UK-Ireland Border Impasse: Line between Ireland, UK poses a vexing Brexit problem

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Europe

The Irish border issue has become one of the most difficult issues of the Brexit negotiations. It not only touches on the UK's relationship with the EU, but is also a sensitive political issue for the local area. CGTN's Zhang He has the story.

Derry or Londonderry? Be careful what this border city is called. The sectarian tension eased thanks to the Good Friday agreement signed 20 years ago. However, Brexit brings another big challenge to the city -- what will the border look like after the UK leaves the European Union next year? So far, the solutions offered have failed to convince people.

SINEAD McLAUGHLIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LONDONDERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "The red lines that have been set down at the very beginning of this negotiation, and you can't say on one hand, you are leaving the Custom Union and the Single Market, and have on the other hand no border within the island of Ireland. So they are completely incompatible."

During the Troubles that ended 20 years ago, the 300-mile Irish border was the focal point of armed insurgency.

ZHANG HE UK-IRISH BORDER This is the border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK. It is very difficult to find a border here. The only thing that I can find is that- on the Irish side, it says 50 KM per hour, while on the other side, that is UK. It reads 60 miles per hour.

Mr. Bradley lives in a house next to the Irish border. His family has been here for more than 60 years. Recalling the old days when customs were in place at the border, he said re-introducing a hard border would be like re-opening a "gaping wound".

BRIAN BRADLEY LOCAL RESIDENT "No, no one wants a hard border. Definitely not. It would be very difficult to go back to hard border now. People are so used to not having a border."

The established peace could be challenged by changes unleashed by Brexit. Relationships has been put to the test not only between Dublin and Belfast, but also between Belfast and London.

SINEAD McLAUGHLIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LONDONDERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "The Good Friday Agreement is 20 years old next month and it is a very bittersweet anniversary. It is embarrassing at this stage that we do not have any political representation on this massive issue."

When it comes to the Irish border, it is full of fudge and compromise. But as the UK moves closer to the Brexit day, the border issue seems to remain a difficult one to tackle. Zhang He, CGTN, Londonderry, UK.