China, Britain in unusual rights clash after diplomats shoved

BEIJING, Dec 17 (Reuters) - China on Thursday lashed out at
Britain's belated criticism of its security officers' pushing of
diplomats at a rights trial, in an unusual public sign of
disagreement between countries supposedly enjoying a "golden"
era in ties.
Plainclothes security officers on Monday shoved diplomats,
journalists and protesters away from a courthouse in Beijing
where prominent human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang was on trial.

As many as 11 diplomats from countries including the United
States, Germany, Britain and France had gathered to observe the
trial, but were refused entry by the police.
Britain has told China the "physical mistreatment" of
diplomats and journalists in Beijing was unacceptable, a Foreign
Office representative said in a statement issued by the British
embassy in Beijing.
On Wednesday, Hugo Swire, a Foreign Office minister
responsible for Asia, "made clear to the Chinese authorities in
person that such behaviour is not acceptable", the Foreign
Office said.
The U.S. State Department on Monday had said it was
"dismayed" at the harassment of diplomats and reporters outside
the court.
Asked about the British comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Hong Lei said foreign governments had no right to
"interfere with China's judicial sovereignty".
He told a daily news briefing, "The relevant personnel
outside the courthouse should have obeyed the relevant
requirements of China's public security organs."
A Foreign Office director also raised Britain's "strong
concerns" with the Chinese deputy ambassador on Tuesday, the
Foreign Office said.
"The fact that they were refused access raises serious
questions about due process and judicial transparency."
Rights groups have accused Britain of turning a blind eye to
abuses in China since the two countries ushered in a "golden
time" in relations this year, and President Xi Jinping paid a
state visit to Britain in October.
Last week, activists expressed disappointment at a British
government statement on International Human Rights Day that
quoted Xi on human rights and omitted mention of China's
nationwide crackdown on human rights lawyers.
Britain's statement was "shamefully disingenuous", said a
tweet by Sophie Richardson, the China director for New
York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch, adding that it did
not support or recognise Chinese human rights defenders.
The United States, Canada and Germany had also issued
strongly worded statements that day.
British officials say they can achieve more by raising
issues such as human rights behind the scenes than by hectoring
Beijing publicly, however.