Status: 12/14/2022 7:43 p.m
In October, Chinese consulate officials beat up a protester in Manchester. Britain asked China to interrogate the diplomats. Instead, the government in Beijing has now arranged for her departure.
After a violent incident at the Chinese consulate in Manchester, six Chinese diplomats are now leaving the country. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced that the government in Beijing had arranged for the diplomats – including the Consul General – to leave Great Britain.
The police in Manchester had actually asked the Chinese government to lift the immunity of diplomats so that they could be questioned about the incident in front of the consulate. The police had set an ultimatum for this until today.
violence at demonstrations
At a pro-Hong Kong democracy demonstration in Manchester in October, the BBC reported, an activist was dragged onto the Chinese Embassy’s premises and beaten by consulate officials, the BBC reported.
China’s Foreign Ministry had then defended the violent actions of its diplomats. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told the Beijing press that diplomatic missions have the right to “take necessary measures to protect the security, peace and dignity of their terrain.”
Secretary of State Clevery had previously summoned the deputy of the Chinese ambassador who was out of the country. Clevery also emphasized that taking violations of the rule of law seriously has an effect. Britain will continue to do so and expect others to do the same.