French National Stabbed in Shanghai

A French national was stabbed in Shanghai this week, France's consulate in the city announced earlier today.

In a statement on its website, the Consulate General of France in Shanghai said the male was "violently" assaulted with a knife on Wednesday, March 29 at around lunchtime. The attack happened on the crossroads of Yongjia Lu and Jiashan Lu in the Former French Concession at 1.40pm.

The attacker fled after the victim's Chinese colleague intervened and was later arrested by police that evening at 7pm. The case remains under investigation.

The victim, meanwhile, went to the hospital on his own before police arrived at the scene of the attack. He had minor cuts on his neck.

"The French embassy and consulate-generals are in constant contact with the Chinese authorities to remind that the security of French nationals in China is a priority," the statement read.

Local news reports say the attacker was a 27-year-old mentally ill man surnamed Mao from Shanghai. Police said he used a small blade.

The attack comes just a week after a Chinese man was shot dead by police in Paris, triggering riots from the Chinese community in the French capital. However, there is no clear link between the two incidents.

In a separate statement, the consulate categorized Wednesday's stabbing as an isolated act, but also urged its citizens in Shanghai to remain vigilant in light of recent events.

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