Diplomatic row erupts over alleged beating of journalist
CHINA’S ambassador to the UK has been summoned to the Foreign Office amid a diplomatic row over the arrest and alleged beating of a BBC journalist covering Covid protests in Shanghai.
The department has called Zheng Zeguang to “demand a full and thorough explanation” of cameraman Edward Lawrence’s detention, a Foreign Office minister told the Commons yesterday.
David Rutley said UK officials will make clear the “unacceptable and unwarranted” nature of the journalist’s treatment, after the BBC said he was “beaten and kicked” by police in the Chinese city.
China-sceptic Tory MPS meanwhile urged the Government to “get serious” about Beijing and criticised Rishi Sunak’s plans to take a “robustly pragmatic” approach to the country.
Answering an urgent question in the Commons, Mr Rutley said: “As the Foreign Secretary made clear yesterday the arrest of a BBC journalist while covering the recent protests in Shanghai is a deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable situation. Journalists must be able to do their job without fear of arrest or intimidation. The BBC has stated that the journalist was beaten and kicked by police during his arrest and was held for several hours before being released.
“In response, we are calling in the Chinese ambassador to make clear the unacceptable and unwarranted nature of these actions, the importance of freedom of speech, and to demand a full and thorough explanation.”
He added: “We recognise that the Covid-related restrictions in China are challenging for the Chinese people, and we urge the Chinese authorities to respect the rights of those who decide to express their views about the situation.”
China’s top UK diplomat was expected to meet senior officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Whitehall later yesterday afternoon, as Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is in Romania for a Nato meeting.
Some footage on social media showed Mr Lawrence being dragged to the ground in handcuffs, while he was heard saying in another video: “Call the consulate now.”