Power of reason

That the dispute in the village of Wukan in coastal Guangdong seems to be close to a peaceful ending is a blessing to all parties concerned.

The transaction and development project involving the land seizures that provoked the villagers' protests has been suspended and a corruption probe is under way, and the two local village officials involved have been dismissed and are under investigation.

With panels of negotiators and investigators dispatched to the village by the provincial authorities and their vow to use the "utmost resolution, utmost sincerity, and their utmost efforts" to address the villagers' reasonable petitions, we are optimistic that the conclusion to this dispute will be a generally satisfactory one.