Like all other old towns across "the Other China," the mud brick structures of Kashgar's old town are slated for de-population. Half of the city residents live in the old town, apparently an intimate, safe, comfortable place for the region's non-Han Chinese Uighur Muslims. But as the WSJ reports, 25% of those residents are being "relocated with a Red smile" to other parts of the town in anticipation of demolition.
Opposing attitudes of local residents: fight or play along
"They want us to live like Chinese people but we will never agree," said a 48-year-old woman in a red jacket and brown head scarf, who declined to give her name. "If we move into the government apartments, there are no courtyards and no sun. Women will need to cover up to go outside and we will have to spend money to finish decorating our rooms. This is our land. We have not bought it from the government."
A 60-year-old man with a neat beard and a wool hat expressed his disapproval as he walked to evening prayers along a narrow road that would soon be widened to 20 feet under the government's plan. "If the government gives me money, I will go. Everybody is unhappy about this, but government is government, we can do nothing," he said.(Image via www.hittheroad.cn)
No comments:
Post a Comment