A man was hospitalized with severe head injuries Sunday after an argument between two restaurant employees in St. John's turned violent.

Police allege Renfeng Yang, 28, struck a co-worker in the back of the head with a knife while the pair were working in the kitchen of the City Light Buffet, a Chinese restaurant located on Topsail Road, in the west end of the city.

Yang, who required a translator in provincial court on Monday, has been charged with aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm.

He was remanded until his next court appearance Tuesday.

Police said the condition of the injured man, a 26-year-old, has improved since he was taken to hospital.