"Super Embassy" Hearing Sees "Wolf Warrior" Display; Anti-CCP Graffiti Reappears at Manchester Chinese Consulate

Graffiti with phrases like "Liberate Hong Kong" and "Xi Baozi" appeared on the pavement outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester. (Screenshot from Suyutong's X platform)

[People News] The planning hearing for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s "Super Embassy" in the UK resumed on Tuesday (18th), allowing supporters of the project to testify as "interested parties." The supporters, mostly Chinese nationals in the UK, emphasized the embassy's potential economic benefits for Britain. One speaker even exhibited a "Wolf Warrior" attitude, dismissing concerns about the embassy being used for transnational repression as baseless. Meanwhile, new anti-CCP graffiti appeared outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester but was quickly removed.

Hong Kong-Born Local Councillor’s Protest Invitation Rejected

According to Radio Free Asia, the hearing entered its second week with Claire Searson, the planning inspector, continuing to hear testimony from various interested parties. On Tuesday morning, two opponents of the project testified, including Hong Kong-born Wokingham councillor Simon Ng and several Chinese nationals supporting the "Super Embassy" plan.

During his testimony, Ng questioned the impartiality and credibility of a report that had influenced both the London Metropolitan Police and the Tower Hamlets Borough Council to change their stance on the embassy. He also raised concerns about potential actions by the Chinese side: "Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly stated they will take action against those who violate the National Security Law, regardless of location. Will this 'Super Embassy' help the Chinese and Hong Kong governments enforce the National Security Law? Will it collect information on anti-CCP Hong Kongers?"

Several Hong Kong groups in the UK are planning a protest at the former Royal Mint site on March 15. Ng invited Searson to observe the protest, but she declined, stating: "I cannot pass these questions to the applicants. My role is to address planning issues, and I must remain neutral. Therefore, I cannot attend future protests, though I am aware of the protest you held on February 8."

Supporters Use Economic Arguments Before Turning "Wolf Warrior"

Since the Labour Party took power, it has been accused of "kowtowing" to Beijing to save the economy. During the testimony, nearly every supporter from the pro-embassy "national team" emphasized the embassy’s potential economic benefits for both the local area and the UK. In one hour of testimony from four "national team" members, the terms "economy" and "economic" were mentioned at least 30 times. Even several Chinese attendees waiting to observe the hearing began dozing off.

Vivian, who claimed to have lived in London for nearly 30 years, initially said, "I don’t want to talk too much about politics." However, just 30 seconds later, she switched to a "Wolf Warrior" stance, dismissing concerns about surveillance and transnational repression as baseless. She insisted that China respects British laws and argued that the "Super Embassy" would help combat crime:

"There won’t be daily protests or daily boycotts, but local phone snatchers wait for me every day at the street corner opposite the Royal Mint after work. For me, I hope the embassy can scare them away because it’s clear the police can’t."

More Graffiti Appears at Manchester Consulate, Quickly Removed

While the "national team" tried to convince planning authorities that the "Super Embassy" wouldn’t negatively impact the local community, photos circulated on Telegram on Tuesday showing new graffiti with slogans like "Liberate Hong Kong" and "Xi Baozi" outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester.

Radio Free Asia visited the scene that morning, but the graffiti had already been thoroughly cleaned. There was no repeat of the incident where Deputy Consul General Yang Zhiyu led a team to intimidate and obstruct reporters, nor was there any police investigation at the scene.