Avatar, James Cameron’s CGI movie extravaganza has struck a special cord with mainland Chinese viewers. The plight of the planet Pandora’s Na’vi people as they battle against a ruthless earth corporation intent on raping their planet of its mineral wealth (and in the process destroying the homes of the Na’vi) has been likened by some to the plight of those in China who are threatened with eviction for the sake of new civic infrastructure projects or to make way for commercial development.

Some internet forum users have suggested that the fight put up by the Na’vi might act as “teaching material” for China’s victims of eviction. – Unfortunately those under threat don’t have flying beasts and giant dinosaur style creatures to help in their battle against bulldozers, corporate greed and political corruption and their struggles more often than not end in defeat.