Chinese students 'attacked by two teens at bus stop in Canberra'

Two teenagers have faced court over an alleged assault on a group of Chinese international high school students in Canberra.

Police were called to a bus station just after 7pm on Monday evening and found one student suffering severe injuries requiring hospital treatment and several others with minor cuts and bruises.

Investigators returned to Woden Bus Interchange a short time later and arrested a teenager who has been charged with three counts of assault.

Another teenager has also faced the Children's Court over the incident.

Reports of the attack prompted outrage from members of the international student community on social media.

Several students told 9News harrassment and even assaults were common at the interchange.

Detective Station Sergeant Harry Haines said investigators believe it was an isolated incident.

"In no way shape or form does this appear to me to be a targeted attack at Chinese people and it would be a tragedy for anyone to assume that Canberra is not a safe place."

Canberra Liberals MLA Elizabeth Lee called for the government to step up resources to make sure Canberrans and visitors were safe in public.

"If this was a racially motivated incident then it is unacceptable - violence in any form, against anyone, for any reason should be condemned." Ms Lee said.

"I know that from my personal experience, being an Asian-Australian living in Canberra for twenty-years that sometimes the small minded intolerance of a few can rear its ugly head."

In response police and the ACT Education Directorate met with Chinese community leaders.

"We have upped the presence in all the transport interchanges in the ACT," Det. S/Sgt Haines said.

"It's planned for me personally to reach out to the Chinese students and talk to them about what their rights and protections are, about what the law is like in Australia and about how to contact police."

Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said she was very concerned about the incident. 

"I want to assure the community, especially the families and friends of these students, that they are being given every support possible." Ms Berry said.

"This is an isolated incident - the ACT community welcomes international students and visitors to our city."

Meantime investigations into the assaults are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or call 1800 333 000.