China hopes the Greek government could safeguard security and property of Chinese people and organizations in Greece, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in Beijing on Tuesday.

China has noticed the Greek riots, and trusts that the Greek government could properly handle the event, said Liu at a regular press conference.

Riots broke out in Athens and other Greek cities in the early hours of December 7 after a teenager was allegedly killed by police the previous night. The chaos has lasted for three days so far. Several stores, banks and private cars in the center of Athens were burned or destroyed in the rioting.

China hopes the Greek government could contain the riots as soon as possible and restore public order, Liu said.

China has not yet received information about whether Chinese organizations or students were attacked by protesters, said Liu.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2008)