Hundreds of small business owners in eastern China protested Thursday, throwing rocks and torching vehicles after a dispute over tax collections.

State-run media said the riots broke out after the owner of a children's clothing company in the two of Zhili, in Zhejiang province, refused to pay his taxes, and then got a group together to attack the tax collector. Websites run by the Chinese government said the riots quickly grew, with as many as 600 people taking part.

The Associated Press quoted the Huzhou Online as saying five people were arrested.

Video from Zhili late Thursday showed hundreds of riot police patrolling around government buildings.