China says it is investigating an incident that saw a South Korean photographer beaten during a visit by President Moon Jae-in.
The photographer, who was thrown to the ground and kicked, reportedly suffered fractured bones in his face and ruptured vessels in an eye.
It has caused anger in South Korea, where the main opposition has called for Mr Moon to cut short his visit.
Koreans also say Chinese leaders have repeatedly snubbed Mr Moon.
President Moon's visit was intended to improve relations, which had cooled after South Korea agreed to have a US missile defence system located on its territory to defend against possible attack from North Korea. China says it is a threat to its security.The assault on the South Korean picture taker occurred on Thursday as Chinese security kept South Korean photographic artists from following Mr Moon's designation at a public exhibition in Beijing.
He and another picture taker, who was less truly harmed, were because of profit to South Korea for Friday for assist treatment.
Chinese remote service representative Lu Kang said there was "worry" at the damage yet included that the occasion had been composed by South Korea, which had additionally employed the security monitors.
The South Koreans ought to have "found a harmony" between the media's needs and the gatekeepers' "expert necessities... [to] adequately ensure the wellbeing and poise of the general population they secure", Mr Lu said.South Korean politicians, media and social media users have all expressed fury at the incident, as well as what they see as a series of diplomatic slights.
Mr Moon had his first three meals in China without any Chinese officials present, a lunch with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was cancelled and he was met off the plane by an assistant minister, unlike other regional leaders, South Korean media said.
Kim Dong-cheol, leader of the second-largest opposition People's Party, said the visit had so far been a "series of mistreatments, humiliations and shames".
The country's biggest newspaper, Chosun Ilbo, said the "lynching" and Mr Moon's treatment were intentional and caused by Chinese "arrogance" and Seoul's "subservient attitude".
However Mr Moon, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li have all said they are ready to reset ties.
"Both sides are looking forward to the warmth of the springtime," said Mr Li.