China threatens UK with retaliation for harassing six diplomats

The China urged Britain to “fulfill its obligations under international law and bilateral diplomatic agreements” and “vigorously ensure the normal functioning of Chinese diplomatic and consular missions”, allowing six diplomats to work “independently” in the country. Wang Wenbin of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Otherwise, China will surely retaliate with determination, strength and the same measure,” he warned, accusing the UK of “political manipulation” and “collusion with separatists”.

On Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary James Wise revealed that China had “removed” a consul general and five other diplomats in Manchester.

The move comes in response to a police investigation into an incident in October when Bob Chan was dragged from Manchester Street to the embassy gate while participating in an anti-repression protest in Hong Kong, where he was assaulted. Many men.

Greater Manchester Police have launched a criminal investigation after Hong Kong national Bob Chan was accused of dragging several Chinese diplomats into the embassy compound in Manchester.

In October, the British Foreign Office summoned Chinese officials in London after video footage emerged corroborating the activist’s allegations.

Wise on Wednesday noted the “disturbing scenes” of the incident, saying the six diplomats had left the country ahead of a deadline set by London to waive diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned by police over the incident.

“We have reported this to the Chinese embassy and it expires today [quarta-feira], making it clear that we expected them to take action. “According to our request, the Chinese Government has removed these officers from England, including the Consul-General,” said Wisely.

“This shows that our respect for the rule of law, the seriousness with which we take these incidents, has had an effect,” the minister added.

Among the six targeted was Zheng Xuan, the chief of the Chinese embassy in Manchester, one of the UK’s most prominent Chinese diplomats, whose return to his home country was part of the “normal rotation of Chinese personnel”, according to Beijing. .

A number of British Conservative MPs accused Siwan of tearing down signs during a peaceful protest in Manchester.

MP Alicia Kearns, chair of the British parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, welcomed the cancellation and said the six diplomats had “fled the UK like cowards, making their guilt clear”.

“The Foreign Office must now declare fugitives ‘persona non grata’ and make it clear they will not be welcome back in the UK,” Kearns said.

Also read: Six Chinese diplomats left the British consulate after the attack