Actually Barbara, for FT's like foxy who live in China long term, and also myself, I do not have any kind of bank account in the UK, not one at all, and If I do, it certainly has no money in it.

I would say his advice is very sensible for ft's who live in china for the long term, why accrue bank fees in your country of origin? And all the hassle involved in paying them, makes more sense to open a local account.