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China Asks Western Embassies in Beijing to Take Down the Ukrainian Flag. PHOTO/Reuters
BEIJING – Authorities in the capital China asked several Western embassies to remove political signs from their outer walls, including flags Ukraine which is displayed. This was disclosed by a diplomatic source in Beijing to AFP.
Several Western embassies in Beijing flew Ukrainian flags in solidarity with the country’s fight against the Russian invasion. Some are accompanied by messages of support in English and Chinese.
However, sources at several European missions told AFP they had received notifications from Chinese authorities this week asking them to remove the political signboards.
All said they would reject the request and that they would not change their policies.
An official from the European embassy confirmed the request, saying it was almost certainly related to the prominent raising of the Ukrainian flag on some missions.
However, an official from another European embassy said it was unclear whether the request was related to Ukraine or the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Several foreign embassies in Beijing have raised flags of pride in recognition of the campaign, which will be marked on Wednesday (17/5/2023), to raise awareness of violations of LGBT rights around the world.
The official said: “They strictly adhere to the Vienna convention. Therefore, there is no reason for us to react to this note or change our display policy.”
