Latest news with #securityrisk
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Why are proposals for China's super-embassy in London so contentious?
Ministers have asked China to explain redacted designs for a 'super-embassy' in London as they prepare for a final decision on the controversial building. What's at stake and why are the proposals so contentious? If the building goes ahead it would be the biggest embassy in Europe, in the heart of the city and near the Tower of London. The 20,000 sq metre (5 acre) site, which was once home to the Royal Mint, was bought by China for £225m in 2018. Beijing commissioned David Chipperfield, one of Britain's most respected architects, to design the new embassy and cultural centre for the site. Dissidents fear it will be used as a centre to spy on, harass and possibly detain opponents of the Chinese government. They point to how in 2022, a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was dragged into the grounds of the Chinese consulate and then beaten. Local residents are concerned the new embassy will be a magnet for protests and a potential security risk. China hawks and some of Britain's allies, notably the US, warn that it also poses an espionage risk because of its close proximity to London's financial district. In June the White House voiced 'deep concern' about the new embassy and noted its closeness to the London office of several US banks. The Home Office and Foreign Office have asked for the construction of a 'hard perimeter' around the site to address public and safety concerns. The site used to house trading floors that were wired up to other financial institutions. It is also close to the City's telephone exchange. Allowing China to build on the site would be an invitation to espionage, according to the Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith. The Metropolitan police have warned the building would attract protests that would impede traffic and require extra policing. China's initial planning application was rejected by the local Tower Hamlets council in 2022 over safety and security concerns and fears about the impact on tourism. In August 2024, just after Labour came to power, China resubmitted the same application. The application came up in Keir Starmer's first phone call with China's president, Xi Jinping, that same month. In October the housing secretary, Angela Rayner, who has responsibility for planning matters, 'called in' the application, moving it from local to central government to decide on its merits. A decision on the application is due by 9 September. As part of the process Rayner has asked China to un-redact parts of the plans that had been 'greyed out' in the application. The redacted plans submitted include a basement area with rooms of no identifiable use. In a letter to the Chinese embassy, Rayner pointed to the principle that the public should know what is being proposed before planning permission is granted. She also asked for more details on how the embassy planned to address safety concerns. This would require a further consultation, which could delay the final decision. Legally, only planning considerations should influence Rayner's decision. In reality, she has a difficult political and diplomatic balancing act to perform. On one hand, there are concerns about China's record on human rights and its potential threat to national and financial security. On the other, the UK is keen to pursue closer ties with China – not least to encourage Chinese investment in the UK's faltering economy. So far, the Chinese embassy, currently based in London's Portland Place where it has been since the 1870s, has said it has no plans to alter the designs for its new HQ. In a statement to the BBC, it said it was 'committed to promoting understanding and the friendship between the Chinese and British peoples and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Building the new embassy would help us better perform such responsibilities'. On objections to the plans it said: 'Anti-China forces are using security risks as an excuse to interfere with the British government's consideration over this planning application. This is a despicable move that is unpopular and will not succeed.' While the fate of China's London embassy is being decided, China has blocked a UK request to rebuild its embassy in Beijing.
The Independent
05-08-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Philippines condemns China's rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm
A top Philippine security official on Tuesday condemned China's latest rocket launch, which caused suspected debris to fall near a western Philippine province. Authorities said the incident sparked alarm and posed a danger to people, ships, and aircraft. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the suspected Chinese rocket debris that fell near Palawan province Monday night, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. However, he added that these posed 'a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels' near the expected drop zones. 'We condemn in no uncertain terms the irresponsible testing done by the People's Republic of China of its Long March 12 rocket which alarmed the public and placed the people of Palawan at risk,' Año said in a statement. People were alarmed after hearing loud explosions Monday night in Palawan's Puerto Princesa city and nearby towns, Año said, adding that 'local residents also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Año's statement. China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that the Long March-12 rocket that lifted off Monday night from a commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan successfully carried a group of internet satellites into pre-set orbit. It was the 587th mission by the Long March carrier rockets, Xinhua said, citing the launch site. It was not immediately clear if Chinese authorities notified nearby countries like the Philippines of possible debris from its latest rocket launch. Such Chinese rocket debris have been found farther away from the Philippine archipelago in the past. The Philippine Space Agency said Monday that debris from the rocket launch was expected to have fallen within two identified drop zones about 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, an area of coral reefs in the Sulu Sea off eastern Palawan that is popular among divers and conservators. 'Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space,' the space agency said. 'While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.' Philippine aircraft and vessels were deployed Tuesday to search for the rocket debris, Año said. He asked the public to notify authorities if they find any piece of debris but warned them not to touch them because of possible toxic fuel residues.
Associated Press
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Philippines condemns China's rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A top Philippine security official on Tuesday condemned China's latest rocket launch, which caused suspected debris to fall near a western Philippine province. Authorities said the incident sparked alarm and posed a danger to people, ships, and aircraft. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the suspected Chinese rocket debris that fell near Palawan province Monday night, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. However, he added that these posed 'a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels' near the expected drop zones. 'We condemn in no uncertain terms the irresponsible testing done by the People's Republic of China of its Long March 12 rocket which alarmed the public and placed the people of Palawan at risk,' Año said in a statement. People were alarmed after hearing loud explosions Monday night in Palawan's Puerto Princesa city and nearby towns, Año said, adding that 'local residents also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Año's statement. China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that the Long March-12 rocket that lifted off Monday night from a commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan successfully carried a group of internet satellites into pre-set orbit. It was the 587th mission by the Long March carrier rockets, Xinhua said, citing the launch site. It was not immediately clear if Chinese authorities notified nearby countries like the Philippines of possible debris from its latest rocket launch. Such Chinese rocket debris have been found farther away from the Philippine archipelago in the past. The Philippine Space Agency said Monday that debris from the rocket launch was expected to have fallen within two identified drop zones about 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, an area of coral reefs in the Sulu Sea off eastern Palawan that is popular among divers and conservators. 'Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space,' the space agency said. 'While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.' Philippine aircraft and vessels were deployed Tuesday to search for the rocket debris, Año said. He asked the public to notify authorities if they find any piece of debris but warned them not to touch them because of possible toxic fuel residues.
Arab News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Somalia's Puntland releases arms cargo ship to Turkiye
MOGADISHU: The Somali state of Puntland on Monday said it was 'handing over responsibility' to Turkiye for a cargo ship carrying military equipment that it seized last month, provoking the federal government. The oil-rich area declared its autonomy in 1998, and the region has had tense relations with the central government in Mogadishu. Puntland forces intercepted the Comoros-flagged vessel, saying it had been observed 'loitering' near the coast and could pose a security risk. Mogadishu protested the move, calling it 'an act of piracy,' and said the ship was carrying equipment for a Turkish military base in the country as well as goods for Somali traders. In a statement on Monday Puntland government said a Turkish delegation led by its ambassador to Somalia held a meeting in the region and provided 'proof that all the property belongs to the Turkish government.' 'Puntland government decided to hand over the responsibility of the vessel and the shipment it is carrying to the Turkish government,' it said in the statement. The semi-autonomous region said it had wanted to 'ensure that the military equipment does not fall into hands that might threaten Somalia's security and stability.' Puntland launched an offensive in December against Islamic State forces present in the region.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China Questions Nvidia H20 Chip Security, Summons Company for Talks
China's cyberspace regulator summoned Nvidia (NVDA, Financials) to explain possible security risks in its H20 artificial intelligence chip, injecting new uncertainty into the U.S. chipmaker's China sales. Officials want to know if the chip contains tracking or backdoor features that could compromise user privacy. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with NVDA. The move follows a U.S. proposal to require location?tracking in advanced AI chips shipped overseas, part of Washington's push to limit Chinese access to high?end semiconductor technology. It also comes just weeks after the U.S. reversed an April ban on Nvidia selling the H20 in China. Nvidia created the H20 specifically for the Chinese market after U.S. export curbs in 2023. Demand has been strong Reuters reported the company recently ordered 300,000 units but political friction remains high. Nvidia is also under antitrust investigation in China. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
