In Guizhou Province of China, the implementation of a mandatory policy for exhumation and cremation has sparked intense protests among local residents. According to a social media account named “Yesterday,” on November 22, there were two consecutive incidents of farmer protests in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province. Villagers were heard shouting angrily, “If the Communist Party wants to dig up ancestral tombs, they should start with Xi Jinping’s family’s tomb!”
The origin of the events, as reported by “Yesterday,” was the recent implementation of the mandatory cremation policy in Xifeng County. The policy requires all residents in the jurisdiction to be cremated after death. This policy has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the populace. Villagers pointed out that many cities and counties in the surrounding areas have transitioned from “mandatory cremation” to “voluntary cremation” due to opposition to the policy, but Xifeng County insisted on pushing through with the mandatory policy without providing legal justification.
Local villagers stated that the local government’s enforcement of cremation for financial gain not only goes against the traditional custom of “burial for peace” but also increases the financial burden on households. Many villagers have to pay for cremation fees, purchase urns, and then buy coffins for traditional burial since rural areas lack proper facilities to store urns.
During the protests, villagers angrily questioned government officials, saying, “If the Communist Party wants to dig up ancestral tombs, they should start with Xi Jinping’s family’s tomb! Will you dare to do so?”
Moreover, villagers warned government personnel that if they attempt to forcibly exhume buried bodies, they should “come and see if the common people will spare them.”
On November 22, during the day, villagers from Mushan Village in Shidong Town gathered upon hearing that government officials planned to exhume the body of a deceased person who had already been buried. Hundreds of villagers stood guard around the tomb with sticks, stating that they would “fight to stop” any attempt by government officials to exhume the body.
Furthermore, villagers continued to play their demands through speakers at the scene, calling for the cancellation of the mandatory cremation policy. Into the late night, a large number of villagers remained vigilant around the cemetery, while government officials who had previously threatened to enter the village to exhume bodies did not take action due to being outnumbered.
On the evening of the 22nd, a more intense standoff erupted in Shuitou Village, just a few kilometers from Mushan Village. According to local residents, Deputy County Mayor Qiang Yong of Xifeng County physically assaulted the sister of the deceased while demanding that the family hand over the deceased’s body, triggering widespread anger.
Angry villagers quickly gathered, with the crowd expanding from dozens to hundreds, surrounding the deputy county mayor, accompanying government personnel, and police officers. During the confrontation, clashes broke out once again.
Video footage from the scene showed Deputy County Mayor Qiang Yong promising to cover all medical expenses for the injured. The standoff between both sides lasted until the early hours of the following day. Within that time, Deputy County Mayor Qiang Yong took advantage of the chaos to escape the scene.
Both incidents are still unfolding locally, with many nearby netizens expressing their support for the villagers’ resistance actions.
These events have drawn attention from Chinese netizens, with many commenting:
– “Mandatory cremation is acceptable, just burn down the tomb of the Communist bandits like Mao Zedong first, then exhume and cremate all those buried at Babaoshan, and Xi Jinping’s ancestral tomb should be leveled as an example.”
– “Party members should set an example, start with burning down the tomb of Xi Zhongxun.”
– “If they want to cremate bodies, as long as the national leaders and central officials live stream the cremation of their own ancestral tombs, we, the common people, wholeheartedly agree.”
– “Is this video being censored on Douyin and Kuaishou?”
In response to the widespread protests, some netizens said, “‘Dig up Xi Jinping’s ancestral tomb first’ is the most inspiring demand heard in 2025. Guizhou people are very united, don’t mess with them.” “I swear, as long as Xi Jinping leads the way in burning down his father’s tomb, my father and I will also opt for cremation.”
Source: NTD