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CNN
6 days ago
- Business
- CNN
China's ‘super-embassy' plans in the heart of London anger locals who fear for their safety
Asia China UKFacebookTweetLink Follow It's a quiet, unassuming road that lies a stone's throw away from some of London's most celebrated landmarks. But residents of Cartwright Street could soon be looking out of their windows to the balconies of Chinese embassy staff, if plans to build a new 'super-embassy' in the area go ahead. China is pushing forward with designs for its new diplomatic outpost at Royal Mint Court, a large plot in the heart of London, near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The imposing building, which currently lies empty, was once home to the facility that manufactured Britain's coinage. If the proposal goes ahead, China will invest several hundreds of million dollars into the building's transformation, remaking it as the largest embassy in Europe. China bought the historic parcel of land in 2018, for around $312 million. The plans have raised espionage fears, rattled locals in the area nervous for their personal security, and come at a time when bounties have been issued by Beijing for Hong Kongers in the UK. The UK has been a popular destination for many migrating from the former British colony, now a semi-autonomous Chinese city, where Beijing has cracked down hard on dissent over the past five years. Barry, an insurance broker who did not provide CNN with a surname and works in the Royal Mint Court area, compared the Chinese takeover of the site to the UK government selling off the crown jewels. 'The building is such a UK monument… it was the Royal Mint. So to give that to a foreign government, especially the Chinese with everything that's happening with the Chinese at the moment, is a bit of a joke,' he told CNN. 'Our office is just facing it, and we are one unit in a block of maybe 2,000 employees who work there, and I've not heard anybody say one good thing about it.' After much government wrangling, Angela Rayner, the UK's deputy prime minister and housing secretary, is expected to make a final decision on whether to green light the controversial plans by September 9. In a twist last week, Rayner gave China two weeks to explain why parts of the blueprint it provided for the sprawling embassy site have been blacked out. The letter, seen by Britain's PA Media news agency, sets a deadline of August 20 for Beijing to give its reasoning for the redacted information. CNN has reached out to China's embassy in London for comment. Beijing's previous application for the embassy was initially rejected by the local Tower Hamlets council in 2022 on security grounds. Beijing resubmitted the application last year just weeks after Labour returned to power in the UK, in the hopes that the new government led by Keir Starmer would be more receptive to the request. The empty Royal Mint Court had been due for redevelopment into a complex with shops, offices and a leisure center before it was bought by China. Since then, some 100 homes in the area have been classified as being on Chinese-owned land. If the embassy plans go ahead, these properties will remain on Chinese land, although they will not fall under the embassy's territory. Locals in an apartment block on western Cartwright Street could also find themselves residing adjacent to the embassy staff's living quarters. Balconies to be purposely built for diplomatic staff would be visible from the block's rear windows, CNN understands. The Royal Mint Court Residents' Association, which represents around 300 people living in nearby buildings and has engaged in a years-long battle against the plan, say they are fearful of how China could exercise its powers as landlord once the embassy is built next door. The association's treasurer, Mark Nygate, 64, lives on the estate just meters from the site. The parking lot of the block is separated from the proposed embassy site by a simple wooden fence, in what Nygate refers to as a 'soft border.' Speaking to CNN, Nygate raised concerns their Chinese landlords could carry out random searches of the properties, or residents could face accusations of spying. He explained, 'I like to take photos. I've got an allotment, and I take photos of that, but the allotment actually runs along the border.' Nygate continued, 'So quite easily you could be taking a photo of something and they're going to think you're spying. 'Because they own our land, they are our landlords and therefore they have certain rights to get in (the properties). If they find something they're not happy with, you can be damn sure they're going to come and check us out.' London's Metropolitan Police has also voiced concern over any mass demonstrations at the embassy, warning that they could impede traffic and spill over into the roads, impacting tourist areas. Meanwhile, protesters and rights groups fear that the new embassy building could facilitate espionage and Beijing's 'long-arm' law enforcement, putting opponents of the Chinese government in the UK at risk. One resident who lives near the embassy site told CNN the plans should not be allowed to go ahead. 'It's too close to Tower Bridge,' said the man, who declined to give his name. He also cited concerns over disappearances in Hong Kong. China has previously been accused of using its outposts, in effect, as overseas police stations to monitor Chinese citizens abroad and coerce them to return home. One such incident occurred in the UK in October 2022, when a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was dragged into the grounds of a Chinese consulate in Manchester and beaten, in events captured on camera. Subsequently, China removed six diplomats from Britain who police wanted to question in connection with the alleged beating. But others with key stakes in the Royal Mint area have dismissed the espionage and bounty fears as 'scaremongering.' Mark Lahiff, a local property developer who serves as managing director of the UK's subsidiary of Malaysian-based IJM, spoke in favor of the embassy's establishment at a government hearing in London in February. 'This borough, Tower Hamlets, is one of the most impoverished boroughs in the UK,' Lahiff, whose projects with IJM include the Royal Mint Gardens aparthotel, told CNN. 'For the People's Republic of China to invest into this borough is a huge investment. That site in particular has been empty since 2008.' He continued, 'It's a listed site in a strategic part of London, next to the Tower of London. We've been looking at it rotting away for decades, so to bring some life and vitality into this area, and the socio-economic benefits, are huge for the borough.' But Nygate rejects the notion that Chinese investment would be advantageous for the area, saying that redevelopment would come at the expense of the residents living there currently. 'I've been against the embassy from the start,' he said. 'It's all about prestige in the end because they (the Chinese) want to outdo the American embassy.'
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Superman seen flying over iconic London landmark in Britain's highest public sculpture 300m above ground
SUPERHERO fans might have thought they were transported to another world, as Superman was spotted flying over London - in what is the UK's highest ever public sculpture. Those in the capital who took a look up the Shard will have spotted a hyper-realistic version of the unmistakable superhero, more than 300 metres above ground at the top of the iconic landmark. 2 The sculptural installation marks the first time London's tallest building has hosted a cinematic character in this way, gracing the Shard's spire for an entire day. It stands at 11 feet tall and weighs more than 120kg, and is rigged to the highest points of the world-famous building's exposed spire. With fibreglass body moulded in ECO resin, supported by galvanised steel cables attaching it to the Shard. It took four months to create, with more than 20 people putting in a combined 2,000 hours to get it picture-perfect. New Superman actor David Corenswet was 3D scanned during production, supported by extensive references for the costume and cape. James Gunn, writer and director of Superman and Co-Chairman of DC Studios, said of the stunt: 'To see such a realistic depiction of our Superman displayed on the top of The Shard is mind-blowing. 'Bringing one of cinema's greatest heroes to life for the new film has been the adventure of a lifetime. 'And it's a real honour to see that journey continue in this way long after we wrapped, as we promote the film around the world. "This will take some beating, London.' The pose depicts 'Supes' with one leg dynamically bent and head looking down, as if hovering protectively over the capital. Huge 800ft skyscraper nearly as tall as The Shard where no one lives hidden in forest - but eerie tower is saving lives Londoners are being invited to 'Look Up' – the tagline of the new movie – to grab a glimpse of the suspended superhero. The enormous Superman will be visible, weather conditions permitting, from up to 40 miles away, tethered to the tallest building in Western Europe. Its welded steel framework was painstakingly put together to highlight the launch of new movie 'Superman', which will be released on Friday July 11. Daniel Fulbrook, head of marketing for Real Estate Management and asset manager of The Shard, said: "Superman has stood as a symbol of hope and heroism for generations, so it feels only fitting that he now watches over London from the top of one of its most iconic landmarks. 'To see him suspended within The Shard's spire is truly surreal. We're incredibly proud to help bring this legendary figure to life in such a bold and breathtaking way." Those looking to spot Superman at the best vantage points for unobstructed views today (Tuesday 1 July) should head to Borough Market, Sumner Street (SE1 9HZ), Southwark Bridge or Stoney St (SE1 9AF). 2
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Penryn brain tumour fundraising runner inspired by grandfather
A runner from Cornwall is preparing for the London Landmarks half marathon to honour her mother and grandfather who both had brain Corbett's grandfather Michael Jarrett died in 2018 after a late diagnosis of a glioblastoma, while her mother was diagnosed with a benign tumour 11 years Corbett said of her grandfather, who she called Pap: "He is my driving force and the absolute power and the will to get out in the rain and will push me over the line at the end of the half marathon."The 34-year-old from Penryn will run the 13 mile (21km) route, which starts on Whitehall and finishes by Trafalgar Square on 6 April. Ms Corbett, who is fundraising for the Brain Tumour Charity, said: "Pap was the kindest, happiest, most thoughtful person ever, and always thought the absolute world of his family."We first noticed something was wrong when he started getting headaches consistently, and he lost the ability to do his crosswords, and enjoy horse racing – his favourites. "Then he drove through a red light, which as a lorry driver was extremely unlike him."Ms Corbett said despite her mother's tumour being benign it was "not without challenges".Her training route takes her past Cornwall beauty spots and the harbour, castles and beaches around Falmouth and includes running three to four times a week since last April in all said she wanted to raise awareness of brain tumours and would also be holding a fundraising bingo night on 29 March at St Gluvias Cricket Club, Penryn." Pap is a big running inspiration to me – he ran marathons," she added.
