The UK is suing the Chinese chargé d’affaires for attacking a protester at the Chinese consulate compound in Manchester.

According to the BBC, one of the top Chinese diplomats in Britain was involved in the attack.

The older man in the red scarf is said to be the Chinese Consul General Zheng Xiyuan:

The victim is a Hong Kong man, according to the BBC. He and 30 to 40 others staged a non-violent demonstration on Sunday afternoon against Chinese President Xi, who will be re-elected as president at this week’s Chinese Communist Party Congress.

The protesters had set up banners and flags on the sidewalk in front of the consulate, including one that read “Heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party.”

group of men

A little after 4pm, a group of masked men in helmets and body armor came out and removed the protest slogans. A brawl ensued, with a protester allegedly marching onto consulate grounds.

As he lay on the ground, his hair was pulled, kicked, and punched. British agents were able to free him and take him off the construction site. He was taken to the hospital for an examination, where he stayed overnight. The police initiated investigations. No arrests were made.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Truss called the events “extremely worrying”.

“Necessary Actions”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry defended the actions of the consulate staff. Diplomatic missions have the right to take “necessary measures” to maintain their security, the ministry said.

According to a spokesman, the protester entered the site illegally and endangered the safety of the people there. He added that the British government must do more to protect the security of China’s diplomatic posts and staff.