According to a British lawmaker, one of China’s most senior UK diplomats was involved in violence against demonstrators at the Manchester consulate on Sunday.
Alicia Kearns told MPs in the House of Commons, “What we witnessed was the Chinese consul-general tearing down posters and peaceful protest.”
Parliamentarians enjoy privilege, which allows them to talk freely without fear of legal repercussions.
China has not commented on the suspected involvement of Zheng Xiaotian.
However, the Chinese foreign ministry supported the activities of consular personnel.
Tuesday, spokesman Wang Wenbin stated that individuals had “illegally entered” the grounds and that diplomats from any nation would have taken “necessary actions” to defend their property.
The British foreign office called Chinese chargé d’affaires Yang Xiaoguang – the ambassador’s deputy who is presently not in the country – to demand an explanation for what occurred at the embassy. However, an official was despatched instead of the deputy.
It was reaffirmed at Tuesday’s meeting, according to a foreign office statement, that all diplomats and consular workers based in the United Kingdom must observe its rules and regulations.
The official Chinese account of the incident contradicts both camera footage and police comments. Officers were required to pull back a demonstrator who was being attacked after being dragged through the consulate’s entrance.
However, China’s foreign ministry announced on Wednesday that it had complained to the British government, stating that several of its personnel had been harmed during the “illegal entry into the Chinese consulate-general in Manchester.” It urged the United Kingdom to do more to safeguard Chinese diplomats on British soil.
Ms. Kearns told MPs on Tuesday that after Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan tore down the posters, a Hongkonger was hospitalized for participating in a peaceful protest.
“Some were then carried onto the consular property for more beatings by authorities identified as Chinese Communist Party members” (CCP).
“We cannot enable the Chinese Communist Party to import their beating of protestors, repression of free speech, and refusal to allow protests on British territory. This represents a chilling escalation.
According to a statement by Greater Manchester Police, between thirty and forty protesters had assembled outside the embassy.
“Shortly before 4:00 p.m., a small group of individuals emerged from the building and assaulted a man who was dragged onto the consulate grounds,” according to the statement.
“Because we feared for the victim’s safety, authorities intervened and took him off the consular grounds.”
The consulate is located on British soil, although entry is prohibited without permission.
Another member of Parliament, Labour’s Afzal Khan, who represents the seat where the consulate is located, Manchester Gorton, said he was “sickened” by the scenes.
The Labour MP stated that the United Kingdom stands for freedom, the rule of law, and democracy. On British territory, the suppression of nonviolent protesters will never be permitted.
Mr. Khan and other members of parliament demanded that the consul-general be labeled “persona non grata,” or an unwelcome guest in the country.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a member of the Conservative Party, wondered if the government was “willing to deport the consul-general and anyone found to have participated in the punishment beating and vandalism?”
Some MPs, notably Labour’s Andrew Gwynne, demanded that the Foreign Office go further. Gwynne stated, “Had these crimes occurred on the streets of Hong Kong, the British government would have been appropriately outraged.”
“They occurred on the streets of Manchester, yet the minister is essentially sending a note to the Chinese embassy with an offer of tea and a conversation with the ambassador.”
