BEIJING - Trade between China and Vietnam will suffer if the violence targeting foreign firms in Vietnam escalates, an official of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Tuesday.

Zhang Ji, head of the MOC's foreign trade department, made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a question.

The deadly violent protests have already brought about enormous economic losses. If the violence further escalates, it will be not only the Chinese people's feelings that are hurt but also the confidence of companies from both China and Vietnam, Zhang told reporters.

"This would definitely damage the healthy development of China-Vietnam trade, which China is unwilling to see and will also be detrimental to the Vietnamese economy," the official added.

At least two Chinese were killed and more than 100 others injured during last week's protests against foreign companies in central and southern Vietnamese provinces. The injured have already been flown home aboard chartered flights.