Two lion statues that “guard” China’s research office in Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard must be removed. This is demanded by the state-owned Norwegian company that manages the buildings.

“The Chinese are tenants with us. We trust that they will follow our instructions,” says Lars Ole Saugnes, director of the state-owned company Kings Bay, to Svalbardposten .

According to the newspaper, the company, which owns most of the buildings in Ny-Ålesund, wants the Chinese Polar Research Institute to keep a lower profile and tone down the visual expression at the front door.

The Chinese have therefore been asked to remove the lions and a sign that says “Yellow River Station” at the entrance to the building, which has the address Ungkarsheimen 1.

China rented the building for over 20 years, and the lion pair has guarded the entrance for just as long.

The changes are part of a new sign plan that will apply to all buildings rented by foreigners in Ny-Ålesund.

Last summer, a cruise ship docked in Ny-Ålesund, causing a stir. On board were 183 Chinese people with flags and banners, who showed up to mark the 20th anniversary of Chinese research in Svalbard. Among them was a woman dressed in a military uniform.

The case had a diplomatic aftermath, and according to NRK , the Chinese embassy was called in for a meeting with the Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As far as Svalbardposten understands, both the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice have been informed about the “lion plan” in Ny-Ålesund.