The British government is poised to formally approve China's controversial new mega-embassy in London, despite ongoing security concerns and recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Security Services Back Embassy Plan
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to give his formal seal of approval to the new Chinese diplomatic complex at Royal Mint Court, with the backing of Britain's security services. According to a report in The Times, the approval is set to be a 'formality' following assessments by relevant authorities.
The Home Office and Foreign Office – and by extension, MI5 and MI6 – are not anticipated to raise objections to the plan, provided adequate national security 'mitigations' are implemented. The final decision will be revealed on 10 December 2025.
Location Raises Security Concerns
Critics have expressed significant concerns about the chosen location near Tower Hill, which sits above numerous fibre optic cables connecting the City of London and Canary Wharf. City of London Corporation officials confirmed to City AM that they had security concerns about the proximity to critical data infrastructure.
The approval process comes amid warnings from the Chinese state about potential 'consequences' if the development of the new diplomatic hub were to be blocked.
Diplomatic Relations Under Strain
The embassy decision arrives during a particularly tense period in UK-China relations. Recent developments have highlighted ongoing security concerns:
- The collapse of a high-profile espionage case at the heart of Parliament
- MI5 warnings about Chinese spies using LinkedIn to target Westminster figures
- Security alerts issued to Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and parliamentarians
- Ongoing controversy surrounding the collapsed case of Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry
Security minister Dan Jarvis confirmed this week that individuals at think tanks and lobby groups working closely with parliamentarians and public officials had been targeted.
Meanwhile, Sky News reports that Prime Minister Starmer is planning to visit Beijing in January 2026, marking the first prime ministerial visit since Theresa May's tenure. This development occurs against a backdrop of internal government discussions, with the Treasury reportedly pushing for enhanced trade relations with China, the world's second-largest economy.
