Chinese homeowners rally to gain control of Lafite Waterfront community

4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Apr 27

Dozens of homeowners gathered in January at the Lafite Waterfront complex near Beijing, staging a rally with music, dancing, and candidate support.
The group organized petitions, canvassed neighbors, drafted bylaws, and held leadership elections to challenge their property management company and assert their rights.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, police and security monitored the event closely, with one homeowner detained, highlighting the risks of collective action in China.

Why would Beijing revise laws to support homeowners while police suppress their rallies?

As China's middle class grows, are property disputes the new frontline for civil rights?

Can China's new Civil Code truly empower citizens against powerful management companies?

Could empowered homeowners create more chaos than the companies they seek to oust?

Will the detained Lafite homeowner become a martyr for a larger cause?