Mass incidents in China

[3] Through contemporary analysis of such events four key aspects of mass incidents have been identified "diversified participants, highly organized actions, easily escalated conflicts and thornier disputes to settle".

[4] Mass incidents have occurred in China because of the treatment of workers within state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and special economic zones (SEZs), the widening of income disparities, and issues associated with development projects, namely forced land acquisition and environmental degradation.

[7] Those who are common participants in mass incidents include peasants, urban residents as well as workers within state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and special economic zones (SEZs).

The behaviors associated with mass incidents differ, some are peaceful, involving petitions, appeal to authorities for aid as well as collective walks and sit ins.

[5] This is because of less government involvement in country areas, meaning incidents have to reach severe levels for any intervention to occur.

Each of these issues have caused misgoverning within policies surrounding the treatment of China's citizens, within areas of labor, development projects and legal systems.

However, workers within SEZs possessed very limited understanding of labor rights because the workforce mainly consisted of uneducated female migrants from poor rural areas.

[11] In 2004 these issues reached their height and with a combination of labor shortages and a growing understanding of rights led to the outbreak of mass incidents.

[7] Development projects are one of the main causes of mass incidents as they result in forced land requisition and environmental degradation.

[4] Within the countryside development projects have left the environment in a state of degradation, destroying farming land, endangering livestock and causing serious health issues for residents.

This is because of corruption within the courts, manifesting through the harassment of lawyers and the lack of enforcement surrounding decisions made in favor of the people.

[7] As stated by the Ministry of Public Security General Office Research Department "Mass incidents are currently the most direct, broadest, and deepest real dangers affecting social stability.

Leading to the creation of databases concerning potential incidents in order to prevent them occurring at a local level.

[17] Along with China's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games the government adopted new strategies to improve their control and management of large crowds.

It also meant that mass arrests were no longer made and instead authorities were to "gather intelligence, intensify policing and quietly detain protests leaders [once] crowds [had] dispersed".

[22] The demonstrations grew increasing violent as they continued, with protesters armed with poles, petrol bombs and other weapons clashing with police[22] and attacking businesses perceived as being pro-Beijing.