The UK has approved China’s application to build a new embassy in London that would become China’s largest diplomatic mission in Europe, despite political opposition and security concerns.
The decision, taken on Tuesday (20 January), follows advice from UK security agencies that mitigation measures are in place. The embassy will be located at Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, a site purchased by China for £255m in 2018.
Key points:
• The embassy will be built on the former Royal Mint site in east London.
• Critics raised espionage concerns, citing nearby City of London data cables.
• Communities secretary Steve Reed said the Home Office and Foreign Office raised no objections.
• Ministers said risks could be addressed under existing national security laws.
Seema Malhotra, a Foreign Office minister, told MPs that intelligence agencies were involved throughout. Conservative figures, including Sir James Cleverly, criticised the approval.
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