China pulls 6 diplomats from UK after consulate fight

The British government had asked Chinese officials to waive their diplomatic immunity and allow an investigation into how a pro-democracy protester was beaten.

LONDON – China withdrew six of its diplomats from Britain on Wednesday, ending a diplomatic standoff between London and Beijing over a violent clash that has took place during a pro-democracy protest at the Chinese consulate in the northern city of Manchester.

British authorities had asked six Chinese diplomats to waive their official immunity to allow police to investigate how a Hong Kong protester was injured after being dragged onto consulate grounds and beaten on October 16.

Au Instead, China decided to repatriate the six officials, including one of its top diplomats, Consul General Zheng Xiyuan. He denied beating a protester, although he was not involved in the incident. The Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident.

The episode underscored the growing tension between the two nations as the British government hardens its policy towards Beijing, while trying to dialogue with the Chinese government. Amid the Chinese crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Britain had offered visas to tens of thousands of residents of its former colony, a move that angered authorities in Beijing. /p>

In a speech last month, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the "golden age" of relations with China was over, identifying the country as a "systemic challenge to our values ​​and interests".

He, however, refrained from portraying China as a threat and said Western nations should work with Beijing on common challenges such as climate change and the health of the global economy. .

Wednesday's diplomatic moves seemed consistent with this carefully calibrated policy, resolving the Manchester incident without formally expelling Chinese diplomats from Britain. Such a step could have provoked a response from China and increased tensions.

Speaking in London, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that a deadline for action set by Britain on the case had expired on Wednesday.

"In response to our request, the Chinese government has now expelled these officials from the UK, including the Consul General himself," Mr Cleverly said. . "It 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 global stage and at the national level to respect the rule of law and expect others to they do the same."

Mr. Cleverly added that it was "right that the Chinese government has now removed these officials from the UK".

After the clash in Manchester, Bob Chan, the protester pro-democracy activist at the center of the dispute, told British media that while protesting outside the consulate he was dragged inside its compound and attacked.

"I clung to the door, kicked and punched. as my hair was pulled and I felt punches and kicks from several men,” Mr. Chan told a press conference, adding that the assault only stopped. when a man who turned out to be a uniformed Greater Manchester Police officer shot him outside the door.

"I didn't have never is thought something like this could happen in the UK," he added.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Zheng denied having beat anyone but, when asked if he had pulled Mr Chan in the consulate by the hair, he accused the protester of abusing his country and his leader, adding: "I think that it is my duty.”

In a statement released Wednesday by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international group of lawmakers, Chan said that "although it took two months why this is happening, I believe it is a way to solve this complicated diplomatic problem. What has happened...