I am also very sorry to hear about the ad hominen attacks. Why do some people/politicians assume opinions are uniform across a particular group? They should learn from my country where a Liberal Coalition (Conservative) politician severely damaged their and their party's reputation in Sydney in the last election with a casual remark which appeared to question the loyalty of Chinese heritage Australians to Australia. She had clearly had not heard of, or noticed, what happened to the Australian journalist Cheng Lei. Love your work.
Some people have nothing better to do than make ad hominem attacks. You have insights into the issue that most people don't. This sounds like a damned if you do/damned if you don't type situation regarding the permitting of the new embassy location. The government obviously had to stall as long as possible before making a final decision.
Can’t help but notice the irony that, as real estate in China tanked, the Chinese government shopped abroad in advanced and bought prime properties in central London as its new home
Some people have nothing better to do than make ad hominem attacks. You have insights into the issue that most people don't. This sounds like a damned if you do/damned if you don't type situation regarding the permitting of the new embassy location. The government obviously had to stall as long as possible before making a final decision.
'In other words: can the risks be mitigated? It seemed to me that it was always the security services best placed to answer this question.' Would these be the same security services that believe the biggest threat to Britain is the 'far-right', and appear to have gone woke. I'm not sure that I trust their judgement, Cindy. As usual, it's a right pig's breakfast of a mess. Something we've grown wearily used to in this country. P.S. If you've made any interesting observations on your latest trip to China, please write them in a Substack.
If the Security Services have given the go ahead, then there can be little by way of rational objection to the proposal.
I have very little experience of hosting torture chambers but I would have thought that the very last place you'd want to carry out such activities is a large building in central London.
A very balanced piece - a credit to the writer as she is likely to be criticised by both camps in this horlicks of a situation .
Having seen how CCP buildings operate in Hong Kong , I feel sorry for locals if this project goes ahead - access will be shut off , counter measures to prevent demonstrations in the area will be draconian , signals will interfere with local internet and TV provision, etc .
I think getting the planning permission is the least of the Chinese embassy's worries. Given its location in Tower Hamlets it has raised the profile of China to detractors (for instance the muslim Bangladeshi community) that wouldn't have otherwise known or thought about them.
Quite understand . Why was it sold to Beijing? The query I have though is why does it have to be nearly half as big again as the USA Embassy? It does make me suspicious. Could it be divided into 2 parts? The Embassy with its diplomatic status and the Chinese Residences without diplomatic status?
The US embassy is actually much bigger than the Chinese plans: boasting 48,000 square metres and hosting 800 staff, compared to China's plans of 20,000 square metres and 200 staff:
I suspect that having a building that's bigger and grander than the US embassy is a major part the Great Helmsman's reasoning. I used to work at a school in Beijing where they built a wonderfully ugly arched entrance gate, but had no money for books for my students.
I am also very sorry to hear about the ad hominen attacks. Why do some people/politicians assume opinions are uniform across a particular group? They should learn from my country where a Liberal Coalition (Conservative) politician severely damaged their and their party's reputation in Sydney in the last election with a casual remark which appeared to question the loyalty of Chinese heritage Australians to Australia. She had clearly had not heard of, or noticed, what happened to the Australian journalist Cheng Lei. Love your work.
Some people have nothing better to do than make ad hominem attacks. You have insights into the issue that most people don't. This sounds like a damned if you do/damned if you don't type situation regarding the permitting of the new embassy location. The government obviously had to stall as long as possible before making a final decision.
Very sorry to hear about the ad hominem attacks and glad you’re sufficiently resilient.
I’m a proud Brit, but must acknowledge it’s one of the less appealing parts of UK culture.
Universal culture, I'm afraid.
Can’t help but notice the irony that, as real estate in China tanked, the Chinese government shopped abroad in advanced and bought prime properties in central London as its new home
Where is the ironic doge emoji when you need it
Guess doge got doged
Some people have nothing better to do than make ad hominem attacks. You have insights into the issue that most people don't. This sounds like a damned if you do/damned if you don't type situation regarding the permitting of the new embassy location. The government obviously had to stall as long as possible before making a final decision.
Thanks for this Cindy - really thoughtful as ever.
'In other words: can the risks be mitigated? It seemed to me that it was always the security services best placed to answer this question.' Would these be the same security services that believe the biggest threat to Britain is the 'far-right', and appear to have gone woke. I'm not sure that I trust their judgement, Cindy. As usual, it's a right pig's breakfast of a mess. Something we've grown wearily used to in this country. P.S. If you've made any interesting observations on your latest trip to China, please write them in a Substack.
If the Security Services have given the go ahead, then there can be little by way of rational objection to the proposal.
I have very little experience of hosting torture chambers but I would have thought that the very last place you'd want to carry out such activities is a large building in central London.
A very balanced piece - a credit to the writer as she is likely to be criticised by both camps in this horlicks of a situation .
Having seen how CCP buildings operate in Hong Kong , I feel sorry for locals if this project goes ahead - access will be shut off , counter measures to prevent demonstrations in the area will be draconian , signals will interfere with local internet and TV provision, etc .
LOL. Britain used to shoot ant~government protestors in HK.
??
For example? With source if you would be so kind.
I think getting the planning permission is the least of the Chinese embassy's worries. Given its location in Tower Hamlets it has raised the profile of China to detractors (for instance the muslim Bangladeshi community) that wouldn't have otherwise known or thought about them.
Quite understand . Why was it sold to Beijing? The query I have though is why does it have to be nearly half as big again as the USA Embassy? It does make me suspicious. Could it be divided into 2 parts? The Embassy with its diplomatic status and the Chinese Residences without diplomatic status?
The circumstances of the deal seemed pretty dodgy. See this report from Sunday Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/revealed-johnsons-aide-edward-lister-linked-to-both-sides-in-chinese-embassy-deal-tswqbpz62
The US embassy is actually much bigger than the Chinese plans: boasting 48,000 square metres and hosting 800 staff, compared to China's plans of 20,000 square metres and 200 staff:
https://uk.usembassy.gov/new-london-embassy/
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/12/europe/us-embassy-london-intl
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7mn28drz8o
I suspect that having a building that's bigger and grander than the US embassy is a major part the Great Helmsman's reasoning. I used to work at a school in Beijing where they built a wonderfully ugly arched entrance gate, but had no money for books for my students.