Wen blames local authorities for unrest

Premier Wen Jiabao blamed local governments for increasing social unrest in China in a speech to the party’s central committee on December 29, details of which were released on January 20. �Some local governments have taken over farmland illegally without giving reasonable compensation, and this has sparked �mass incidents� in rural areas,� he said. Wen also talked about the dangers of losing rural land to industry, warning that �food production will become more and more difficult�. In recent years China has become a net food importer, but the country’s leaders still endorse a policy of food security and a push towards self-sufficiency.