The United Kingdom government has granted approval for the construction of a new Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint Court site in central London. The decision, formally signed off by Local Government Secretary Steve Reed on Tuesday, follows approximately eight years of delays, protests, and legal challenges. The planned diplomatic complex, set to be China's largest in Europe, has generated a range of concerns from lawmakers, local residents, and human rights activists regarding national security and local impact, while government officials emphasize the need for diplomatic engagement.
Project Overview
China acquired the Royal Mint Court site, located near the Tower of London and bordering London's financial district, in 2018 for an estimated $312 million (£252 million). The new embassy building is projected to cover approximately 20,000 square meters (215,000 square feet). This scale would make it the largest Chinese diplomatic facility in Europe. Reports indicate that China's foreign office is prepared to invest at least $1.5 billion in its renovation.
The approval process experienced multiple delays before the final consent was granted. The UK government had previously suggested that consolidating China's seven existing diplomatic sites in the capital could offer "security advantages."
Context of the Decision
The government's approval comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration aims to balance national security priorities with maintaining diplomatic dialogue and cooperation with China. Prime Minister Starmer has previously called for a "consistent, durable, respectful" relationship with China and increased business cooperation. The decision precedes an anticipated visit by Prime Minister Starmer to Beijing, which would be the first by a British leader since 2018. It is also reportedly linked to China's approval for the renovation of the UK's embassy in Beijing.
China has expressed dissatisfaction with previous delays in the project, stating that the U.K. had been "constantly complicating and politicizing the matter." Chinese leader Xi Jinping reportedly took a personal interest in the embassy project, discussing it with Prime Minister Starmer. A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry had previously indicated that Britain would "bear all consequences" if permission were denied. China was the UK's fourth-largest trading partner in the four quarters leading to Q2 2025, accounting for 5.5% of total British trade, although British exports of goods to China decreased by 23% during the same period.
Expressed Concerns and Opposition
The project has faced significant opposition from various groups:
- Political Opposition: Kemi Badenoch of the opposition Conservative Party participated in a protest against the plans, calling for the Labour government to reject them. The Conservative Party criticized the decision, describing it as an "act of cowardice." Labour MP Sarah Campion, chair of the UK's international development select committee, also warned of security risks.
- National Security Concerns: Lawmakers, including Alicia Kearns, and security analysts voiced concerns that the large complex could serve as a base for espionage, "economic warfare," and increased surveillance of Chinese dissidents in exile. Reports cited 200 to 208 underground rooms within the plans, with one reportedly near fiber-optic cables that transmit sensitive financial and communication data between London's financial hubs. Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, suggested the approval could lead to increased Chinese interference due to more state employees in London.
- Local Resident Concerns: Local residents, such as Mark Nygate, expressed concerns regarding safety, security, privacy, potential increased surveillance, and the possibility of becoming targets during demonstrations. Conservative Councillor Peter Golds indicated plans for a judicial review, citing concerns about traffic disruption near Tower Bridge and the embassy's potential impact on the heritage site's appearance.
- Dissident Community Concerns: Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Chung Ching Kwong, who resides in London, voiced fears for the safety of dissidents from Hong Kong and China, suggesting that a larger embassy could lead to increased "oppression and espionage activities" against individuals who have resettled in the UK.
Protests against the embassy plans took place in London, including a demonstration on January 17, which Kemi Badenoch attended.
Security Agency Review
Britain’s intelligence and security services have previously issued warnings regarding Chinese espionage activities, with MI5 alerting lawmakers in November to "targeted and widespread" efforts by Chinese agents to recruit them. MI5's head, Ken McCallum, has stated that Chinese state actors pose a daily national security threat to the UK.
Despite these broader warnings, MI5 did not lodge a formal objection to the embassy plans. UK security services are reportedly believed to have approved the development. Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated in the House of Commons that the government's decision balances national security with diplomatic needs regarding China. He confirmed that a detailed consideration of risks by expert officials ensures the UK's national security is protected, and that the government had reviewed the unredacted plans, including those detailing underground infrastructure. The UK government stated that no national security bodies raised concerns about the proximity of cables or other underground infrastructure.
Additionally, China and the UK have agreed that the publicly accessible forecourt on the embassy grounds will not have diplomatic immunity, a measure intended to manage public risk.
China has consistently rejected allegations of spying on Western countries. The Chinese embassy in London issued a brief statement acknowledging the UK government's decision.