Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

China

14 December 2022 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Proposed by James Cleverly Con Braintree

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The UK requested China to waive immunity for individuals involved in an incident outside the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester.
  • China responded by recalling those individuals from the UK.
  • The UK expects foreign diplomats to adhere to certain standards of behaviour despite their privileges and immunities.

Issue summary

The statement addresses an incident outside the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester and the subsequent diplomatic actions taken by the UK.

Action requested

The FCDO requested China to waive immunity for individuals involved so that they could be interviewed by the police, but China responded by recalling those individuals from the UK. The UK has made it clear that it expects certain standards of behaviour from foreign diplomats despite their privileges and immunities.

Key facts

  • Images on social media showed unacceptable behaviour near a Chinese consulate in Manchester.
  • Greater Manchester Police decided to investigate the incident and wanted to interview the Consul General and five staff members.
  • The FCDO requested China to waive immunity for those individuals, giving them one week to comply.
  • China responded by recalling the Consul General and other involved staff from the UK.
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