In chapter three, Dodson discusses the transfer of land within China. What the government would do is take the land from farmers, or peasants, and then use the property for commercial use, rather than for farming. “After 2004, the central government froze all transfers of land slated for agricultural use to commercial use. Land transfers were supposed to require approval from provincial or national level authorities, and auctions to make land sales equitable for residents.” Dodson goes onto say that this did not happen, though, and that by 2007, illegal taking of land had become frequent (both quote and previous statement taken from page 58). Many a times, it was not uncommon for families and businesses to not know that their land has been seized until the demolition crew showed up, knocking on their door.
When reading this, I was at first confused, not understanding how “property transfer” came into play within the chapter. However, as I read on, I eventually saw the major role it played. I could not believe that such things happened in China. As I drive down the streets of my hometown, I frequently see the foreclosure papers posted on the inside of screen doors that have sparsely been opened since the notice had taped up. However, the fact that people’s homes and land are just destroyed without any future notice in China? That is unacceptable and extremely inconsiderate. No time to gather your things; nothing. No wonder there is an uprising of anger among the Chinese people, I would be angry too if one of the few things I owned was pulled out of my grasp while I was not even looking.
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