The British government is on the verge of making a critical decision regarding the plan for the construction of a “super embassy” by the Chinese Communist Party in London. As the deadline for approval approaches, signals released by the Prime Minister’s Office and relevant departments indicate that the Labour government is inclined to approve the project under the premise of strengthening security checks, in order to maintain diplomatic contact and cooperation with China.
The British government has set this Tuesday (January 20th) as the final deadline for deciding whether to approve the project. The proposed location for the project is near the Tower Bridge in London, at the site of the former Royal Mint. If approved, it would become the largest Chinese embassy in Europe.
Multiple British media outlets have cited government sources indicating that the relevant departments are expected to give the project the “green light,” ending seven years of approval and legal disputes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized on multiple occasions recently that there is “no room for compromise” when it comes to maintaining national security. However, he has also pointed out that the UK still needs to maintain diplomatic dialogue and practical cooperation with China, a major Asian country.
The British side believes that maintaining normal diplomatic operations under controllable security assessments is in the long-term interest of the UK. Approving the embassy project is also seen as paving the way for Starmer’s long-prepared visit to China and creating conditions for the expansion of the UK’s embassy in Beijing.
The Chinese Communist Party has previously protested to the UK over repeated delays in approval. The British government has responded by stating that the process involves urban planning, legal procedures, and national security reviews that must be handled prudently in accordance with the law.
On the security front, British intelligence and security agencies have continuously warned of the risks of Chinese espionage activities in recent years. The domestic security agency MI5 issued a warning to parliamentarians last November, stating that individuals associated with the Chinese Communist Party are engaging in “targeted and widespread” contact and influence within the UK political sphere through LinkedIn or shell companies.
However, various sources indicate that British security agencies have conducted an acceptable security assessment of the new embassy project, believing that the associated risks can be managed through counter-espionage and monitoring measures. Some security experts also point out that consolidating the seven dispersed Chinese diplomatic offices in London into a single campus may actually be advantageous for British monitoring and management.
Former head of the UK National Cyber Security Centre under GCHQ, Ciaran Martin, wrote in The Times that the issue of choosing a site for the Chinese embassy primarily involves practical matters of security risk assessment and counter-espionage management in the context of the UK not intending to sever ties with China.
As the government is about to make a final decision, opposition against the project reached a climax on Saturday. Leader of the main opposition party, the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, attended the demonstration and called on the Labour government to reject the plan. She accused the Chinese authorities of “harassing and sanctioning” UK parliamentarians and “pressuring” British citizens with ties to China, questioning the government’s alleged soft stance on China-related matters.
Badenoch openly criticized Starmer for lacking the political will to confront the Chinese government, leading to government concessions on issues involving significant security risks. She reiterated that the proposed new Chinese embassy should not move forward and described the facility as a potential “hub for espionage,” considering its site and scale to pose an unacceptable threat to UK national security.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the planned embassy site, chanting anti-government slogans. Political figures from various opposition parties also spoke at the rally. Opponents argue that the approximately 20,000 square meters of the new embassy, located adjacent to the financial district and crucial data cables, could be used for intelligence gathering and monitoring of Chinese dissidents living abroad.
According to The Telegraph, the proposed design for the Chinese “super embassy” in London includes extensive underground spaces, including up to 208 underground chambers. The report also notes that one of the underground chambers is located near critical data cables supporting communication between the City of London and Canary Wharf, raising security concerns over the design details.
(Reference from the Associated Press)