Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10
Plans for a Chinese mega-embassy in London could bring “security benefits”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson has said, despite opponents’ security fears.
Number 10 underlined the security advantage of grouping together the seven Chinese sites currently scattered around the capital, while the date of the decision on whether or not to grant the building permit was postponed for the third time, to the new year.
Some believe the Chinese mega-embassy, if given the green light, would become a huge espionage hub in the heart of London.
However, the government is expected to give the embassy the green light on January 20 next year.
This is the third time that a decision on whether to give the embassy the green light has been postponed, and the delay is meant to allow more time to consult with everyone involved.
In a letter seen by one of the groups opposed to the project, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, the interior minister and foreign minister said they had worked to ensure “national security concerns” associated with the new embassy were addressed.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said their concerns had been addressed as China had agreed to move all its diplomats accredited in London to one site if approved.
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said the consolidation would bring “clear security benefits” to the UK.
“If the planning decision for a new embassy is approved, the new embassy would replace seven different sites that currently make up China’s diplomatic footprint in London, which clearly brings security benefits,” he said.
He added that the Home Office and Foreign Office had “given their views on particular security implications and made it clear that a decision should not be made until we have affirmed that these considerations have been finalized or resolved”.
If the plans come to fruition, the Chinese embassy would be the largest in Europe, with space for 200 employees on site, as well as offices and a large basement.
The site, located on Royal Mint Court, would also be close to fiber optic cables carrying large amounts of highly sensitive data to the City of London.
Suspicions were also raised when embassy planning documents had parts blacked out when submitted to Tower Hamlets council, marked “redacted for security reasons”.
This summer, then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner gave China two weeks to explain what these rooms should be used for – and officials now seem satisfied.
The Chinese embassy in the UK previously said the new complex would strengthen “mutually beneficial cooperation” between China and Britain, with officials arguing objections to the site were unwarranted.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer focused on the difficult balancing act in Britain’s relationship with China in a speech setting out his foreign policy priorities on Monday in the City of London.
Stressing that China remains a “defining force in technology, trade and global governance”, while recognizing the “reality” that China “poses threats to national security”, Sir Keir said he wanted to seize potential export opportunities in finance, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods.
The head of MI5 has described Chinese state actors as a daily threat to the UK’s national security, and the security services last month issued an unusual spy alert over two named Chinese profiles on LinkedIn targeting MPs and parliamentary staff, which China has denied.
Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly accused Labor of trying to “steamroll” approval of the plans “without proper scrutiny” and despite “the danger this poses to Britain’s national security”, because ministers do not have “the courage to stand up to China”.
“Throughout this process, ministers have sought to suppress criticism of the embassy’s plans,” he said.
“Even our security services have been prevented from submitting private evidence to the investigation.
“The government must now ensure it can submit its concerns, via a private audience, away from the eyes of the Beijing regime, and it is essential that authorities have access to the full, unredacted drawings hidden by the Chinese government.”
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in London said: “We strongly deplore the repeated postponement by the British side of the decision on the application for planning permission for the new Chinese embassy project.
“We strongly urge the British side to promptly approve our planning application to avoid further undermining mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides.”
Sign up to our Politics Essential newsletter to read the best political analysis, get news from across the UK and stay up to date with the big stories. It will be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
