Veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam has been stabbed while attending an event in southern China.

Police said his injuries are not life-threatening and a suspect has been detained. The motive is unclear.

The incident happened when Yam attended a commercial event in Zhongshan city, Guangdong province Saturday morning.

His manager Lester Mo said Yam was stabbed by a man in the stomach and also had a cut on his right hand at around 10:17 am.

The 64-year-old actor underwent a minor operation at a hospital in Zhongshan city, his manager Lester Mo said.

"He was stabbed in the tummy area and also got a cut on his right hand," Mo said.

Yam, who is also known by his Chinese name Yam Tat-wah, has appeared in more than 125 movies and 40 television series. He played the villain Chen Lo in the 2003 Hollywood film Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life.