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Chinese Consul General: Manchester Protest
20 October 2022
Lead MP
Jesse Norman
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EmploymentForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Jesse Norman raised concerns about chinese consul general: manchester protest in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The House was updated on the violent incident that occurred outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester on Sunday. Officials contacted Greater Manchester police regarding the event, followed by a call to the Chinese embassy on Monday expressing serious concerns about the reported behaviour of the consulate staff and demanding an explanation. The Foreign Secretary issued a summons to the Chinese chargé d’affaires on Tuesday, making it clear that such actions are unacceptable and do not align with UK laws. During the summons, the severity of the incident was conveyed in detail, emphasising that peaceful protest is protected under British law. The police investigation into the matter is ongoing and may take some time to conclude due to its complexity. Until the investigation concludes, the Government has instructed their ambassador to convey a clear message to Beijing regarding the depth of concern over this issue. If criminal charges are warranted against any officials involved, immunity must be waived; otherwise, diplomatic consequences will follow. The minister reaffirmed the UK’s support for Hong Kong refugees and highlighted that more than 100,000 individuals have relocated to the UK since the imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
The shadow minister criticised the Chinese consulate's actions regarding an assault on a peaceful protester, Bob Chan. He highlighted Mr Chan’s fear for his safety after being attacked by consulate staff and emphasised that the consul general admitted to pulling Mr Chan’s hair and tearing his scalp. The shadow urged the Government to make it clear that any consular individual involved in such violent acts will be made persona non grata and sent back to China, irrespective of criminal proceedings. He called for the Foreign Secretary to take a strong stance against this incident without concern for potential retaliation.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the severity of the issue and emphasised that participating in an assault is unacceptable under UK law. If it is confirmed that a crime was committed, diplomatic consequences will follow. The process must first complete its factual determination before further actions are taken.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Question
I thank the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) for securing this urgent question, for yesterday’s interview with Mr Chan and for his work on this matter. This is yet another complete failure by the Government. Instead of making a statement to this House, Members have had to secure a second urgent question. What is more concerning is the outrageous admission of the Chinese consul general that he did, in fact, assault Hong Kong democracy protesters in Manchester, which he described as his duty.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her questions. She is right to pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) for his interview with Mr Chan. It was an important moment and my right hon. Friend deserves congratulation from across this House on that. As for what the hon. Lady said, I do not think she can have listened to what I said, which is a pity.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
I welcome this urgent question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green. It is clear that the House is unhappy with the course that the Government have taken and I must challenge the Minister on some of the comments he has made this morning. It is not “apparent” involvement; there are no ifs or buts here.
Minister reply
I thank the Chairman of the Select Committee for that. She has made clear her view that a crime was committed, and that is the view that many others have taken, but it is not a determination of fact at the level we would need.
Question
This is a serious diplomatic incident. As others have said, the violent clash between pro-democracy protesters and officials at the Chinese consulate is disturbing and goes directly against the tenets of diplomacy, freedom of speech and protest.
Minister reply
I have set out the actions that we are proposing to take at the moment. Of course, as I have said in terms, we recognise the seriousness of this matter.
Question
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the steadfast support that you have continued to show those of us sanctioned by China.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to raise the contrast between our own rule of law and the deplorable, despicable experience that has been meted out to the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
Yesterday, I joined Bob Chan in a press conference in which he bravely detailed his awful ordeal in my constituency. In an interview with Sky News reporter Inzy Rashid, the Chinese consul general in Manchester confirmed that the footage did show him destroying banners and assaulting a protester, which he argued was his “duty”.
Minister reply
Of course, the hon. Gentleman too has engaged very closely with Mr Chan, and very welcome that is too. I am sure that everyone around the House would congratulate him and thank him for his support on that.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your continued efforts in helping us to hold the Chinese to account in this House. There is another protest this weekend in Manchester.
Minister reply
I personally was not aware of any further demonstrations, but the House has now been made aware of them. I will ensure that officials make some notification of that.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
The Minister is being ridiculous, citing Article 41 of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations which states that diplomats must respect the laws of the receiving state. The Crown Prosecution Service says this applies when there is sufficient evidence for court proceedings. Given the video and admission, why isn't the Government making those involved 'persona non grata' now?
Minister reply
The key phrase in the convention is 'sufficient' evidence, which we do not currently have. When such evidence is obtained, there will be consequences.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
If this assault had taken place elsewhere, those responsible would be in prison cells and before magistrates. Every day these individuals remain on British soil is a disgrace. Why can't the decision to expel them be made now?
Minister reply
The House has a strong view on this, but we must respect diplomatic channels. The approach is similar to that taken during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Welcoming the Minister to his post as a decent man, he talks about diplomatic niceties but those are long past. Shouldn't he say to the ambassador to get back to Britain for a meeting on Monday or preferably tomorrow? The consul general should be expelled immediately.
Minister reply
We have already laid out an approach and respect diplomatic channels. Whether arrest happens is at police discretion, just as it would anywhere else in the UK.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Question
What tangible steps are being taken to protect the Hong Kong community, Tibetans and Uyghurs from intimidation and violence on UK soil?
Minister reply
We have opened the British National Overseas channel for support. Individuals remain under police purview as per the rule of law.
Mike Kane
Lab
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Question
The right to protest is a British value dating back to 1819, and inaction is gnawing at our moral core. The Government are being sclerotic. What discussions have been had with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, leader of Manchester City Council or Greater Manchester police?
Minister reply
Greater Manchester Police follows rule of law. I reassure that they will extend their protection to Hong Kong residents.
Question
The Minister characterised the consul general’s comments as absurd, but it was sinister and menacing. The Government must take immediate diplomatic action and reassure Hong Kong nationals of their safety.
Minister reply
We are clear on our concern for UK residents from Hong Kong. We have measures in place to support them under police protection.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
The Minister’s responses make the country look weak and supine. The evidence is clear, there should be urgency.
Minister reply
We take this matter seriously; we have had urgent questions on it and Departments are engaged. Greater Manchester Police will continue to maintain standards.
Question
The UK has a moral responsibility towards Hong Kong residents under the visa scheme, as well as Uyghurs and Tibetans. Does the Minister accept there is a need for clear action?
Minister reply
We have extended the British National Overseas channel to include adult relatives of those entitled. We protect and respect Hongkongers in this country.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
It is difficult to listen to these answers as they do not feel the issue is being dealt with strongly enough. Will the Minister commit to meeting the ambassador and highlighting that such actions will not be tolerated?
Minister reply
We will take measures based on factual determinations and await evidence before taking action.
Shadow Comment
Iain Duncan Smith
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister criticised the Chinese consulate's actions regarding an assault on a peaceful protester, Bob Chan. He highlighted Mr Chan’s fear for his safety after being attacked by consulate staff and emphasised that the consul general admitted to pulling Mr Chan’s hair and tearing his scalp. The shadow urged the Government to make it clear that any consular individual involved in such violent acts will be made persona non grata and sent back to China, irrespective of criminal proceedings. He called for the Foreign Secretary to take a strong stance against this incident without concern for potential retaliation.
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