Some Chinese migrant workers feel targeted by Beijing's clean-up of ancient hutongs

FILE PHOTO: Workers erect a wall at a house in a hutong neighborhood near the Forbidden City in Beijing, China April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - The Chinese capital is sanitising its ancient hutong alleyways, home to millions of migrants workers and thousands of small businesses, bulldozing illegal constructions and forcing shops, bars and tiny courtyard restaurants to relocate or go under.

As part of guidelines unveiled in April, authorities have started to brick in doors of properties along the narrow passageways, many of which date back to the 13th century. They have also cracked down on illegal shopfronts to restore the original facades.