UK approves China’s largest European embassy in London

The British government, on January 20, approved plans for China to construct what would be its largest embassy in Europe in London, a decision aimed at easing strained relations with Beijing despite repeated warnings from British and US politicians that the site could be used for intelligence-gathering activities.

The proposed embassy would be built at Royal Mint Court, a historic site near the Tower of London that housed the Royal Mint for more than 150 years until 1967. China purchased the property in 2018, but efforts to secure planning permission stalled for three years amid opposition from local residents, lawmakers, and Hong Kong pro-democracy activists based in the UK.

The approval comes ahead of an expected visit to China by Prime Minister Keir Starmer later this month, which would mark the first trip by a British leader since 2018. According to British and Chinese officials, the visit was contingent on the embassy project receiving government approval.

“All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision,” the government said in a statement, adding that the ruling is final unless overturned through legal action.

China’s initial application to redevelop the Royal Mint Court was rejected in 2022 by the local council. The issue resurfaced after Chinese President Xi Jinping personally urged Starmer last year to intervene. Subsequently, the British government assumed authority over the planning process and convened a public inquiry in February to assess the proposal.

Critics in Britain and the United States have argued that allowing China to build a major diplomatic complex near London’s historic financial district could enable surveillance of fibre-optic cables running beneath the area and used by financial institutions. British security officials have also warned that a significantly expanded embassy would likely increase the number of Chinese intelligence operatives in the country, alongside diplomatic staff — claims the Chinese embassy in London has rejected.

In October, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence service, MI5, said the agency had more than a century of experience monitoring foreign embassies, suggesting that any associated security risks could be effectively managed. At the same time, MI5 has warned of persistent efforts by China to recruit individuals with access to the British government. In November, the agency formally alerted lawmakers to alleged attempts by Beijing to interfere in British political affairs.

Concerns over national security were further amplified after the collapse of a trial involving two British men accused of spying on members of parliament for China, prompting criticism that the government was prioritising improved diplomatic ties over security considerations.

Despite these concerns, the government approved the embassy following years of sustained diplomatic pressure from Beijing, as Starmer seeks to recalibrate relations with China — an objective he has identified as a key foreign policy priority. Over the past decade, Britain’s stance toward China has shifted from positioning itself as Beijing’s leading European partner to becoming one of its most vocal critics, before now moving toward renewed engagement. Starmer said last month that strengthening business ties with China serves the national interest.

The proposed embassy would cover approximately 55,000 square metres, making it one of the largest diplomatic missions in the world. It would be nearly ten times the size of China’s current embassy in central London and significantly larger than its embassy in the United States.

Some local residents opposing the project are considering seeking a judicial review of the decision.

British officials involved in the negotiations said that prior to Tuesday’s approval, China had blocked UK plans to expand its embassy in Beijing. Chinese officials, meanwhile, have stated that when Beijing acquired Royal Mint Court for £255 million ($343.54 million), it received assurances from the then Conservative government that the site could be used for its embassy.

By Tamilla Hasanova