An article in the prestigious national magazine The Economist on May 31st draws attention to the lamentable state of affairs in this the oldest Chinese community outside China. It makes the obvious point that there is a generation divide between the older Chinese residents and the hundreds of new young people moving into the city to study.

It is very clear to many of us that most young Chinese prefer to head to Manchester or London where there are vibrant Chinese communities. Though it is a very delicate and perhaps intractable problem it seems very sad that the Council aren’t able to take a lead here. The article also tells us that there will be no New China Town for the developers coming in to rescue the collapsed project in the area.

Shame that such a proud and historic neighbourhood in the city centre should be the subject of such decline.

The Economist article can be read HERE: Europe’s oldest Chinatown fights for survival