Mahoney's 12345 Interview Diary: To stay or relocate

To truly understand China's whole-process people's democracy, you don't want to miss the documentary series Mahoney's 12345 Interview Diary. It is the first documentary in China to focus on the 12345 hotline from an international perspective, inviting Josef Gregory Mahoney, professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University, to uncover Beijing's experience of responding to people's complaints.

In the five-episode documentary series, Professor Mahoney immerses himself in China's swift response to public complaints (SRPC) mechanism, witnessing the challenges of resolving public complaints and being deeply moved by the responsibilities and dedication of grassroots officials.

In this episode, Professor Mahoney comes to a community just a few blocks away from Beijing's famous tourist spot the Bell and Drum Towers, where residents face a difficult decision: stay or relocate. The buildings, constructed in the 1950s, are in poor condition and no longer suitable for living today. The Beijing municipal government has allocated hundreds of millions of yuan in fiscal funds for their demolition and relocation of residents. However, relocation is only possible with 100 percent agreement from all residents, which is not easily achieved. Some worry about the property management fees of the new buildings and are reluctant to part with the buildings filled with their cherished memories, while others look forward to a larger, new home to start the next chapter of their lives.

Click the video to see how grassroots officials help resolve conflicts and bring China's democracy to life.