What's new: The Chinese embassy in Fiji denied allegations that its diplomats provoked a physical conflict with a Taiwanese delegation member during an Oct. 8 event in the South Pacific country’s capital, an incident that drew wide attention amid tense cross-strait relations.
The embassy confirmed the physical conflict Monday in a statement but said it was the Taipei Trade Office staff person who “acted provocatively” against Chinese embassy staff, who were “carrying out their official duties in the public area outside the function venue, causing injuries and damage to one Chinese diplomat.”
“We have expressed our serious concerns to the Fijian side about the above incidents, requesting the police force of Fiji to carry out a thorough investigation into the incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable according to law,” the embassy said.
The background: The incident took place on the sidelines of an event hosted by the Taipei Trade Office when two Chinese diplomats allegedly “gate-crashed” the event and began taking pictures of the proceedings and attendees, according to a blog posted by Graham Davis, who identified himself as a former communication adviser to the Fijian government.
When asked to leave by a male member of the Taiwanese delegation, Davis said, the two Chinese diplomats refused and allegedly assaulted the delegation member, “beating him up so badly,” according to sources cited in the blog.
Contact reporter Zeng Jia (jiazeng@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com).
