Huangguoshu falls reopen after rally

Source: Xinhua  |   2009-7-2  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

HUANGGUOSHU Waterfall reopened to visitors yesterday, the day after police cleared a protest that prevented the movement of about 3,000 tourists.

More than 100 villagers blocked the entrance to China's largest waterfall in Guizhou Province on Monday and Tuesday to protest plans to relocate them outside the scenic area. The villagers were also angry with local businesses hiring out-of-town people as security guards and attendants.

Huang Kangsheng, vice governor of Guizhou, went to the scene to talk directly to representatives of the villagers and local officials.

The protesting villagers and another 4,000 people who gathered to watch had dispersed by 9pm on Tuesday after police drove some angry protesters away.

About 30 villagers were injured in the clash. The injured were taken to hospital.

Most of them appeared to suffer bruises, but it was not clear which hospitals were treating them.