"Black people's lives are also lives. Their human rights must also be guaranteed," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing.

"Racism against ethnic minorities in the US is a chronic disease of American society. The current situation reflects once more the severity of the problems of racism and police violence in the US," Zhao added.

Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi spoke briefly in English at his weekly televised briefing, saying: "To the American officials and police: stop violence against your people and let them breathe!"