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Shanghai maglev rail extension angers residents
Shanghai (AFP) Jan 14, 2008 Chinese officials have promised to look into residents' concerns after thousands protested in Shanghai against plans to extend the city's super-fast magnetic levitation train. Scuffles broke out with police and dozens were arrested as demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday and Sunday complaining about possible noise and radiation, residents said. "Currently we are listening to the suggestions and ideas of the residents who live along the line," said a local government statement faxed to AFP on Monday. The extension is expected to link Shanghai with Hangzhou, 170 kilometres (105 miles) away, by 2010, when China's financial hub will welcome a forecast 70 million visitors to the World Expo. Construction on the line is to begin on Friday, the Beijing Times newspaper reported Monday, quoting government sources. Locals, fearing electromagnetic radiation from the 4.3-billion-dollar extension could damage their health, marched along one of the metropolis's busiest streets urging authorities to reconsider the plan. "Noise and radiation are among our major concerns," said Wang Ruowen, a resident who took part in the protests and was detained by police Sunday for four hours. Wang said about 200 uniformed policemen cordoned off the protest route on Saturday, pushing petitioners onto four or five waiting buses before driving them away for interrogation. Police refused comment to AFP. A resident surnamed Yang said he believed between 4,000 and 5,000 people took part in Saturday's demonstration, while a second march on Sunday drew several hundred. The project has also been dogged by controversy over Chinese demands for technology transfers from Germany in exchange for the contract to build the train, which can hit speeds of up to 430 kilometres (270 miles) per hour. According to German media reports in June 2006, Berlin officials refused to meet China's demands for access to the technology. Related Links Great Train Journey's of the 21st Century
Rail's 'new silk route' targets Chinese toys for Europe
Paris (AFP) Jan 13, 2008Toys and DVD players reaching European shelves on a 'new silk route' by rail -- that's the goal for six train companies already testing a 'fast freight' line between Beijing and Hamburg. |
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