By Peter Omopo
A group of Labour MPs has called on the government to reject China’s plan to build a large new embassy in central London, citing national security concerns and warning that the facility could be used to intimidate dissidents living in the UK.
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Steve Reed, nine Labour lawmakers urged ministers to block the proposal ahead of a decision deadline of January 20. The MPs raised concerns about the scale and location of the proposed embassy at Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, which would become the largest Chinese diplomatic mission in Europe.
The lawmakers warned that unresolved security risks remain and argued that an embassy of such size and strategic importance could be used to intensify surveillance and harassment of diaspora communities and political critics of Beijing. They said approving the project would make it difficult for them to reassure constituents that their safety and rights were being adequately protected.
One of the signatories, Sarah Champion, a member of Parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, said she was deeply concerned about the risks associated with the development, noting China’s recent record of espionage and interference activities. Other MPs backing the letter have previously spoken out about what they describe as transnational repression by China, particularly targeting Hong Kong activists who have sought refuge in the UK.
Concerns were also raised about the site’s proximity to sensitive infrastructure considered vital to Britain’s economic and national security, including communications networks linked to the City of London. Labour MP Alex Sobel said the embassy could potentially be used to disrupt or monitor communications, adding that the UK should take a firmer diplomatic stance on human rights issues, including the continued detention of British citizen and Hong Kong pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai.
Local residents living in flats at Royal Mint Court have also expressed opposition to the plans and say they are preparing to launch a legal challenge if the development is approved. The Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association said legal advice had already been sought and would form the basis of a formal challenge should the government give the green light.
Downing Street has defended the proposal, arguing that consolidating China’s diplomatic operations into a single site could offer security advantages for the UK. Officials have said UK security services have reviewed the plans and raised no formal objections. Under the proposal, China would close several smaller diplomatic sites across London and centralise its operations at Royal Mint Court.
The issue comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to make a visit to China later this year, the first by a British prime minister since 2018. China purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255 million in 2018, and approval of the embassy has been a long-standing priority for Beijing.
A final decision on the planning application is expected in the coming days, with the environment secretary set to consider advice from officials before making a ruling.
