Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in Tower Hamlets to protest against the highly controversial new Chinese 'super embassy' planned for London, amid allegations that plain-clothed security personnel have infiltrated the crowd.
Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Embassy Plans
The protest, which saw around 500 people assemble at the Royal Mint Court on Friday, January 17, 2026, centres on China's intention to convert the historic Old Royal Mint into its largest diplomatic mission in Europe. The site's proximity to major financial centres and critical communication infrastructure has raised significant alarm among security experts and the public alike.
Despite these widespread concerns, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to grant final approval for the project before an official visit to Beijing later this month. The decision, delayed by both former and current Housing Secretaries Angela Rayner and Steve Reed, now appears imminent.
Security Fears and Alleged Infiltration
Luke de Pulford, of the International Parliamentary Alliance on China, issued a stark warning to those attending the demonstration. "The Chinese have plain clothes security guards operating in this area," he stated, urging press to have their credentials ready. Riot police were present at the scene as tensions simmered.
The security anxieties are compounded by the building's planned location near vital fibre optic cables that handle email and messaging data for millions. Unredacted plans published by The Telegraph this week revealed a concealed chamber running along an outer wall, further fuelling suspicions about the facility's potential purpose.
Critical Risks to Communication Networks
Security analyst Will Geddes outlined the severe risks, describing a potential super-embassy as "the mothership of all lucrative communication." He warned that China could "easily" intercept data by "hot tapping" the adjacent cables or by installing its own parallel systems that would be extremely difficult to monitor.
These concerns echo previous MI5 apprehensions about the site's vulnerability. The backdrop also includes the 2023 revelation that Chinese embassies were involved in operating overseas police stations used to monitor and harass diaspora communities.
Nevertheless, it is reported that neither MI5 nor MI6 have raised formal objections to the 22,000-square-metre complex. The protest and the surrounding debate highlight the deepening diplomatic and security dilemmas facing the UK government as it balances international relations with national safety.
