On Sunday, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist was dragged into the Chinese consulate grounds in Manchester and assaulted.
Unknown individuals emerged from the consulate and forced a man inside before he escaped with the assistance of police and other protesters.
The demonstrator reported to the BBC, “They took me inside and battered me.”
A spokeswoman for the consulate stated that demonstrators had displayed an offensive photograph of China’s president.
The Foreign Office stated it was seeking clarification on the matter immediately. The Greater Manchester Police Department has begun an investigation.
Bob, the demonstrator, told that “mainlanders” – people from mainland China as opposed to Hong Kong – came out of the consulate and tore down their posters.
As we attempted to stop them, they dragged me inside and battered me,” he alleged, adding that the UK police later brought him out.
“It is ludicrous. They [the attackers] had no right to do so. Here [in the UK], we are supposed to be able to speak whatever we want.”
Following the occurrence, the audience remained agitated. Protesters yelled at men from the consulate and British police, asserting that they could have done more.
The demonstrators were previously requested to shift to the opposite side of the street by consular personnel.
Initially, there were only two police officers at the protest, but minutes after the confrontation began, numerous more officers arrived.
They gathered at the gates of the property in an attempt to stop the fighting and push back the demonstrators.
One cop entered the consulate’s premises and dragged the man who had been dragged inside back outside.
Then, at least eight men, some of whom were wearing protective helmets and vests, returned to the consulate building.
On British land, the consulate cannot be entered without permission.
Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, stated on Twitter that the British government should demand an apology from the Chinese ambassador and that individuals responsible should be deported to China.
Protests outside British embassies and consulates frequently entail a few altercations. The police are frequently present to maintain order.
However, consular personnel rarely enter the street to remove banners and posters. Even less frequently do demonstrators appear to be dragged through the gates and abused.
It is therefore not unexpected that calls are building for Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to summon the Chinese ambassador to Britain for an explanation. David Lammy, the foreign affairs spokesman for Labour, stated that the alleged assault was unacceptable. On our streets, the suppression of nonviolent protest will never be accepted, he declared.
The police and the Home Office will investigate before deciding what, if any, criminal justice action to take. As for the Foreign Office, it must decide whether or not to respond diplomatically.
The United Kingdom is a signatory to the Vienna Convention, which grants diplomatic immunity to consular personnel and their property. However, diplomats and their staff remain subject to British law and may be declared persona non grata by the British government.
Beijing’s Communist Party session had just begun when the protesters took to the streets.
Referring to China’s suppression of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, President Xi Jinping, who is poised to clinch a third term in office, stated that he has transformed the situation there from “chaos to governance.”
The consulate’s spokeswoman stated that demonstrators had “hang an insulting photograph of the Chinese president at the main gate.”
“This behavior would be outrageous and unacceptable for diplomatic and consular missions of any nation. Therefore, we condemn this heinous conduct with strong outrage and staunch resistance “The representative added.
Greater Manchester Police was aware of the event, according to a spokesperson.
They reported that officers were present and responded swiftly to diffuse the incident.
Currently, investigations are proceeding to determine the complete circumstances.
