Normal Island News
Prince Andrew has done something even worse than being a nonce
His Christmas has been cancelled as punishment
Prince Andrew is not allowed to attend Christmas dinner with the royal family because he has been hanging out with an alleged Chinese spy called Yang Tengbo.
I understand the pair had grown so close that Mr Yang was the only person to attend Prince Andrew’s birthday.
We can all agree that Prince Andrew is a half-witted oaf, but might we not also worry that this story is starting to fuel sinophobia?
I disagree with lots of Chinese government policies, nor do I think that their intentions in the UK are entirely benign, but such caveats apply to many other governments too.
Is such alarm about Yang Tengbo really warranted? Aren't his efforts to learn about power in the UK and exercise whatever influence he can there on behalf of his government similar to the practices of both foreign missions and businesses in the UK and to the activities of the UK in China?
We need to think carefully about all dimensions of UK -- China relations; thinking carefully requires not thoughtlessly falling into a new Cold War mentality and recognizing that both Yellow Peril racism and securocrat lobbying could be at work here.
Alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew named amid row over foreign interests register | Prince Andrew | The Guardian
Bob Jamieson
Jonathan Emmesedi