Tensions simmer after bloody riot in China

The village of Huaxi in Dongyang city, Zhejiang province was calm after the Sunday protest over a polluting chemical factory. But the government, shaken by the unrest, is worried about a repeat and farmers fear a crackdown.

"Since the incident happened, the police haven't come here. They're afraid," said a villager who requested anonymity.

"All day and night, villagers are taking turns guarding the factory, making sure it does not resume operation. We will guard it until there is no hope."

The riot stemmed from years-long complaints by farmers that the factory, which the government allowed to be built, was seriously harming the environment and residents' health by spewing toxic waste and emissions into the water supply.

They claimed it resulted in ruined crops and birth deformities.

The melee, which involved nearly 10,000 people according to police, erupted when the government sent more than 300 police to demolish tents set up by villagers on the factory site to block it from operating.

Angry crowds pelted police with rocks, slashed them with knives and overturned police vehicles, smashing the windows, witnesses and a police officer told AFP.

Officers armed with clubs and shields used tear gas to try to break up the protest but were outnumbered.

Xuan Fusheng, the police officer, on Wednesday recounted a violent scene rare in China because authorities normally have the upper hand in the tightly ruled country.

"There were lots of two-storey and three-storey homes with balconies in the village. Everywhere we went, rocks were thrown at us. We had no place to run," Xuan said.

"Some police officers and security guards took off their uniforms to avoid being targetted, but that didn't work. Several police ran into the local school to hide but villagers came after them with knifes."

A nurse at the Dongyang City People's Hospital said 70 to 80 people, mostly police and officials, were treated for injuries.