China today asked France to punish those responsible for the racial attack on six Chinese students in the country and ensure safety of its citizens there.
"China expresses strong condemnation against the violent attacks against the Chinese students in France," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said while reacting to the attack that occurred on Saturday.
The six students were attacked at their home in Hostens, a small village of 1,300 inhabitants about 50 kilometres south of Bordeaux in southwest France. A female student was seriously hurt in the face by a glass bottle which was thrown at her.
"Our embassy has sent its staff to the site and has assisted the Chinese students who were attacked," she said adding that the injured students are being properly treated.
"At the same time China also lodged a representation with France, asking it to properly handle the case and to bring the perpetrators to justice and take effective measures to protect Chinese citizen's safety and rights in France," Hua added.
France's interior ministry had earlier described the violence as an act of xenophobia. Three youths have been detained and charged over the attack so far.
