10 separatists arrested, eight to face charges over attack on diplomatic compound in Sydney

The Chinese embassy in Australia publicly condemned Wednesday's intrusion into the compound of the Chinese consulate-general in Sydney by a group of Tibetan separatists.

"This is a very serious attack on diplomatic and consular institutions, which fully exposes the violent nature of the Tibetan separatists," an embassy spokesperson said on Thursday.

On Wednesday afternoon, a group of separatists stormed the courtyard of the consulate compound, with one climbing a pole to pull down the Chinese national flag. A 38-year-old woman allegedly assaulted a consular officer who was trying to stop the mob from entering the building.

Ten people－five males and five females, including the 38-year-old woman－were detained by New South Wales state police.

A police spokeswoman said eight people have been charged and will face court proceedings.

Since 1959, separatists have periodically engaged in violence against China.

The embassy spokesperson said serious objections were conveyed to the Australian government, with a demand that the perpetrators be penalized to the full extent of the law.

The embassy has asked the Australian authorities to "follow the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and other international conventions, take concrete and effective measures, strengthen the protection of Chinese diplomatic and consular institutions and personnel and ensure the inviolable safety, security and dignity of Chinese institutions and personnel," the spokesperson said.