China's new embassy project has been delayed by the UK for seven years, China responds: the UK has no sense of contract and lacks credibility
Foreign Ministry website message, on October 17, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference.
Bloomberg reporter asked, the UK has decided to delay the decision on the new Chinese embassy in the UK until December 10th, and previously proposed a request to renovate the British embassy in China. What is China's comment on this?
Lin Jian said that we express serious concerns and strong dissatisfaction with the relevant information. The new embassy project of China has been dragged out by the UK for as long as seven years. Recently, China and the UK have held multiple rounds of communication on the prompt approval of the new embassy project, and China has shown the maximum sincerity and patience. The UK has no sense of contract, lacks credibility and morality, and keeps adding various reasons to delay the approval and linking it to other issues, causing the project approval issue to be continuously complicated and politicized, which is completely inconsistent with the UK's commitment and statements to improve Sino-British relations. We once again urge the UK to immediately fulfill its obligations and keep its promises. Otherwise, the consequences caused will be borne by the UK.
Yesterday (16th), Bloomberg reporter asked, the UK Foreign Secretary is pushing China to approve the reconstruction plan of the British embassy in China, but the UK obviously feels dissatisfied with the progress. During his visit to China this week, the Permanent Under-Secretary of the UK Foreign Office, Robbins, will discuss this matter. The UK government is also reviewing whether to approve the construction plan of the new Chinese embassy in the UK.
Lin Jian said that regarding the issue of diplomatic premises between China and the UK, we have already explained our position multiple times.
This September, regarding the new embassy project of China, the embassy spokesperson made a response:
First of all, as early as 2018, the UK government had clearly agreed to the Chinese government purchasing the relevant property as a site for the new embassy building.
Secondly, the planning and design scheme proposed by China for the new embassy building is a high-quality plan, which has been highly recognized by local professional institutions, and the application also follows the local regulations and procedures.
Third, senior experts in planning and law have clearly stated that the planning applications submitted by China so far, including design drawings and other materials, meet the requirements of international diplomatic conventions and the UK Planning and Development Act 1990. The UK authorities now have sufficient information and can make a legal decision on the approval of China's planning application.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846241849190404/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.