Villagers break into smiles. (Photo/Caijing)

Village houses in desiganated area of eastern Beijing will be torn down to make way for municipal government agencies that are to be relocated from the centre of the capital in an attempt to ease traffic and population burdens. This relocation has brought a windfall to some villagers.

On the early morning of August 21, signing of contracts began in the six villages to be relocated in Lucheng town, Tongzhou district in the eastern suburbs of Beijing. In just two and half hours, 74 percent of the households signed the contract. As of 5 p.m. of Aug. 24, the rate of signing reached 90.37 percent.

Hao Yuzhen, 67, is the second villager who signed the contract and thus obtained the prior number. Hao said excitedly: “I was too excited to fall asleep last night. My husband and I got up at 5 this morning to line up here. Now I am totally relieved!”

She selected four houses with two bedrooms and one house with one bedroom according to the relocation policy. What’s more, she has received more than 1 million yuan, which secures her life afterwards.

There are altogether eight members and three generations in Hao’s family.

Hao added, “The location and type of the settlement houses are extraordinary with decent surroundings. I expect the government to build up the houses as soon as possible so that we can move in as early as possible.”