Police in Fuzhou, Fujian province have detained a man suspected of snatching a baby at knifepoint from its mother and critically injuring the pair, local newspaper Southeast Express reported.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning, when the mother, surnamed Peng from Hunan province, was breastfeeding the 1-year-old child. A man came into Peng's house and suddenly grabbed her boy.

Peng, whose left hand is disabled, protected her son's head with her right hand and ran away, with the man chasing her and brandishing a knife at her and the baby.

Neighbors who heard Peng's screams came to her rescue and detained the man until police came to take him away.

Peng's left arm and left shoulder were seriously injured, while the child's back was seriously injured. The condition of the pair was stable following treatment in hospital.

A further investigation is under way.