Residents protest toxic chemical plant in China

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BEIJING – A Chinese state media report said scuffles have broken out between riot police and residents demanding that a chemical plant be moved.

Xinhua News Agency said thousands of residents of the northeastern port city of Dalian rallied Sunday to protest the Fuija Chemical Plant. The factory produces paraxylene, or PX, used in the production of plastics, polyester and film.

Calls to relocate it have grown since a tropical storm broke a dike guarding the plant last week and raised fears of a toxic spill. Xinhua said Sunday that no chemical leaks were reported.

Xinhua said there were confrontations between residents and hundreds of riot police but no injuries were reported.

Short-term exposure to paraxylene can cause eye, nose or throat irritation in humans.