The Foreign Office has issued a stark demand for full transparency from Beijing after an aircraft ploughed into a tower in central Beijing, killing 47. Sources confirm the plane, a Boeing 737 operated by Hainan Airlines, was on approach to Beijing Capital International Airport when it veered sharply off course. The crash site, near the central business district, has been cordoned off by Chinese authorities who have, as of this evening, released no official statement on the cause.
My sources within the Foreign Office indicate that diplomatic cables have been lit up like a Christmas tree since the incident. One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "The PM is furious. We have citizens in that city. The Chinese have a habit of burying these things. We want the black box and we want it now."
Beijing has a track record of opaque investigations, particularly where state secrets might be involved. In 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board. China's role in that investigation was widely criticised as obstructive. This time, the Foreign Office is determined not to let history repeat itself.
Uncovered documents, shared with me by a former intelligence officer, suggest the flight path that day was not routine. The plane was supposed to be at 8,000 feet on approach. Instead, it was at 1,200 feet and climbing. That doesn't happen without a reason. Pilot error? Mechanical failure? Or something more sinister?
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the Foreign Office's statement "unhelpful" and urged "respect for China's sovereignty." But the British government is not backing down. A Downing Street spokesperson said: "We have a duty to our citizens and to the families of the victims. We will pursue every avenue to establish the truth."
Meanwhile, the families of the British victims are in limbo. Four UK nationals were on that flight. Their names have not been released, but I've spoken to one family member. She said: "We are being told nothing. It's like they've disappeared. We need answers."
The financial sector is watching this closely. The pound has already taken a hit. If this becomes a diplomatic incident, trade could suffer. The UK exported £23 billion in goods to China last year. Any disruption will hit the economy hard.
But this isn't just about money. It's about accountability. A plane doesn't crash into a tower in a capital city without someone, somewhere, having questions they don't want answered. The Foreign Office is right to push for disclosure. The alternative is unacceptable.
I will be following this story closely. More updates as I get them. This is not over.
