Lib Dem London Assembly leader Caroline Pidgeon joined mayoral candidate Brian Paddick to visit London's Chinese Community Centre in Gerrard Street, Soho. The community centre was as usual bustling with activities, from Chinese musical instrument lessons, to a calligraphy and brush painting class under the stewardship of their Chair, Christine Yau, who had kindly facilitated the visit.
Merlene Emerson, Chair of Chinese Lib Dems, had brought together a number of community leaders and experts for a round-table discussion to understand the issues facing the community. Nikki Li, Chinese Team Leader of the grass roots organisation, Citizens UK, shared about their campaigns such as that to stop the proliferation of gambling outlets in Chinatown, as well as their work across London for safer streets and the right to a living wage.
Brian, Caroline and other visitors from Westminster Lib Dems learned about the financial issues facing the centre - it is scheduled to move to larger premises by next year, but is also facing funding cuts from Westminster Council.
Lib Dem councillor Linda Chung, who serves on the board of Camden Chinese Community Centre herself, stressed the importance of advisory services as many Chinese were ignorant of their rights and of how to access public services. She therefore made a plea for more people from the community to put themselves forward for public office as she has.
Speaking from the point of view of businesses was Chartered Accountant Edward Tsui, also honorary treasurer and auditor to many Chinese organisations. He observed that Chinese businesses in London were fairly resilient despite the economic downturn and that new investments from China were partly the reason for this.
Philip Tse, a member of the Chinese Lib Dems executive and self proclaimed ‘new migrant’, was eager to point out that there was an invisible group of young professionals newly settled in London from China. More highly educated and clearly net contributors to British society, many still faced problems with integration into mainstream society.
Summing up the day, Caroline Pidgeon commented:
“I was pleased to learn that the issues affecting the Chinese community were not too different from those of other communities: rising costs of living, education for the young, healthcare for the elderly, better housing and transportation. All these we battle against each day in City Hall as we strive to improve the lives of Londoners.”