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The UK government is poised to grant approval for China’s proposal to construct a new, expansive embassy in central London. Although no official decision has been announced yet, reports indicate that intelligence agencies have provided advice that clears the way for the controversial development to move forward. This potential approval, initially reported by the Times newspaper, highlights ongoing debates about the prudence of maintaining close ties with Beijing. Ultimately, the responsibility for approving or rejecting the planning application rests with Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who must make what is described as a quasi-judicial decision.
Given the sensitive nature of this matter, several agencies, including MI5 and MI6, have been involved in consultations. The decision-making process has experienced multiple delays, with the government extending the deadline for a ruling on the application to December 10. The proposed embassy is set to occupy Royal Mint Court, a site situated near the City of London, where critical fiber optic cables that handle large volumes of sensitive data run. This proximity has raised concerns about potential espionage risks. If approved, the embassy would be the largest of its kind in Europe, spanning some 20,000 square metres.
Supporters of the project have argued that consolidating the embassy into a single location, rather than several scattered sites, could be easier to oversee. There is also recognition within government circles that denying China’s long-standing wish for a new embassy could adversely impact diplomatic relations. However, the plan has faced strong opposition from figures such as Dame Priti Patel, the Conservative shadow foreign secretary. She cautioned that allowing the embassy to proceed could expose Britain to security threats, accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of being “desperate and unprincipled.” Officials from the Chinese Embassy have defended the new complex, stating it would promote “mutually beneficial cooperation” between the two countries and dismissed objections as unfounded.
Since winning the general election last year, Labour has aimed to improve the UK’s relationship with China. Key figures such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Business Secretary Peter Kyle, and senior Foreign Office civil servant Sir Olly Robbins have all made visits to China. The prime minister himself is expected to travel there, potentially as early as next year, although no official confirmation has been made. Speaking en route to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, the prime minister emphasized that the government’s approach remains consistent: “cooperate where we can and challenge where we must, particularly on national security.” Critics argue that the government is not taking China’s threats seriously enough and call for a far more cautious stance. Dame Priti Patel remarked: “It beggars belief that Starmer is jetting off to Beijing just months after the case against the alleged Chinese spies collapsed on his watch.” She added, “Keir Starmer is so weak, and our economy so precarious, that Labour feels it must kowtow to China at every opportunity, regardless of the cost to our country.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also opposed the embassy’s approval, describing it as the “wrong decision.” He pointed to the experience of Hong Kongers who came to the UK seeking refuge from Chinese oppression, asserting that granting this embassy permission would be an affront to them. Earlier this year, a high-profile espionage case involving two men, one a former parliamentary researcher accused of spying for China, collapsed under contentious circumstances; both men denied the allegations. Prosecutors withdrew the case due to an inability to produce evidence that linked China explicitly as a national security threat. Ministers expressed frustration over the collapse, attributing it to the previous Conservative government’s policies and outdated security laws. Recently, MI5 issued a warning to members of parliament regarding the significant espionage threat posed by Chinese operatives, who allegedly pose as “headhunters” on platforms like LinkedIn to collect sensitive political information. China, however, has strongly denied all espionage accusations, dismissing them as “pure fabrication.”
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