The two faces of middle class

China's growing middle class has often been mocked by critics as being apolitical and lacking interest in democracy. But what's happening in and around those gated high-rises has suggested the new bourgeoisie may well have two faces.

Online and offline protests by middle-class homeowners are now a common phenomenon. Recently, more than 30 residents at Swan Bay Condominium in eastern Beijing blocked traffic for hours by parking their cars near the estate's entrance after they failed to reach an agreement with the management company over high parking fees. The crowd was dispersed only after the police intervened with tow trucks and arrests.

Then since last week, Yiyuanju, a large gated community in western Beijing, has been in turmoil after homeowners learned that a new subway line would be built under their estate.