The arrest of at least a dozen villagers in riots in Guangdong last week served as another reminder of frustration with official corruption in the countryside.
Thousands of residents of Shishuikou village, Qiaoxiang county, took to the streets last Sunday to protest against village officials whom they accused of profiting from dubious land deals.
Riot police arrived in more than 70 vehicles to disperse the protesters, with several residents reported to have been wounded during the confrontation.
Of added concern to authorities is the fact that the unrest took place on the day of village elections. Protests were also held in several other county villages.
The violence highlights the difficulty authorities face in seeking to promote the legitimacy of village-level democracy while grievances against corruption are perceived as going unaddressed.
The protests led to the election being called off in Shishuikou, in Dongguan.