An investigation has been launched after a protest erupted into violence outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester on Sunday afternoon (October 16). Police were called to the incident, which involved pro-democracy Hong Kong protesters, outside the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Rusholme.
Video footage shared widely across social media appears to show a scuffle erupt, as police officers swarmed the area trying to diffuse the situation. There has been widespread upset after the clip was shared, which also appeared to show one of the Hong Kong protesters dragged beyond the gates to the consulate grounds and assaulted, with banners and placards also vandalised.
Greater Manchester Police have said an investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances. A police patrol also remains in place in the area following the incident and to reassure the local community.
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It is understood a group of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters had organised a peaceful protest outside of the Consulate in Manchester in response to the 20th National Congress of Chinese Communist Party being held.
The original source of the footage has not yet been confirmed, but it appears to show heated exchanges involving the Hong Kong protesters, with their banners ripped down as people in the crowds shout 'get back' and 'get off' as one protester is dragged beyond the gates with officers attempting to break up the chaos.
Footage of the incident was shared widely on Twitter on Sunday evening, with many of the clips amassing tens of thousands of views.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Greater Manchester Police are aware of an incident that took place at around 3pm on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester involving Hong Kong protestors.
"Officers responded immediately to diffuse the situation and enquires are ongoing at this time to understand the full circumstances. A police patrol plan is in place in the area following this incident."
A statement from a local business group, the Trafford Hongkongers CIC, online said: "We express our deep concern on an incident in Manchester today (16th October 2022). We believe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and our Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP must inquire with the Chinese Consulate why it could happen in Manchester today.
"Any brute force and violence to peaceful protesters are not tolerable. Our thoughts are with those Hongkonger protesters in Manchester."
Andrew Gwynne MP shared the footage on Sunday night, calling on the British Government to investigate the incident, writing: "This would be unacceptable on the streets of Hong Kong and against the provisions of the Joint Declaration to uphold democratic rights and freedoms. BUT this is Manchester."
Local Rusholme Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar echoed Gwynne's message on Twitter, where he said 'the right to a peaceful protest is dear to our hearts' and added: "This is unacceptable on the streets of Rusholme and Manchester."
And MP Iain Duncan Smith, former leader of the Conservative Party, was also among those sharing the footage on Sunday night, calling the incident 'deeply worrying' and called on the Government to 'demand an apology' from the Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang
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