From the Chinese press

Handle eco-protests with care

The recent clash between Yuhang residents and government officials, including police officers, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, once again highlighted the need for a transparent communication channel between local governments and residents. The public protest against a garbage incinerator in Yuhang turned violent with some of the protesters attacking policemen and overturning and torching government vehicles. To ease the tense situation in Yuhang, ensure that people in other cities do not follow Yuhang's example and to win back public trust, the authorities need to invite a qualified non-governmental "third party" to determine whether garbage incinerators are harmful or not for nearby residents, say an article in China Business News. Excerpts:

Like many other environmental protests in China, the Yuhang incident was also the result of residents' "not in my backyard" attitude toward garbage incinerators because of their lack of trust in the local government. Many people, including police officers, were injured in the Yuhang violence, and 53 suspects have been detained with more being wanted for their role in the riot.