CHINESE SECURITY FORCES have moved into the southern city of Zengcheng to restore calm after days of rioting by migrant workers.

Witnesses say security personnel are manning roadblocks, patrolling the streets and have ordered people to stay in their homes overnight.

Hundreds of workers rioted at the weekend after a pregnant woman was allegedly assaulted by security guards. Reports said the woman was shoved to the ground when she refused to move her market stall.

Angry protesters set fire to cars and damaged government buildings in Zengcheng, near the wealthy southern city of Guangzhou. Police also reportedly fired tear gas and deployed armoured vehicles.

Some residents claimed they had been told not to go out at night or post photos of the unrest online.
“Nobody wants to come out. They fear running into danger,” one factory worker told AP.

Complaints about corruption and abuse of power are widespread especially among migrant workers who are often paid meagre wages.
Zengcheng has a booming garments industry and its 800,000-strong population has been boosted by thousands of migrant workers in recent years – many of whom come from Sichuan province.

- AP