China says Britain fuelling protests after HK minister jostled

China on Friday condemned an incident in which Hong Kong's justice secretary was jostled by masked demonstrators in London, and accused Britain of fuelling pro-democracy unrest.

Teresa Cheng, Hong Kong's deeply unpopular Secretary for Justice, fell while being surrounded by a crowd of jeering pro-democracy protesters as she prepared to attend a speaking event on Thursday night in London.

She regained her feet moments later and was escorted away with no visible signs of injury in video footage of the incident.

But China called it an "appalling attack" and has demanded that Britain offer security protection to the Hong Kong minister.

"If the British side does not change its wrong practices, and continues to add fuel to the fire, sow discord and instigate others, and make false countercharges, then it will bring calamity on itself," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.

Geng said that failing to act on "anti-China elements" in Hong Kong will not only cause trouble in the semi-autonomous territory, but will also "cause serious interference and destruction to the international community including the United Kingdom."
He called for Britain to "bring the culprits to justice, and... safeguard the personal security and dignity of all Chinese personnel in the UK."