Shanghai residents come out "in force" to publicly show their concern about the Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev

As expats living in Shanghai, we've all likely had friends and family back home pop the question about whether or not China's opening up. Well, we don't know if it's the forthcoming Olympics, the growth of "social capitalism," something innate, or just the fear of radiation that's motivated some, but what we do know is that locals have raised their voices about the new Maglev track.

The proposed Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev line connects the Pudong International and Hongqiao airports as well as Shanghai and Hangzhou. Nearby residents have expressed concerns about the effects of magnetic radiation and noise pollution. In other media, spokespeople for the Bureau have stated that radiation effects extend only three to five meters from the train and that noise can be lessened by slowing the train in urban areas. Construction was apparently halted for a short time following initial protests which have resurged with the government's proposal earlier this month to reroute the train through different communities.

SMS and Internet-organized "walking" and "shopping" events were arranged as a means of conveying the people's concerns to the government, though many of these have been dispersed. Such public maneuvering has helped bring residents' concerns to light and the government is reportedly “rethinking" the route. They are "seeking public opinion" before making a final decision by setting up a (private) email account to collect public comments. While there have been complaints about the difficulties in contacting these official channels and the limited length of time alotted to solicit public opinion, it's nice to see the government seeking a harmonious solution to the society's concerns.