6 Chinese Diplomats in UK Return Home Over Alleged Assault on Hong Kong Resident

Six Chinese diplomats accused of assaulting Hong Kong protesters in front of the Chinese consulate in the UK left the country without undergoing investigation.

On the 14th (local time), James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary, demanded that they waive diplomatic immunity and submit to police investigation, setting the day as a deadline. Following this, China expelled Consul General Zheng Shiyuan from Manchester and others from the UK, he revealed.

Consul General Zheng and others are accused of dragging a Hong Kong man protesting against China in front of the Manchester Chinese consulate last October into the consulate and assaulting him collectively. Despite photographic evidence at the scene, Consul General Zheng denied the crime.

Secretary Cleverly defined the incident as unacceptable and summoned the Chinese diplomats. According to reports by the BBC and others, Cleverly expressed disappointment that no interrogation or punishment took place but evaluated that it was right that the diplomats involved in the unfortunate incident no longer remain in the UK.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK stated on their website, "The Consul General stationed in Manchester completed his term and recently returned to China as per instructions," calling it a "normal rotation." He added, "The UK sided with violent protesters demanding Hong Kong independence and unjustly accused consulate staff who were actually victims," calling it "an absolutely unacceptable matter, and we solemnly protested to the UK regarding this." The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the protesters initiated the violence.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 15th regarding the background of summoning the diplomats, "One consulate staff member was dragged out and beaten by protesters, and the protesters broke into the consulate and committed violence, causing the staff member to briefly lose consciousness," adding, "The actions of illegal elements threatened the safety of consulate staff and the consulate premises, and China's response was completely justified and lawful."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.