"He is waiting to find out if the government will allow China to build an enormous new embassy next to his home. "The worst case scenario is that we might end up being moved off. "And if they just move us off and there's no compensation, what do I do? "I'm 65. I can't afford to live in London without any money.""
"Mark's home of 27 years is a flat built in the 1980s within the historic Royal Mint site, bordering London's financial district and virtually overlooking the Tower of London. China bought the land in 2018 and has been seeking approval for a new embassy here since 2019. The site has become a battleground of David and Goliath proportions, as Mark and his neighbours fight China's plans. "We're 100 flats, 200 people, facing the might and the wealth of the People's Republic of China.""
Royal Mint Court comprises about 100 flats housing roughly 200 people adjacent to the Tower of London. China purchased the site in 2018 and has sought approval since 2019 to build a large new embassy. Residents fear displacement without compensation, unaffordable relocation, and severe privacy and security impacts from nearby embassy staff accommodation, high walls, bollards, balconies overlooking flats and extensive CCTV. The government is expected to approve the development, arguing consolidation of seven Chinese sites could bring security advantages, even as residents describe the situation as a David and Goliath fight against the resources of the People's Republic of China. A longtime resident, aged 65 and living there 27 years, says he could not afford London if forced out without compensation.
Read at www.bbc.com
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