An international student is too frightened to go out — even to attend classes — after an alleged assault in Sydney’s CBD that appears to have been racially motivated.

Police on Thursday appealed for public assistance after a 23-year-old Chinese woman was allegedly verbally abused and assaulted at World Square about 9.10pm on April 12.

The student, who asked to be identified by the alias Zili, told 7NEWS.com.au she had been filming a TikTok dance with two companions when two women approached and directed racist abuse at her, including a slur mocking Chinese speech.

When she confronted them, one of the women allegedly punched her in the face and head, knocking her to the ground.

“I didn’t even register what was happening at first — I was being hit for a moment before it suddenly hit me: ‘Oh my god, I’ve been attacked’,” Zili said, adding she had never been in a fight before.

Footage taken by one of her companions appears to show a woman in a black hoodie dragging Zili by the hair, before a second woman in a brown top joins in and punches her.

At one point, the second woman appears to pin Zili to the ground and attempts to continue the assault.

A security guard who tried to intervene was also allegedly attacked before the pair left the scene with a group.

The 32-year-old guard called police and was assessed by paramedics, while Zili was treated for facial injuries before being taken to hospital.

Doctors later diagnosed her with concussion and head injuries, as well as eyelid swelling, bruising, scratches to her elbow and two broken nails.

Zili said her memory of the incident became blurred, which doctors attributed to the concussion.

She said she has suffered persistent headaches for almost two weeks and has been unable to return to classes.

“I feel nauseous, and I can’t even bring myself to eat,” she said.

“I basically don’t go out anymore these days.

“Whenever I see someone who looks even slightly young, I get scared, and my whole body starts shaking.”

Zili said the incident had taken a significant psychological toll.

“Even though I believed I could manage everything independently, the experience has really affected me mentally,” she said.

Having only arrived in Sydney in November last year, she said she now plans to leave the city after finishing her studies in February next year.

She urged other international students to remain cautious and aware of their surroundings.

7NEWS.com.au contacted the World Square security guard, who said he was both a witness and a victim, however centre management declined any comment on the incident.

Police have established a crime scene and investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.