Chinese soldiers cut off power and phones, fired tear gas and stun grenades, and beat protesters in a southern village to try to end an 18-day rebellion on Sunday.

Dozens of villagers in Shangpu were admitted to hospital and six people were arrested, according to witnesses on Monday.

A sign proclaiming 'We must retaliate' is displayed next to an overturned car at the entrance of Shangpu village in China's Guangdong province. Credit:Reuters

"They came at about midnight, or maybe half an hour later. They cut off the power first," said one villager involved in the fracas.

About 60 people were injured, mostly older people. Some of them had broken bones, one had a stun grenade explode in his face and may need to go to the provincial hospital.