Sadly, whether he was in the right or the wrong is not black and white in China as we know, not when it comes to us foreigners.

If the guy was powerful, had police connections or guanxi, or the locals and local police simply didn't like lao wai he would be out. Most likely deported.

Not saying the guy is wrong, but generally in China a foreigner is always in the wrong, even if he is the one who did not start anything up.