Question 1: It is reported that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK has asked the Chinese side to waive diplomatic immunity of the relevant officials of the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester so that British police could go ahead with the investigation of the incident on 16 October. What is your comment on this?

Embassy Spokesperson: The facts of the incident on 16 October are very clear. It was a violent disruptive provocation deliberately staged by anti-China elements who assaulted our consulate members and illegally intruded into the consulate premises, gravely undermining the safety and dignity of consulate officials. It was of a most malignant nature.

Obviously, the UK government has failed to fulfil its obligations under international law to protect the safety and dignity of the Chinese consulate premises and personnel. What is more, after the incident, the UK government has sided with those violent rioters calling for “Hong Kong independence” and wrongfully accused the relevant Chinese consulate members who were actually the victims. This is totally unacceptable to the Chinese side. We have launched solemn representations with the UK on this.

The premises and members of the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions are inviolable. We urge the UK side to earnestly live up to its obligations under international law, take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and dignity of the premises and members of the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions.

Question 2：A UK official said that the Chinese Consul General in Manchester is being removed. Could you please confirm that?

Embassy Spokesperson: The Chinese Consul General in Manchester has completed his term of office and has returned to China upon instruction not long ago. This is a normal rotation of Chinese consular officials.