Diplomats from China, sought by British law enforcement for interrogation, head back to Beijing.
In a move that has escalated tensions between the UK and China, a British government official has been expelled by the Chinese government in response to a demand made by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. The specific identity and detailed reasons for the expulsion remain undisclosed.
The incident that seems to have triggered this diplomatic retaliation took place during a pro-democracy demonstration outside Manchester's Chinese consular office in October. The fight resulted in a protester being dragged into the consular office premises and beaten by a team of men.
James Cleverly, the British Foreign Secretary, has expressed his expectations for a "certain standard of behavior" from all international diplomats and consular teams in the UK. He also stated that the British government is prepared to take "firm action" if the police establish there is a case to charge officials for their involvement in the incident.
The fight occurred amidst a gathering of around 60 pro-democracy demonstrators who had gathered to protest Chinese leader Xi Jinping's consolidation of power.
The consul-general, Zheng Xiyuan, who was one of the six mediators removed from the UK, claimed that militants provoked the violence with "rude banners." However, the Chinese Consular office has maintained that the consul-general returned to China under a "normal rotation of Chinese consular officials" and had finished his term of office.
Authorities are seeking to interview potential suspects and victims about the incident, and a number of offenses, including multiple attacks and public order offenses, have been recognized in relation to it. No apprehensions have been made about the incident as investigations continue, according to Greater Manchester Police.
The removal of the mediators follows a demand by the British government for China to forgo polite immunity. James Cleverly stated that this move shows the UK's commitment to the rule of law.
It is important to note that Britain is home to many Hong Kongers, most of whom left the city after Beijing introduced a sweeping national security regulation in 2020. The Hong Kong government has consistently denied criticism that the regulation has suppressed freedoms, claiming instead it has restored order in the city after the demonstrations.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Consular office in London claimed Britain had failed to protect its consular personnel, adding to the ongoing tension between the two nations. This incident serves as a reminder of the complex and evolving relationship between the UK and China.
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