London summons Chinese ambassador after journalist arrested in Shanghai
Police officers confront demonstrators protesting against sanitary measures in Shanghai, China, November 27, 2022 REUTERS - STAFF
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The arrest of a British BBC journalist during a protest in Shanghai on Sunday November 27 has heightened tensions between Beijing and London.
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With our correspondent in London,
Émeline Vin
Two days after the arrest of BBC journalist Ed Lawrence in Shanghai, the British Foreign Secretary demanded "
detailed
" explanations from the Chinese ambassador.
Diplomacy describes the situation as "
deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable
".
Earlier this week the UK government condemned the treatment of its national - the BBC reporter was taken away by law enforcement while on duty and allegedly beaten while in custody which lasted several hours.
The Chinese ambassador to the UK's previous summons dates back to last month, when a protester was bullied outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester.
The Foreign Office stresses that China represented a “
systemic challenge to British values and interests
”.
In a press release, the Chinese embassy replied that London is "
in no way in a position to pass judgment on the internal and health affairs
" of Beijing.
And denounces the British anti-covid policy.
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