Locals in East London are standing up to a powerful force as China plans to build its largest embassy in Europe on their doorstep.
The site in question is the 18th-century, Grade II-listed Royal Mint Court near Tower Bridge, which China purchased six years ago.
With planning permission now on the table for a new ‘super embassy,’ residents are fighting against what they believe could be a security and community disaster.
A Growing Fight Against the Super Embassy
The local community, led by residents like 62-year-old David Lake, is actively opposing the embassy’s construction.
Lake, who has lived in the area for four decades, expressed his deep concerns about the location.
The proposed embassy site would partially sit on the car park of his residence, St Mary Graces Court, and Lake is fearful of the security implications.
He argues that if an attack were to occur, the building could be flattened, and there would be no plan from the Chinese government to mitigate such risks.
“We just believe it’s the wrong location for an embassy,” Lake said.
“The weakest spot is on our road, and it won’t take long before demonstrators will know about that, and they’ll be there.
There’s a nursery on that square with little toddlers.”
His concern stems not only from the potential for terrorist attacks but also from the added strain on the neighborhood.
Heightened Security Concerns
Andy Williams, Chief Executive of Crilly Consulting, also weighed in on the dangers of the chosen location.
Williams believes the Tower Hill site is “wholly inadequate and inappropriate” for a foreign embassy, especially given the security risks involved.
He pointed out the proposed wooden fence around the embassy would be a poor safeguard against activism or terrorism.
Furthermore, the embassy would have residential apartments with a footbridge crossing, making it an easy target for anyone with ill intentions.
“Any activist will be rubbing their hands with glee,” Williams said. “As would any terrorists.”
This viewpoint has gained support from counter-terrorism police, who have raised concerns about the amount of resources required to maintain public safety in the area should the embassy be built.
Growing Fears of Chinese Influence and Surveillance
There are also rising concerns about the potential for the Chinese government to use its embassy as an extension of its police force abroad.
Unmesh Desai, a local member of the London Assembly, emphasized that residents were rightly worried about the embassy’s potential to act as an outpost for Chinese police, particularly when it comes to monitoring Chinese-speaking communities.
“This would have a chilling effect on their ability to fully participate in democracy here and elsewhere,” Desai warned.
Chief Inspector Dave Hodges of the Metropolitan Police echoed these concerns, explaining that protests against the embassy could cause significant traffic disruptions. Tower Hill and Tower Bridge Road see over 50,000 vehicle movements a day, making this area critical for London’s transport system.
Mixed Reactions to the Embassy Proposal
Despite the intense opposition from some residents, others like Barry Harris have a more nuanced view.
Harris argued that if the embassy were being built by another country, such as the United States, Canada, or Australia, it wouldn’t face as much resistance.
He suggested that the backlash could be rooted in prejudice against China specifically, rather than opposition to the idea of embassies in general.
Political Pressure and Public Outcry
The embassy plans have also ignited political debate.
In November, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was criticized for allegedly bowing to pressure from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
When discussing the matter with the president during a meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Starmer admitted that Labour intervened in the decision-making process after Xi raised the issue with him.
“Starmer openly admits Labour intervened in the application to build the new Chinese embassy after Xi Jinping pressured him,” said Tory MP Robert Jenrick. “Weak. Weak. Weak.”
A Call for Legal Action
As the fate of the embassy proposal hangs in the balance, David Lake has decided to take matters into his own hands.
He is crowdfunding to hire a barrister who will represent the local community in a public inquiry next year.
Lake believes that despite the overwhelming pressure, the fight isn’t over yet.
“Even if it was, you’ve still got to keep going until the end,” he said.
“It’s not over until it’s over.”
As the decision looms, the tension in East London continues to build, with both local residents and politicians bracing for a fight that could have lasting consequences for the neighborhood.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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