The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called for overseas Chinese living in France to react rationally and avoid escalating tensions, after a Chinese national was shot dead by French police on Sunday evening, leading to violent protests. 

“We have expressed severe concerns over the case and asked the French authorities to find out the truth as soon as possible. We understand the reactions of Chinese people to this incident, and hope they can exercise restraint, avoid repeating such conflicts and escalating tensions,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang at a daily briefing in Beijing.

Lu’s remarks came after 56-year-old Liu Shaoyao was shot dead at his home in Paris by a policeman on Sunday evening. French police claimed he was shot by the officer as a "legitimate defense" against "an assailant with scissors," after the police were called to deal with a "domestic dispute."

The incident has stirred up a wave of anger among Chinese people. People in Paris took to the streets to demonstrate their fury, and a protest by around 100 people on Monday night in the 19th arrondissement, the district where the shooting took place, descended into violence, leaving four people including three police officers injured, and resulting in 35 arrests.

According to Le Parisien, Tuesday evening saw further demonstrations outside the police headquarters in the 19th arrondissement, with up to 500 people present to voice their anger and support for the family of Liu. Le Parisien reports that after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, further clashes with police were reported.

The French police officer who shot and killed Liu has already been suspended and detained for investigation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang noted that the Chinese side hopes the French government can take effective measures to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. 

"For the past few months, the French side has taken measures to provide the best conditions for the Chinese people there. We will continue to follow the development of this case and urge the French side to properly deal with relevant incidents,” noted Lu, adding that they will continue to guide Chinese citizens in France, asking them to express their wishes and make their feelings known in a reasonable and lawful way.

According to the spokesperson, the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry and officials of the Chinese Embassy in France have lodged solemn representations to the French Embassy in China, the French Interior Ministry and French police.

The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday affirmed that ensuring the Chinese community's security remained the country's top priority. "Reinforced measures have been taken in recent months, and all the arrangements are made to provide them with the best welcome and security conditions," said Romain Nadal, the ministry's spokesperson at an e-press briefing.

Lu’s call for restraint echoed similar please made by representatives of overseas Chinese in Paris. On Tuesday, an emergency meeting was held in the French capital to discuss the incident. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Chinese Embassy in France as well as several organizations from the Chinese community.

“The Chinese government has lodged solemn representations to the French authorities and a reasonable solution will be given. Disorganized protests only result in hurting our own compatriots,” said Wang Jiaqing, executive director of the French Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.

The attendees said that a special team has been set up to investigate the case, and will work with the Chinese Embassy in France to protect the safety of Chinese people in the country. Those present at the meeting also urged the French side to ascertain the truth in a quick manner.

Liu, who spoke little French, lived in the 19th arrondissement in northeast Paris with his wife and five children. On Sunday night, he was at his apartment with all five children when the police arrived.

Two of his daughters witnessed their father being shot.

They said Liu saw the plainclothes police officer through the door viewer, but he was afraid to open the door. The police smashed the door in, and Liu was holding a pair of scissors.

“My father was cutting up a fish for dinner in the kitchen, so he was holding a pair of scissors,” Liu's daughter said. The police tried to break in, and they broke down the door in nearly ten seconds.

 “My father was standing at the door, and he was hit by the door and then staggered back a few steps,” the daughter continued. “The police saw my father holding a pair of scissors, shot my father, and he was dead in a second.”

According to local Chinese reports, Liu, who was only 160 cm tall, was nearly pushed down by the door, and did not attack the police at all.

In February, French police were the target of demonstrations that also descended into violence, after a 22-year-old black man was raped with a police baton, causing severe injuries. Some 2,000 people took to the streets of Bobigny, also in northeast Paris, to protest against police brutality.

Many Chinese netizens expressed their anger on Weibo, while some echoed the calls for restraint, by saying that there were not enough facts available to fully understand what had happened.

 “The man was the uncle of a classmate of mine,” said a netizen. “He died in a horrible way. I think it was due to communication problems.” The netizen added that many overseas Chinese plan to launch protests in Milan, Rome, and Barcelona.

 “Is it time to boycott French brands again?” another netizen asked. 

“Dazuifayanren” suggested that overseas Chinese should depend on themselves to protect their interests, whereas “Hongchenqingge” urged the Chinese Foreign Ministry to protect the safety and lawful interests of Chinese nationals in France.

 “Nowadays, it’s fair to say China is a very safe country,” a netizen indicated. Another netizen named “ChenchaoCasey” echoed that “our motherland is the safest” on Earth. 

Nevertheless, not everyone agreed that immediate action should be taken against France. “I’d rather not comment until the truth comes out,” said one netizen.

(CGTN reporter Su Yuting and editor He Yan also contributed to this story.)