Wei Wenhua

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Wei Wenhua
Born January 3, 1967
China
Died January 7, 2008 (aged 41)
Wanba, Tianmen, Hubei
Cause of death Beaten to death
Occupation Construction manager

Wei Wenhua (Chinese: Chinese: 魏文华; Pinyin: Wèi Wénhuá; January 3, 1967[1][2] – January 7, 2008) was the general manager of a construction company, Shuli Architectural Engineering. He was beaten to death in Wanba, Tianmen, Hubei, after attempting to film Chinese authorities clashing with villagers.[3][2]

Contents

[edit] Death

The conflict which Wei attempted to film centered on a garbage dump in the village that the Chinese government was using, which the village government feared to be threatening to the inhabitants' lives.[4]

The Chinese media reported that Wei was beaten by a group of thirty or more Chengguan (urban management officers) when he attempted to photograph the villagers protesting (by attempting to prevent more garbage being dumped)[3] with a mobile phone (it is not currently known what Wei was attempting to use the photographs for).[4] He was beaten inside his car for five minutes[5] and declared dead at a local hospital soon after.[2][4]

[edit] Response to death

Qi Zhengjun, secretary-general of the city's government and commander of the municipal force, was fired from his position after the incident, following public outrage and government investigation into Wei's death. Twenty-four Chengguan members, as well as over one hundred other government personnel, were also questioned,[3][6] and four people were detained.[5]

According to Chen Junling, Wei's brother-in-law, a protest outside Tianmen's city hall the day after Wei's death comprised thousands of people.[5]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ang, Audra. "Detentions Follow Chinese Protest", Associated Press via San Francisco Chronicle, Hearst Corporation, 2008-01-9. Retrieved on 2008-01-13. 
  2. ^ a b c "China fires official amid investigation into beating death of protest onlooker", Associated Press via International Herald Tribune, The New York Times Company, 2008-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  3. ^ a b c "Man beaten to death in China for taking pictures", CNN Online, Time Warner, 2008-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  4. ^ a b c Bandurski, David. "Brutal killing of (citizen journalist) Wei Wenhua underscores the evils of China’s “urban management” system", China Media Project, University of Hong Kong. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
  5. ^ a b c Ang, Audra. "Detentions follow Chinese protest", AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2008-01-09. Retrieved on 2008-01-13. 
  6. ^ "Official sacked for China beating", BBC News, 2008-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-11. 
Persondata
NAME Wei, Wenhua
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION
DATE OF BIRTH January 3, 1967
PLACE OF BIRTH China
DATE OF DEATH January 7, 2008
PLACE OF DEATH Wanba, Tianmen, Hubei