Protests have erupted in Shidong town, Guizhou province, over a local directive requiring cremation instead of burial. The demonstrations, which began over the weekend, are part of a broader trend of rural unrest in China, with incidents up 70% compared to last year.
Unverified footage shows villagers shouting slogans against the policy, which they see as an intrusion into cultural traditions. The area has a high proportion of Miao ethnicity, for whom burial is a core tradition. One video shows dozens of villagers surrounding a police car.
Local authorities cited a 2003 law to justify the mandate, stating cremation is needed to preserve land resources and promote a frugal funeral style. However, many residents view the policy as an attack on heritage. A villager from Xifeng county said his grandfather was cremated under pressure, with threats of consequences for three generations.
The China Dissent Monitor (CDM) has recorded 661 rural protests this year, a 70% increase on 2024. In the third quarter of 2025, nearly 1,400 incidents were logged, up 45% year-on-year. Analysts note that protests involving personal or cultural issues tend to be larger and longer-lasting.
