HONG KONG—Riots are becoming a frequent occurrence in China’s Hainan Province. Government authorities have sent thousands of police to the area to control the situation.
On March 23, villagers from Gan Township of Hainan Province burned down the town government buildings and Border Defense police station.
On March 25, a riot occurred again in the city resulting in at least one death and several injuries.

Experts point out that the rising number of conflicts between average Chinese citizens and corrupt government officials has lead to increasing numbers of anti-government demonstrations. These demonstrations often escalate into riots. While local authorities always send police to put the riots down, the government always puts the blame for the riots on “overseas hostile forces.”(…)

By Dong Fang
VOA News Mar 28, 2009