Safety in Solidarity—团结起来，共抗恐怖主义

Since August, 2014, the threat ofinternational terrorism in the UK remained at ‘SEVERE’, capitalized ongovernmental websites as an uncomfortably emphatic reminder of the anticipationand likelihood.

On Mar 22, I experienced rain forthe first time in Beijing. It was, grey, cold, and I wandered through thestreets feeling comforted by its gentle reminder of my home – London.

As if by a bitter twist of fate,hell and confusion were later unleashed at Westminster, the city’s politicaland cultural lifeblood only now itself covered in the blood of terror’s victims. 

A day after the governmentannounced a ban on laptops and tablets in cabin luggage on flights from sixMiddle Eastern countries to “maintain the safety of British nationals” (as described by transport secretary, Chris Grayling), this singular attackon Westminster seemed a sick, mocking reminder that lone attackers are the mostimportant challenge to any country’s security.

Of course, it must be kept in perspective. The government recently claimed it has successfully protectedagainst at least 10 attempted terror attacks in the past two years. However,the success of security agents and services could not be upheld without theinitial and crucial defense of solidarity. 

Tourists and Londoners, for alltheir dry skepticism, feel safe in the city. There is a sense that in spite ofthe surrounding attacks in Europe, a looming warning, and subconscious sense ofinevitability for the moment we all fear most, no one has let their lives be dictated or dominated byterrorism. 

It has been speculated that thelocation of the attack, at the Houses of Parliament, is in fact an attack on thevalues of Western democracy. The symbolism is violently unapologetic anddistressingly apparent. Factor in the death of a 15-yearserving policeman, and it is almost impossible to escape.

But whilst nothing is yet known ofthe motive, in many ways, the methodology of terror will always remain the same– to strike fear into the heart of nations, and watch them unravel withinthemselves.

Watching such events unfold isparticularly difficult when you live abroad. Today, Beijing still rains, almostin her own form of solidarity with the rest of the world in respect of thehorrors that took place and the lives that were lost.  

The UK has been torn apart by manythings in recent years – from economics to elections; Brexitto our own banks, but terrorism will not be one of them. In a statement, PrimeMinister Theresa May declared that, “We will all move forward together, nevergiving into terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive usapart”. 

The attack has been shocking, theintent gruesome and the aftermath will be devastating. But people of allbackgrounds and cultures will continue to walk and experience a city that will remainunited under an umbrella of love, kindness and unshakable defiance in the faceof terror.