CHINA-INTERNAL: UNREST IN SHANGHAI
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The Shanghai authorities have thus far successfully blocked and censored information about a rare massive protest happening in Jinshan district, far from the city centre. Hongkong's Apple newspaper reported that it's the sixth day since the outbreak of local protests against a new proposal to set up PX chemical plant in Jinshan district. More than 30,000 people are out in the streets and the Shanghai police has sent thousands of police officers to Jinshan to maintain "social order". Local transports and buses to Jinshan are reportedly suspended, people from Jinshan must show their ID card if they want to drive out of the suburb and the People's Park in downtown, at the heart of People's Square, has been closed temporally to "prevent public gatherings". The government has also cut mobile internet access (mobile phone) in affected areas in Jinshan.
(Comments: Reports claim that Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng is very nervous as this is the second major public unrest after the New Year Eve stampede. If Han Zheng is unable to handle this crisis well, it could affect his political career. Han Zheng is widely rumoured to be in line for a bigger position in Beijing, with potential to be a Member of the State Council or even one of the candidates for Premiership when Li Keqiang retires at the end of his term.)
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