In response to violence during a Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstration outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester, when a man seemed to be hauled into the consular grounds and attacked, the United Kingdom has summoned a senior Chinese diplomat.
The event, which happened at a protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping, is being looked into by British police. Greater Manchester Police officers entered the grounds of the consulate to save a guy who, according to them, "was dragged" inside and assaulted by numerous individuals.
"What we saw was the Chinese consul-general then ripping down posters and peaceful protest," Alicia Kearns said, according to the BBC.
Members of Parliament have privilege, which enables them to express themselves without concern for repercussions, the British publication noted.
However, the Beijing foreign ministry defended the conduct of the consular workers. People had "illegally entered" the facilities, said spokesman Wang Wenbin, and any country's ambassadors would have taken "necessary measures" to secure their property.
"We have serious concerns about the footage that we have seen showing an incident at the Chinese Consulate-General," foreign office minister Zac Goldsmith said.
"Today we have made our view clear to the Chinese authorities: the right to peaceful protest in the UK must be respected," he added.
Charge d'Affaires Yang Xiaoguang was called to the foreign ministry to discuss the issue because China's ambassador to the UK is not currently present in the nation. All diplomats and consular personnel are required to abide by UK rules and regulations, according to a foreign office officer he met.
Wenbin had earlier laid the blame for the event at the demonstrators' feet in Beijing.
"Disturbing elements illegally entered the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester and endangered the security of Chinese diplomatic premises," at a daily press briefing he said. "Diplomatic institutions of any country have the right to take the necessary measures to safeguard the peace and dignity of their premises."
Video of the incident showed a grey-haired man kicking protestors' banners, one of which included a crowning of an almost naked Xi, and tussling with a group of protesters outside the consulate. Then, as a police officer attempted to stop the attack, a group of guys was seen hitting a demonstrator who was laying on the ground inside the mission's gates.
A man was also seen being dragged towards the grounds by one group of men while police and other demonstrators attempted to take him away from the scene, as seen in photos of the altercations.
The accusations against Zheng have received no response from China.
