Residents force cancellation of planned garbage transfer station after mass protest in Anhui, China

ANHUI, CHINA: Hundreds of residents in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, staged a large-scale protest on 27 June 2026 against plans to build a major garbage transfer station close to residential neighbourhoods and schools.

The demonstration ended with local officials publicly announcing that the project had been cancelled, marking a significant victory for the protesters.

According to Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao, residents gathered near the north gate of Haotianyuan on North Second Ring Road after learning of the proposed Luyang District Environmental Sanitation Comprehensive Treatment Project.

The planned site was located on the north-west side of the intersection of North Second Ring Road and Banqiao River in Luyang District.

Residents oppose location near homes and schools

Information circulating online said the proposed garbage transfer station would occupy approximately 4.23 hectares. Residents claimed the site lay within one kilometre of three primary schools and nearly 20 residential communities, affecting around 4,000 students and teachers as well as almost 100,000 residents.

According to documents reportedly issued by the Hefei Municipal Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, the project had completed a social stability risk assessment and obtained environmental impact assessment approval. The public consultation period was due to run until 2 July 2026.

However, Ming Pao reported that searches of the Hefei urban planning information disclosure website on 28 June found no public record of the project.

An emergency notice circulated among local residents listed five reasons for opposing the proposal. It argued that the garbage transfer station would increase pollution and health risks, while continuous operations would bring traffic congestion, noise and unpleasant odours to surrounding neighbourhoods.

Protest escalates into confrontation

Videos shared online appeared to show hundreds of residents gathering near the proposed site, blocking roads and staging a sit-in demonstration while chanting slogans against the project.

Large numbers of police officers confronted the crowd in the middle of the road, with pushing and shoving breaking out between officers and protesters.

Reports circulating online also claimed that authorities temporarily closed surrounding roads, causing traffic on North Second Ring Road to be paralysed for at least two hours.

Several people were reportedly surrounded by police and taken away from the scene, although these claims have not been independently verified.

Officials announce project cancellation

According to accounts widely shared online, Luyang District chief Yang Binghong arrived at the protest late that night and announced that the garbage transfer station project had been cancelled.

"We have decided to cancel the project. Please return home safely," Yang was quoted as telling residents during the gathering.

Residents at the scene reportedly applauded the announcement before gradually dispersing.

Online accounts also said Hefei Public Security Bureau deputy director Chen Fali later assured protesters face-to-face that the project had been cancelled.

As of the morning of 29 June 2026, no mainland Chinese media had reported on the protest or the project's cancellation.

The incident represents a rare example of a large public demonstration resulting in an immediate reversal of a local government development proposal.

While the reported cancellation has been widely circulated online and by Hong Kong media, no official statement confirming the decision had been published by Chinese authorities by 29 June.