Mainland tourist 'beaten to death' in Hong Kong

A 53-year-old mainland tourist was beaten to death in Hong Kong after becoming involved in a forced-shopping dispute.

Local police say the case will be classified as manslaughter.

According to the South China Morning Post, the visitor was Miao Chunqi, a 53-year-old construction contractor from northeastern China's Heilongjiang province. He joined a tour group with a female colleague surnamed Zhang.

The three-day-trip was a shopping tour, comprising mainland visitors from Hubei, Heilongjiang and Shandong provinces. The group left Shenzhen on Sunday and was also scheduled to visit Macao on Tuesday.

The dispute occurred when the group was taken to a jewelry shop where they were expected to buy. Miao and Zhang did not spend money because they thought the jewelry was overpriced. The tour leader, surnamed Deng, had an argument with them. Miao was trying to mediate but they later, got into a fight during which Miao was dragged outside and beaten unconscious by a gang of four men.

He was later certified dead Tuesday morning.

"The China National Tourism Administration has asked the local tourism bureau to investigate this incident and assist local government to deal with it according to local laws and regulations," read a statement. "We also hope the Hong Kong government find out the reason and take measures to secure mainland tourists' lawful rights and interests".