Chinese artists protest over demolition

Beijing, China
It has been reported that about twenty Chinese artists including outspoken activist Ai Weiwei have protested in central Beijing over the demolition of an art zone in the east of the capital. Chinese land seizes are widely acknowledged to involve corrupt officials keen to secure real estate profits.

An investigation has been launched into nine assaults when the artists tried to prevent dozens of masked men from destroying their studios. These assaults were allegedly carried out early Monday 'by thugs hired by local authorities' to force out the artists who believe that their land contracts are still valid.

AFP