【By Lin Chenli, Observers Network】According to a report by Bloomberg, on October 28 local time, regarding the new Chinese embassy project in the UK that has been delayed for seven years, UK Prime Minister Starmer stated that he would not approve the project due to "external pressure," and also called on China to stop purchasing Russian oil. On the same day, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK responded, saying that the UK should not stir up trouble and expressed strong dissatisfaction with the UK's repeated delays in the approval process.

The report said that China has applied to build a new embassy near the Tower of London on the former site of the Royal Mint, and if completed, it will become the largest diplomatic facility in Europe. Recently, the UK has decided to delay the decision on the new embassy building until December 10.

According to the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the UK government had already clearly agreed in 2018 to the Chinese government's purchase of the relevant property as a site for the new embassy. Moreover, the design plan proposed by China is a high-quality one, highly recognized by local professional institutions, and the application followed the local regulations and procedures.

Regarding the UK's seven-year-long delay, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on October 17 that the UK showed no sense of contract, lack of credibility and morality, constantly using various reasons to delay the approval and adding unrelated issues, which led to the complexification and politicization of the project approval issue. This is completely inconsistent with the UK's commitment and statements about improving Sino-British relations. It once again urged the UK to immediately fulfill its obligations and keep its promises, otherwise the consequences caused will be borne by the UK.

On October 28 local time, when asked about the Chinese statement, Starmer said that he would not be "led by China" and "regardless of any views or pressures from anyone, the decision on the new embassy will be made according to normal procedures."

Starmer also remarked that Ukraine's allies are trying to exert greater pressure on the Russian government over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and China should stop buying Russian oil.

UK Prime Minister Starmer IC Photo

On October 15, the UK Foreign Office announced a new round of sanctions against Russia, among which 11 Chinese companies were sanctioned. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce of China expressed firm opposition on the 27th, stating that normal cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises should not be disturbed or affected, and urged the UK to correct its wrong approach and revoke the sanctions against relevant Chinese entities from the perspective of maintaining Sino-British economic and trade cooperation.

The report pointed out that despite taking a hard stance toward China, Starmer still defended his overall policy toward China and rejected the call from so-called "policy hawks" to abandon the improvement of Sino-British relations.

Starmer said, "The recent spy cases have not changed anything, our position on China remains unchanged." He said that the UK's policy toward China is still more stringent than many G7 allies, "most of these countries have a higher level of engagement with China."

Due to insufficient evidence, the British prosecution last month announced the withdrawal of charges against two British men accused of being "Chinese spies" in 2023, and both were released without charge.

Therefore, the Starmer government was criticized by political opponents for being "weak on China." Conservative MPs accused the Starmer government of withdrawing the case to avoid angering China and damaging bilateral economic relations, but Starmer denied it and accused the previous Conservative Party of updating national laws too slowly, making the case unable to proceed.

Responding to this, the Chinese Embassy in the UK stated in a statement: "We have pointed out from the beginning that the accusation that 'China instructed relevant British personnel to steal British intelligence' is a complete fabrication and malicious defamation, and we firmly oppose it."

On October 28, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK responded to Starmer's remarks, stating that on the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always maintained an objective and fair position and has always been committed to promoting peace talks. Normal cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises should not be interfered with or affected. The UK should not stir up trouble. China urges the UK to revoke the sanctions against the relevant Chinese entities. China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

The spokesperson pointed out that regarding the planning of the new embassy premises, China's position is very clear. We express strong dissatisfaction with the UK's repeated delays in the approval deadline. Supporting and facilitating the construction of diplomatic premises is the international obligation of the host country, and both China and the UK have the need to build new embassies in each other's capitals. We urge the UK to quickly approve the application for the new embassy premises.

"A stable and mutually beneficial Sino-British relationship is in the interest of both countries and requires both sides to move forward together. We hope the UK establishes the correct understanding and works with China to promote the healthy development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences," the spokesperson said.

This article is exclusive to Observers Network and may not be reprinted without permission.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566439280344580623/

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