BBC journalist assaulted in Shanghai: China responds to UK broadcaster's claim

China's foreign ministry said Monday that a BBC reporter arrested at a protest in Shanghai over the weekend had not identified himself as a journalist, after the British broadcaster said one of their staff had been arrested and beaten by police.

"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 said, telling international media to "follow Chinese laws and regulations while in China".

Earlier in the day, British Broadcasting Coporation in a statement said its senior journalist EP Lawrence was arrested and handcuffed for hours while covering the protest in Shanghai.

The UK national broadcaster's statement added that Chinese officials instead of an apology said Lawrence's arrest was made to prevent him for catching the virus.

Acknowledging BBC's statement Lawrence confirmed about treatment meted out to him adding that a local national was arrested for trying to stop the police from beating him.

Dozens of university campuses, students demonstrated or put up protest posters in China. Protests also spread to Chengdu, Guangzhou and Wuhan, where residents called for not only an end to Covid restrictions.

At Tsinghua University, in the capital city Beijing, students gathered on a square to protest against zero-Covid.

Videos and images circulating on social media show students holding up sheets of white paper and shouting: "Democracy and rule of law! Freedom of expression!"

(With input from AFP and ANI)

Also watch: Our journalist handcuffed, assaulted for covering COVID protests in China: BBC