{"id":394771,"date":"2018-01-24T15:30:50","date_gmt":"2018-01-24T15:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=394771"},"modified":"2018-01-24T15:30:50","modified_gmt":"2018-01-24T15:30:50","slug":"beijing-demolish-thousands-illegal-structures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2018\/01\/beijing-demolish-thousands-illegal-structures\/","title":{"rendered":"Beijing to demolish thousands of ‘illegal structures’"},"content":{"rendered":"
Authorities in Beijing have unveiled plans to demolish 40 sq km (15 sq miles) of alleged illegal structures, a move set to displace thousands of low-paid migrant workers.<\/p>\n
The city’s acting mayor said they would “ensure zero increase of such structures”.<\/p>\n
In November 2017, Beijing tore down buildings that violated safety codes, evicting tens of thousands of workers.<\/p>\n
It is unclear how many workers will be displaced this time.<\/p>\n
The Chinese capital will also continue to “close small shops operated from illegal openings cut in the wall”, according to an annual report released by acting mayor Chen Jining.<\/p>\n
Officials believe these are illegal modifications to traditional buildings.<\/p>\n
Although the campaign is being presented as a way to improve the city, critics accuse the government of targeting a vulnerable population with few rights.<\/p>\n