China calls on Malaysia to punish responsible for degrading video

China on Tuesday urged Malaysia to punish those responsible for a degrading video of a female detainee who appears to be Chinese and protect the safety of Chinese visitors. China has lodged a formal protest over the videotaped incident, in which a naked woman is forced to perform squats in front of a female police officer. The video has made its way to Web sites and triggered a national outcry in Malaysia, where human rights activists frequently accuse police of mistreating detainees.

It isn't clear if the detainee in the video is a Chinese citizen or perhaps an ethnic Chinese Malaysian. The policewoman appears to be ethnic Malay.

Malaysia apologized in response to Beijing's protest and promised to investigate.

"We require that the Malaysian side take effective measures," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at a regular news briefing. "On the one hand to punish the perpetrators and find out the truth, and on the other hand to protect the personal safety and dignity of Chinese citizens in Malaysia so as to prevent such incidents from occurring again."

Liu said a planned trip to China by Malaysia's Home Affairs Minister was still being arranged, sidestepping a question over whether Beijing planned to delay the visit over the controversy.

"The timing of the visit will be set at an appropriate time for both sides," Liu said. "We think the visit by the Malaysian minister will play a positive role in promoting cooperation."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is scheduled to travel to Malaysia next month for a regional summit, reports the AP. I.L.