Zoo stages wild protest

• Source: Global Times
• [03:02 April 13 2010]
• Comments

An official from the bureau confirmed the commercial development projects but denied that the cycling center is obliged to return the land.

"Their act is crazy and has affected the social order and brought security risks to the residents," Yuan Jun, head of the publicity department of the bureau, told the Global Times Monday, adding that they had already sent people to negotiate with the zoo.

Yuan said the commercial projects are part of the local government's zoning plan.

"The government plans to build a street of restaurants, bars, and cafes and borrowed some land for the project," Yuan said.

"Furthermore, it's the government who made the promise. Both we and the zoo should follow government orders and we have no right to decide on the use of this land," he said.

The cycling center preserves its training field for bicycle races. After the development is completed, the center can earn 500,000 yuan ($14,648) a year in rent, Yuan said.

"With insufficient financial support, it's not a bad idea to agree to some commercial development," he added.

The zoo protest has worried some local residents.

"It's too dangerous," a resident, surnamed Cai, who operates a grocery opposite the zoo, told the Global Times. "What if the animals get out?"

"This is not a time to blame the protesters, but to find the violators," Wu Chenggang an online editor from Henan, told the Global Times.

The Zhengzhou government has stepped into the investigation, according to a local Henan TV station.