A joint project to build a cultural centre launched by the Lanzhou Military Area Command and some local companies was the scene of a clash on April 7, when almost 400 people armed with steel bars, and of whom 300 were in security uniforms, stormed a construction site in Lanzhou City beating up workers and injuring at least 70.
China News Service reported that police, who responded to a call from workers to stop the attack, said no real police officers were involved.
The joint project involving private fund-raising of almost 300 million Yuan (US$ 48.3 million) was launched in July 2011.