Robberies of cashed-up Chinese tourists rise steeply in Paris

A sharp increase in robberies of Chinese tourists in Paris has prompted calls for the French government to step up security and for shoppers to use credit cards instead of carrying large amounts of cash.

The number of reports of such crimes is up by "more than 10 per cent" since last year, said Li Ping , head of consular affairs at the Chinese embassy in Paris.

Two cases this week grabbed headlines. On Tuesday, a crew of China Central Television reporters covering the French Open tennis tournament had their car windows smashed and their wallets, phones and passports grabbed, mainland media reported. A source familiar with the situation confirmed the incident to the South China Morning Post.

A day earlier, film producer Dong Dake , returning from the Cannes Film Festival, was robbed at his hotel in Paris. He was said to have lost equipment worth about 200,000 yuan (HK$250,000) and "countless photos" taken at private parties.

The Chinese embassy in Paris said they were not isolated cases.

"We have made representations to the French government," Li said. "We hope the French side will take proper measures to protect the safety of tourists and curb illegal behaviour."