Asia (bbabo.net) - The Chinese authorities have expressed strong protest to the British government over the alleged beating of a BBC journalist in Shanghai. This was stated on Tuesday by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, reports today, November 29, TASS.

"The relevant statements by the British side distort the facts, we consider them as gross interference in China's internal politics and strongly protest against this," he said at a briefing.

According to the diplomat, the British journalist detained in Shanghai refused to comply with the police demand to leave the crowded place and did not tell law enforcement officers that he was a media worker.

"The police have begun to identify him, which is a standard procedure," Zhao Lijian added.

The spokesman noted that the Chinese police "acted in full compliance with the law." The diplomat also called the BBC report that its journalist was allegedly beaten untrue.

“In fact, China has been slinged with mud,” Zhao Lijian said.

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley pointed out to China the need to respect freedom of speech and the right of citizens to participate in protests. He also commented on the BBC's report of its police officer Ed Lawrence being "detained and beaten" by police in Shanghai while covering street rallies, noting that "journalists should be able to do their job without fear of threats."

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