Rebel China village takes halting democratic step

Residents of a restive village in southern China held a symbolic election on Wednesday, a small step towards grassroots rights in a centre that is now a benchmark of rural defiance against land grabs and corruption that blight villages nationwide.

The rebellion last year against abuse of power and the illegal sale of hundreds of hectares of farmland in coastal Wukan have become a benchmark of rural defiance against land grabs and corruption that blight villages nation-wide.

More than 6,000 villagers streamed into a school amid brilliant sunshine. The open-air election was held in a courtyard before a red election banner as patriotic songs blared from speakers.

"This far exceeded our expectations," said Yang Semao, a village elder who helped officiate. "It shows our passion for democracy."

Earlier, Xue Jianwan, daughter of village protest organizer Xue Jinbo, who died in police custody last year sparking further protests, visited her father's memorial in the village square before voting. His body, which family members said bore marks of torture, has yet to be returned by authorities.

"This is something my father would have hoped for," she said, bursting into tears after casting her ballot. "We just want to do our best to fulfill his final wishes."

The poll will select an independent election committee to oversee upcoming ballots, including one for the village committee on March 1.

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