China’s new super-embassy in London given green light despite national security fears

China’s hugely-controversial super-embassy in London is finally confirmed to be going ahead despite widespread security concerns.

The plans to convert the former Royal Mint in Tower Hamlets, near top financial centres and critical communication cables, have been green-lit today.

It follows an intense diplomatic battle beginning in 2022, with the decision changing hands from Tower Hamlets council to multiple government ministers.

The building would be China’s largest ever in Europe, sitting at around 22,000 square metres. Local residents have also voiced concerns about espionage.

China has been accused of placing pressure on Keir Starmer to say yes to their plans, with the power supply of the British embassy in Beijing reportedly being shut off.

Inside the plans for China’s new super-embassy in London

Plans for the building also remained partially redacted for some time, which only heightened espionage concerns.

Last week The Telegraph published the plans in full for the first time, which included a concealed chamber running along the outer wall of a room.

It would also be placed close to fibre optic cables transmitting email and messaging data for millions of people.

Leader of a campaign against controversial plans to build a ‘mega embassy’ for China opposite Tower Bridge has told Metro the ‘battle will go on’ and plans to launch a judicial review.

Mark Nygate lives in flats next to the proposed embassy site which are on land which will be owned by the Chinese under the deal.

The residents fear that the embassy will cover the area with CCTV which means they will lose their privacy and fear they may lose their homes if the Chinese want to redevelop.

He told Metro: ‘We think this is a terrible decision which we will fight. We have a fundraiser which is collecting money and we have had contributions from around the world, as far away as Australia. We demand a judicial review and will not stop until this plan is kicked out.’

Families said the were ‘utter bewildered’ that the government were allowing the China mega embassy on their doorstep. 

A mother of three told Metro: ‘They are going to have CCTV cameras pointed on our flats – it’s a disgrace. We are going to be under their authority and we know the Chinese government is not best known for its human rights record.

‘We are utterly bewildered and feel let down. Thanks for nothing, Keir Starmer.’

Another resident said: ‘We will practically be under Chinese authority – our lives will not be the same. What if we have a protest flag hanging outside our window? Will they order us to take it down? They’ll be our landlords.’ 

The Liberal Democrats meanwhile said it was the Prime Minister’s ‘biggest mistake yet’.

The party’s foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said: ‘The Prime Minister knows his decision today will amplify China’s surveillance efforts here in the UK and endanger the security of our data – not to speak of the safety of the brave Hong Kongers on British soil. It’s categorically wrong that he’s embraced these threats to further his flirtation with China.

‘This Government should be ashamed of its decision to allow the super spy embassy to go ahead today.’

Major security concerns

Tower Hamlets Council first rejected the proposal in 2022, but cabinet ministers have waded in to push for China to get their way.

Last year MI5 were reportedly worried about the building’s close proximity to major communication cables, leaving them susceptible to an attack.

Security expert Will Geddes told Metro: ‘A super-embassy would become the mothership of all lucrative communication.

‘The surveillance capabilities will be much greater, but being next to these important cables raises an even greater risk.’

He explained the China will ‘easily’ be intercept the wires by hot tapping.

‘Or they can just set up their own, which we in turn would struggle to intercept,’ Will said.

But MI5 and MI6 have reportedly raised no formal objections to the new embassy.

Measures have been developed to ‘manage any risks’ relating to China’s new central London embassy, the Government has said amid concerns over its security implications.

A Government spokesperson said: ‘This planning decision has been taken independently by the Secretary of State for Housing. This follows a process that began in 2018 when the then foreign secretary (Boris Johnson) provided formal diplomatic consent for the site.

‘More broadly, countries establishing embassies in other countries’ capitals is a normal part of international relations.

‘National security is our first duty. Intelligence agencies have been involved throughout the process and an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks.

‘Following extensive negotiations in recent months, the Chinese government has agreed to consolidate its seven current sites in London into one site, bringing clear security advantages.’

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