Government officials in southwestern city of Shifang abandoned plans to build a chemical plant . The decision followed concerted protests from thousands of angry local residents . Is official tolerance and compromise now the new normal ? Some say officials allowed tales of child abuse to filter out , generating widespread anger . But other observers say China will crack down on protests when they can .
Government officials in southwestern city of Shifang abandoned plans to build a chemical plant . The decision followed concerted protests from thousands of angry local residents . Some say officials allowed tales of child abuse to filter out , generating widespread anger . But other observers say China will crack down on protests when they can .