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China officials 'buy corpses to meet cremation quota' | China officials 'buy corpses to meet cremation quota' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two officials in Guangdong province have been arrested after they allegedly bought corpses from grave robbers to have them cremated, Chinese media say. | Two officials in Guangdong province have been arrested after they allegedly bought corpses from grave robbers to have them cremated, Chinese media say. |
They said they were trying to ensure government quotas on the number of cremations every month were met. | They said they were trying to ensure government quotas on the number of cremations every month were met. |
In Chinese tradition, relatives are buried with tombs built so that loved ones can perform ancestor worship. | In Chinese tradition, relatives are buried with tombs built so that loved ones can perform ancestor worship. |
However, the Chinese government has encouraged cremations to save land for farming and development. | However, the Chinese government has encouraged cremations to save land for farming and development. |
In June, a resident of Beiliu city in southern China Guangxi region reported that his grandfather's body had been stolen from the graveyard. | In June, a resident of Beiliu city in southern China Guangxi region reported that his grandfather's body had been stolen from the graveyard. |
In July, police in Beiliu arrested a grave robber, surnamed Zhong based on an investigation, official news agency Xinhua said, citing Chinese media. | In July, police in Beiliu arrested a grave robber, surnamed Zhong based on an investigation, official news agency Xinhua said, citing Chinese media. |
Zhong confessed he had stolen more than 20 corpses from graveyards in local villages at night. He said he put then into bags and transported them into neighbouring Guangdong province. | Zhong confessed he had stolen more than 20 corpses from graveyards in local villages at night. He said he put then into bags and transported them into neighbouring Guangdong province. |
Zhong also alleged that he had sold the bodies to two officials in Guangdong. | Zhong also alleged that he had sold the bodies to two officials in Guangdong. |
The two officials, surnamed He and Dong, who were in charge of implementing funeral management reform, were arrested last week. | The two officials, surnamed He and Dong, who were in charge of implementing funeral management reform, were arrested last week. |
They told police they had bought the corpses to meet the government quota on cremations. | They told police they had bought the corpses to meet the government quota on cremations. |
Dong is said to have paid 3,000 yuan ($489, £306) each for 10 corpses. The official surnamed He said he paid 1,500 yuan for each corpse but how many he bought is unknown. | |
The government policy has angered many, especially in rural parts of China, because of the traditional belief that the body must be intact for a peaceful afterlife. | The government policy has angered many, especially in rural parts of China, because of the traditional belief that the body must be intact for a peaceful afterlife. |
Chinese media have reported cases of people committing suicide before the cremation regulations were put in place so that they may get a burial. | Chinese media have reported cases of people committing suicide before the cremation regulations were put in place so that they may get a burial. |
Other reports have alleged some family members are burying their loved ones in secret to get around the restriction. | Other reports have alleged some family members are burying their loved ones in secret to get around the restriction. |
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