LONDON — In a decisive move that has ignited substantial political controversy, the British government has granted formal approval for China’s massive new embassy complex in central London. The decision comes after years of delays, legal challenges, and mounting security concerns from lawmakers and intelligence experts.
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed officially sanctioned the construction plans for the diplomatic compound near the Tower of London, despite vigorous opposition from security officials and conservative politicians. The proposed facility, which will become China’s largest diplomatic mission in Europe, has been at the center of intense debate since Beijing acquired the Royal Mint Court site for £225 million ($301 million) in 2018.
Security analysts and opposition members have repeatedly warned that the supersized embassy could serve as a base for espionage operations, potentially enabling increased surveillance of Chinese dissidents in exile and compromising sensitive financial infrastructure. The site’s proximity to underground fiber optic cables transmitting critical financial data between London’s primary financial districts has particularly alarmed security experts. British media reports indicate the complex would include 208 concealed basement rooms adjacent to these vital data conduits.
The approval process had been repeatedly postponed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration amid growing concerns about Chinese espionage and political interference activities in the UK. The decision has nevertheless been finalized, with the government emphasizing the necessity of maintaining diplomatic engagement with China while ensuring robust security measures are implemented.
The new 20,000-square-meter facility will consolidate several existing Chinese diplomatic properties across London, significantly expanding China’s diplomatic footprint in the British capital. The approval is anticipated to facilitate Prime Minister Starmer’s long-awaited official visit to China, which would mark the first such trip by a British leader since 2018, and potentially enable reciprocal expansion of UK diplomatic facilities in Beijing.
China had previously expressed frustration over the seven-year delay, characterizing the prolonged approval process as an unnecessary politicization of routine diplomatic matters. The Chinese government maintains that the new embassy will serve legitimate diplomatic purposes and enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.