Hong Kongers protest $7.1B high-speed rail link to China, question legislature's democracy | StarTribune.com
From the AP (via Strib) Hong Kongers protest $7.1B high-speed rail link to China, question legislature's democracy
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[A] $55 billion Hong Kong dollar ($7.1 billion) project to link Hong Kong to a national [Chinese] high-speed rail network has run into a growing protest movement analysts say stems from the lack of democracy in this wealthy former British colony of 7 million people.
Hundreds protested in a public square next to Hong Kong's legislature last week as lawmakers debated the proposed rail link to the southern Chinese city Guangzhou. Several hundred camped out in the square again on Friday.
Demonstrators object to the project because it would force many residents to relocate and could cause major traffic congestion and other environmental problems. They also question the economic benefits touted by the government and say the approval process has been clouded by conflicts of interest of some lawmakers linked to industries and companies that could profit from the project.
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