Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford Prefect
I doubt it's possible to press charges for anything that occurs on consulate property. Wouldn't that be considered property that is sovereign to China, not Canada?
|
Maybe someone with more international law education knows better than me... but I think consulates are still host soil, while only embassies are granted the status of being foreign, while still actually still belonging to the host nation. That whole embassy land = foreign soil is not completely accurate.
However, foreign dignitaries tend to have diplomatic immunity, though this is typically reserved for high ranking officials. Since this was likely some stooge, it may not extend to them. If it did, Canada could have that person expelled and launch a formal protest. Its also very possible that the assailant is a Canadian national with Chinese citizenship (or vice versa), in which case the individual can be prosecuted.
Its worth pursuing (if true) if I was them. At the very least, it may spark a media frenzy.