A Beijing woman has apologized and been fined after insisting diplomatic immunity allowed her to park in the middle of a road and block traffic.
In a video circulating online, the woman, later identified as Yu Qi, secretary general of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), refused to move her vehicle.
‘Do you know what an embassy car is? Do you understand what diplomatic immunity is? Get lost!’ She said through the window of the vehicle.
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APSCO is an intergovernmental organization based in Beijing that promotes multilateral cooperation in space technology and applications in the Asia-Pacific region. According to the website, there are eight member states: China, Bangladesh, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand and Turkey.
In the June 16 incident, the driver refuses to move the car she was driving, saying, “Do you know what an embassy car is?” She was confronted by another driver who filmed the incident. Photo: Xigua News alt=In the June 16 incident, the driver refuses to move the car she was driving, saying, “Do you know what an embassy car is?” She was confronted by another driver who filmed the incident. Photo: Xigua News>
An initial investigation by Beijing police found that Yu had broken the rules by parking on the road and refusing to move the car.
In a statement Wednesday, police said the investigation also found that Yu had insulted people and made inappropriate comments, which had a negative social impact. It added that she was fined “according to law”, without saying how much the penalty was.
The police statement said officers were investigating other alleged offences, including illegal dog breeding.
Yu Qi bows in her apology video published on June 19. Photo: Weibo alt=Yu Qi bows in her apology video published on June 19. Photo: Weibo>
Yu apologized on Wednesday evening.
“Because of my misdeeds on June 16, which have had an extremely negative social impact, the general public has sincerely criticized me. After serious reflection, I offer everyone a deep self-examination and a sincere apology,” Yu said as he bowed. apology in a video on Wednesday.
She said her actions had had a negative impact on the international organization she was affiliated with.
However, Yu’s apology and punishment were not well received by some netizens.
“There is no point in bowing down and apologizing because your true colors are exposed,” said an online user on Weibo, China’s X-like blogging platform.
“Given that she emphasizes her privilege even when she knows she is being recorded, you can imagine how arrogant her usual behavior must be,” wrote another.
Referring to Yu’s case: Hu Xijinthe outspoken former editor-in-chief of state tabloid Global Times, said he was willing to forgive people as long as they were willing to apologize when they made “common mistakes.”
The incident not only draws attention to the driver’s behavior, but also sheds light on the extent of diplomatic immunity.
Diplomatic vehicles are granted privileges including immunity from being searched, commandeered and detained, according to a Chinese government guide to diplomatic vehicles and related credentials posted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
However, drivers are not immune from investigation and fines for violating the law, according to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017.
This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Mail (SCMP), the most authoritative voice covering China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please visit the SCMP app or visit the SCMPs Facebook And Tweet Pages. Copyright © 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
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