The Chinese government is apparently sealing off a peasant village after killing some demonstrators. They are said to be hunting for protest leaders after "thousands of people gathered to protest the amount of money offered by the government as compensation for land to be used to construct a wind power plant". There are an estimated 20 dead, so far.
A man is quoted:
"Why did they shoot our villagers?" he asked. "They are crazy!"
while a 14 year old girl says :
"This is not a misunderstanding. I am afraid. I haven't been to school in days." She added, "Come save us."
link
There were about 70,000 protests in China last year according to the Chinese government, most around their rural policies of land confiscation and eviction. The peasants are having their land stolen from them basically, so that the Chinese government and the new business class can build factories, dams, and in this case, a wind power plant and a coal fired power plant. (the power will most likely go to the cities and the new industry there)
China is not the picture of stability or on a relentless collision course with the U.S., as is often portrayed. They need a 9% GDP growth or the things might get out hand of rather quickly.
I'd also like to express disgust that China was given most-favored nation status on the promise of human rights as they continue torture and mass detention. It's disgusting that American corporations glad hand the government without the slightest memory of the dead at Tiananmen. Let's hope this village doesn't become another Tiananmen.