US EditionUK government approves Chinese ‘mega embassy’ in London
The UK government approved the 22,000 sq m embassy at Royal Mint Court with security mitigations despite concerns over espionage and repression risks, enabling a possible Starmer visit.
- 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.
189 Articles
189 Articles
Four numbers you need to know today
600,000: The square footage of a new Chinese mega embassy slated for construction in London. (That’s 56,000 square meters for you non Imperial measurers.) London approved the project despite warnings from both local and US politicians that the building could be used for spying. The decision also comes right before Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing next week – he’ll be the first UK leader to do so since 2018.96: The number of lawmakers i…
UK Approves China's Largest European Embassy Amid Security, Human Rights Concerns
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. The United Kingdom government has given the green light to China's plans to build what is set to become its largest diplomatic mission in Europe, a decision that has triggered sharp criticism from security experts, opposition politicians, and human rights organisations. World News | UK Approves China's Largest European Embassy Amid Security, Human Rights Concerns.
Keir Starmer cannot win on China’s London embassy
Yesterday, the British Government decided to allow plans for China’s “mega-embassy” in London to go ahead. This came amid reports that the Royal Mint site in the City — which China bought in 2018 — is located close to vital fibre optic cables used for sending sensitive information in the financial district. But ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China, the decision shows just how tricky it is to carry out effective diplomacy from a …
China is planning a new mission abroad – in the middle of London's financial centre. There were protests against it. Now the secret services surprise with an assessment.
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