Further investigation revealed that Hohhot was not Wang's first victim: He played the same trick in 2001 in Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia Autonomous Region.

"Provide 100 percent safety to consumers, " read a slogan on a red banner in the spotless processing and packaging hall at Yili's headquarters in Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia.

He blamed Hohhot Kekao Mining for the destruction, adding that he had warned the company five times since September to desist.

Mr Wang said the police in Hohhot are now investigating the matter and he expects there to be a criminal trial.

Shanghai made it into the top 40 for the first time (see chart) and ten Chinese cities, including some quite obscure places, such as Erdos, Hohhot, Quanzhou and Xuzhou, rose more than 30 places.