Last week's riots in Guangxi have again put the mainland's controversial birth-control policy under the spotlight, with many asking whether it is time to revise the much-criticised guidelines.
Riots broke out in 28 towns in Bobai county last weekend, when thousands of people stormed a local government office, smashing furniture and destroying vehicles. Some tried to set the building alight.
The authorities arrested 28 people for 'networking, persuading and being involved in damaging properties'. But residents said they had been pushed to the limit by brutal enforcement of the one-child policy, with some suggesting more riots could break out.
Many families had been hit with arbitrary fines for violating the policy. Those who could not pay had their homes ransacked by officers. The residents also accused the authorities of forcing women to have abortions or agree to birth-control surgery.
Quoting a local official, a Xinhua report acknowledged authorities may have 'stirred discontent' with 'problematic ways of implementing the policy', but denied abortions had been coerced.
However, the incident in Bobai was not an isolated case. On the way from Nanning to Shabi, one of the riot towns about 400km from the provincial capital, similar stories could be heard.