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The United Kingdom has granted approval for China’s proposal to establish a large new embassy in central London, despite concerns raised by critics who warn that the embassy could potentially serve as a hub for espionage and present security challenges. Dan Jarvis, the UK’s Security Minister, stated that intelligence agencies played a crucial role in the decision-making process and expressed confidence that any associated risks are being managed effectively.
This decision had been postponed multiple times and represented a complex dilemma for the UK government as it attempted to reconcile the ambition of strengthening relations with Beijing against ongoing warnings about the security threats posed by China. Notably, Sir Keir Starmer is anticipated to visit Beijing early this year, which would make him the first British prime minister to do so since 2018.
The approval was formally confirmed in a letter from the housing department, which revealed that Housing Secretary Steve Reed, responsible for planning policy, had authorized the development on the condition of meeting certain requirements. The chosen location, Royal Mint Court, lies near the City of London and is close to fibre optic cables carrying highly sensitive financial data—a fact that has sparked unease about the potential for surveillance or interference by Chinese authorities. However, official documents stated there is no evidence to suggest that the embassy’s presence would disrupt these cables. Additionally, national security bodies such as the Home Office and the Foreign Office have not registered any objections related to the proximity of the cables.
Security Minister Jarvis told Members of Parliament that the government has implemented extensive measures to strengthen the protection of data cables in the area, aiming to safeguard sensitive information. He further argued that consolidating China’s multiple diplomatic sites, currently spread across seven locations, into one embassy actually delivers “clear national security advantages.” This view was supported by a joint letter from MI5’s director general Sir Ken McCallum and GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler, who acknowledged that it is unrealistic to completely eliminate all risks but affirmed that a “proportionate” set of security mitigations has been prepared for the site.
Opposition politicians and some members of the Labour Party have voiced strong opposition to the embassy plans, with local residents also planning legal challenges. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel sharply criticized the government’s move, claiming “Keir Starmer has sold off our national security to the Chinese Communist Party with his shameful super embassy surrender.” Similarly, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller argued that the decision will “amplify China’s surveillance efforts here in the UK and endanger the security of our data—not to speak of the safety of the brave Hong Kongers on British soil.” He condemned the prime minister for what he described as “embracing these threats to further his flirtation with China.” Reform UK added that the approval represented “a serious threat to national security” and accused the government of trying “to cosy up to the Chinese Communist Party.” Jarvis responded by emphasizing that national security has not been compromised in exchange for economic or diplomatic engagement, asserting that it is through this engagement that the UK can directly confront China on malicious activities.
The proposed embassy, spanning 20,000 square metres, would be the largest Chinese diplomatic facility in Europe. China purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255 million in 2018, and securing approval for the embassy has been a longstanding priority for the Chinese government. The application faced initial rejection from Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 due to safety issues, but when the application was resubmitted in 2024, the UK government assumed responsibility for granting approval. Meanwhile, the UK awaits Chinese approval for its own £100 million redevelopment plans for the British embassy in Beijing. Rejecting China’s embassy plans in London risked damaging the fragile diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Since coming to power, the Labour government has made efforts to foster closer trade ties with China, with senior officials like Chancellor Rachel Reeves visiting the country. However, some critics remain wary, pointing to concerns about espionage risks and China’s intimidation of dissidents abroad as reasons for maintaining a cautious stance in bilateral relations
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