Hong Kong
CNN
—
Police in Manchester have launched an investigation after a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was allegedly beaten on the grounds of the Chinese consulate in the English metropolis.
A professional-democracy group known as Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force had staged a protest outdoors the consulate in the northern metropolis on Sunday, in opposition to the Chinese Communist Party Congress taking place the identical day in Beijing.
Video of the incident shared extensively on social media exhibits a confrontation breaking out on the sidewalk outdoors the consulate, with loud shouts heard as folks rush in direction of the gated entrance. The video then seems to point out one Hong Kong protester being dragged via the gate into the consulate grounds and beaten by a gaggle of males.
The video seems to point out native police getting into the grounds of the consulate to interrupt up the violence.
Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force alleges that Chinese consular workers have been concerned in the alleged beating, and that the protester was taken to hospital in secure situation.
Greater Manchester Police stated Monday they have been investigating the incident, in which a person “suffered several physical injuries.”
“We understand the shock and concern that this incident will have caused not just locally, but for those much further afield who may have connections with our communities here in Greater Manchester,” assistant chief constable Rob Potts stated in an announcement.
“Shortly before 4 p.m. a small group of men came out of the building and a man was dragged into the Consulate grounds and assaulted. Due to our fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the Consulate grounds.”
“The man – aged in his 30s – suffered several physical injuries and remained in hospital overnight for treatment. He is continuing to receive our support for his welfare.”
The statemented added that presently “no arrests have been made” and that the investigation was ongoing.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Liz Truss described the incident as “deeply concerning.”
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated he was “not aware of the situation.”
“Chinese Embassy and consulates in the UK have always abided by the laws of the countries where they are stationed,” he stated in an everyday information briefing. “We also hope that the British side, in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, will facilitate the normal performance of the duties of the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the UK.”
CNN approached the Chinese Embassy in London for remark however didn’t obtain a direct response.
Video of the scuffle has been shared on-line by a number of UK lawmakers, who’ve known as for an investigation into the alleged involvement of Chinese consular workers.
“The UK Government must demand a full apology from the Chinese Ambassador to the UK and demand those responsible are sent home to China,” ruling Conservative Party lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith wrote on Twitter.
Conservative Party member of Parliament Alicia Kearns additionally tweeted on Sunday that authorities “need to urgently investigate,” and that the Chinese Ambassador must be summoned. “If any official has beaten protesters, they must be expelled or prosecuted,” she wrote.
Both lawmakers have beforehand been vocal critics of the Chinese Communist Party.
Prominent Hong Kong activists have additionally spoken out. Nathan Law, a former lawmaker and pro-democracy determine who fled to the UK in 2020, tweeted: “If the consulate staff responsible are not held accountable, Hong Kongers would live in fear of being kidnapped and persecuted.” He urged the British authorities to “investigate and protect our community and people in the UK.”
Britain is residence to large numbers of Hong Kong citizens, lots of whom left the territory following the introduction of a sweeping nationwide safety regulation in 2020 that critics say stripped the previous British colony of its autonomy and valuable civil freedoms, whereas cementing Beijing’s authoritarian rule.
According to a web based assertion by organizers of Sunday’s protest, round 60 demonstrators had gathered outdoors the Manchester consulate to protest “the re-election of Xi Jinping.”
The Chinese Communist Party Congress, a twice-a-decade management reshuffle and assembly of the celebration’s prime officers, kicked off on Sunday. Chinese chief Xi, who got here to energy in 2012, is extensively anticipated to interrupt with conference and tackle a 3rd time period, paving the best way for lifelong rule.
