Tensions rise in rural China: Guizhou villagers protest over cremation order; What we know so far

Protests have broken out in China's southern Guizhou province after local authorities directed residents to opt for cremation instead of traditional burials. The unrest in Shidong town, which began over the weekend, marks the latest in a sharp rise in rural demonstrations across the country.According to China Dissent Monitor (CDM), rural protests in China have surged 70% compared with last year, with 661 incidents recorded in 2025 so far.Villagers resist cremation ruleResidents in Shidong, a largely rural and poor area with a high Miao ethnic population, objected to the order because burial practices are culturally significant for the community, the Guardian reported.Several unverified videos shared on X by protest-tracking account showed villagers confronting officials.

In one clip, a protester can be heard shouting, “If the Communist party is digging up ancestor’s graves, go dig up Xi Jinping’s ancestral tombs first.”Many locals say officials have been pressuring them to cremate their relatives. Support for the protesters spilled over to Douyin, where one user wrote: “Yes everyone, let’s stand up and support traditional burial practices!”Local authorities defend cremation policyAs protests continued into Tuesday, the local government issued a notice stating that the cremation directive was based on a 2003 law, arguing that cremation is necessary to “preserve land resources” and promote a “frugal new funeral style.”

China has faced land shortages and overcrowded cemeteries in recent years, leading authorities to encourage alternatives such as sea burials. But for many rural communities, burial remains a core cultural and spiritual tradition.CDM data shows rising rural discontent. In the third quarter of 2025 alone, the group recorded nearly 1,400 incidents of unrest, a 45% jump from the same period in 2024. Many protest movements stem from economic distress, land issues, or official overreach.