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Politics Home Article | Plans For Chinese ‘Super Embassy’ In London Approved
Plans for a new Chinese super-embassy in London have been approved (Alamy)
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The government has approved plans for a new Chinese ‘super embassy’ in London.
The new diplomatic development faced widespread opposition out of concerns over the threat it could pose to national security.
In a statement on Tuesday, the government said intelligence agencies had been “involved throughout the process” and “an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks”.
The decision over the 20,000 sq metre building, which is set to be the largest embassy in Europe, had previously been delayed twice.
The land was purchased by China under the previous Conservative government for £255m in 2018, but an application for the development was refused by Tower Hamlets council in 2022.
In 2024, however, after Labour entered government, China resubmitted an identical version of the plans.
At the same time, the Keir Starmer government has tried to balance potential Chinese risks to national security with an ambition to deepen economic ties with Beijing.
The PM is expected to visit China in the coming weeks, which would make him the first British prime minister to do so since his Tory predecessor, Theresa May.
In a statement this morning, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, said he had approved plans to develop Royal Mint Court, opposite the Tower of London.
“All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision,” he said.
“The decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court.”
A government spokesperson said: “This planning decision has been taken independently by the Secretary of State for Housing. This follows a process that began in 2018 when the then Foreign Secretary provided formal diplomatic consent for the site.
“More broadly, countries establishing embassies in other countries’ capitals is a normal part of international relations.
“National security is our first duty. Intelligence agencies have been involved throughout the process and an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks.
“Following extensive negotiations in recent months, the Chinese government has agreed to consolidate its seven current sites in London into one site, bringing clear security advantages.”
Responding to the news, the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, said that approving the site “sends the signal that Labour are willing to trade our national security for diplomatic convenience”.
“The Labour government should grow a backbone and reverse this decision for the sake of our national interest.”
