“Golden period is over”, says British PM as tensions with China mount over journalist assault claims | NEWSRUX

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mentioned that China poses a “systemic problem” to UK” values and pursuits” throughout his first main speech on international coverage since taking workplace in October. 

Downing Road condemned Beijing after a BBC journalist claimed he was overwhelmed by police and detained for a number of hours whereas overlaying Covid-19 lockdown protests in Shanghai.

“As a substitute of listening to their folks’s protests, the Chinese language Authorities has chosen to crack down additional, together with by assaulting a BBC journalist”, Sunak mentioned in his speech on the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London.

“The media – and our parliamentarians – should have the ability to spotlight these points with out sanction, together with calling out abuses in Xinjiang – and the curtailment of freedom in Hong Kong”, he added.

The UK broadcaster says Lawrence was assaulted and kicked by police. 

After his launch, the journalist tweeted on Monday to thank his followers, including he believed “at the least one native nationwide was arrested after attempting to cease the police from beating me”.

China’s international ministry claims Lawrence did not determine himself as a journalist. 

It follows nationwide demonstrations in opposition to strict Covid-19 measures after a lethal hearth in a residential block throughout a lockdown final week.