Locals demand share of tourism revenues

Villagers on Mount Emei, Sichuan province, were given a share of tourism revenues under an arrangement with the government after thousands of protesters blocked routes to the sacred Buddhist mountain for days.

Some of the unhappy protesters' requests were endorsed by the Emeishan municipal government, China Daily learned on Wednesday.

The government agreed to give 3.5 percent of the annual revenues from Mount Emei admission tickets to villagers who live there, with 500 yuan ($81) monthly pension insurance to each male villager over the age of 60 or woman over 55. It also agreed to give hiring priority to villagers whenever the mountain's administrative committee enrolls workers.