The new Chinese embassy in London is a cause for concern among Hong Kong's exiled activists. With a total area of 20,000 square meters, it will be the largest of its kind in Europe. The site was purchased by China in 2018 for £255 million. Some experts believe that this embassy will pose a significant threat to the diaspora in the UK.
Carmen Lau and Simon are two individuals who have experienced transnational repression since fleeing to the UK. Carmen, a former elected district councilor in Hong Kong, was the subject of a harassment campaign. She received anonymous letters from Macau and Hong Kong, including one with a £1 million bounty on her head. The letters also featured AI-generated explicit images of her and her address.
Simon, who was tortured for 15 days by Chinese security before fleeing to London, believes that he is being followed. He feels a sense of unease and insecurity, which he attributes to the new embassy. While some experts, like Charles Parton, think that the embassy will not make a difference, Carmen and Simon are still worried about their safety.
