Sweden's treatment of Chinese tourists causes heated discussions online

An incident involving a family of three Chinese tourists who were refused permission to wait in the lobby of a hostel in Sweden and were removed by the police, has received wide media coverage in China and aroused heated discussions among internet users.

Some expressed strong indignation and asked the Swedish side to investigate the matter. Some said they would make a judgment after more facts come to light.

The Chinese embassy in Sweden was appalled and angered at the brutal treatment of the three tourists by Swedish police in Stockholm in the early hours of Sept 2, and strongly condemned the actions of the police, said a representative of the embassy in Sweden on Sept 15.

The embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China have made solemn representations to the Swedish government, respectively in Stockholm and Beijing, stressing that what the police did severely endangered the lives and violated the basic human rights of the Chinese citizens, said the spokesperson.

The embassy urged the Swedish government to conduct a thorough and immediate investigation, and respond to the Chinese citizens' requests for punishment, an apology and compensation in time.

"We cannot understand why the Swedish side has not given us any feedback," the embassy said on its official website. "We hope that the Swedish side will handle the case in accordance with the law, and urge the Swedish side again to take immediate actions to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Sweden."