water revealed high levels of arsenic and manganese—both toxic.

Villager Jun Feng says his 17-year-old daughter Ya'nan died from leukemia caused by arsenic poisoning.

[Jun Feng, Victim's Father] (soundbite 2, male):
"Since this factory was built, 50 people have died from the pollution. The local government has concealed the truth about people's deaths. They say, 'This factory provides jobs so that's the price you have to pay.'"

When Mr. Feng and other villagers went to local authorities to redress their grievances, they instead received death threats. He claims they sent hired thugs to beat him up twice, and then threatened to kill him if he complained again.

This lead him, he says, to join the growing movement of people withdrawing from the Chinese Communist Party.

[Jun Feng, Victim's Father] (soundbite 1, male):
"The local Communist Party and the polluting factory colluded to bully the local people and treated us like animals. I used to be a Communist Party member but now I am disheartened. I think those Communist Party officials are even worse than the Japanese or the Nationalist Party. I have understood everything so now I've decided to quit the CCP. "

As part of a symbolic protest, Mr. Feng also withdrew his daughter's name from the Communist Youth League and the Young Pioneers.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• quit CCP
• pollution death
• hebei province
• china
• Chinese Communist Party
• Jinming Plate
• Strip Company