China has made representations to the Italian government after at least 10 Chinese nationals were injured during a clash with local riot police in Milan on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"We hope the Italian side deals fairly with the issue and seriously considers the justified demands of local Chinese nationals and takes real measures to protect their legitimate rights and interests," a statement on the ministry's website said.

The conflict was sparked by a dispute over parking between a local Chinese woman and a police officer. The woman was detained after the argument turned into a physical clash, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The situation escalated when hundreds of local Chinese protested over the detention of the woman, which led to the conflict.

Of the Chinese nationals injured in the clash, five have been released from hospital after treatment, the ministry said.

The scuffle broke out in the city's busy Chinatown area.

Protesters reportedly threw plastic bottles and rubbish bins at police armed with batons.

"It is not right for a violation of road regulations to cause this," Milan's mayor Letizia Moratti was quoted as saying. " This cannot be justified."

Protesters complained about the police violence, with some saying one of the demonstrators had been pistol whipped.

The ministry said in the statement that the situation had eased.

(China Daily April 14, 2007)