"It's not common to witness such blatant discrimination against an ethnic group of people with such a derogatory connotation on a national TV program," says the letter by the non-profit organization.

An online petition launched by the LIA demanding an official apology from CNN and for CNN to take immediate action against Cafferty for his racist remarks garnered nearly 40,000 signatures by 10 pm last night.

"Without doubt, many people feel hurt, especially the Chinese people, by this shameless assault," it says.

CNN's Hong Kong bureau, one of its main reporting bases in Asia, said it had no immediate comment.

The Foreign Ministry also said yesterday that France should reflect on why the Chinese people are calling for a boycott of French products and companies such as retail giant Carrefour.

Consumers are being urged to boycott French goods because of the violent disruptions to the torch relay in Paris earlier this month; and, in particular, Carrefour, to protest against the supermarket chain's perceived support for Tibetan separatists.

Petitioners say LVMH Group, a major shareholder in Carrefour, has donated funds to the Dalai Lama.

Jiang said: "The Chinese citizens have recently expressed their own opinions and emotions, and they have their reasons to do so. The French side should reflect (on its recent moves)."

She expressed the belief that the Chinese people will express their displeasure in accordance with the law.

(China Daily April 16, 2008)