China wants a large embassy in London. The authorities are afraid of spies

The British government announced on Thursday that it has again postponed the decision on granting consent to the construction of a new – controversial – Chinese embassy in London. The embassy is to be the largest in Europe, and due to its location, there are concerns that it will be used for spying.

The decision was initially supposed to be made by September 9, but this deadline was moved to October 21. On Thursday, a government spokesman said that “taking into account the complex nature of the issue”, the deadline had been extended to December 10, and noted that this date was not legally binding.

The new Chinese embassy is to be located in the former Royal Mint Court building, close to the Tower of London and, importantly, directly between two financial centers, the City and Canary Wharf. China bought an area of ​​over 20,000 square meters. square meters in 2018 for £255 million. The plan assumes that, in addition to the embassy, ​​there will be a Chinese cultural center there, and 200 employees will be accommodated in this complex. The area is already patrolled by Chinese security guards, and monitoring has also been installed.

Beijing's first development application for the site was rejected by Tower Hamlets City Council in 2022 over concerns that protests outside the embassy and security measures could harm local tourism. After taking power in 2024, the Labor government took the decision on this matter out of local government competence and decided that it would be decided at the ministerial level.

Opponents of the new embassy claim that the move will allow China to freely infiltrate the British financial system by connecting to fiber optic cables transmitting confidential company data from the City. Moreover, there is a tunnel nearby under the Thames, which has been carrying fiber-optic cables serving hundreds of companies since 1985. Particular concern was raised by the fact that the land development plan submitted by the Chinese did not explain the purpose of some of the rooms, including those in the basement of the building, explaining it for “security reasons.”

The postponement of the decision on the approval of the construction of the new embassy came on the day when the head of MI5, Ken McCallum, warned of the growing threat from hostile countries such as Russia, Iran and China. Speaking about China, he confirmed that “Chinese state actors” pose a threat to UK national security “every day”. (PAP)

bjn/mms/

arch.