NSW gov't condemns attack on Chinese students

The NSW Government has condemned the attack on two Chinese students that occurred on Sunday 22 April, in a statement released on Thursday morning.

In the statement, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he was appalled to hear of the incident which was thankfully a rare occurrence in NSW.

"The NSW Police acted swiftly and arrests have been made," O' Farrell said. "Sydney is a vibrant and welcoming city to people of all nations and we value the role we play in providing a safe, happy place in which to be educated."

"These incidents have no place in our city and our state and I express my regret and that of my Government and community to the people affected.

"I have written to the Chinese Consul to reassure him of our commitment to ensure international students can live and learn in safety in our great city," O'Farrell said.

Police arrested two men in Sydney's southern suburb of Rockdale along with four juveniles aged between 14 and 17 after a gruesome assault against two Chinese nationals, which has left the community shaken and possibly undermined Sydney's image as a haven for international students.

News of the assault, which included racial abuse and elements of extreme intimidation and violence has spread across Chinese language micro-blogging services and mainstream media. A 29-year- old man, suffered a fractured cheekbone and nose during the robbery as well as burns from a lit cigarette.

According local police, the suspects are Luke Clayton, 19, and Christopher Jenkins also 19 who are from the industrial Port of Port Kembla one and-a-half hours south of Sydney. A girl, 17, of Unanderra and a boy, 14, of Port Kembla were expected to appear at a Children's Court on Tuesday, due to their status as juveniles they remain un-named.