China's foreign ministry, speaking after a Hong Kong protester was allegedly assaulted in the grounds of its consulate in the British city of Manchester on Sunday, said on Tuesday that "disturbing elements" had illegally entered the consulate.
During a regular media briefing, ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also declined to confirm or deny whether China's consul general in Manchester was involved in the incident.
(Reporting by Martin Quin Pollard; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Andrew Heavens)