The UK has approved China’s plans for a massive new embassy in central London, despite warnings from politicians and residents that the site could be used for spying and pose security risks.
A government spokesperson said intelligence agencies were involved throughout the approval process. Consolidating China’s diplomatic premises into a single location would bring “clear security advantages,” the spokesperson added.
The decision, which had faced repeated delays, highlights the government’s efforts to balance closer ties with Beijing against concerns over the potential threat from Chinese state operations. The announcement comes ahead of a planned visit to China by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who would be the first UK prime minister to travel to Beijing since 2018.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed, responsible for planning policy, formally approved the project at Royal Mint Court, subject to certain conditions. The site, located near the City of London, is close to fibre optic cables carrying sensitive financial data, raising fears that China could attempt to exploit them. However, government officials said there was no indication that the embassy would interfere with the cables and that no national security bodies, including the Home Office and Foreign Office, had objected.
MI5 Director General Sir Ken McCallum and GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler cautioned that “it is not realistic to expect to be able wholly to eliminate each and every potential risk.” They said a “proportionate” package of security mitigations had been developed for the site.
Opposition parties and some Labour MPs have criticized the decision. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel described it as “selling off our national security to the Chinese Communist Party.” Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller warned the embassy could “amplify China’s surveillance efforts here in the UK” and endanger sensitive data and the safety of Hong Kong residents living in Britain. Reform UK called it a “serious threat to national security” and accused the Labour government of trying to “cosy up” to Beijing.
The new embassy, covering 20,000 square metres, would be the largest of its kind in Europe. China purchased the site in 2018 for £255 million. The original proposal was rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 over safety concerns, but the government assumed decision-making power after China resubmitted the plan in 2024.
The UK is also awaiting approval from China for a £100 million redevelopment of the British embassy in Beijing. Labour has emphasized the importance of maintaining strong trade and diplomatic ties with China, with several senior ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, visiting the country since the party came to power. Critics argue that concerns over Chinese surveillance and intimidation of dissidents abroad should prompt a more cautious approach.
Analysts say the decision underscores the delicate balance the UK faces between international diplomacy and national security, as Beijing continues to expand its global footprint.
