Protesters block Chinese railway lines

Large numbers of demonstrators blocked railway lines in eastern China yesterday, cuasing disruption to thousands of passengers and businesses.

Around 200 protesters are believed to have taken part in the four-hour protests along two lines in Jiangxi province as a response to possible threats to their benefits, the state media agency, Xinhua, has reported.

They were protesting against possible changes to the system of benefits and income that could be brought about by plans to alter the zoning system in the province's capital, Guixi.

"They are worried that the re-division would affect their salaries and welfare," the report stated.

A heavily used stretch of track that connects Shanghai to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, was one of the targets of the demonstrations.

In both cases, police and officials were required to break up the throng.

Last week saw 20,000 protesters clash with police in Hunan province over plans by the local bus company to double the price of its fares.