China embassy guards ‘brandished electro-shock weapons’ at London protesters as row erupts with Beijing

GUARDS at China’s embassy allegedly brandished electro-shock weapons at stunned protesters in London, sparking a diplomatic row with Beijing. The two countries are now embroiled in a dispute over the incident, with the UK saying it will not tolerate the use of intimidation tactics on home turf. Guards at China’s embassy allegedly brandished electro-shock weapons during a candelit vigil in London Footage appears to show two embassy workers waving what appear to be stun batons at protesters Security workers reportedly brandished the weapons as tensions reached fever pitch outside the embassy in Portland Place in Marylebone on July 3. As first reported by the i Paper, footage appears to show two embassy workers waving what appear to be stun batons at protesters as they approach the gates. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The incident allegedly took place during a candlelit vigil for Lobga Rangzen, a Tibetan activist who died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. The prominent activist had accused China of repression in his home country. Residents in Tower Hamlets have protested repeatedly against the super embassy proposal Credit: Times Media Ltd The mega embassy is due to be located in Royal Mint Court, near to the Tower of London Credit: Getty The Government has raised the issue with the embassy directly, with the Met Police launching an investigation into the incident. A source said: “Any attempts by a foreign state to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm individuals on UK soil will never be tolerated. “Where there is evidence of a crime, we will not hesitate to act,” they added. The row will no doubt raise thorny questions over China’s conduct in Britain and its alleged attempts to silence dissidents. Most read in The Sun Under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968, electro-shock weapons are prohibited in the UK. A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Friday, 3 July at around 6pm, police were called to reports of a protest outside the Chinese Embassy on Portland Place, W1B. “Officers attended the scene. Two protesters alleged that embassy staff had pointed a Taser towards them. “No injuries were reported and officers left the area once the protestors had dispersed on their own accord.” They added that the investigation continues while cops review evidence, including video footage supplied by witnesses. While police statements refer to a “Taser”, onlookers maintain that guards were threatening the crowds with electro-shock weapons. The alarming reports come as nearly 20 human rights organisations wrote to the Prime Minister last week, seeking to override the embassy’s diplomatic immunity so that the investigation could continue “unobstructed”. The letter highlighted another case of violence against a rioter at the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester, back in 2022. The protester – who was demonstrating against the Chinese government – was dragged through the consulate gates and beaten up by guards. The Foreign Office subsequently demanded an explanation from China’s most senior representative. Six Chinese diplomats quit the UK after the Government requested that they come for questioning – meaning they escape without charges. The dramatic episode shone a light on the restraints diplomatic immunity can have on police investigations in the UK. Luke de Pulford, founder and executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said of the incident in July: “Again, China shows shocking contempt for our laws. “Carrying stun sticks is illegal in the UK, but Chinese Communist Party (CCP) guards have them. “The video footage is unequivocal. “Those responsible must be prosecuted immediately, or named persona non grata and expelled.” It comes as China’s mega embassy in Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, was given the green light at the end of July. The proposal had initially faced backlash from residents in Tower Hamlets, who feared the super embassy would enforce “draconian” crackdowns on free speech. Locals also claimed China’s diplomatic immunity enabled the building to bypass safety regulations, increasing the fire risk in the historic borough. However, the concerns, while defended by both the Government and the council, were ultimately dismissed. Plans for the super embassy – which will be China’s largest diplomatic mission in Europe – have been controversial since it was first proposed in 2018. Brits have repeatedly raised concerns about the risk of espionage on UK soil, with fears Chinese agents could tap into fibre optic cables and filch sensitive data. The five-acre site borders London’s financial district, surrounded by the capital’s iconic skyscrapers, the UK’s economic powerhouses. Comment now