The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) plans to build a “super embassy” in London, and the British government is expected to make a final decision within 72 hours. This Saturday, a massive protest erupted on the streets of London. A large number of people from various sectors, including politics and industries, gathered in Royal Mint Court, opposite the Tower of London, demanding the UK government reject this construction plan that threatens national security.
In the past, protests have typically involved hundreds of people, but due to this being the last Saturday before the decision day on January 20, and with opposition party leaders personally taking a stand, the mobilization reached its peak with thousands in attendance.
The leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, personally attended the protest today and addressed the crowd. She urged the British people to stand up against the construction of facilities on British soil that could serve as spy bases.
Badenoch emphasized in her speech, “We must stand up against any attempt to build super spy bases on our land, which threatens our national security and the safety of those fleeing oppression seeking refuge.” She further pointed out, “Britain’s values of freedom and security should not be compromised by appeasing authoritarian regimes.”
In addition to Badenoch, leaders of the China Hawk movement, who have long been concerned about this issue, issued stern warnings. Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has repeatedly joined frontline protests, criticizing the lack of transparency in the government’s decision-making process.
Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat reiterated the long-term threat posed by this project to the UK, stating, “Allowing this Chinese (CCP) super embassy to be built in London would be a serious mistake… It would become a massive spy base, threatening exile communities and the national security of the UK.”
The protest reached its peak at 2 pm. The participants included a wide range of groups, including Hong Kong Watch, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), and organizations representing migrants from Tibet, Uighurs, and Hong Kong.
Benedict Rogers, co-founder and chairman of Hong Kong Watch, was one of the main organizers of today’s protest. He urgently called on people, both at the protest site and on social media, saying, “This is our last chance to say ‘no’ loudly to China’s planned super embassy and super spy base! Please stand up for our values, freedom, security, and the safety of those fleeing the oppression of the Chinese regime.”
Protesters at the scene chanted slogans opposing the establishment of monitoring centers by the CCP in the heart of London. They shouted, “UK Government, don’t reward repression. Say no to China’s super embassy!” and “No mega embassy! No spy base!”
According to reports from The Independent and The Telegraph, the planned super embassy is not only the largest in Europe in terms of scale but also features extremely unconventional interior designs, including up to 208 secret rooms.
Critics are concerned that these facilities in the basement could be used for illegally detaining and interrogating dissidents who have fled to the UK, becoming a hub for CCP’s “transnational repression.”
The building includes a “hidden chamber” planned in close proximity to crucial data cables supporting communications between the City of London and Canary Wharf. Ciaran Martin, former CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), noted that the intelligence agencies have launched a thorough review of this.
The UK government has promised to make a final decision by January 20. Currently, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing immense internal pressure, as nine Labour Party members have jointly written to Community Affairs Minister Steve Reed, warning that approving the project would “escalate intimidation of dissenters.”
Local residents have also joined the protests, fearing that if approved, their private lives will be subjected to comprehensive monitoring. The chants at the scene were continuous: “The CCP is watching you, stop the mega embassy!” and “Stop Chinese secret policing in the UK!”
Although some officials at Downing Street believe that consolidating diplomatic facilities aids in security management, the significant public pressure on site today indicates that any decision to compromise with Beijing will spark a severe political storm within the UK.