China ‘removes’ 6 diplomats from UK over Hong Kong protester assault

China’s authorities has eliminated a Chinese consul basic and 5 of his workers following the assault on a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester on the Chinese consulate in Manchester.

London,UPDATED: Dec 14, 2022 22:41 IST

General view of the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester, Britain (Photo: Reuters)

By Press Trust of India: The Chinese authorities on Wednesday “removed” a Consul General and 5 different diplomats concerned in an incident wherein a pro-democracy Hong Kong protester was overwhelmed up inside China’s Consulate in Manchester, UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated.

Cleverly stated the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had set a deadline of December 14 to the Chinese authorities for the six officers to have their diplomatic immunity waived in order that they might be questioned by British police in relation to the incident.

It adopted a request from Greater Manchester Police investigating the assault. “In response to our request, the Chinese government has now removed from the UK those officials, including the consul general himself,” he stated.

“This demonstrates that our adherence to the rule of law, the seriousness with which we take these incidents, has had an effect, and we will continue on the world stage and domestically to abide by the rule of law, and we expect others to do likewise,” he stated.

While Consul General Zheng Xiyuan has already left the UK, the others are additionally on their means again.

It follows an incident two months in the past involving pro-democracy protester Bob Chan, who was injured after being dragged onto the consulate grounds and overwhelmed by males on October 16.

Zheng, who was successfully in control of China’s Manchester outpost, denied attacking Chan after he was recognized in pictures and on social media.

In a written assertion to the House of Commons, Cleverly added: “I am disappointed that these individuals will not be interviewed or face justice.

“Nonetheless, it is right that those responsible for the disgraceful scenes in Manchester are no longer – or will shortly cease to be – consular staff accredited to the UK.” China had initially claimed that there had been makes an attempt to illegally enter the consulate grounds throughout the protest.

Read | Protests in China proceed regardless of rest in Covid restrictions

Published On:

Dec 14, 2022