Beginning in September 2009, residents of Dashi Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province were informed by the media that the local government was planning to build a waste incineration power plant. The planned installation would be able to burn 2,000 ton of waste per day, and would be located near Huijiang Village, Dashi Street, Panyu. The plant was expected to start construction after October 1st (National Day of the People's Republic of China) and to begin operating before the 2010 Asian Games.
Because of the high density of settlement in the area, most residents were concerned that the waste incineration power plant would create odors, heavy metal pollution, and even 1,4-dioxins, a Group I carcinogen. The People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality made repeated assurances that the waste incineration power plant would present no harm for the health of nearby residents, but most residents still suspected that the authorities were hiding the truth. For these reasons, the residents arose in massive protests.
On November 23rd, hundreds of residents gathered in front of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government Building to demonstrate and protest; they held up signs reading "Green Panyu" and wore gas masks. At noon, several Panyu District leaders arrived at the government building; they accepted written complaints from the public, then entered the Public Complaints and Proposal Administration. Then, they broadcast a request that the people elect five representatives. However, the people of the city considered this to be nothing more than a delaying tactic by the authorities, and an attempt to divide and conquer the people. Thus, they all said in one voice, "We refuse to be represented" and responded, "You send five leaders to come out and talk to us!" Finally, at 2:00 pm, the protesters were dispersed by the police.
In December, after negotiating with the residents, the Guangzhou Panyu People's Government decided to temporarily suspend site selection for the waste incinerator. Some commentators noted that the Panyu experience is one of the shortest protests that has occurred in China in recent years, with the fewest conflicts, the most proactive government officials, and the most relaxed participants. At the same time, it shows that Chinese citizens have awakened to their individual rights, and are starting to learn how to demand their rights from those in power. Also, with the improvement of living standards, the Chinese people's awareness of environmental protection has also gradually increased.
References: [百度百科("Baidu Baike")(Chinese)] (https://baike.baidu.com/item/番禺事件/6021839); [BBC中文網("BBC News Chinese Edition")(Chinese)] (https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/china/2009/12/091210_guangzhouauthorities); [美國之音("Voice of America")(Chinese)] (https://www.voachinese.com/a/chinaoppose-20091123-71929337/1008632.html); [法國國際廣播電台 ("Radio France Internationale")(Chinese)] (http://www1.rfi.fr/actucn/articles/119/article_17632.asp); [中國時報("China Times")(Chinese)] (https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20091229001026-260301?chdtv)