Hundreds of fans of basketball star Michael Jordan blocked a sidewalk and shouted abuse after Beijing police cancelled an event he was to attend on safety grounds.
The fans -- many decked out in basketball jerseys sporting the legendary number 23 he made his own at the Chicago Bulls -- had hoped to catch a glimpse of Jordan at the opening of a basketball park donated by the sports goods manufacturer Nike.
Several of them climbed a high fence that surrounded basketball courts where the ceremony was to take place, searching for better vantage and ripped down advertising billboards which were blocking the view.
Others jumped on top of a car, denting the bonnet and roof. The crowd also trampled nearby flowerbeds.
The big turnout was a testament to the huge popularity of the sport in China, with adoration for Jordan rivaled only by homegrown all-star Yao Ming, of the NBA's Houston Rockets.
After police dispersed the fans, several dozen went to the hotel where Jordan was staying in the Chinese capital to continue the protest, witnesses said.
In 2001, China's growing basketball fervour turned to fury after police blocked an appearance by NBA player Kobe Bryant after a large crowd turned out to see him.
About 1,000 mostly young fans tossed water bottles and shouted in protest when it was announced Bryant, who was in Beijing to promote a new line of gear for sportswear maker Adidas, would not appear.
