Basically there is what is known as a frank exchange of views, if the ambassador doesn't respond to the summons they can be expelled from the country or diplomatic relations could be broken off so they always go since it is their job to have diplomatic relations with the host country.
Yes, more or less that’s what is happening. The purpose is the formal declaration that the British government didn’t like something about what the Chinese government did, and they want the Chinese government to be fully aware of it. Other, more material steps might follow, or they might not. It depends.
>Does the ambassador have to stand in an office while getting lectured by a minister? What’s the purpose of this?
No. The ambassador has no obligation to go anywhere. When a country summons an ambassador, it's a request, not an order, and the means is the message. In other words, the act of summoning the ambassador itself conveys that the host country is unhappy with something that the country represented by the ambassador has done. It's diplomatic theater meant to sent a message to the ambassador's country. Whether the ambassador actually attends any meetings is up to them, although not going is frowned upon and could lead to further diplomatic steps.
Not necessarily. A summons can be synonymous with an invite although it is often more strongly worded. You can summon someone for tea at which point it would be a bit rude if they decline. So when the foreign office is summoning the Chinese ambassador they tell him the time and place of the meeting and expect him to be there. The content of the meeting or how it is performed is a separate issue. But typically when an ambassador is summoned in this way it is because the government have a few important and urgent questions or statements for the ambassador. Demanding that he stand like a school boy for the duration of the meeting would be an insult and imply that he is subordinate to the British government, which he is not. But you can discuss these things in a more civilized matter like equals, each a diplomat of their own country.
Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):
ELI5 is not meant for any question you may have. Questions that are narrow in nature are not complex concepts, and usually require only a yes/no or otherwise straightforward answer.
If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe this submission was removed erroneously, please use this form and we will review your submission.
Mammoth-Mud-9609 t1_iyckqui wrote
Basically there is what is known as a frank exchange of views, if the ambassador doesn't respond to the summons they can be expelled from the country or diplomatic relations could be broken off so they always go since it is their job to have diplomatic relations with the host country.