A suspect has been arrested over the stabbing of four American college teachers in north-eastern China, police say, with Beijing describing the attack as an "isolated" incident.

The four were on an academic exchange and worked as instructors at Iowa's Cornell College, which said they were wounded in a "serious incident".

The attack took place on Monday in the Beishan public park in Jilin province, where police confirmed they had arrested a 55-year-old man.

"The suspect, named Mr Cui, was arrested the same day [as the attack]," the local police said.

Beijing confirmed earlier on Tuesday that "four foreign teachers" had been attacked.

"All the wounded were taken to hospital… and received proper treatment. None of them are in danger of losing their life," spokesman Lin Jian told reporters at the foreign ministry's regular afternoon press conference.

"The police preliminarily judged that the case was isolated. Further investigation is underway."

"China is generally recognised as one of the safest countries in the world," Lin added.

"China… will continue to take relevant measures to effectively protect the safety of all foreigners in China," he said.

"This isolated case will not affect the normal development of China-US people-to-people exchanges."

Iowa congresswoman Ashley Hinson said on social media platform X she was "horrified" that the Cornell College faculty members had been "brutally stabbed".

Governor Kim Reynolds said she was "in touch with Iowa's federal delegation and the state department in response to this horrifying attack".

"Please pray for their full recovery, safe return and their families here at home," she added.

A US State Department spokesperson said they were "aware of reports of a stabbing incident in Jilin, People's Republic of China".

Iowa state representative Adam Zabner told a CNN broadcaster his brother David Zabner, who was among the victims, had "been stitched up and seems to be recovering".

AFP