China has demanded that Papua New Guinea ensure the safety of its citizens and companies following a string of attacks on Chinese-owned shops in the past week.
At least two people are reported to have died in the wave of violence directed at Chinese businesses, led by protesters who say Asian shops overcharge for their goods and are demanding that they be taken over by locals.
In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said China had urged Papua New Guinea to take effective measures to bring the situation under control and safeguard the security and lawful rights and interests of the Chinese.
The spokesman says China has called on the PNG government to increase police presence, to bring the looters to justice and prevent a re-occurrence of the incidents.
