The Chinese student community is reeling after the race-hate bashing of two students in separate incidents at the Woden Bus Interchange on Monday.

The 19-year-old male college students were set upon by a gang of up to 10 local teenagers after refusing to give them cigarettes.

Their assailants shouted abuse at them, screaming “F….g Chinese! Go back to your country!”

In the worst incident, a student was punched to the ground and continued to be attacked as he lay there, taking blows to his head and body. He suffered serious injuries and had to be taken to Canberra Hospital where he spent two nights before being released yesterday.

The police were called to the Interchange and it is believed one person has been charged.

Apparently the same group of teenagers are regularly at the interchange demanding cigarettes, and police were called this afternoon to another incident there.

The attacks have sparked fears among the many Chinese students in the ACT for their safety.

The ACT Government has been advised of the incidents and in an email to a community member said it was very concerned about the matter, and took the safety of all Canberrans seriously.

“We have been informed that ACT Policing responded to the two incidents that occurred on Monday night at the Woden Bus Interchange. A person has been charged over this incident, and ACT Policing enquiries are continuing. The Education Directorate is also aware of this matter and is offering support to those students involved,” it said.

It is believed police also conducted a session with Chinese students this afternoon to advise them on how to protect themselves and stay safe in Canberra.