ANKARA 

China on Wednesday lodged a protest with Papua New Guinea (PNG) after properties belonging to Chinese nationals were attacked during ongoing riots. 

Beijing urged the PNG government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and businesses and to severely punish those responsible, the state-run Global Times reported.

Riots erupted after police officers and other public servants protested over a wage dispute.

The protest turned into riots and several incidents of looting and arson were reported in the capital Port Moresby, the local Post Courier daily reported.

According to Chinese media, protesters attacked shops belonging to Chinese nationals and injured two of them.  

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid