China has requested relevant departments of Afghanistan to ensure safety for the Chinese embassy and citizens there amid a recent riot, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao here Tuesday.

Liu told a regular press briefing that China closely followed the riot which took place in the capital Kabul Monday.

The Chinese embassy in Kabul has launched emergency mechanism and will continue to try its best to help the Chinese citizens there.

"China hopes the situation will calm down as soon as possible and Afghanistan could maintain stability," the spokesman said.

The Afghan government declared a curfew in Kabul Monday after dozens of people were killed or injured in the violence. The riot was the worst in Kabul since U.S.-led forces removed the Taliban regime in late 2001.