China warns students in Australia to remain vigilant

The Chinese embassy and consulates in Australia reminded Chinese students to remain vigilant after a series of attacks against them.

"Please call the police immediately and contact the Chinese embassy in Australia if you encounter any danger," a notification with the contact number attached said on the official website on Dec 18.

"Some of my friends in Sydney don't dare to go out alone at night. Normally they go out together, because it's safer," an anonymous Chinese student from the University of Canberra was quoted in the Global Times.

Three Chinese students were attacked by a gang of 30 teenagers at a bus station in Australia's capital Canberra on Oct 23. One student had his brow ridge broken and had to get seven stitches near his eye, the Global Times reported.

Moreover, racist banners have been reported in some campuses, especially in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne where most Chinese students live.

Australia's education industry is worth up to A$28 billion, with foreign students contributing one-third of the college income and Chinese students contribute more than one-third of that, according to the Forbes magazine.

"If Chinese students leave Australian universities because of the attacks, the Department of Education and Training of Australia will face a financial crisis," the magazine said.