There are growing concerns over Beijing\u2019s attempts to restrict political expression overseas<\/p>
Xi Jinping\u2019s leadership of China is now indefinite<\/a>. No one doubts what his third term will bring: more rigid political controls. The party demands obedience at home. It asserts itself more confidently abroad. A senior official told<\/a> reporters that Chinese diplomacy would maintain its \u201cfighting spirit\u201d.<\/p> That remark came days after Manchester police said that they were investigating<\/a> the assault of a Hong Kong activist who had been dragged into the Chinese consulate\u2019s grounds when men from the building disrupted a protest on the street outside. Asked about footage of him pulling the man\u2019s hair the consul general, Zheng Xiyuan, denied attacking anyone but also said<\/a> it was his \u201cduty\u201d. Police have now said they are investigating the full circumstances,<\/a> and footage shows another man, apparently from the consulate, also being assaulted. What is beyond question is that the protest was peaceful until the officials came out and tore down a poster, and that China\u2019s charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires in London has warned<\/a> that \u201c[providing] shelter to the Hong Kong independence elements will in the end only bring disaster to Britain\u201d.<\/p> Continue reading...<\/a>\n