Beijing reminds Chinese nationals of travel risks, after a bus carrying a Chinese travelers were attacked by rioting protesters in Marseille.
BEIJING — Beijing on Sunday issued a safety alert and warned of travel risks, after a bus carrying a Chinese tour group had its windows smashed by a group of protesters in Marseille. on Thursday.
At least five people were injured when dozens of masked protesters smashed the coach carrying 41 Chinese travelers in the French port city, A video posted on Chinese social media on Friday showed a shattered windshield and a tourist on the bus claiming that the black-clad rioters tried to board the bus and pull passengers out.
The coach’s windscreen and most of its side windows appeared to be broken in the video.
Formal Complaint Lodged
China’s Consular Affairs Office lodged a formal complaint, calling for France to ensure the safety of their citizens and their property, the statement said.
“The Chinese embassy in France reminds Chinese nationals to be aware of safety in France, avoid going to areas with protests and violent conflicts, and strengthen preventive measures for personal safety,” the government notice said.
The bus was attacked by rioters on Thursday, during violence which hit French cities in recent days since the police shooting of a teenager of North African descent. The Chinese tourists have since left France, the Consular Office statement said.
Chinese citizens in France or heading to France should “strengthen prevention” and be “more vigilant and cautious” in light of the riots which have swept across the country in recent days, the Consular office statement added.
The UK, USA and other embassies have also issued urgent travel warnings to people travelling to France, following days of protests in Paris and other parts of the country.
The Saudi Embassy also warned its citizens to avoid protests.
“The embassy would like to alert the honorable citizens who are currently in France to the demonstrations and clashes taking place in a number of suburbs of the capital, Paris, and other areas, and the declared curfew in several areas, and urges people to observe caution, and to stay away from places of protests, and to follow the instructions of the French authorities in this regard,” it tweeted.
Norway has also taken steps to deter its nationals from travelling to France.
“There have been riots in several places in France in recent days, including Paris,” the Norwegian Foreign Ministry wrote in a text message to Norwegian travellers.
“Norwegian travellers are advised to take all necessary precautions, as well as to stay away from large crowds and demonstrations,” it said.
Rioting across France appeared to be less intense on Sunday, with the shot teenager’s grandmother calling for a halt to the rioting. — Media Hit
