FRIEND OR FOE?
China is too big a business to ignore, which is a problem for some nations, especially those in Europe that are struggling with sluggish economic growth and facing a potential hostile trade partnership with the US under Donald Trump.
Nevertheless, the price of doing business with China is often to belittle the impact operations, spying, dumping and other malicious activities that Beijing seems unwilling to dispense with.
From China’s point of view, the purpose of these activities is to learn more about and exert more control over nations in the West that are perceived as rivals or companies. London is a particularly attractive destination because it is a big business and global strength as well as a major defense force in its own right and a nearby ally to the United States.
In order to preserve economic ties, the UK may then decide whether to ignore China’s unprofessional behavior or to declare its status to China.
Undoubtedly, the state will decide whether to permit the construction of a new Chinese ambassador in west London on the site of the former Royal Mint, the producer of UK cash, despite local officials ‘ concerns.
If approved, it would be the largest diplomatic post in China and be more than a third the size of the South London innovative US embassies. The number of political staff members had greatly increase potential Chinese impact and espionage procedures in the UK.
If that is a cost the Starmer government is willing to pay, it remains to be seen.  ,
Christian Le Miere, the founder and CEO of Arcipel, a London-based corporate consulting agency, is a unusual plan advisor.