China demands France punish student attackers

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Monday urged France to punish three men who recently attacked several Chinese students.

"China has already made representations demanding that France properly deal with the case, punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law and take substantive measures to safeguard the safety and legitimate rights of Chinese citizens in France," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

The Chinese government strongly condemned the attack on Sunday.

Three local men attacked six Chinese students Friday night at their home in Hostens, south of western Gironde Province. A female student was seriously injured in the face by a glass bottle and has been sent to a hospital in Bordeaux for further treatment.

Three of the alleged attackers have been detained.

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls on Saturday condemned the attack, describing it as an act of xenophobia.

The Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in France have provided assistance to the students, Hua said.