China’s foreign ministry has challenged the British police account of an assault on a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester in the grounds of its Manchester consulate, claiming the man “entered the compound illegally”.
The protester, who has been named only as Bob, was hospitalised overnight for treatment of his injuries, which included lacerations below his eye.
Greater Manchester police said on Monday that men linked to the consulate dragged the protester through its gates by force, before attacking him violently.
“Shortly before 4pm a small group of men came out of the building and a man was dragged into the consulate grounds and assaulted,” the police statement said.
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press briefing that “disturbing elements” had “illegally entered” the consulate. He called on Britain to step up protections for diplomatic staff and buildings.
In Britain, there were strong cross-bench calls for action to protect protesters, and a response to a serious violation of diplomatic protocol.
Politicians and activists warned the violence could set a disturbing precedent for Beijing to export domestic repression and censorship to the UK and other democratic regimes.
There are concerns it could also undermine the security of hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents who have moved or are expected to move to the UK, in an attempt to flee Chinese controls.
They called for the government to summon the Chinese ambassador to the UK and expel anyone connected to the attack, which was caught on camera.
One of the men who took part in the assault ripped down protest posters in the street outside the consulate.
The British government has said only that it would not be appropriate to comment while a police investigation is under way.
Wang also declined to confirm or deny whether China’s consul general in Manchester was involved in the incident, Reuters said.
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