Chinese embassy's new London office celebrated

The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom celebrated its official transfer of diplomatic premises into a new office in the Royal Mint Court in London on Friday, signifying a new milestone of China-UK relations.

The embassy's new office is located in Royal Mint Court, near Tower Hill, and opposite to the Tower of London, It is the old site of the Royal Mint, where coins were made for more than 150 years.

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, said that the new premises marks a fresh "golden fruit" of China-UK "golden era". Royal Mint Court, or RMC, can also be understood as Right Monument of China as well as Right Moment of China, he said.

Liu said that the new premises' wide space and impressive design suitably reflects the strength of UK China relations.

"An embassy is the face of a country. The new era is calling for a new premises consistent with China's current role and influence in the world. The new premises of the Chinese embassy will become a new landmark in London and a new face of China in the new era," he said.

Liu added that the new premises also embodies China's dream and pursuit of a harmonious world in the new era.

"The Chinese embassy in the UK is a big, loving and hardworking family of diplomats striving for a harmonious world. This dream for the world is to build a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

The Chinese embassy's current premise in London is located in 49 Portland Place, in central London's Marylebone. Its history traces back to 1877, when this building became China's first overseas diplomatic premise.

Liu spoke of the Portland Place office with deep emotions, explaining that the premise has witnessed three centuries of changes and transformation in China and the world. "It also carries the glory and the dream of generations of Chinese diplomats," he said.

Contact the writer at Cecily.liu@mail.chinadailyuk.com