Anna Manwah Watson: More than ten attacks in three months

Both men were chased and beaten by a gang near Delhi Street, in the Ormeau Road area of the city at 0230 BST.

One of the men was taken to hospital with a broken finger and a head wound.

Anna Manwah Watson of the Chinese Welfare Association said the attack was not an isolated incident.

"There is an element of people who would treat Chinese people badly.

"In the last three months we have received reports from about ten families from the Chinese community complaining about harassment at their homes and restaurant, with people throwing stones and causing trouble.

"To hear about this attack would certainly scare the Chinese community even more," she said.

"I would like to remind people that the Chinese community has been here for over 30 years. We have stood by the wider community right through the Troubles.

"We have worked and provided a very good service for the community whether it is in Protestant or Catholic areas.

'Growing number of attacks'

Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson condemned the attack as "cowardly and very worrying".
He said: "I am deeply concerned at the growing number of racially motivated crimes in Northern Ireland and would ask for serious consideration to be given to the introduction of Hates Crimes Legislation here.

Mr Neeson said that his party would discuss the need for such legislation at its annual party conference next weekend.

"This type of legislation has been very successfully used in America in dealing with this type of crime."

Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Alastair McDonnell said the assault should be condemned by all right-thinking people in the area.