Jiabiangou plot
In the late 1950s, the Chinese government condemned thousands of citizens - who were considered "right-wing dissidents" based on their past activities, criticism of communism or simply their background and family - to forced labor in labor camps. Three thousand poor "intellectuals" from Gansu province were deported to Jiabiangou camp in western China, thousands of miles away from their families and loved ones. As a result of the grueling physical labour, the hellish climate and malnutrition, many of them died in the canals where they slept.