Tough decisions must stay with government
- Source: Global Times
- [22:02 November 29 2009]
- Comments
There was a major dispute when villagers from Huijiang county in Panyu district, Guangzhou, found out that a solid waste incineration power plant would be built in their neighborhood.
To deal with the delay caused by the objections, the Panyu government said they might hold a "district referendum" to solve the problem.
Attention has been focused on whether this can really represent the pubic opinion. Allowing the government to step back and make the easy decision to leave things up to the public might let the government wash its hands of the affair.
Referendum is a rarely seen word in China. At first glance, this word seems to have a sense of empowering people by letting them choose where to build it.
Many people were excited about having a say in this important matter, which concerns their living standards.
No one wants to live around a solid waste incineration power plant, which produces dioxin, among other harmful substances. But if the government views building the power plant as a must, there is really no other option for the residents.
The right to live is the foundation of all interpretations of democracy. Only if we safeguard basic rights can we start to discuss other things.
If we take a closer look at the "referendum proposal" of the Panyu government, we find it has nothing to do with democracy at all.
The government should not pass on a hard decision to the citizens, especially when it comes to the choice between urban development and people's lives.
The government should listen to the people, do careful research and reach a balance between respecting the will of the majority and protecting the right of the minority.
Qilu Evening News
