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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chinese 'highway house' is demolished after owners agree to move | Chinese 'highway house' is demolished after owners agree to move |
| (30 days later) | |
| A Chinese house that became an internet sensation after being left in the middle of new highway because its elderly owners refused to move out has been demolished. | A Chinese house that became an internet sensation after being left in the middle of new highway because its elderly owners refused to move out has been demolished. |
| Photographs of the house went viral on China's social media websites last month after 67 year-old duck farmer Luo Baogen and his wife refused to sign an agreement allowing it to be demolished. This resulted in authorities building a planned road around the building. As the images spread around the world, the five-storey building became a symbol of protest against forced property demolitions, one of China's most pressing social issues. | Photographs of the house went viral on China's social media websites last month after 67 year-old duck farmer Luo Baogen and his wife refused to sign an agreement allowing it to be demolished. This resulted in authorities building a planned road around the building. As the images spread around the world, the five-storey building became a symbol of protest against forced property demolitions, one of China's most pressing social issues. |
| Luo voluntarily agreed to leave his home for 260,000 yuan (£26,058) in compensation, said Chen Xuecai, the chief of Xiayangzhang village, Wenling city, in the coastal Zhejiang province. "Luo Baogen received dozens of people from the media every day and his house stands in the centre of the road. So he decided to demolish the house," Chen added. | Luo voluntarily agreed to leave his home for 260,000 yuan (£26,058) in compensation, said Chen Xuecai, the chief of Xiayangzhang village, Wenling city, in the coastal Zhejiang province. "Luo Baogen received dozens of people from the media every day and his house stands in the centre of the road. So he decided to demolish the house," Chen added. |
| Luo had declined the compensation package last week but changed his mind after meeting local officials on Friday. "Alright, I'm willing to move," the China News Network quoted Luo as saying. | Luo had declined the compensation package last week but changed his mind after meeting local officials on Friday. "Alright, I'm willing to move," the China News Network quoted Luo as saying. |
| Pictures on Chinese news websites show the home being torn down at around 6pm on Friday. It was declared formally demolished early Saturday. | Pictures on Chinese news websites show the home being torn down at around 6pm on Friday. It was declared formally demolished early Saturday. |
| Dingzihu is the Chinese term for residents that refuse to move during demolition. The term means "nail house" – a reference to how they stick out. Nail houses are becoming an increasingly common sight during the country's rapid urbanisation. All land in China is state-owned, and residents are typically offered a fraction of their home's original value in compensation. | Dingzihu is the Chinese term for residents that refuse to move during demolition. The term means "nail house" – a reference to how they stick out. Nail houses are becoming an increasingly common sight during the country's rapid urbanisation. All land in China is state-owned, and residents are typically offered a fraction of their home's original value in compensation. |
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