I worked on and off, 1985–1990, at a quango* called SBTC (Sino-British Trade Council), now CBBC (China-Britain Business Council).
They offered a (then-)free service to British companies wishing to do business with China, organising inward missions (Chinese delegations to the UK) and outward missions (British delegations to China).
The Chinese have a nickname for London: wùdū 雾都 (fog capital). We took great pains to tell them that such events were a thing of the past, the last one being the Great Smog** (or the Big Smoke***, London’s nickname) which took place in 1952.
On the day this particular Chinese delegation was due to arrive in London, their plane got diverted to Manchester — because London was fogged out.
(Event happened 1985?/1986?)
* quango: quasi-Non-Governmental-Organisations
(from googling) These are independent, typically non-profit organizations that operate outside of government control, often addressing social, humanitarian, or environmental issues. While many NGOs are non-profit, they may also receive funding from various sources, including government grants, private donations, and international institutions.
** (from googling) The Great Smog of London, which occurred from December 5-9, 1952, was a severe air pollution event caused by a combination of industrial pollution and weather conditions. The smog was so dense that it halted transportation, closed public events, and resulted in thousands of deaths. It is considered one of the worst air pollution events in history and ultimately led to the passage of the Clean Air Act.
*** (from googling) “The Big Smoke” is a popular nickname for London, primarily due to its history of air pollution, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries when coal burning was widespread. The term gained prominence in the late 19th century and was used by those from rural areas to describe the smog that often enveloped the city.
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