The recent riots in Jieyang, Guangdong are now getting some attention in the English media. The South China Morning Post (via: China Study Group) reported today that, “The riot broke out at about 9pm last Wednesday after a local woman quarrelled with toll collectors, claiming she had been overcharged. Some witnesses said the woman was beaten up by toll-booth staff. Hundreds of villagers surrounded the toll-bridge office after hearing the news. They broke into the office and stripped it of all valuables. They then poured diesel fuel on the building and set it on fire, according to the Jieyang Daily . About 20,000 residents watched the riot, with the crowd blocking the road. When two fire engines arrived to battle the blaze, one of them knocked down the teenager and an elderly man. The boy was killed instantly. Residents pelted the fire engines and firefighters with stones before setting the engines ablaze. Authorities called in more than 1,000 public security officers to disperse the crowd, but they did not manage to quell the disturbance until 11.40pm. ”
The Jieyang PSB has called on everyone involved in the riots to turn themselves into police by today. Reuters and the Washington Times have also reported the story.
