Didn’t disclose his identify: China clarifies after assaulting reporter during anti-lockdown protests

Chinese foreign ministry has issued a clarification after assaulting a BBC reporter who was covering the anti-lockdown protest in Shanghai.

British news broadcaster BBC on Sunday claimed that China’s police had assaulted and detained one of its journalists. (Photo: AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Hours after a British news broadcaster alleged Chinese authorities of assaulting and arresting its journalist, the Chinese foreign ministry issued a clarification stating the reporter did not identify himself as a journalist.

“Based on what we learned from relevant Shanghai authorities, he did not identify himself as a journalist and didn’t voluntarily present his press credentials,” foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP.

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British news broadcaster BBC on Sunday claimed that China’s police had assaulted and detained one of its journalists, who was covering the protest in Shanghai.

According to the BBC, the reporter was handcuffed while covering the protest rally in Shanghai. However, he was released after a few hours.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Beijing and Shanghai on Sunday to protest against China’s zero-Covid policy in a rare outpouring of public anger against the state. China’s hardline virus strategy is stoking public frustration, with many growing weary of snap lockdowns, lengthy quarantines and mass testing campaigns.

(With input from AFP)

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