Italian police, Chinese workers clash in Florence

Clashes broke out Wednesday between Italian police and Chinese nationals during a health inspection at a textile factory in Florence, Italy, the Consulate-General of China in Florence confirmed to the Global Times Thursday.



Police arrested two Chinese factory workers. A total seven were injured in the clashes, including three Chinese workers and four law officers, La Repubblica reported.



The report said that during a routine inspection to the factory, police officers encountered uncooperative overseas Chinese, and clashed with an elderly man carrying a baby, which angered the Chinese and led to a standoff.



Video published on the paper's website showed hundreds of Chinese nationals gathering and shouting "protest the use of violence." But the video showed the crowd throwing stones, cans, bottles and other objects at riot police.



Members of the Chinese community said that the baby's grandfather was trying to leave the factory with the baby but was stopped. When asked for his ID, he became aggressive and a physical altercation occurred, the paper reported.



The Consulate-General said they immediately contacted the Italian police and the local Chinese community, urging the police to be civilized in law enforcement to protect the Chinese nationals' legitimate rights and interests, and to quickly settle the incident.



The Consulate-General said the clashes happened Wednesday afternoon (local time), when Italian police inspected a factory in Florence's Sesto Fiorentino district, adding that the conflict ended after 7 pm. However, some people began to gather at the factory at 8:30 pm, but were dispersed by local police. Further investigation is underway, according to the Consulate-General.

