Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is poised to grant approval for a highly contentious new Chinese 'super embassy' in central London, Sky News understands.
Security Concerns and Political Opposition
The final decision on the planning application for the former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London is scheduled for 10 December. This follows numerous previous delays on a project that has become a political flashpoint.
The proposal's sensitivity stems from acute concerns about Chinese espionage activities within the UK. These fears were recently inflamed by the collapse of a court case involving two men accused of spying for China. Furthermore, MI5 issued a fresh warning this week to MPs and peers about online recruiters working for the country's intelligence services.
Despite this, The Times newspaper, which first broke the story, reports that the plans have received the green light from both MI5 and MI6. It is understood that neither the Home Office nor the Foreign Office will raise formal objections, provided appropriate security "mitigations" are implemented.
A Contentious Location and Government Stance
The planned 600,000 square foot embassy site is located above sensitive cables running between the City of London and Canary Wharf, a detail that has provoked widespread protests. China purchased the Royal Mint Court for £255 million in 2018, but its initial plans were rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022. The application was resubmitted after Labour's election victory in July 2024.
The decision was "called in" by then Housing Secretary Angela Rayner in August of that year, transferring oversight from the local council to central government. The final decision now technically rests with the current Housing Secretary, Steve Reed.
Opposition to the project is firm. Alex Burghart, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, stated the Conservatives are "very concerned about security" and technical issues, referencing the recent case of "Chinese spies spying on members of parliament."
Broader Diplomatic Context
This development coincides with news that Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be planning a trip to China in January. This would mark the first visit by a UK prime minister since Theresa May's trip in 2018.
When questioned by Sky News, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall MP declined to comment directly on the embassy plans but emphasised that all decisions would follow "the proper process." She stated, "We are clear eyed about our relationship with China. Our national security will always come first. That is absolutely non-negotiable."
China maintains that the new embassy aims to "promote understanding and friendship" and develop "mutually beneficial cooperation" with the UK. A Chinese embassy spokesperson previously told Sky News that claims of a security risk are "completely groundless and malicious slander."
