China to relocate 10,000 people to make way for telescope

China is preparing to relocate nearly 10,000 people to make way for the world’s largest radio telescope.
Residents will be moved from their homes in the south-western province of Guizhou to prevent interference with the telescope’s electromagnetism.
The project’s lead scientists said the telescope would further the search for intelligent life in the universe. It will dwarf the world’s current largest such telescope in Puerto Rico.
The 500m-wide Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) is due to be operational this year.
Provincial officials have vowed to relocate 9,110 residents living within five kilometres of the listening device by September. The relocations will “create a sound electromagnetic wave environment”.
Residents will reportedly receive 12,000 yuan (£1,280; $1,800) in subsidies for their troubles, with some getting extra support for housing, it said.