Anger in China at brutality in chemical plant protests

By Megha Rajagopalan and Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) – Protests against a proposed chemical plant in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong spread to the provincial capital on Tuesday, even as authorities signalled they may back down on construction plans in attempt to head off more unrest. Public anger has grown since graphic photos surfaced on Chinese social networks early this week, showing demonstrators in the nearby city of Maoming – the location of the proposed plant – lying bloodied on the streets as rows of paramilitary police marched in formation. On Sunday, hundreds of Maoming residents poured into the streets protesting against the plant producing paraxylene, a petrochemical used in making fabric and plastic bottles, and environmental degradation. Protesters in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, on Tuesday renewed calls for an end to the chemical plant project, as well as justice for those who they believe were hurt or killed at the hands of paramilitary police on Sunday.