US EditionUK government approves Chinese ‘mega embassy’ in London
- On Jan 20, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed approved planning permission and listed-building consent for a huge Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court, central London near the Tower of London.
- Since 2018, China’s government purchased Royal Mint Court, central London for 225 million pounds, and after Tower Hamlets Council refused permission in 2022, central UK government took control of the application.
- Intelligence chiefs said mitigations were developed for the embassy's 208 subterranean rooms near fibre‑optic cables linking Canary Wharf and the Square Mile, but no risk can be wholly eliminated.
- Declared final by ministers, the decision remains open to court review as local residents and judicial challengers say they will seek legal action, while the approval is expected to support Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's visit this month and expansion of the UK embassy in Beijing.
- Critics say the UK government has `capitulated to Chinese demands` as Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to improve relations this month, despite security concerns, Dan Jarvis said.
182 Articles
182 Articles
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UK Approves Chinese Mega-Embassy in Central London
Royal Mint Court, the proposed site of the new Chinese embassy in London. Credit: Steve Cadman / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 The UK has approved plans for a Chinese mega-embassy complex in central London, moving forward with a controversial project that has drawn criticism over national security concerns. The new diplomatic site, set to become the biggest Chinese embassy in Europe, will be located at Royal Mint Court, near the City of Londo…
The Express Tribune
KahawaTunguUK approves plans for Chinese mega-embassy
The UK government on Tuesday gave China the green light to build a "mega-embassy" in the heart of London eight years after Beijing bought the site, triggering fresh anger from residents and rights groups. The 20,000-square-metre (235,000-square-foot) site is set to become the largest embassy complex in the UK by area, and one of the largest in the centre of a Western capital. But it could still face legal challenges and residents vowed Tuesday t…
Kyodo News+
Bangkok PostUK approves China plan for mega embassy in London despite spy fears
LONDON - Britain's government gave approval on Tuesday for China to build its largest embassy in Europe in London, hoping to improve ties with Beijing despite British and U.S. politicians' warnings that it could be used as a base for spying.
U.K. approves controversial plans for Chinese ‘super embassy’ in London
The planning permission for the proposed construction at the 20,000-square-metre site of the former Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London had been “called in” for a ministerial review as a matter of national significance
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