China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
Beijing expresses “grave concern” after the UK postponed its final decision on China’s proposed mega-embassy in London, pressing for the UK to honour alleged commitments or face repercussions.
China has issued a strong warning to the United Kingdom after the decision on its proposed “mega-embassy” in London was delayed again.
The UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government moved the deadline from October 21 to December 10 for a planning decision on China’s application for its new embassy at the Royal Mint Court site in east London.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, said on the record that the UK had shown “disregard for contractual spirit, acting in bad faith and without integrity” and that Britain should “immediately fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments, otherwise the consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the UK side”.
Downing Street has countered that the UK does not recognise any prior assurances or commitments given to China in connection with the embassy application, stating that the decision is being made by the housing minister as part of a quasi-judicial process and that protecting national security remains the UK government’s first duty.
The proposed embassy would span 20,000 square metres and would be the largest Chinese diplomatic complex in Europe if approved.
Its location opposite the Tower of London, near major financial infrastructure and fibre-optic cables serving the City of London, has raised concerns among UK intelligence and security experts that the site could pose heightened surveillance or espionage risks.
The application originally was rejected by the local council in 2022 before being taken over by the national government.
The latest delay comes amid a broader deterioration in UK-China relations, including the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial involving two British men accused of passing sensitive information to Beijing.
The UK’s domestic security agency, MI5, has publicly declared China to be a daily national security threat, while Chinese officials have protested what they describe as politicised treatment of the embassy application.
Analysts say the episode highlights the tension between the UK’s ambitions to reset relations with Beijing under Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the enduring security and diplomatic dilemmas posed by China’s global posture.
The outcome of the embassy decision will be closely watched for its implications on bilateral ties, foreign investment and the UK’s approach to foreign states seeking large diplomatic footprints on British soil.
The UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government moved the deadline from October 21 to December 10 for a planning decision on China’s application for its new embassy at the Royal Mint Court site in east London.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, said on the record that the UK had shown “disregard for contractual spirit, acting in bad faith and without integrity” and that Britain should “immediately fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments, otherwise the consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the UK side”.
Downing Street has countered that the UK does not recognise any prior assurances or commitments given to China in connection with the embassy application, stating that the decision is being made by the housing minister as part of a quasi-judicial process and that protecting national security remains the UK government’s first duty.
The proposed embassy would span 20,000 square metres and would be the largest Chinese diplomatic complex in Europe if approved.
Its location opposite the Tower of London, near major financial infrastructure and fibre-optic cables serving the City of London, has raised concerns among UK intelligence and security experts that the site could pose heightened surveillance or espionage risks.
The application originally was rejected by the local council in 2022 before being taken over by the national government.
The latest delay comes amid a broader deterioration in UK-China relations, including the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial involving two British men accused of passing sensitive information to Beijing.
The UK’s domestic security agency, MI5, has publicly declared China to be a daily national security threat, while Chinese officials have protested what they describe as politicised treatment of the embassy application.
Analysts say the episode highlights the tension between the UK’s ambitions to reset relations with Beijing under Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the enduring security and diplomatic dilemmas posed by China’s global posture.
The outcome of the embassy decision will be closely watched for its implications on bilateral ties, foreign investment and the UK’s approach to foreign states seeking large diplomatic footprints on British soil.
