When we arrived at the airport, we learned that our flight had been cancelled and we were asked to board a bus to another airport for our flight to Shenzhen. After waiting on the bus for some time, we were told that our original flight had been restored and we were asked to go to a new gate where we found some very unhappy passengers. They had been told their flight would be delayed by 8 hours and had become convinced that the airline was given their plane to us. An angry mob gathered around the gate agents screaming at them and demanding they be permitted to board. As passengers destined for Shenzhen began to board, the mob rushed the gate and police had to barricade the entrance while we were forced to push our way past these people. A decidedly harrowing experience to say the least. Never have I seen such a lack of civility or such restraint from law enforcement. In the US, 3 or 4 of the inciters would have been dragged away to jail. I am told that the police here do not like to make public displays of force but will deal with the ring leaders once the crowds and onlooking tourists have dispersed.