Chinese super embassy in Lodnyn. The dispute is settled, will the spies settle down?

The British government on Tuesday gave consent to the construction of a new, highly controversial Chinese embassy in London. The facility is to be the largest in Europe, and due to its location, there are concerns that it will be used for spying.

The decision on this matter was included in a 240-page document published by the government. “The decision was in line with the recommendation of the independent planning inspector, who conducted a public inquiry into the matter from February 11 to 19, 2025. (Representatives – PAP) of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government making planning decisions must follow a court-like procedure. This means that they must make decisions in a fair manner, based on evidence and planning regulations,” the head of the ministry wrote in an accompanying statement. Steve Reed.

He added that “all relevant factors were taken into account in making this decision” and it is “final unless successfully challenged in court“.

Londoners announce a protest

This remains a realistic scenario, because, as Reuters reported, a group of people living near the planned construction site said they intended to appeal against the decision. Dave Lake, who is among those opposed to the embassy construction, told the agency that residents would ask their lawyer to explore how they could challenge the decision in court. – It's not over yet – he emphasized.

The government assured that the intelligence services were involved in the decision-making process and the concerns raised were taken into account.

National security is our priority. Intelligence agencies were involved throughout the process and a wide range of measures were developed to manage any threats. Following intense negotiations in recent months, the Chinese government has agreed to consolidate seven existing facilities in London into one, which will bring clear security benefits, a government spokesman said.

Location between financial powerhouses

The new Chinese embassy is to be located in the former Royal Mint Court building near 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 the complex.

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. The announcement of the decision has been postponed several times in recent months.

Concerns about surveillance, i.e. mysterious basements and fiber optics

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, nearby, under the Thames, there is a tunnel through which fiber-optic cables have been running since 1985, serving hundreds of companies. 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 the basement of the building, explaining it for “security reasons”. (PAP)

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