The airport is also intended as a gift for the relatively underdeveloped region south of the capital where it is located (67km from Capital airport in the northeast). It is roughly equidistant between the centre of Beijing and a new city, Xiongan, that is being built in Hebei province, south of Daxing, to relieve population pressure on the capital (Xiongan is a project cherished by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, as is the airport).

Despite the swept-up top, this is more Régence in feeling than Rococo, recalling the engravings of Marot and Berain.

From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.

If we must needs study, let us study something sorteable to our condition[…].