A new Chinese “super embassy” in central London has been approved by the government.
The controversial diplomatic base had been opposed for various reasons, including the possibility it would be used as an espionage base, the risk that nearby sensitive financial cabling could be intercepted, and the potential of protests against China being held outside.
However, Sir Keir Starmer‘s government has given the site, at the old Royal Mint Court location near the Tower of London, the green light.
It paves the way for the Labour leader to become the first British prime minister to visit China since Baroness Theresa May in 2018, with a trip on the cards before the end of this month.
Sky News understands Sir Keir’s visit was conditional on the embassy being approved.
The decision was met with derision by campaigners, local residents and other political parties.
The residents of Royal Mint Court, whose landlord is China after they bought the site in 2018, are set to launch a judicial review against the decision. They have been raising funds for months in case the application was approved.
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They will argue that they were taken out of the planning process when it was “called in” by the Labour government weeks after they won the election in 2024. It had previously been denied by Tower Hamlets Council.
Their review will be based on concerns they will be ousted from their homes by the Chinese government and over security, safety and privacy concerns.
Conservative shadow security minister Alicia Kearns, a long-time Beijing critic, said ministers could not hide behind the planning process as she accused the government of having “gifted the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) a launchpad for economic warfare in the heart of London”.
“It was clear approval was inevitable since Starmer promised to assist Xi Jinping in a phone call in August 2024,” she said.
“Ministers must own their decision and all future consequences. They can no longer hide behind planning procedure. Questions must be answered, starting with mitigations.
“Will the Chinese pay for critical cabling to be moved? Will there be any monitoring of the site against transnational repression and hacking?
“There is no commitment ministers can give that they will be able to mitigate CPC technological advancements in years to come. Expect this decision to go to judicial review.”
A group of politicians from around the world, aimed at addressing China’s influence, warned granting approval is the “wrong decision for the UK”.
Luke de Pulford, director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), said: “This is the wrong decision for the UK, sending all the wrong signals. Wrong for dissidents, wrong for UK national security.
“Our three Cs China policy is less complete, challenge and cooperate, more cover-up, cave in, and cash out.”
Mark Sabah, UK director of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said the decision is “astonishing and appalling”, given warnings from British and foreign politicians, Five Eyes allies, opposition groups, local residents, MI5 and MI6, and the police.
“The risks to Britain’s national security are clear to everyone, except it seems to Keir Starmer and the government he leads,” he said.
“Questions need to be raised about why, despite every possible warning, these plans have continued to be pushed ahead regardless.
“We stand firm in our belief that while China is entitled to an embassy, this particular site, with its historic significance, redacted floor plans, underground chambers and proximity to sensitive data cables, and all the risks that these entail, is the wrong decision for Britain’s national security and for British citizens.”
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