Chinese Terminology: Nail Household

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This house is just one of the many so-called "nail households", or "dingzihu" in Chinese. They are dubbed that because they stick out and are hard to remove, like a stubborn nail.

There are thousands of such homes across the country, and it happens when homeowners refuse to accept compensation from property developers for demolition.

China has been undergoing rapid urbanization in recent decades, and homeowners are often asked to relocate to make way for new urban projects. The country has regulations to protect the rights of holdover tenants. Rules stipulate that market-rate compensation be paid to relocated residents.

But when homeowners refuse compensation, developers have no choice but to come up with creative ways to build around their homes. Most nail houses are eventually razed. But some remain, and massive infrastructure projects, from apartment complexes to mega-highways, are built around them.

CGTN's special series “Chinese Terminology”, which was launched on November 26, marks the 40-year anniversary of the country's reform and opening up program. The episodes, hosted by CGTN anchors Jeff Moody and Jonathan Betz, are being aired every day at 20:15, 12:00 and 16:00 BJT. Click on the link to find out more about this amazing shift for China's economy...