Protest outside PRC Consulate in Manchester
(Picture: Twitter)China has accused demonstrators of “illegally entering” its consulate in Manchester following reports that a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was beaten up outside the premises.
Scuffles broke out on Sunday outside the building in Rusholme, with footage posted on social media apparently showing one man being attacked in the grounds.
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Tory MP Iain Duncan-Smith called for the Chinese ambassador to be forced to explain what took place. Downing Street also said the reports were “extremely concerning”.
But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Tuesday said the protesters were to blame and that “violation of the peace and dignity of China’s overseas embassies and consulates will not be tolerated".
“The troublemakers illegally entered the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester, endangering the security of the premises," Wang said at a daily press briefing.
He urged the UK to “earnestly fulfil its duties and take effective measures to step up protection of the premises and personnel of the Chinese embassy and consulates".
It comes as the UK foreign secretary James Clevery summoned a senior Chinese diplomat to explain the “apparent scenes of violence”.
Responding to an urgent question in the House of Commons, Foreign Office minister Jesse Norman said the government had summoned the Chinese charge charge d’affaires in London to account for the incident.
He said: “The House will know His Majesty’s Government is extremely concerned at the apparent scenes of violence at the consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.”
Mr Norman said Greater Manchester Police had been notified of a demonstration and “intervened to restore order”, adding: “I understand that Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation to establish the facts of the incident.
“The Foreign Secretary has issued a summons to the Chinese charge d’affaires at the Chinese embassy in London to express His Majesty’s Government’s deep concern at the incident and to demand an explanation for the actions of the consulate staff.
“It’d be inappropriate to go into further detail until the investigation has concluded, but let me be clear that peaceful protest – as this House has always recognised – is a fundamental part of British society and of our way of life.
“All those on our soil have the right to express their views peacefully without fear of violence. FCDO officials expressed that clearly to the Chinese embassy yesterday.
“We will continue to work with the Home Office and Greater Manchester Police colleagues to decide on appropriate next steps.”
The man who was attacked told BBC China that staff from the building ripped down pro-democracy posters.
“They dragged me inside, they beat me up,” he said, adding that he was then pulled out by police. “It’s ridiculous.”
A British government spokesman on Monday said reports of the incident were “obviously deeply concerning," adding that it would be “inappropriate" to comment further while the police probe was ongoing.
Greater Manchester Police said it was “aware of an incident”. It said: “Officers were present and responded immediately to defuse the situation. Inquiries are ongoing. A police patrol plan is in place in the area.”
The protest took place as China opened its five-yearly Communist Party Congress, where President Xi Jinping is widely expected to be handed a historic third term in power.
